“Call someone who cares,” I mumbled.
In the next second, Ryder was in front of me. Like right in front of me. He dropped to a squat and his angry face invaded my personal space. “You think I don’t care?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “Why don’t you sing me a song about how you really feel?”
“Goddamn, Red. Do you need some coffee? Should we postpone this chat until you’ve had enough caffeine to clear your hazy mind and remember who left who? Or do you have a reason to be angry with me? Because I would love to hear it if you do. I’ll even get you my guitar and you can singmea song.” His eyes glittered with the knowledge of what it would mean for me to sing.
It was safe to say a good night’s sleep had not softened Ryder’s stance on my return.
“I need to brush my teeth.” I slid over so I could stand up without bumping into Ryder. He stood up too and didn’t exactly leave my space.
“Need a toothbrush?” Phoenix asked.
I nabbed my purse and patted it. “I’ve got one. Where’s the bathroom?”
Phoenix stepped back and pointed down the hall. I followed his finger and escaped as quickly as I could. Once the door was shut, I went straight to work on making myself not look like a train wreck.
I flinched as I took in my smudged mascara and ratty hair. Knowing my breath was two steps from toxic, I couldn’t help but feel the burn of embarrassment that Ryder had been forced to witness this side of me.
If I had all this Siren power and yet I couldn’t wake up looking absolutely perfect, then what was the point?
I brushed my teeth, then my hair and changed into the second outfit I’d packed in my purse- another long maxi skirt, this one royal blue with black stripes, and a black tank top. I threw my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head and swiped some mascara and lip gloss on again after washing my face.
Much better.
Ryder had been right about the coffee though. I needed something strongly caffeinated and so sweet it would make my eyes twitch.
I took a moment to lean on the vanity and pull myself together. I thought about slipping out the window, but that seemed cowardly. I was trying to be braver.
Also, I didn’t want to break my neck trying to jump to the ground from Phoenix’s second floor window. A spinal cord injury would be highly counterproductive.
I opened the door and prepared for whatever was to come. I couldn’t even imagine what Ryder was doing here or why he wanted to talk. He’d made himself perfectly clear last night.
I quietly walked back into the room and whatever conversation Phoenix and Ryder were currently in the middle of halted. They both looked at me. Phoenix’s gaze held enough compassion and empathy to make me feel warm and squishy inside.
Ryder’s gaze, however, made me feel the opposite of warm and squishy.
“So what is it you guys want to talk about?” I broke the silence first.
“I’ll just, uh, give you two some privacy,” Phoenix declared and then disappeared into the hall, closing the door behind him.
Ryder leaned against the far wall, his attention never leaving me. His arms were crossed over his chest and his jaw ticked from how tightly he clenched his teeth.
I felt the power of his silver gaze rocket through me. He left me dizzy with the effect of it, disoriented and hot. He could express so much with just a look. He had no idea what he did to me or how deeply his words hurt.
“We need to talk,” he reiterated, breaking the building pressure.
“You said that. I thought we talked enough last night. At least you said enough for the both of us.”
He flinched and admitted, “You caught me off guard last night. I might have overreacted.”
“Ryder you wrote a song basically about what a stone cold bitch I am. Your band knew it. You guys practiced it.”
His lips twitched and he ran a hand through his hair, “Yeah, well, it’s been a year, Ivy. I’ve had a lot of time to stew.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I expected him to tell me he was over me or that he had spent the last year hating me. I did not expect him to say “stew.” I didn’t know if that was worse or better, but something about it lessened the blow he had delivered with his mean song.
“You left me.”
