Page 9 of It Never Was

Did you fucking block me???

Why the FUCK would you need your phone off!!??

My heart sinks and my stomach twists.

He knows my classes started today.

Why is he worried?

He had work today at the bar, so why was he blowing up my phone? He usually never uses his phone when he is at work. Did something happen?

Worry takes over and I press the call button on his name as fast as I can. It gets sent to voicemail. My stomach twists again. What happened? I try to call again as I get closer to home. I hear the voicemail again. I don't hesitate to push a third time.

"What?" Devon picks up at the first ring this time, his voice ice cold through the phone.

"Babe, are you okay?? I just turned my phone back on and saw all the calls and messages and I frea—"

"Why the fuck was your phone off to begin with, Ryen?" He interjects, ice replaced with fire.

"M-my professor in my first class is a piece of work. I had to turn it off b-because it was going off and he got upset," I sputter out. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he says flatly.

"What happened then?" I'm still concerned about all the messages.

"Well, my girlfriend didn't answer any of my calls or messages, that's what happened!" he barks.

"I was in—"

"I don't care if you were talking to the Queen of fucking England! You need to answer me!"

My mouth is parted searching for the words, but no sound comes out. I am stuck trying to figure out what is going on.

"You made me worried sick…" His voice softens a bit but is still sharp.

"...Sorry," my voice comes out barely audible.

I turn onto my street, my headlights catching the surface of blue metallic blocking my driveway.

"I'm at your house. I see you," he says and the line clicks.

4

Ryen

I park along the front curb of my house since he is blocking the driveway entrance. Grabbing my bag, I hesitantly walk to him, my head hanging low. I don't know what is going on, but I have a feeling I'm not going to like it.

He stands resting with his back against the side of his car, arms folded tight across his chest looking out to the street. He doesn't look over at me until I am right next to his side.

My shoulders sag and I bow my head as I walk to him, "Hey…babe…I didn't mean to worry you. I didn't realize it would be a problem." My voice breaks.

Why does my voice sound like I am guilty of a crime?

"Why wouldn't it be a problem?" He snaps.

"Well, you knew I had my classes today, so I didn't think about it I guess," I answer, finding a grain of confidence in my words.

His arms uncross and he turns to face me. He grabs my chin hard between his thumb and index finger, forcing me to look up at him. I am shrinking in my own skin, stunned. The flicker in his eyes is different, dangerous.

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