Secrets Behind Those Eyes

by S. M. Donaldson

  “Well they seem nice I guess.”

  He shakes his head. “They are catty bitches.”

  I know I’m going to regret asking this. “Did you sleep with either of them?”

  “No I almost did though. The night that got me community service. I was headed to Lacey’s she was passed out topless when we wrecked.”

  “Oh.” Suddenly feeling nervous.

  “Look I’m being honest with you. I want to always be honest with you. Yes I just about made a damn stupid mistake with her. Trust me the entire town was talking about it. Nana crawled my ass because the ladies at her beauty shop told her.”

  I laugh. “I bet she did. If you’ll excuse me I have to go to the ladies room.”

  He nods and make my way to the restroom. As I’m finishing up in the stall I hear the door open and two girls come in giggling. I hesitate before walking out.

  “So did you see Ryder with her?”

  “Yes I guess since she struck out with Dustin she’s moved on to bigger and better.”

  “Well that won’t last long. Ryder will get over his little revenge case soon enough and I’ll get to finish what I started a few months ago.”

  “She’s pretty cute are you know. Do you really think this is about revenge with Dustin?”

  “Why else would it be? Dustin never screwed her. He’s trying to fuck her because he and Dustin still have this damn hatred toward each other. It’s really stupid. It’s all over that poor friend of his. Kelsie told me about that guy.”

  Finally I’ve had enough I step out the door and they both freeze I walk to the counter and wash my hands. I don’t say a word to them I just turn and walk out the door.

  I make my way back to the table Ryder smiles as I sit down. I look up, “Ryder I’m not really feeling well do you think we can go?”

  “Sure. Are you sure you are ready to go?”

  “Yeah I just think I’m just tired.”

  He pays the bill and we drive back to my house making small talk. Once we get to my house he looks over at me. “Scarlet what’s going on?”

  “Have you been screwing me to get even with Dustin?”

  “What the fuck? How can you even think that?”

  “I overheard Lacey and Bethany Sue in the bathroom. They seem to think so.”

  “Look at me. Do not ever listen to anything those catty bitches have to say. They are jealous, you have me don’t you realize that. You have every part of me, so much that it fucking scares me. Don’t you see that?”

  I can even seem to form words. “I’m sorry. They just brought out all of my insecurities. This is a lot to digest for one night, my emotions are all over the place. I just need to go in and get some sleep I think. I’m sorry again.”

  He winks and smiles. “It’s okay I know I’m a lot to take in.”

  I bark out a laugh. “You always have a way of turning things into sex don’t you?”

  “Yes. But I’m serious you trust me don’t you?”

  I think for a second. “Yes I do. I just need a little bit of time.”

  He leans over the console and kisses me deep. “Just think about that. I’m giving you a day to think and then I’m coming back for more.”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  Once I get to my room I sag against the door.

  Do I really trust him? How do I know that he’s real, that this isn’t some kind of game to him? I can’t be embarrassed like that again.

  My phone beeps that I have a text message.

  Cade: Daria’s blood pressure is off the charts. They are going to do a C-Section in the morning. She wanted me to let you know that if you can’t make it here tomorrow she understands. We know you have school.

  I grab my overnight bag and start packing. Maybe a couple of days is what I need.

  Me: I’m leaving now. I’ll be there in a few hours.

  Cade: It’s too late for you to be leaving.

  Me: It’s only 7 here I can be at your house around midnight your time. I’m coming I’ll call you along the way.

  I grab my duffle bag, leave mom a note and head out the door.

  Chapter 20

  Ryder

  Waking up this morning. I know I’m never going to make it the full day I gave her. I’ve got to see her. She’s got to know just how much I care for her I want her.

  I’m going to take her to breakfast. “Dad when Nelson stops by tell him I’ve got some things to do today. I won’t be back until later.”

  “Okay. You taking Scarlet out for the day or something?”

  “Gonna try to.”

  He chuckles. “Good luck son.”

  I drive to her house and knock on the door. No answer. “Come on Scarlet open up.” I notice her car isn’t here. Maybe she’s at class already. I call her phone no answer.

  I wait an hour, call again no answer.

  I wait another hour still no answer. I text Call me please no response.

  I make it back home and I’m beyond pissed. Dad sees me come in.

  “So I take it you didn’t go to breakfast.”

  “I can’t fucking get up with her.”

  “Okay son. Slow down tell me what all this is about.”

  I sit down and tell dad about our date last night and our conversation in the car. I probably talk to him more in that afternoon than I’ve talked to him in the past ten years.

