I’ve been experimenting with charcoal lately, drawing portraits that never reveal the full face. Sometimes it’s just lips, an eye or even the nape with detailing of hair. The sketches can come across a little dark, I’ll admit, but I’d call itthought-provokingrather thandemented.
Ryker leans an arm on the wall behind Hayley and dips his face toward hers. Charm glides over him like an aura. When he licks his lips like he wants to taste her, my stomach drops.
What the fuck?
‘Hmm.’ Ryker’s eyes travel leisurely down the length of Hayley’s body. His gaze flashes with something that I can’t put my finger on. Anger, I think? But from the way the rest of his body is angled toward her right now,lustwould probably be more accurate.
I feel sick. It sucks to see him look at someone else like this, especially someone as nasty as Hayley. I bury my short, sparkly nails into my palms. I know I’m just his best friend’s little sister – it’s always been this way – but it stillsucks.
‘What’s that carnival you wanted me to take you to?’ Ryker says in a voice that’s smooth like honey.
‘L-Lucifer’s Dream.’ Hayley’s chest rises and falls a little quicker, matching the fluttering of her lashes. ‘You know the one, it happens in Coachman’s Park every year. It’s always really fun.’
This scene is like a horror movie. I want to look away but must enjoy tormenting myself, because I don’t. I watch as Hayley’s cheeks bloom a deep shade of crimson.
‘Yeah … Lucifer’s Dream,’ Ryker repeats, as if savouring how the words feel on his tongue. He stares at her for a moment longer, letting the energy grow tense.
I bite my lip and shuffle my feet, wanting to curl up into a ball. Monique tugs at my elbow. Maybe it’s better to forget about my sketchbook and just go.
Then Ryker’s liquid gaze shoots my way, his eyes returning to the usual playful ones I know well.
‘Well, you’ve sold me. What do you say, Gianna? I’ll get us tickets for tomorrow?’ A full-blown grin crosses his face as he pushes off the wall, leaving Hayley gaping. The tint in her cheeks is now a deep red, the anger and embarrassment radiating off her.
Tyler and Renny bow over in laughter. ‘He had you going for a sec, didn’t he, Hayles?’ Renny flings an arm around her. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take you.’
Hayley perks up with hope, puffing her chest out proudly. ‘Really?’
‘Psych!’ He drops his arm and laughs even harder. ‘Don’t fuck with Little G.’
Hayley’s bottom lip quivers but she sucks it in. ‘Well, I wouldn’t want to hang out with you guys anyway. All you do is fuck around at The Tropics.’
Renny arm-rolls the basketball across his chest, flicks it behind him and catches it in a movement so fluid it’s like watching water take shape. ‘Well, thatishow you find out.’
Hayley attempts to slam the ball from Renny’s hands, but he dodges her, which only makes her face redder. ‘This is exactly why Jace and I didn’t work out. You’re all gonna end up in jail if you keep street racing.’
A crack echoes as Tyler snaps off a piece of carrot he’s chewing on, before he points the bitten end toward Hayley. ‘Y’know what you are, Hayley?’
‘What?’ She squares her shoulders.
‘A plunger.’ Tyler flashes a smirk. ‘You like bringing up old shit. You and Jace didn’t work out because you don’t have a loyal bone in your body. Imagine if you did something good for the town instead of sticking your nose in places it doesn’t belong.’
Hayley’s mouth drops as her eyes widen with anger. There’s a moment where it seems like she’s actually considering Tyler’s words, but then she shakes her head, scowls and storms away.
Renny and Tyler continue down the hall, bouncing the basketball between them, and Ryker gently hands me back my book. He folds a warm palm at the back of my head before pressing my forehead to his lips. He lingers for a moment, enveloping me in him. My skin burns from his touch and I lose focus.
Ryker lets go and the three guys move down the hall. I feel like I’m floating, not even realising that Monique is pulling me to class.
‘Oh my god,’ she squeals. ‘That did not just happen! Did you see Hayley’s face? It was like she was questioning herentire existence, but even better … You have a date with Ryker Edwards! He’s so hot. We need to get you a better costume. Wait, will you still wear a costume? We need to make sure you look extra sexy.’
Her words leave her mouth at a mile a second, and it takes me a moment to even register what she’s saying. I’m still wondering if this just happened.
‘Wait a second, hold up,’ I breathe, bringing us to a halt. ‘He’s Jace’s best friend.Myfriend. He was just doing me a solid.’
‘Are you deranged? Ryker fucking Edwards just asked you out. In front of almost half the entire campus. It was like a public declaration of love.’ Monique’s grin stretches across her face. She takes a calming breath with her eyes closed before looking up toward the ceiling, splaying her palms wide in offering. ‘God, you can take me now. My life is complete.’ I playfully shove her. Both of us tilt our heads back in laughter.
‘Were you really going to hit her?’ I ask.
‘I mean …’ Monique considers her words. ‘If I had to. But then your hot hero came swooping in to save the day.’
