Chapter 9

NINE

Maple

I was so wrapped up in Ryder that I completely forgot that the Halloween party was tonight, and I never confirmed that he was coming with me. I went to text him around lunch, but then I stopped.

I don't know what happened between this morning and tonight, but I've been plagued with nothing but doubts all day. We were so happy and perfect together this morning and last night, but what is this to him? What am I to him?

I check the time for the third time in as many minutes, anxiety bubbling up in my chest. I should have left ten minutes ago if I wanted to make it back home, shower, and get ready for the Halloween party.

I've been distracted all day. I can't stop thinking about Ryder. The way he kissed me last night, the way he held me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. It made me feel things, real things. That kiss wasn't just a casual fling. There was something more behind it—something I can't ignore anymore.

I'm falling for him.

I actually think that I've been in love with him for months now, but I was too afraid to let him all the way in, too afraid that he might leave me like my parents did. I know that fear is irrational, but I couldn't help it.

Then, once we started going out, I was helpless to stop loving him. Things have been moving so fast, though, that I know I can't tell him—not unless I want to scare him off.

I shake my head as I grab my purse and head for the door. No, I've already fallen for him. I'm in love with Ryder Murray, and I have no idea where his head is at. Does he feel the same, or is this just some fun for him? The thought that he might not be as invested as I am makes my stomach twist with worry and doubt.

I need to talk to him before the party. We need to define whatever this is. I can't go any further if I don't know where we stand.

I lock up Wet and Wild and start heading towards Ryder's place, my nerves on edge the entire way. The cool autumn air bites at my skin, but I barely feel it, lost in my own thoughts. I don't want to have this conversation, but I know I need to. The last thing I want is to be vulnerable with someone who isn't ready to give me their heart in return.

When I finally reach his house, my palms are sweating, and my heart is racing. I knock on the door, trying to calm myself down before I hyperventilate. Ryder opens the door almost immediately, a smile lighting up his face when he sees me.

"Hey," he says softly, stepping aside to let me in. "You're here early."

"Yeah, I—" I pause, not sure how to start this. I wring my hands together, avoiding his gaze. "I need to talk to you about something before I head home to get ready for the party."

Ryder's smile falters, and I can see the confusion in his eyes. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to look at him. "I just... I need to know what this is. Between us."

His brows furrow and he takes a step toward me, his hands hovering near mine like he wants to reach out but isn't sure if he should. "Maple, what do you mean?"

"I mean..." I swallow hard, trying to get the words out. "I've been having a lot of feelings lately, and I just don't want to get hurt. I can't keep doing this with you. I need to know if this is serious for you or if it's just... fun."

Ryder blinks, his face falling slightly as he takes in my words. For a moment, he looks like I've punched him in the gut, and it only makes my heart race faster. God, what if he's not as into me as I thought?

"Wait, are you... are you breaking up with me?" Ryder asks, his voice strained.

I blink, caught off guard. "What? No! I'm not breaking up with you. I just... I don't even know if we're together, Ryder. I don't know what this is."

His shoulders relax, and he lets out a breath, running a hand through his dark hair. "You scared the hell out of me," he mutters, taking a step closer and grabbing my hands. "I thought you were about to tell me this was all over."

My heart does a funny little flip, but I hold firm. "I'm not breaking up with you, but I need to know where we stand. Because I'm starting to catch real feelings for you, Ryder. Like, real feelings. And I don't want to get my heart broken."

Ryder's eyes soften, and he pulls me closer, his hands resting on my waist. "Maple, I've had real feelings for you since the day I met you."

My breath catches in my throat as his words sink in. He stares down at me, his blue eyes so intense that I feel like I'm drowning in them.

"I love you," he says, his voice low and steady. "I've always loved you, Maple. Since the first time I walked by your shop, I knew you were it for me. You're the one I've been waiting for."

I blink up at him, my heart pounding so loudly that I'm sure he can hear it. "You... you love me?"

He nods, his grip on me tightening. "I love you. I've been trying to tell you for weeks, but I didn't want to scare you off. But I can't keep it to myself anymore. I'm all in, Maple."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I let out a shaky laugh. "Oh my god. I love you too."

The words come out in a rush, but they feel right. They feel true. I've been holding back, but now that they're out there, I realize how much I've been wanting to say them.

Ryder's face lights up, and before I can say anything else, he's kissing me. His lips crash against mine, and I gasp, wrapping my arms around his neck as he pulls me flush against his body. The kiss is deep, hungry, and filled with all the emotion we've been holding back for so long.

He backs me up against the wall, his hands roaming over my body like he can't get enough of me. I moan into his mouth, my fingers tangling in his hair as the heat between us intensifies.

"Wait," he mutters against my lips, pulling back just enough to look at me. "I have something for you."

I blink, dazed from the kiss. "What?"

He grins and steps back, heading toward the closet. He rummages around for a moment before pulling out a garment bag and holding it up with a proud smile.

"I bought this for tonight. I was planning on surprising you at the party."

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

He unzips the bag, revealing a ridiculously detailed pirate costume—complete with a hat, eye patch, and boots. I can't help but burst out laughing.

"You're... you're going to wear that?" I ask between giggles.

Ryder grins. "I told you I don't usually dress up, but for you? I'd wear anything."

The sincerity in his voice makes my heart swell. He really would do anything for me.

"You're going to be the hottest pirate at the party," I tease, stepping closer and running my fingers over the costume. "You're really doing this for me?"

