Chapter 43 I Deal With Worse At Home
Gracie
I am waiting by my locker for Ryland, Lola and Ben to go for lunch. My last class was not with any of them, so we arranged to meet her. Our class got out a little early because the teacher had to go and deal with something. I mess around with my cell as I wait for them.
“Gracie.” The sound of my name being called makes me look up.
Matty, the Captain of the football team, is coming towards me. I stop from rolling my eyes. I hate him. He is so vain, rude and annoying. I make sure to smile at him because I can’t be bothered getting into anything with him. I am pleasant to everyone, but it doesn’t mean I like them.
“Hey, Matty, what is up?”
He comes over and stands in front of me, closer than he needs to be. He places one hand on the locker behind me. What the hell does he want?
“I thought you didn’t date?”
“I don’t, well, I never until now,” I answered.
It is none of his business what I do or don’t do, now or ever.
“Until he showed up? What are you doing with someone like him? You should be with someone like me.” He says every word with confidence.
Matty has asked me out a few times, but I always tell him no. Even if I did date when he did ask, I still wouldn’t have said yes to him because I know how terribly he treats girls.
“What does that mean? Someone like him?” The irritation in my voice is evident.
“He isn’t exactly in the same class as you. He is an imbecile. He will bring you nothing but trouble, Gracie. He is not a good guy.” He says and reaches in to push the hair away from my eyes.
I swat his hand away. “Don’t touch me. You don’t even know Ryland.” I hiss and pull myself off the locker. I am standing my ground. I am not backing down to him, especially when he is bad-mouthing Ryland. I will not allow that.
He cranks his neck, and his jaw tightens, getting annoyed. “I know enough, Gracie. He will be moving on to the next flavour of the week soon enough. You will have no one to blame but yourself because you knew what he was like when you got into it.”
Seriously, who the hell does he think he is?
“You know fuck all, so keep your damn mouth shut, Matty.” I snark, my fists balling at my sides.
Anger takes over his face. “Who the hell do you think you are talking to?” he growls.
Matty has a temper. He always has, but I am not going to let him scare me. I deal with a much bigger monster at home.
“You, now back the hell up and leave me alone,” I say firmly.
I barge by him and go to walk away, but he grabs my wrist and pulls me back around to him. “This is not the end, Gracie. I always get what I want, and I want you.” He says, a smug look on his face.
He is delusional! He will never get me.
“You have two seconds to get your hand off my girlfriend, Matty.” I hear a hiss behind me.
I can hear the anger in Ryland’s voice. Matty is quick to let go, and with a smirk on his lips, he turns to Ryland, but the smirk soon disappears when he realises Ryland isn’t alone.
“Your girlfriend? Yeah, right, for how long? You will get bored with her and move on soon. I will be right here waiting to pick up the pieces.” He chuckles.
Ryland’s fists clench, and his entire body tenses. Anger rushes in his eyes. I am not going to let him get into trouble because of me.
I stroll over to him, standing before him, so Ryland looks at me rather than at Matty. “Ryland, ignore him. He isn’t worth it.”
“Stay the fuck away from her, Matty. If I see you anywhere near her again, I will make you regret the day you were born.” Ryland threatens, meaning every word.
Matty laughs loudly. I can see Ryland is ready to pounce at him, but I make sure to keep his focus on me. “Don’t, please, baby boy? He is not worth you getting into trouble.” I please, taking his hand in mine.
Ryland relaxes, and I kiss him softly. While I occupy him, Ben and Lola make sure Matty walks away. You don’t want to mess with Lola. She is tiny, but she has some right hook on her. I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her.
“Are you okay?” Ryland asks.
“Yes, I am fine. He is nothing but an idiot. I can handle him. I have dealt with worse.”
“Why is he bothering you, anyway?”
“He is jealous because I am with you. He asked me out before, more than once, and I always told him no. He doesn’t like that word because he is a spoiled brat who gets everything he wants.”
“I would be jealous of me too because I am the one who has you.” He replies with a wink.
I laugh and playfully roll my eyes, pecking his lips. “Always such a charmer.”
“Hell yeah, especially when it comes to you, brown eyes.”
He is such a sweetheart at times, especially towards me. I am a lucky girl. It is like everything that happened only minutes ago with Matty vanishes. I have a feeling that won’t be the last of it, but right now, I am not letting that idiot get to me. Matty isn’t worth it.
Ryland slips his arm around my shoulder, and the four of us head to grab some lunch. We walk by Matty as we go. He is staring, along with a couple of his friends. Lola, being Lola, turns to them and flips them off. I laugh because the look on Matty’s face is priceless, and he quickly turns away. We grab some food and find a table away from everyone else—the four of us in our own little corner with no one bothering us.
“We should all do something tonight,” Lola suggests.
“Like what?” I ask.
“Maybe we can go to the drive-in movie theatre and grab pizza or something after.” She answers.
“Sounds good,” Ryland smiles. “I am up for that, if you all are.”
Ben and I nod, meaning we all approve of the plan. It will keep me away from the house for a few hours.
“It will need to be after six,” I say.
Everyone is fine with time. It gives me time to go home, do what I need, and maybe see if Ryland will let me do some homework at his place before we head out. I am sure he will be fine with it.
I like that the four of us can do things together with no third wheel. It is a good way for me to take my mind off things.
“Are you staying home tonight, or do you want to come and stay with me?” Lola asks, “Maybe for the full night this time.” She adds with a laugh.
“I am going to sneak out and stay with Ryland.” I smile.
“That is fine, as long as you have somewhere to go if you don’t want to stay at home.” She smiles.
I nod and smile back at her. With our plans made for the night, we all focus on eating our lunch. I am excited for my night with him. We should take two cars because I don’t want to watch my best friend and Ben making out from the back seat when I am trying to watch a movie. I have no idea what is being shown, but that is fine. It will be a good night either way.