Chapter 197: 21-2

You look so damn good like always sunshine. I read his message and find myself smiling. I miss you. Enjoy your night and I can't wait to have you all to myself when you're back. Love you Char. I text him back before taking a sip of my drink with a content sigh. Even though it's just texts he still manages to make my heart race. Although I'm having so much fun with my friends and I love that we have met up after so long a small part of me wishes I were still with Theo in his arms. Every part of me yearns for him badly and I truly am eager for when the plane touches down in Dallas so I can see him again. For now though, I focus on my friends and making sure I cherish my time with them to the fullest. But I should've known this happiness wouldn't last long. The next morning, I receive an email from Liam's lawyer saying that he's proceeding to file for joint custody and visitation rights over Aria, and that he's going to come back to Dallas in a week to get things moving. My anxiety shoots through the roof. *** Four days later. Theodore Jackson's P.O.V. "That everything?" I ask as Ryder as he comes downstairs. He nods and I pick up his suitcase and hold all bag before walking out of the house. I can feel the hole he's burning into the back of my head as our parents scold him again for not bringing his family and for not staying longer. Noah catches up to me with a cheeky grin as he takes the hold all from me. "Twenty bucks Ma cries." He smirks which makes me roll my eyes with a laugh. "That's hardly anything to bet about since she always cries Noey." "Don't call me that!" He snaps with a frown as we put the bags in the trunk. "It's not cool!" "Oh? And who do you want to be cool in front of?" I chuckle when his eyes widen and the tips of his ears turn pink. "Would it be a certain girl you're hanging around –" "Nope! I have no idea what you're talking about. You know the older you're getting the crazier you're becoming Theo." He rambles before slamming the trunk shut. "Tell me her name –" "No!" He hisses before his eyes widen comically. "I mean there is no girl so I can't give you a name!" "Ooh Noey's got a crush! Noey's got a crush!" I sing off key and loudly before he punches me in the stomach hard. "Fuck! You little shit!" He smirks before rolling his eyes. "It's not like anything's going to happen so drop it." "Hey..." I pull him back as he starts to leave for the house. "She might like you too but if you don't give her any signs then you'll never know." His brows furrow in confusion before he nods. "Alright, I'll try. Thanks brother." "If it's a no from her then you stop pursuing her, got it? Respect her and her decision above all. And no funny business either, you're sixteen – tell me she's sixteen right?!" I push off the car in panic and sigh in relief when he nods. "Good. I mean it, no messing about and –" "Yeah, yeah...legal age, importance of consent, our parents will kill me if I got someone pregnant and all that. I did go to sex ed so I'm not dumb." He grins cheekily and I shake my head with a smile. "Do you want to play soccer later?" "I need to pick up Char and Aria from the airport but I should make it back in time yeah." I nod just as Ryder escapes from our parents. "Bring them too!" "Maybe some other time. They'll probably be quite tired from the flight." I explain and he nods before Ryder interrupts us. "Traitors the both of you!" He hisses but his eyes are alight with playfulness. "Did you not realise how long I had been in there?! Could've checked for fuck's sake!" "You got lipstick on your cheek mama's boy – oomph!" Noah laughs when Ryder grabs him in a headlock. "Ma! Help me!" "Let him go Ryder!" "Who's mama's boy now huh?" Ryder chuckles before pecking Noah's forehead. "Stay safe and out of trouble for me yeah?" "Always!" "Ma found out about you failing chemistry yet?" He grins and I laugh loudly when Noah's smile drops. "Dad said he has my back when the time comes!" He shoves Ryder into the passenger seat just as I get in. "So, keep your mouth shut or I'll tell Ella you broke her favorite necklace. I'm shaking with laughter at this point when Ryder mutters "deal," under his breath before bidding him goodbye. With one last wave to our parents, I drive out of the gates and onto the road to take him to the airport. "How is Ella now?" I ask referring to her therapy sessions. Because of her past Ryder encouraged her to start therapy. She kept refusing for the longest time but Ryder remained patient yet stubborn with her. Eventually she gave in and that's when we found out how bad the trauma is.