Page 54 of Lost Boy
By the time I’m done hacking my lungs up, I can barely hold my eyes open, and I’m not sure if I can even speak.
I slouch down further into the cushioned seat, my eyes drifting shut.
I’m completely baked.
A soft hand caresses mine, taking the blunt from my grasp.
“Shit. Coulda set m’self on fire,” I mumble, unsure if he can understand me. It sounded right in my head.
“Fallon.”
I open my eyes wide, or maybe it’s just a sliver. “Hmm?”
“Who’s left you?”
My inhibitions are lowered or maybe obliterated because I slur out a string of people who have left me in one way or another, starting with my dad and ending with my mom.
That warm hand touches me again, this time pressed to my cheek. “I won’t be one of them. And neither will my family or your uncle. You’re stuck with us, Blue. Awkward jokes and all. Let’s get you up to the bedroom I always stay in. I keep clothes and shit here since I crash a lot after basketball. We can get more comfortable.”
He used to stay here? Has he done things with Cole?
“What? No! I mean, yes. I mean, no!” Ryder scrubs a hand down his face in drunken frustration. Guess I asked that out loud.
“Yes, I used to stay here. Before you. And no, of course not. I have never done anything with Cole. He doesn’t like guys and doesn’t know I do.”
“M’kay. Sorry,” I slur on a hiccup, and Ryder chuckles, looking over his shoulder quickly.
“Come here. You’re fucking adorable when you’re drunk.” Then he lowers his voice. “And your lips are extra fucking shimmery tonight. Dammit, Blue.”
Even in my drunken state, I can hear the lust in his voice. The desire.
“Take me upstairs, Ry. Want you.”
“You’re too fucked up. I won’t take advantage of you, but give me a kiss.”
Ryder squats down in front of my chair, and I lean forward, an automatic response at this point. He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, pressing his lips to mine and gently tilting my head to the side to kiss me deeper.
“More,” I whisper-moan into his open mouth.
“We can’t. You’re torched.”
“M’not. M’horny.” My lips throb from his kiss.
Ryder chuckles, “Actually, you just proved my point. You’re wasted. Let’s go upstairs to bed, though. The guys won’t think twice about us crashing here. They know I’m looking out for you, so you’ll stay in my room.”
Ryder stands to his full height and holds a palm out. I place my smaller hand in his, and he tugs me to my feet. I waver slightly, stumbling into his chest. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me in and whispering into the top of my head. “You good, Blue?” His tone is gentle and kind.
I nod, the alcohol and weed hitting me even harder now that I’m standing. Ryder keeps his arm around me as he steers us toward the patio doors.
He can’t be seen with his arm around me. I panic and tear away from him, pushing through the door and tripping over the molding.
I crash into a hard chest instead of the hard floor. Strong arms band around me in a grip that’s too tight and not at all friendly.
“Well, hello, pretty thing,” a harsh voice taunts as I stare up into cold eyes, my vision wavering.
Ryder comes barging in the back door after me, and the cruel face before me speaks again.
“Hey, Cruz. Your girlfriend threw herself at me, dude. Better watch that. She’s pretty, too.”
