Chapter 25 Where did you two go?
Saraphina
When we got to the beach, I was relieved to see it was almost empty tonight. At least I would not have to worry about anyone hearing us.
"Do you have any idea how many times you have gotten in my way since you moved in?" Ryan was laughing as he followed me onto the sand. He thought this was all a game, but I could not smile. My expression was stone. "So what is this about?" he asked.
"What is this?" I finally said, pulling his notebook from my jacket pocket.
"Where did you get that?" His eyes went wide with surprise.
"I asked you first, Ry. What is this?" I demanded.
He dragged a hand through his hair and let out a long breath. "You were not supposed to see that."
"Did you write it?"
He did not speak, but he did not have to. The look in his eyes said everything.
He wrote it.
"Who would have guessed that Ryan Jake Williams is a secret poet?" I tried to joke, but he was not laughing. His face was closed off and intense. "So, who are they for?" I asked again.
Ryan bit his lip, tilted his head, and said, "It is not exactly a mystery, is it? You know who they are for." He paused, then said, "S."
The air left my lungs. I did not expect him to be so direct.
"Well… you write very well," I managed to say.
"Thanks. I have a very beautiful muse," he smiled.
I did not know what to say to that. I swallowed hard.
"Ry… why… why did you not tell me?" I sighed.
"I tried. You slapped me for it," he shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. "And then you told me to forget about it, that it was just a phase, remember?"
Right. I did say that.
"Well, you should have tried harder," the words were out before I could stop them.
"Would you have wanted me to?" He was staring right into me.
"I, No. I do not know. It does not matter, Ry. This is still wrong," I told him, shaking my head.
He watched me like he was solving a puzzle. Then he moved a step closer. "So wrong."
"In a month, you will be my stepbrother," I said, stating the plain fact.
"And you will be my stepsister," he took another step.
"My mom would hate me."
"My dad would kill me."
"Plus, I do not do casual hookups."
"And I do not do relationships."
"And I am leaving in two months."
"And so am I."
Ryan was now so close I could almost feel him. We stared at each other, and the air between us felt like it was on fire. Then, as if we both got the same signal, he grabbed my face and I reached for him, and we were kissing.
Everything exploded. I have never wanted someone this much in my entire life. I needed him closer. I buried my hands in his hair and he held my face so tight. Our bodies pressed together, moving like we were trying to become one person. My heart was beating so hard and so fast I thought it might break out of my chest.
We finally broke apart, both of us gasping for air. Part of me was sure this had to be a dream, but I knew it was real. I was breathing hard, and Ryan was looking at me with a knowing smirk. Before I could speak, he leaned in and rested his forehead against mine.
Oh, fuck. I am in so much trouble.
And right then, we heard a loud boom. The fireworks began.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sky was beautiful, and my heart was pounding as loud as the explosions. The only thing I could think about was the taste of Ryan on my lips.
We smiled at each other, the bright red, purple, and yellow lights flashing around us. Ryan moved his face toward mine again, tipping my chin up as he came closer.
How are you supposed to breathe?
"Uh, wait," I mumbled and put my hands on his chest. My stupid brain had to go and ruin everything.
But Ryan did not stop. He ignored my hands pushing against him and leaned down anyway. "Shhh," he said softly, his voice low. "Just be here with me."
And just like that, his words melted my resistance. I closed my eyes and let myself fall.
There went the fireworks, there went my common sense, there went my heart.
About fifteen minutes later, when the last firework faded and the sky was dark again, I knew we had to return to the real world.
"Okay…" I began.
"Okay," he echoed.
"Ry, this is not right," I said.
"But it is not exactly wrong, either. Technically, you are not my sister yet," he smirked.
"Not funny. I am serious. What does this mean?" I asked, needing him to give me an answer.
"I do not know," he replied.
"And what are we…?"
"I do not know."
"And our parents…"
"Will never find out! About any of this," he said, his voice firm. Then, he started to laugh.
How can he laugh at a time like this?
"Why are you laughing? This is not a joke!" I hit his arm.
"I am not laughing because it is funny. I am laughing because I am happy," he said, and he cupped my face in his hands.
Oh, you smooth bastard.
He gave me a reassuring smile. "Do not worry. We will figure this out. Later. For now, let us go back to the house. People are probably wondering where we are."
Right. I had almost forgotten about the party.
I nodded, and we turned to go. As I started to walk, Ryan held his hand out to me. I fought with myself for a second, and then, against everything telling me not to, I took it.
We got back to the house, our fingers linked together. But as soon as I saw all the people, I automatically let go. I saw Gabe standing by himself near the bonfire, and I knew he must have been waiting for me. I left Ryan and hurried over.
"Hey, Saraphina, you missed the whole fireworks show," Gabe said. "Here, I got your drink."
"Thank you. Sorry, I had to, um, help Ryan with something."
Ryan went back to Vanessa, and then my mom came out carrying a tray of desserts.
"Where did you two go? You missed the fireworks!" Louisa said, sounding disappointed, talking about Ryan and me.
"Oh, just, nowhere, the road, the garage was broken!" I stammered, saying the first thing that popped into my head.
The garage was broken? Seriously, Saraphina? Ryan had the nerve to laugh at my pathetic attempt to lie.
I am so bad at this. I need to learn how to be less obvious. Luckily, no one seemed to pay much attention. Everyone was too focused on the desserts. I looked over at Ryan and he was already looking back at me. He gave me a secret smile, winked, and I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him.
No one knows what happened, but he and I both know we did not miss the fireworks at all.