I stand up abruptly, setting the swing back in an arch. “Fuck you, Fallon.”
He’s faster than I give him credit for, especially in the doped-up state he’s in. His hands snake out and grab me by my hips to pull me in. “Oh, Elizabeth. There is so much more going on than you know.”
A deep voice booms behind me causing me to jump. “Get your hands off my girl, Fallon.”
My girl. And it’s not Jayson.
“I see how it is now. Good to know.” Fallon releases my hips and starts to swing back and forth, the squeaking of the chains as loud as the cicadas that are buzzing in the trees. Fallon smirks up at Ryder who's now at my back and taps the side of his head. “Knowledge is power, baby. Knowledge is power.”
Ryder gently moves me behind his body. “What’s going on here, Elizabeth?” he asks me, but his eyes are on Fallon.
Fallon stands up and pats Ryder’s shoulder. “We were just talking, man. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
He steps aside to walk past but stops beside me. “You want to continue our conversation, you know where to find me.” He takes out his half joint and lights it. We watch as he walks back around the side of the house into the darkness.
“What the hell was that about, Elizabeth?”
I really don’t know, honestly. “Nothing. He was just messing with me. You know how he is,” I reply hoping Ryder will drop it, but of course I’m not that lucky.
“You need to stay away from Fallon.” After that encounter, I completely agree. However, my curiosity is piqued. What was it he said? There was so much more going on that I didn’t know. As strangely bizarre as I think Fallon may be, he may also be the only one that can give me any answers to my questions. Am I willing to play his game to get them?
“I will. He’s a bit off. You hang out with him, right?”
“It’s complicated.”
Deciding it’s best to drop the subject, I ask him, “You said you had something you wanted to tell me. Oh! Julien has good news, but I won’t spoil it and will let him tell you. Would you mind driving him home so Jayson and I can leave?”
“Yeah, I can do that. Why are you guys leaving? I just got here.”
“I’m not up to partying tonight,” is all I say. Ryder nudges me to sit back down on the porch swing with him.
“I feel there’s more to that than you’re letting on.”
“Too many bad memories,” I reply, knowing he'll understand. Ryder tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, his gaze understanding. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
“I broke up with Maria.”
Well, that came out of left field. Maria hasn’t said a word to me about it. Actually, Maria hasn’t responded to any of my texts or calls and now I know why.
“What happened Ryder?”
He exhales and closes his eyes. “Things weren’t going anywhere. I tried, but she’s just not the one for me. I don’t love her. I never will. She needs to be free to find someone who will love her and give her what she needs. I’m not that person.”
“I’m so sorry.”
I feel like it’s my fault, that I’m to blame. Ryder and I seem to have this push-pull between us, like we’re stuck on opposite ends of a bungee cord and the further we try to run away, the stronger the snap back is toward each other. Jayson wants to plan a life, a future with me, create a family with me. How can I truly commit to that future when part of me is still connected to Ryder? Will that bond ever break between us? It’s not fair to him. It’s not fair to Jayson.
“What are we doing, Ryder?”
“I wish I knew, Elizabeth.”
A door bangs open and the music and noise from inside the house spills out as Jayson and Julien step out onto the porch. “There you are, baby.” Jayson notices Ryder next to me. “We’ve been waiting on you, man. When’d you get here?”
“Just now. Saw Elizabeth. Heard you had some good news, Jules.”
“So, so good news. CU offered me a full ride.”
“Julien, you’re so drunk.” Jayson laughs at him while keeping him from toppling over.
