He steps toward me, placing his hand on my shoulder. “You know that’s not true. Ryan is a good person and he makes you happy. Ever since you guys started hanging out, I’ve seen a change in you. And I see a change in him, too. Go to him, Art. You know you want to.”
I sink down to the floor. Ryan returned the money because he didn’t feel right getting paid to take me. He really had a good time with me? He told me he couldn’t stop thinking about me after the dance. And I know that’s not because he was paid to feel that way. He truly, truly has strong feelings for me. I can try to argue with myself as much as I want, but I know him. I know the truth.
He saw something special in me that I didn’t see in myself. He became my friend, and then more than that, not because anyone paid him to. He was just following his feelings.
And I was such a jerk to accuse him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ryan
I’m bent forward on the living room couch, my head buried in my hands as I think about what happened at school today. Brianne must have overheard Jason and me talking in the stairwell today and took a video as proof to Artemis. Did she not see the part where we talked about my returning the money? Guess not.
I knew I should have told Artemis. But…after seeing her reaction today, would that have changed anything? No, she still would have been crushed.
Why, why did I take that money to begin with?
“Ryan?” Grandma says, stepping into the room. “Why are you sitting there like that?”
I drop my hands, leaning against the couch. Grandma lowers herself next to me. “I have a lot on my mind,” I tell her.
She studies me. “Can a girl have anything to do with this?”
How does she know that? Is it written on my forehead or something?
I puff out my cheeks. “I messed up, and I doubt she’ll ever talk to me again.”
She wraps her arm over my shoulder. “If you love her and she loves you, you guys can get through anything.”
I pull away. “I don’t think so. I really hurt her.”
“Then you need to apologize.”
“She wouldn’t let me.”
She looks into my eyes. “If she’s important to you, and it seems like she is, then you can’t let her go without a fight. Fight for her, for each other.”
I wish I could. But I hurt her, something I swore I would never do. I don’t think we can ever get past this.
Grandma pats my arm. “It’ll be okay, honey. Believe in yourself, in her, in the two ofyou and that special bond you have, and you’ll be able to overcome any obstacles thrown your way.” After giving me another pat, she gets up and leaves to the kitchen to start dinner.
I bend forward again, tearing my hands through my hair. I was a stupid jerk. All because I needed money to pay for that guitar. I didn’t know just how much that one dance would come to mean to me.
And now I messed everything up. The girl who changed my life forever is now gone. And she’ll probably never return.
There’s a knock on the door and Grandma goes to answer it. I’m slumped on the couch, my gaze on the carpet. I just can’t stop hating myself for what I’ve done.
“Ryan, you have a guest.”
My head springs up and I find Artemis standing there. Her hands are resting on her stomach, her head whipping around like she doesn’t know where to look.
Grandma gives me an encouraging nod and a small wink. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She scurries into the kitchen like a pot’s burning.
My eyes drift to Artemis, who’s still looking around like she can’t face me. I don’t take my gaze off her and when her eyes meet mine, they rest there.
I sit up. “Hey.”
“Hi.”
