Page 17 of Calm Before the Score

After an hour, we’re laughing so hard we can hardly breathe. “Wait, so you actually climbed up to your bedroom window because you thought your mom didn’t know you went out?” I snort as I ask him the silliest question. This is the best night of my life. I listened to Ryan and slowed my roll with the alcohol after the bar, but buzzed Ryan is hilarious.

“Yep. She was watching me the entire time. By the time I got to my room, she was waiting on the bed with the goofiest smile on her face. She called me the biggest idiot in the world and gave me a huge hug.”

“She sounds awesome.” I sigh, brushing a rogue tear away from laughing so much. I stare into his intense eyes. “Thanks for bringing me home even though I put up a fight. Why weren’t you drinking?” I ask curiously.

“You don’t have to thank me. I don’t drink in public. Only when I’m at home or with someone I’m comfortable around.”

“You trust me?” I ask.

“Of course. I don’t know why, but I do,” he replies, and I’m shocked by his honesty. When I first met him, I was turned off by his blunt nature, but now, it doesn’t seem bad at all.

“I had a lot of fun tonight.” I let out a yawn. I can barely keep my eyes open, but I quickly remember to check the lock of the apartment door. Getting up slowly so I don’t face-plant, I click the lock back and forth three times to ensure it’s locked.

“What are you doing?” Ryan asks.

“Umm, nothing. Just couldn’t remember if we locked the door or not.” Playing it cool, not wanting to reveal too much of my real self just yet.

“Let’s get you to bed. You’re in for a massive hangover tomorrow,” he says. Before I can think about that sentence, he grabs my face with the most tender look in his eyes and kisses me on the floor of the main room. This kiss is different—he brushes my cheekbones as he takes his time moving slowly over my lips. He peppers my cheeks and forehead with small pecks, lifts me into his arms, and takes me to bed.

This time, I don’t want to fight it.

***

My eyes flutter open, and I immediately slam them closed. Who invented the sun? Because we need to have a serious talk. My head is killing me, and my hair is tangled against the pillow. I must have skipped brushing it before bed last night. Ugh, I hate myself so much.

I’m in my oversized pajama shirt and polka-dot flannel shorts. I don’t remember changing last night. Liza or Hartley must have helped me. I know I took way too many shots. My mouth is drier than the Sahara, ugh. I need water. I roll out of bed, andTHUD!I nearly faceplant on the hardwood floor, falling directly on a man’s body.

Nice move, Violet.The man’s muffled voice comes from under my butt.

RYAN. OH MY GOD, RYAN STAYED THE NIGHT. Ok, remain calm, Violet. Why is he on the floor again?

“Why are you on my bedroom floor?!” I shoot up and scream.

“Good morning to you too, Vi,” he answers softly as he rubs the sleep from his eyes. Why must men like Ryan look so handsome in the morning? I am fairly certain that I look like death on two feet.

“Answer the question. You’re not supposed to surprise attack me first thing in the morning.” I rub my temples, wishing he would quiet down a little.

“Surprise attack? Violet, I slept on the floor to respect you, but you told me you were more than ok with me sharing your bed.” He winks. He has the audacity to wink right now. Who am I kidding? That man can bring me to my knees, but I’m still in fierce interrogation mode.

“You kissed me,” I blurt out.Dang, Violet, you could have blamed it on the wine.

“I did, and before you ask, I don’t regret it—not even a little bit,” he answers with the cutest smile I have ever seen in my life planted on his stupidly hot face. He has dimples for days. Why haven’t I noticed that before?

“You don’t? We drank a lot. We can forget this night ever happened and blame it on the alcohol.”

“Is that what you want?” he asks with sincerity in his eyes.

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully.

“I don’t either,” he says. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to stay away from you.”

“Why are you telling me this? I swear, Ryan, if this is some joke that you are going to take back in a few minutes, please save it. I overthink a lot, and this is no exception. Be real with me. The back and forth is killing me.”

“I would be lying if I told you I know exactly what this is between us, but I want to spend more time with you to find out.I’ve never been in a relationship, and I don’t know if I even want one. This is new territory,” he answers with no hesitation. I can appreciate how transparent he’s being.

“I don’t know what I want either. I need to focus on school. Without school, I don’t have a future. I can’t let a man get in the way of that. Plus, I’m super hungover and still need to piece together what happened last night.”

I’m giving him an easy out. Isn’t that what guys want? To blame impulsive decisions on alcohol? This should make him leave and forget this ever happened.

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