Page 35 of Lost Boy
“Let me get out of here before Sofie finds out you're awake. She’s been asking for you all morning. We’ve been a little worried, Blue,” he whispers.
“I’m fine. I told you that. See? Wasn’t wrong.” I gesture to my body tucked in bed and propped against the headboard.
He eyes me, unconvinced. “You remember things from last night, don’t you?” He looks vulnerable and unsure. Unlike his normal, playful self.
I don’t like it, so I quickly reassure him. “I do. And I don’t regret any of it. Do you?” Now I’m the one to sound insecure.
“Of course not. It was incredible. You’re incredible. Unbelievable, really. Can I give you a proper birthday kiss?” He’s unguarded again, but I like it this time. “Just a quick one.” He glances over his shoulder at the open door behind him and then back to me.
I nod, always short for words. Ryder leans forward and presses his mouth to mine before pulling back slightly, swiping his tongue along my lip ring, and playing with it. I groan at the pull on my sensitive flesh, leaning forward after him, begging for more.
I grab his cutoff and pull him toward me, sealing my mouth to his, branding him with a red-hot kiss. Ryder runs his long fingers through my hair, getting tangled in my bedhead. It doesn’t stop him from taking control and angling us just right to devour my mouth how he pleases. We pull apart when we hear people downstairs laughing and talking.
“You taste like syrup, and you smell like strawberries,” he murmurs, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. “So fucking sweet.” I’m seconds away from pulling him on top of me and demanding he ride me, just the way I did last night.
I want to drag him as close to me as I can until his warmth cocoons me and shields me from all the bullshit in my life.
I. . . what?
I actually just want to come.
He bites at my earlobe, and I shiver, the tremor making its way from my scalp to the tips of my toes, causing my dick to pulse and thicken. “Go get ready,” he whispers directly into my ear. “It’s your birthday, and I’m not the only one who wants to celebrate you.”
His words cause my heart to warm a little. The emotions I’ve been allowing myself to feel are new and different. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way. I’m not sure I’m ready.
* * *
After a quick shower, I wipe the mirror with my hand, clearing away the fog to see my reflection. I use what’s probably Sofie’s comb, part my hair along the color split, and comb out all the tangles, leaving it to dry in a smooth, straight sheet. I use black eyeliner and my favorite strawberry shimmer Chapstick. Before I left my room, I grabbed my go-to outfit—my extra-small comfort tee has a few holes, especially around the neck. I pair it with my favorite black jeans that have been washed and dried so many times they practically feel like pajamas. The holes are natural, and my right knee is nearly separated from the top of the pants. I didn’t wear these to school, but it’s my birthday, and I want to be comfortable.
I leave the bathroom and drop my things in my room before heading downstairs for more food.
“Fallon! Happy Birthday!” Sofie shouts before hopping up from her spot on a giant pillow around the coffee table. Jamie must have gone home, but everyone else is playing a card game with snacks in the center. I could get down with that. She runs over to the bottom of the stairs and tugs on my hand, steering us around the corner where no one can see us.
“Are you okay?” she whispers into my ear as she hugs me tightly. I swallow past the lump in my throat and wrap my arms around her small frame for a second. I’m barely bigger than her but four years older, and she’s worried aboutme? After last night, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop worrying abouther.
“I’m fine, Sofie. Just needed to sleep it off. Areyouokay?” I emphasize theyoubecause she needs to realize something. “What Dustin did isn't okay. And I don’t want you going out with him. Promise me, Sofie.”
“He was just drunk. He wouldn’t do anything, but I don’t want to go out with him now that he hit you, and I told him that.” She crosses her arms in front of her chest and scrunches her brow in determination.
That probably just made me a bigger target for those assholes at the public school. I don’t even play basketball or do drama and gossip, yet here I am at what feels like the center. I try not to think about it on my birthday and silently make a plan to sneak away and enjoy the weed in my backpack. No way in hell I won’t be having a birthday blunt.
“Fallon?” Sofie’s eyes sparkle with concern as she rubs her hand up and down my shoulder. It sounds like she might have said my name more than once. But this isn’t unusual for me.
“Yeah?”
“I said I promise I won’t go out with Dustin. I already promised Ry, and I’m making it to you too. Okay? What he did was. . . really scary.”
I’m not a hugger, but this family is forcing me to feel and do things I don’t normally do. I pull Sofie back into a tight embrace. She’s only fourteen, and I hate that she went through that. I don’t give a shit about myself. I barely felt it, anyway.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her, unsure what else to say.
“Let’s forget that douche canoe and celebrateyou. Come on.” She grabs my hand again and tugs me the rest of the way back to the living room, leading me to a giant blue jean bean bag large enough for two or three adults.
She plops down, giving me no choice but to land next to her and sink into the soft foam beans, causing her to giggle. I feel my lip twitch as I resituate myself to see what I need to do to win the Starbursts and cheddar Pringles.
“I’m done. Dad won’t quit cheating,” Ryder says dryly, tossing his cards onto the coffee table.
“Mijo! I’m insulted. I do not cheat.” Alejandro places his neatly manicured hand over his heart, looking rightly offended.
