Page 62 of Loathing Ryan
“Okay,” she finally whispered against my skin. Relief flooded through me. I hoped she knew the lengths I would go to for her. I would do anything to keep her. Even though this was a major hurdle we had to overcome, I was convinced we could do it together.
I pulled back and grinned. “Okay? So we’re going to do this?”
She nodded, trying to look hopeful. “I guess we are.”
It would be tough. We both knew it. But I didn’t want to face these tough challenges with anyone but her.
26
IZABEL
“Is this really necessary?”Ryan complained as I led him through the hallway.
I glanced back at my boyfriend and tried to control the giggle that wanted to escape. Ryan’s face was covered by a pink bandana, preventing him from knowing where I was leading him. He was dressed in jeans and a green polo, which I had picked out for him. I rolled my lips together, fighting the mischievous grin. He had no idea what was about to happen.
“We’re almost there,” I told him, trying not to sound too amused.
I didn’t think I had done a very good job of keeping tonight’s events a secret. Yet, Ryan hadn’t indicated that he knew what was happening. When I held out the pink bandana to him when I picked him up, he mustered a questioning raise of his eyebrow. He was a good sport, letting me tie it around his eyes before we departed from his mom’s house.
Tonight’s plans had been in the works for the last week or so. Our final two weeks together had flown by as if we were on fast-forward. Ryan’s flight to Berlin was scheduled for tomorrow morning, bright and early. All we had left was tonight. I would have liked to spend our entire last night together, alone, but I figured it was only fair to share him with his family and friends. They were saying goodbye to him, too, after all. Which is what the purpose of tonight was all about.
“Okay,” I said when we got to the door hiding the big surprise. “I’m going to take this off. But keep your eyes closed!”
Ryan agreed eagerly, ready to be filled in on what the big mystery was all about. I reached behind his head and untied the bandana, pulling it off slowly so I could make sure that he wasn’t cheating by peeking under his eyelashes. Ryan’s eyes were squeezed shut, an amused smirk playing on his lips. Before I opened the door and led him in, I tipped onto my toes and kissed him. Ryan responded immediately, smiling against my lips and grabbing my hips. His fingers hooked through my belt loops, and he pulled me closer.
I kissed him fervently, knowing that kisses like these were numbered. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I arched my back into him. I breathed him in, committing his clean scent into my memory. Finally, I put a bit of distance between us and reached behind me, feeling for the doorknob to open the door. When the door clicked open, I stepped backward, bringing Ryan with me, and flipped on the lights. Ryan’s eyes opened and then grew wide.
“SURPRISE!” all of our friends and family yelled simultaneously.
Balloons were tossed in the air, and noisemakers were blown. Ryan looked at me slyly, and I grinned up at him. He leaned down to kiss my forehead before stepping into the room to be welcomed by the group.
I stayed close to his side, listening as people took turns asking him if he was surprised and congratulating him on his internship. Juliet sidled up to where I stood next to him, pulling me slightly away before hugging me. She had gone all out this evening in a colorful paisley patterned romper, cute wedges, and dangly gold earrings.
“How are you doing, babes?” she asked.
I hugged her back, ignoring the sharp, burning sensation in my chest. “As good as I can be, I guess.”
Juliet confronted me right after Ryan and I had our heart-to-heart at the soccer park, blowing up my phone until I had answered. She was dying to know what the deal was. What was the plan? Were we staying together? I told her everything, and she listened and cried with me over the unfortunate turn of events. Knowing I had my best friend supporting me through this was at least some sort of consolation.
“It will all work out,” she promised me softly, rubbing my back before letting me go. I laughed a little, swiping away the tear that had snuck out of the corner of my eye. Juliet gave me an understanding smile.
Jules had been a big help in putting the party together, though it had ultimately been Ryan’s mom’s idea. She had wanted a sending-off party, and Juliet had delivered. The rec center banquet room had been rented out for the rest of the night. Caterers were brought in with the best party food—hot wings, toasted ravioli, buffalo chicken dip, and Ryan’s favorite, jalapeño poppers. There was also a taco bar for those not feeling hor d’oeuvres.
We had a good turnout. All of Ryan’s family friends had come at his mother’s request. Juliet and I had created and vetted the guest list of our friends from school, and it seemed like everyone who got the invitation had come.
Ryan was in the middle of it all, being hugged and clapped on the back by his friends. Liam and Todd were on either side of him, arms wrapped around his shoulders. A few other guys from his soccer team were ragging on him and tossing jokes back and forth. He turned his head around to meet my eye or to make sure I was still there and shot me a wink. I grinned back and waved.
“It’s definitely going to be different without him,” I told Jules. She reached down and grabbed my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze.
“You’ll still have him,” she assured me. “He’s not going anywhere. That boy is one hundred percent smitten with you.”
I laughed. “I know. It will just be different.”
Once Ryan was done being harassed, he found his way back over to me. “Heya, Bells!” he drawled as he yanked me to him and kissed me.
I smiled against his lips and wrapped my hand around his neck. My fingers brushed along the curly ends of his hair, feeling the coolness of a metal chain he wore.
Juliet cleared her throat from behind us. I pulled away and blushed as she sipped her drink. I had forgotten she was right there. “Aren’t you two cozy?”