"I'd do anything for you," he says, his voice low and serious again. "I told you, Maple. I'm all in. I've been in love with you for longer than you know, and I'm not going anywhere. Ever."

His words send a shiver down my spine, and before I know it, I'm kissing him again.

This time, there's no hesitation, no holding back. I push him against the wall, my hands fumbling with the buttons on his shirt as his fingers slip under my sweater, caressing the skin of my back.

"Maple," he groans as I press my body against his, my hips grinding against his in a way that makes us both gasp.

"We don't have much time," I whisper, my voice shaky as I tug his shirt open. "I have to get ready for the party."

"Then we'll make it quick," he mutters, his voice rough with need.

Before I can respond, he's lifting me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carries me to the kitchen counter. He sets me down, his hands gripping my thighs as he kisses me like he can't get enough. His lips move down my neck, and I arch into him, my mind spinning with how fast everything is happening—but I don't care. I want him. I need him.

Our clothes come off in a blur of heat and desperation, and before I know it, he's inside me. The world tilts on its axis as we move together, fast and frantic, the need between us too intense to slow down.

"I love you," he whispers against my lips as we reach the edge together, his voice filled with emotion. "God, I love you so much, Maple."

"I love you too," I gasp, my fingers gripping his shoulders as waves of pleasure crash over me.

When it's over, we stay like that for a moment, tangled together, our breathing ragged and uneven. I rest my forehead against his, trying to catch my breath as my heart races from more than just the physical.

Ryder pulls back just enough to look at me, a satisfied grin on his face. "You're moving in with me."

I blink, still trying to process everything that just happened. "Wait, what?"

"You're moving in," he repeats, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't want you going back to that apartment anymore. You're mine, Maple. You belong here, with me."

I stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. "Ryder, we can't just?—"

"Yes, we can," he says, his voice firm but filled with love. "We love each other, right? So why waste time? Move in with me. Let's start our life together."

My mind races, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions spinning in every direction. Moving in together? It seems fast—too fast, really—but when I look into Ryder's eyes, filled with sincerity and love, I can't bring myself to argue.

"Are you serious?" I ask, my voice soft but unsteady. "I mean, we haven't even been dating for that long."

Ryder chuckles, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We've been on two dates, Maple, and I can't wait to take you on a million more. I want to spend every moment we can together. I love you. And if you feel the same, there's no reason to keep waiting. I want you here with me."

I bite my lip, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. It's such a big step. Moving in together feels monumental, like stepping off a cliff without knowing if there's a net to catch you. But the way he's looking at me, with those steady, honest eyes, makes me feel safe, like I've already fallen—and maybe he is the net.

"I don't even have that much stuff," I joke, trying to lighten the moment, but the truth is, I'm terrified. Terrified of making the wrong decision, of getting hurt, of losing what's already been built between us.

Ryder smiles, his thumb tracing over my bottom lip. "Then it'll be easy. Just a few boxes and your heart, and we'll be good to go."

His words make me laugh, the tension in my chest easing just a little. I think about my tiny apartment above the hardware store, the creaky floors, and the drafty windows. It's not much, and it never really felt like home—not the way being here with Ryder feels. There's something about being in his space, with him, that feels like everything I've been missing. Safety, warmth, belonging.

"Okay," I whisper, the word slipping out before I've even fully processed it. "Okay, I'll move in."

Ryder's face lights up, his grin so wide it's contagious. He pulls me in for another kiss, this one slower, deeper, like he's savoring the moment. When we finally pull apart, he rests his forehead against mine, his arms still wrapped securely around me.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me," he murmurs.

I smile, feeling the warmth of his breath against my skin. "I think I have a pretty good idea."

We stay like that for a moment longer, wrapped in each other's arms, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is exactly where it's supposed to be. Ryder loves me, and I love him, and even though this is happening fast, it feels right .

"Alright," I say, pulling back slightly and glancing at the clock on the wall. "I really do need to get ready for the party."

Ryder groans playfully, pulling me back against him. "Do we have to go? I could think of plenty of reasons to stay right here."

I laugh, swatting at his chest. "Yes, we have to go. I've been so excited about it! I promise that you'll have fun."

He sighs dramatically, letting go of me but not before planting a quick kiss on my forehead. "Fine. But just so you know, I'm counting down the minutes until I can get you back here."

I roll my eyes, my cheeks flushing. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he teases, grabbing the pirate costume off the counter and holding it up. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

I grin, nodding. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

He kisses me one more time, and I can't help but feel like this is the beginning of something new, something bigger than either of us expected. Ryder isn't just a fling, and this isn't just casual fun. This is real. He's real. And for the first time in forever, I'm not afraid to let myself fall.

"I'll see you at the party," I say, grabbing my purse and heading for the door, my heart still racing from everything that just happened.

Ryder watches me go, his eyes filled with so much love and affection that it makes me weak in the knees. "I'll be the one dressed as a pirate. Try not to swoon too much when you see me."

I laugh, shaking my head as I step outside and head down the street toward my apartment. The crisp fall air feels different now, lighter, like the weight that's been sitting on my chest for weeks has finally lifted.

I love him. I really love him. And he loves me.

As I walk back to my place, I can't stop smiling, my mind buzzing with thoughts of what the future might hold for us. Moving in together, building a life... it's all so new, so overwhelming, but it feels like the start of something amazing. Something that I can't wait to be a part of.

And tonight, at the Halloween party, we'll start the next chapter of whatever this is—together.