Page 48 of What are the Risks
“Elephant,” I told Evan. “Elephant all night.”
To my surprise, he nodded knowingly and without complaint. I didn’t feel bad for skipping out on him. I’m sure these girls had a hotel room the three of them could continue things in.
In all honesty, I didn’t care how their night ended up. All that mattered to me was finding Ruby and making sure I hadn’t freaked her the fuck out.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I plead the fifth
Ruby
My head was closing in on me, as were the many bodies as I pushed my way through the crowd. When I finally reached the exit and passed the bouncer to walk outside, the balmy Miami air only made my mood worse.
I was way too hot. And way too drunk. And still shaken up after having walked in on my boyfriend nailing another girl. And embarrassed knowing Ryker had seenthatphoto. And confused by his admission that he’d, what, liked it?
Who knew where he was going with that. I knew where he was going next though, and that was back to his hotel with Miranda, Elizabeth and Evan.
Tonight had reminded me that there was a side of Ryker’s life I wasn’t a part of. He was a popular college quarterback, a playboy, and a sexual freaking enigma apparently.
My phone vibrated in my hand. Noah was calling – again. As much as I wasn’t ready to face him, he was the only other person I knew in this city. I was drunk, and tired, and starting to feel queasy. I didn’t want to be alone.
Just as my finger hovered over the accept button, an alert popped up.
Scarlett: Hi. I found you tagged on Noah’s Instagram account. I realise you don’t know me and you probably hate me, but I wanted to tell you that wasn’t the first time Noah and I have slept together. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. He always said the pictures on his profile were of an ex. I expect he’ll try and spin some bullshit that it was a one-time thing, but girl-to-girl, it wasn’t, and he’s hooked up with other girls from our college too. Just thought you should know. Sorry for fucking your boyfriend.
Now I wasdefinitelygoing to be sick. I rested against the brick wall, taking a long, deep breath.
How many girls were there? How many times? How many lies? Did I want to know? Or was it better if I didn’t?
Print-screening Scarlett’s message, I sent it to Noah.
Ruby: Classy!
Ryker burst out of the club just as I hit send. He frantically scanned the alley, relaxing after spotting me.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked, jogging over like he was mid-play.
“I was going to call Noah and have him pick me up,” I lied.
As tempted as I was to show Ryker the message, it wasn’t worth the risk. He’d head for Noah’s place with the intention to kill, but he’d been right earlier. Noah had his water polo team and his fraternity brothers close-by. The name Ryker Richardson didn’t carry the same weight it did back at Phil-U, back where an entire football team would willingly follow him into any fight.
“Oh.” He nodded once. “You can still crash with me if you need. Evan is staying at Miranda and Elizabeth’s hotel. He won’t be back tonight.”
I arched a mischievous eyebrow, trying to summon some playful energy, but fell short. I was drained. I was so fucking done with this day and this place.
“You’re not going with them?”
“I thought I made it clear I didn’t want to be anywhere near Evan’s dick.”
I snickered. “Right. What about Miranda though? She’s hot. Are you sure you don’t want hernear your dick?”
Ryker squirmed, shuffling from foot to foot. Clearly he wasn’t comfortable with me referring to his... manhood.
“She is hot,” he agreed. “But she isn’t what I want.”
“And what is it you want, Wheels?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, an idea came to me.
