Taming Ryder (Souls of the Knight 2)

“Ry cut it for me just now. Do you like it?”

“Babe, you look beautiful.”

“I agree,” Mason chipped in. “You look amazing. It really suits you.”

“Aw thank you, hon!” Elle practically sang, leaning over to give Mason a peck on the cheek.

“Well I just stopped by to say congratulations,” Mason went on, turning his attention to Kip. “But now I really need to get going again.”

“You’re not even staying for one drink?” Elle asked. Mason flashed me a brief glance, assessing my reaction before shaking his head. “Sorry, I can’t. Busy day tomorrow.” Oh yes, he was shooting with Gio tomorrow. For some reason that left a queasy feeling in my stomach, but I decided it was probably a symptom of the headache I was getting. “But hopefully you guys can make Double X next week?”

“What’s happening at Double X?” I pressed.

“Oh shit, Ivan asked me to tell you. We’re hosting there – me, you, Gio and Taylor. There’s also a meet and greet. Sorry, dude, I just forgot.”

“Well Ivan should’ve told me himself,” I spat. “I’m busy.”

“But you don’t know what day it is yet.”

“I’m still busy.”

“Well take it up with Ivan,” he retorted, growing frustrated with me.

“Congratulations again, Kip. I’ll see you guys soon.” With that, Mason left, leaving a dense and awkward atmosphere in his wake. Elle raised her eyebrow, silently questioning me. Shrugging my shoulders, I stormed off back into the kitchen, and of course she followed me.

“What was that all about?”

“No idea.”

“Why did you snap at him?”

“I didn’t.”

“Um, yes you bloody did. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Ryder. I know you better than anyone.”

“I just… I don’t know what his fucking deal is!” I shouted, instantly regretting it when people turned their heads.

“What’s he done?”

I thought about it for a second, closing my eyes and really wracking my brain. The answer I got frustrated me. “Nothing. He’s done nothing,” I sighed, defeated. “So why is he fucking with my head?”

“You need to talk to him.”

“And say what?”

“How you’re feeling.”

“Feeling? Elle, I don’t do ‘feeling’. I don’t feel anything about him.”

“How can you stand here and say he’s fucking with your head and a breath later say you don’t feel anything? Ryder, go home. Talk to him.”

“I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“You will when you get there.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then get used to this feeling because it won’t go away on its own.”

“You’re right,” I agreed when a realization went off like a bomb in my head. “I know what I need to say to him.” I needed to tell him it was time to move. Mason needed to find his own place and get the hell out of my hair. “Thanks, Elle.”

“Call me later?”

“Sure I will. Will you say goodbye to everyone for me? Make my excuses?”

“Course I will. Good luck, hon,” she said, patting the top of my head. I ducked from her hand, backing away.

“Not the hair,” I joked. “Don’t ever mess with the hair.”

Laughing softly, Elle shook her head. Then she gave me a brief but tight hug and I left to go and tell Mason to leave. Problem was, I had no idea how I was going to do it.

Mason had arrived back at the apartment just minutes before I did, evident by the fact he still had his shoes on. Removing his shoes was always the first thing he did.

“Oh,” he commented in surprise when he saw me. “What are you doing back?”

“I wasn’t drinking because I don’t remember what I did last time to piss you off so badly.”

“Huh?”

“At the party, you asked why I wasn’t drinking. Well, that’s why.”

“Ry, I was joking. I told you I was,” he said, bending down to remove his shoes. “Wait – you think I’m pissed off with you?”

“Cut the shit, Mase. I know I’ve annoyed you somehow,” I breathed, utterly exasperated as I made my way over to the couch. I sat down, kicking my trainers off and putting my feet up on the table. Mason followed, looking at me with a puzzled expression as he sat down next to me.

“Ryder I’m not pissed with you. I don’t know why you think that.”

“Because ever since the night I rolled home drunk as a fart you’ve been acting all weird with me. Standoffish. I don’t get it. I know I’d been being a dick to you but I apologized for that. I don’t know what else I can do.”

“I’ll say it again. I. Am. Not. Pissed. With. You.” He drew out the words like he was talking to an imbecile, which only made me angrier.

“Then what the fuck is your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem,” he said, seeming genuine. “I could never have a problem with you. I like you, Ry. I really like you.”

“Then why…” Oh fuck. “What do you mean, really like me?”

“I think you know what I mean. I feel drawn to you. You intrigue me, even when you’re being an ass. I know things have been awkward between us recently but I still feel I get to see a side of you that you don’t show anyone else. I also think there’s so much more to you, so much depth, and at times I find myself aching to find out what it is. What I’m saying, Ryder, is that I really, really like you.”