  “Son. You do know that you reputation with women has a lot to be desired. Having someone from your past show up like that and her hear those things would make anyone uneasy. Especially when someone has been treated the way she was by Dustin. You should understand the whole trust thing.”

  “I just want to talk to her dad. She won’t return any of my messages or calls.”

  “She needs time son. Give her a little space to cool off.”

  “Okay. I’m going outside to get some air try to calm down.”

  He nods that he understands as I walk out the front door.

  ~*~*~

  I wake up feeling like hell. I sat last night and got drunk in the barn with Button. Yeah. I’m calling the calf Button now too.

  While I’m in the shower I decide I’m going to talk to her mom. I need to see her.

  Walking into the Tel-fair museum. I ask for Whisper and she walks out a few moments later in a fluster. “Hey I’ve been trying to get up with Scarlet, but she won’t answer my calls or anything.”

  She shrugs trying to motion to some workers about moving items around. “She left me a note that she was going out of town. She’d call me and let me know when she got there. She called me she’s fine.”

  “Do you know when she will be back?”

  “No. She didn’t say. Sorry hun I really have to go before they break something.”

  I slump my shoulders. “Okay thanks.”

  She left town and didn’t tell me. What in the hell do I do? It’s been almost 48 hours since I’ve laid eyes on her and I can’t handle it.

  Fuck this I’m calling Gable. Once the phone starts ringing I realize its 8am where he is and he’s probably still sleeping last night off. Shit he’s gonna be pissed.

  “Hello.” He sounds groggy as hell.

  “Hey man its Ryder. Where is your sister?”

  He lets out this big yawn. “She’s over in Tuscaloosa man. Are you drunk or something?”

  “No. She won’t answer my calls or texts. Dude I’m lost.”

  “Chill out. I’ll text you the fuckin’ address dude I’m trying to sleep.”

  “Thanks man.”

  Good to his word Gable sends me an address I throw some stuff in a bag and head out. It takes me almost 7 hours to get there. Driving into a very upscale suburban neighborhood. I see her Infiniti parked outside the house.

  Getting out of the car I take a deep breath. Okay here goes nothing.

  I knock on the front door and a big ass guy answers the door. “Yeah.”

  “Um is Scarlet here?”

  “Yeah. Who are you?”

  “Ryder.”
r />   He turns around. “Scarlet there’s a guy here to see you. His name is Ryder.”

  She opens the door and smiles. “Hey what are you doing here?”

  I’m angry that she seems so casual. “What do you mean? You tell me you need a little time and you leave fucking town without saying a word. I’m freaking out. I sat out there the other night and got drunk with your damn calf.”

  She puts her hands on my chest. “Ryder stop, calm down.”

  Big guy is back at the door. “Everything alright Scarlet?”

  She turns. “Its fine Cade, he’s a friend of mine.” He turns and walks back in.

  A little relief hits me. “Cade. As in your brother?”

  She laughs. “Yes my brother. What did you think I ran off to some random man’s house? How did you find me anyway?”

  “I called Gable. I didn’t know what to think. I couldn’t find you. You wouldn’t return my texts or calls. I knew you were upset the other night and I really couldn’t handle the thought of you being mad with me. I needed to hear your voice, see your face and I couldn’t.”

  “Calm down. Cade’s wife had to have an emergency C-Section. I left not long after you dropped me off the other night. When I got here I crashed, we went straight to the hospital the next morning. My phone fell in the toilet at the hospital and quit working. I didn’t have anyone’s numbers, I had already called to let Mom and Gable know I’d made it here. I was going to call you today when my new phone came in. I’m sorry.”

  And I feel like a dumbass.

  “Ok now I feel stupid. I’m sorry I over reacted. I’ve never felt this attachment to another person. I got scared.”

  She moves to the side. “Come on in and I’ll introduce you.”

  We walk into the kitchen and a little girl is dancing around the table. She looks up at me. “Who are you?”

  Scarlet steps in. “Madison this my friend Ryder. Ryder this is my niece Madison, my brother Cade and his wife Daria. The new little fella is sleeping.”

  Madison looks up at me and Scarlet. “Is he your boyfriend?”

  Scarlet turns red like her name. I speak up. “Yes I’m her boyfriend.” She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind for a second then smiles.

  Cade steps over and shakes my hand. “Hey.”

  I look at him closer in the face. “Wait you’re Cade Johnson.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah last time I checked.”

  “You played some awesome college football. I always figured you would go pro, with your buddies. But none of you did.”

  “No man we all decided to live a little more low key life.”

  “Wow. Do you still keep up with them?”

