Chapter 19

19

Baylor

I step out onto the balcony, needing some air. It feels like I’m suffocating inside. Being this close to Ryeson is almost unbearable. Every time I look at him, I break.

The sliding door opens, and my shoulders stiffen. I’m praying he hasn’t come out to talk to me. I don’t think I can handle him telling me how we’re never going to be together again.

“Are you doing okay, Baylor?”

I glance over at Kyler as he steps up to my side, then focus back out on the ocean, watching the ripples of waves passing by. I wish the sea would take my pain out on the tide and drown it in its dark depths. I can’t stand the pain anymore. It hurts so fucking much.

“How do you recover from losing your best friend?”

He lets out a sigh. “He’s right inside, Bay. You haven’t lost him. You guys just need time, but I think this will all blow over.”

It won’t. No amount of time is going to heal my broken heart, but no one knows what’s really going on. They think we got into a fight over a girl on prom night. A girl would definitely never come between us. But Ryeson’s fears have.

“Come on. How about we go inside and play a little truth or dare?”

I’m not in the mood, but I won’t bring down the house. Everyone’s here to have a good time. Besides, maybe some booze and a few silly dares will help numb the pain for a bit. I’ll try anything to distract my thoughts.

“Okay, I’m in.”

“That’s more like it. Here.” He hands me his glass. “Chug this.”

I throw the contents back, feeling the burn all the way down my throat. A few more of those and I might be able to pass out without feeling like my soul is slowly being torn from my body.

“Okay, Presley’s up!” Ruby says as we start the game. “Truth or dare?”

Presley immediately chooses truth, and Ruby smiles wickedly. “Did you and Kyler have sex in the nurse’s clinic at school?”

Presley’s cheeks give away her answer before she even speaks. “Yes, we did,” Kyler answers for her.

“Oh my goodness!” Ruby gasps. “How did you get away with it?”

“This one”—Presley points to her boyfriend—“told her that a kid looked like he was having a seizure in the cafeteria.”

Everyone busts out laughing, remembering the day that Mrs. Vinio was wandering through the cafeteria, asking everyone if we’d seen someone having a seizure. I had no clue it was Kyler’s way of distracting the nurse. That is fucking hilarious.

“But why?” Ruby shakes her head. Chase pulls his girl back between his legs.

“The same reason we had sex in the library, baby. The idea of getting caught makes it fun.”

Now, Ruby is the one blushing. I grab the whiskey bottle and take a long pull on it.

“What about you, Baylor? Did you ever have sex somewhere in school?” Presley asks.

Yep. I did. And that’s exactly why we’re not together anymore.

“He had sex with Taya in the bathroom,” Brennon states.

I see Ryeson tense across the room, and I take another drink.

“Who’s up?” I ask, wanting to change this topic of conversation. Maybe truth or dare was a bad idea.

“Baylor, since you didn’t get to answer my question,” Presley shifts her eyes on me, “I choose you. Truth or dare?”

I know exactly what they’re going to ask if I choose truth. They’ll want to know what the real reason me and Ryeson aren’t speaking anymore, and so I choose, “Dare.”

“I dare you to kiss and make up with Ryeson.”

I guess I should’ve known they would still find a way to back me into a corner. I never back down from a dare, but this time…

“I double dog dare you,” says Chase.

“Triple dog dare you,” says Brennon.

I look toward Ryeson, and my chest gets thumped with pain. But our friends won’t stop until I do something. Therefore, I decide to do exactly as asked. I cross the room and plant a kiss on his cheek, then turn to the crowd.

“There. Are you happy?”

“That wasn’t a kiss.” Ryeson’s deep voice rumbles down my nerves. He steps in front of me and his hand grips around the front of my neck. “This is a kiss.”

His lips descend and everything and everyone melts away. His tongue parts my senses and slowly slides its way into my mouth. We start our dance and it’s like a tango of war. Two soldiers fighting on the battlefield in slow motion. My breath is stolen, and I’m overthrown by the emotion pouring out of him. Whistles break out around us, and I’m reminded of where we are and who’s watching. I pull back and try to step away, but he refuses to let me go.

“No, Baylor. You’re not walking away until you hear what I have to say.” He steps closer and the breath hitches in my lungs. “I made a mistake. A big one. I let my fears take control, and I lost the person who means the most to me in this world.” My heart starts to beat faster, and my feet rock in place. I wasn’t prepared for this conversation, definitely not in front of our friends.

“It’s been hell, Baylor. Every day is like waking up to a nightmare. And I don’t want to do it anymore. I’d rather face whatever the world throws at me, than lose you. I love you, Bay. So fucking much.” The tide rolls in and my pain rolls right out. “Please give me another chance. I promise this time, I won’t fuck it up.”

I’m at a loss for words, sinking in the immense feelings that are rushing in.

“Come on, Baylor. You can’t say no to that cute face,” Chase teases in the background.

“You two are fucking perfect for each other,” adds Kyler.

I guess our friends have no problem with us being together. I should’ve known they’d accept us no matter what. We’ve been friends for years, and they’re all really good people. The kind of people you keep for life.

“What about your parents?” I ask. Ryeson’s close with his family and I don’t want to mess things up for him.

“I told my mom what happened between us, and she told me I wasn’t allowed to come home from Costa Rica until I got you back.”

The chuckle rolls out of me. I’ve always loved his mom. She’s been like a second mother to me over the years. The amount of time I’ve spent with their family, it’s like I’m their adopted son.

“So, is that why you’re doing this? So you don’t have to feel the wrath of Mrs. G?”

He wraps his arms around my back and pulls me in close. “I’m doing this because I can’t imagine my life without you. And…” He leans into my ear. “The sex is fucking incredible.”

My body ignites and I can feel the heat burning in my cheeks.

“What do you say, Baylor? Are you willing to let me kick your ass at video games until death do us part?”

I shake my head, laughing at his ridiculousness. I can’t believe this is really happening.

“Yeah, I think I’m good with that arrangement.”

His handsome face turns up into a smile, and then he dips me back and kisses me until my knees are weak. When our friends start chanting for us to get a room, he pulls me back up and looks straight into my eyes. “I love you, Bay. And I’m sorry I hurt you.”

I brush my fingers across his scruff, feeling it abrade my skin. “I love you too, my fearless guy.”

“We’re turning in for the night,” he tells everyone. “We’ll catch up with you all in the morning.”

Everyone smiles broadly and nods. And of course, Chase being Chase tells us that there’s lube in every bathroom drawer. I roll my eyes and Ryeson tells him thanks as he drags me from the room. He stalks right to the bedroom I’m staying in and shuts the door, locking it just in case. His hand grips my hair and I’m pulled right to him. His lips pressing to mine and taking what he wants. This time, it’s a raging battle of need. Our tongues and teeth attacking with a dire force.

“I want you, Bay.” His words slip between my lips. “I want to feel you inside me, claiming me as yours.”

I nearly lose my balance. He’s not just giving me his heart, he’s giving me his virginity. Another fear he’s willing to conquer to prove just how much he loves me. “You really are my fearless guy.”

He grips my cheeks, looking me in the eyes. “For you, I’m willing to face everything.”

And as the tide of life rolls back in, my soul returns. Only…it’s stronger now. And when I lean forward and press my lips to Ryes’, I know he is too. This time, nothing’s holding him back. Because now…he’s the Fearless King.