Butterfly Kisses
date her in high school. They all had the same intentions though, and Ryder deserved more then that.The real question that was bothering me was, why did I still feel just as protective now as I did when we were kids? She definitely wasn't a kid anymore.
“Nice to meet you.” I lied. “I’m Tyler, the…”
“…neighbor.” She finished.
I shot her a glare. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
She glared back now. “What, Ty? Watch your mouth. You're always so obnoxious.”
Ty? Finally, some acknowledgement.
“What, me? Seriously?” I asked in disbelief. “You literally drove me insane on a daily basis!”
We sat there glaring at each other for a moment before I gave in and broke the silence. “I’m just your childhood neighbor then, huh?” I asked, giving up my glare and replacing it with a wounded expression.
“Ugh!” She screamed at me before stomping off towards Kirk. “Let’s go in, my mom is waiting.”
Kirk offered me a shrug before he followed after her, and I suddenly hated everything about him.
Veto, Ryder. Veto.
I followed after them, anyway, knowing I'd just piss her off more. At least it was something. Anything was better then five years of silence.
“Ty, leave!” She yelled when she turned and noticed I was still following them.
“Why? I haven’t seen your mom in a few weeks, I should say hi.”
“Oh my god, you’re such an asshole!”
I grinned. “Oh sure. Who has the potty mouth now?”
I thought I’d caught her smiling back at me before she looked away, but I couldn't be sure. Instead, she opened the door to her parent's place and the familiar voice of her mom instantly filled the living room.
“Ryder’s here!” She announced to the house, which I’m sure was for her husband's benefit. Then she wrapped Ryder in a tight hug. “Oh hunny, we've missed you.”
I remained by the front door with a smile on my face as I watched her. Ryder's dad finally came in from around the corner and walked over to shake Kirk's hand, then turned to hug Ryder.
“Mom, dad, this is Kirk.” She gestured to her boyfriend and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Something didn’t feel right about them.
“Oh Kirk, hi! I’ve heard so much about you.” Ryder's mom smiled politely before she turned and spotted me standing by the front door.
I grinned. “Hi, Mom.”
“Tyler, sweetie! Did you come with them?” She asked, sounding hopeful.
“No.” Ryder stated, annoyed.
“No, I saw Ry pull in with Liam and thought I’d follow them in to say hi. I mean after all we were childhood neighbors.”
“Liam?” I saw Ryder mouth to Kirk in confusion and he only shrugged. His aloof nature annoyed me already.
“Neighbors?” Her mom questioned. “You guys were best friends!” She beamed. “I swear his mother and I even planned a wedding at some point.” She laughed and Ryder threw her hands up in irritation.
“Really, Mom? Stop.”
I grinned. “Yeah, she will always be my runaway bride.” I teased and it instantly infuriated Ryder.
“Get out!” She yelled and the room went silent.
“Ryder!” Her dad warned. “Tyler is only giving you a hard time. He has always been a good young man and, as I recall, a good friend. So, hold your tongue.”
Kirk whispered something in Ryder's ear then turned to her parents. “Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Summers. We will be right back.”
Ryder huffed before leading Kirk off upstairs, to her old bedroom I was sure. Every ounce of me wanted to follow them.
“Sorry to cause such a scene. I have to head out anyway. I hope I see more of you both this weekend though.”
“Don’t let her scare you off. As you know, her bark is worse than her bite. You're always welcome here.” Mr. Summers reminded me. “I have to get back to work, it was good to see you, son.” He smiled at me before heading back down the hall to his office.
It felt good to know they never changed their opinion of me. Even after she left, they always welcomed me into their home with open arms.
Mrs. Summers offered me a knowing smile once her husband was gone. “Always pushing her boyfriends away. Yet, you never asked her out yourself. You’re a confusing boy, Tyler Watson.”
I walked over and gave her a hug. “They just never deserved her, that's all.” I said before letting her go, turning to leave.
“Mmmhmm, I see. Well, maybe it's time you let her decide that for herself?” Mrs. Summers advised, as I reached the door.
I glanced back at her and she was still smiling.
“I can't. She needs someone who truly loves her. He doesn't look at her like he should. Like…”
“Like, you?”
I rolled my eyes and grinned. “Goodnight, Mom.”
Then I headed outside to move my car, like I had first intended.
Chapter 9
Ryder
When I reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind Kirk.
“That jerk!” I yelled.
“You are losing it. Stop letting him get under your skin.”
“I can’t help it; he always acts like nothing happened. Like we’re still friends. That's what he's always done, and I hate it.”
“I know that but stop showing him that he has any effect on you.”
“He doesn’t!”
“Really? The second you saw him you started being overly dramatic. I've never seen you that wound up and childish.”
“Well, he thinks just because I'm wearing his shirt that it means something. He had that smug, know it all, look on his face!”
Kirk laughed. “That's his shirt?” He asked, gesturing to it.
I bit gently at my bottom lip. “Yeah, maybe.”
“You are still obsessed, aren't you?” He laughed again.
“I am not obsessed!” She glared.
“I mean I won't argue that the man is hot, but you haven't seen him in five years!