“Look, it’s not meant as criticism.” I take a step back, needing to put more space between us so I can think. “That’s a lot of guys. Most guys, actually.”
He chuckles. “Damn, that’s even worse. You think I’m most guys.”
“This isn’t going anywhere, Ryder. We’re talking circles around each other—”
“Yeah, but we are talking.” He cocks an eyebrow, his feet eating the distance between us quickly. My breath stutters hot against my lips as I try to breathe normally. “That’s the only way to get from point A to point B.”
My head tilts. “See, again with the conquest. Like I’m something to be conquered.”
“No…I didn’t… Shit.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I just can’t articulate around you. Everything comes out…wrong. Just wrong. Be patient, okay? I obviously need a little leniency here.”
Despite my unease, I feel a smile tug at my mouth. “Fair enough.” I wave my hand through the air, prompting him on. “Take your time.”
With a determined nod, that’s so sincere it’s adorable, making my chest stir with heat, he says, “Give me a do-over.”
“Huh?”
He chuckles. “I completely botched that first encounter. And I know that you don’t get any take-backs…but I’d like a shot to prove I’m not the scum you think I am.”
Is he asking me on a date? “Like, a date?” Did I just blurt that? Crap.
He simply nods. “It’s a date, then. When?”
“I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t immediately say no.”
God. I glance around, as if someone or something will suddenly appear and save me. I feel trapped, but it’s not at all…bad. I just don’t know if I can handle him. My willpower is fading too fast.
“Um, let me think about it,” I say, starting to back away toward my bag.
“I’ll take it.”
Before I leave, I look back at Ryder once. Just to take a mental snapshot of him bench-pressing the weights; arms taut and corded hard, legs spread on the bench, face gorgeous even as he strains. Wow, but I’ll regret this. I never learn.
12
Ryder
Coach Carson busted my balls all during practice. Although I don’t blame him—my head wasn’t in it, my arm not accepting orders from my brain—it’s put me in an off mood.
I’m not so vain as to think I don’t deserve a good ass-chewing from my coach now and then. Shit, I get it more than others most days, because I’m expected to keep on top, stay in shape. But I’m still below my weight goal, and having little feisty Ari on my mind doesn’t help there. I’m like some dumb teen punk, my stomach knotted whenever she’s near. Which is a lot lately.
Besides suddenly seeing her in the halls near my classes, she’s a booster. At all the major events, meetings, and get-togethers for the team. And she still eats lunch in the cafeteria. I think I’ve developed a crick in my neck from the strain of keeping my head from turning in her direction. I can feel her presence humming, reaching out to me, beckoning me to approach. But whenever I give in and look her way¸ a scowl mars the flawless, smooth skin between her eyebrows.
Shot down. Again.
I thought we were making progress at the gym. That finally telling her I wasn’t the asshat who fucked with her car would get me some major points. But I realize I’m still the asshat who’s QB of the football team who did fuck with her. So there’s that.
And the fact that she just doesn’t want anything to do with me. I actually became delusional, thinking, hell, she took the time to one-up me when she thought I was the jerk pranking her. That had to be some kind of twisted love/hate foreplay. But she just wanted us to stop messing with her.
Fair enough.
None of the guys have bothered her since. What’s more, they don’t make crude comments, which is good, because if Devon or Beck said one more thing about her cute ass, I was going to run my fist through their faces.
I pass my second period lecture hall, heading toward the lunchroom, my mind spinning. If Ari did accept us going out, what would that mean? Am I seriously thinking about dating her exclusively? I haven’t been that way with any girl for a long time. Who am I joking? I’ve never been that way with any girl. Haven’t been around anyone to really make me consider it for a long damn time.
Would I have noticed her if she hadn’t reminded me of the girl I did once seriously consider? I’m not sure, and that’s kind of twisted. Then there’s the other shit that goes along with getting intimate with someone. The revealing of yourself, baring your soul…all those buried skeletons creeping out to ruin anything that might be good.