  About that time I hear two loud guys coming through the back door. “No way man. Gabby needs rest she’s big, ill and pregnant. I’m not messing with her, get nookie-.”

  Daria looks up laughing. “Guys this is Scarlet’s boyfriend Ryder. Ryder these are the two bozos you asked Cade about a few minutes ago. Linc and Russ Addison.” I shake their hands.

  Cade looks at them. “Seriously guys watch what you do and say when you come in here. Maddie told her teacher the other day that Mommy and Daddy take really long showers together and that it must be because Mommy is so big with her baby belly. That I must get soap in her eyes because she screams a lot. So we are trying to guard little ears.”

  Linc and Russ have to sit down they are laughing so hard. Cade looks at me. “So Ryder what do you do?”

  “My family owns Abbott Cotton and we have several farms. I mostly work at the farms with the animals.”

  He looks at me a little harder. “Now just exactly what possessed you to come all the way here and get huffy with my little sister?”

  Scarlet steps up. “Cade it was all a misunderstanding.”

  “No Scarlet I should explain myself to him. I showed up at his house acting like an ass.”

  I sit down and explain to them what all had transpired in the past 72 hours. Once I’m finished. Daria laughs. “Well Cade you damn sure can’t be pissed about him tracking her down, you would have done the same thing had I left you a way to.”

  Everyone except Scarlet and I laugh, I guess it’s something we don’t understand.

  Daria looks at Scarlet. “That’s the story I told you would be for another day.”

  Scarlet laughs. “Oh okay.”

  Cade looks up at me. “Ryder come out back and have a beer with us. I’m putting some burgers on the grill for tonight. Anna and Gabby are on their way over with some stuff so we’ll just have a dinner party.”

  I nod. “Okay sounds good.” I step out back with the guys. “Man this is a nice place seems kinda private but in the city. I’m used to living on a thousand acres my nearest neighbor is my Nana Pearl.”

  “Yeah it’s nice. So are you serious about my sister?”

  “Well. She’s the first person I’ve ever cared this much for. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on, she smart, quick witted and sometimes a pain in the ass.”

  Russ holds up his beer. “Son go ahead and pick you out a ring you’ve found the real deal.”

  Cade pops up. “Dude don’t go trying to marry off my kid sister. I just found her.”

  Linc looks up. “Cade describe Daria.”

  “Shut up asshat.”

  I laugh. “Look we haven’t been dating that long. I just put a label on what we have a few minutes ago. I’ve been afraid too. The first five minutes I met her she put me in my place.”

  The laugh and Cade looks at me. “Did she quit that bar?”

  “She was supposed to. She was going to call them, I told her not to go without me.”

  “That place sounded pretty rough.”

  “It was the first time I saw her working there I stayed the rest of the night to watch out for her.”

  Cade puts his hand on my shoulder. “Thanks man. I appreciate it.”

  Chapter 21

  Scarlet

  Not long after the guys go outside Anna and Gabby show up. Daria pulls them over to the kitchen window to look at Ryder. Anna pipes up. “Ooh he’s hot.”

  Daria laughs. “You should have saw him when he came to the door. He was like half unsure of his self, half pissed off. It was sexy. But I think when Cade’s big ass answered the door he about pissed his pants.”

  I laugh. “Well we had a little issue and I didn’t think to let him know I’d left town, plus all the stuff with my phone he couldn’t get ahold of me. He panicked a little and called Gable to find me.”

  Gabby laughs. “Oh so he went all caveman on your ass.”

  I laugh. “I guess so. But he did admit to sitting in the barn and getting drunk with my calf. Even though it’s not my calf it’s his I just named him.”

  “So how did you guys meet?” Anna asks.

  “During community service.”

  Anna laughs. “Oh yeah the ex’s car. I have to say you might be Cade’s little sister and not mine but I was very proud of you that day. It was like something Gabby would’ve done.”

  “Anyway. He hit on me I shot him down. Like shot him down bad. He kept kind of stalking me until I said yes to a date. He took me on an awesome first date and I guess according to him now we are boyfriend and girlfriend.”

  They all laugh and Daria speaks up. “Caveman style. Honey go ahead and figure you are going to marry that man. Only two people who love each other can act that crazy to one another and that guy is over the moon for you.”

  The guys come back inside with the burgers and we begin to eat. Madison, Marshall (Gabby and Linc’s son) and Emma (Anna and Russ’s daughter) have all fallen in love with Ryder. I can’t really say as I blame them.

  After dinner Daria and Cade invited Ryder to stay with me and follow me back home tomorrow. As we are lying in the bed I turn to him. “So what did you really think I had done?”

  He shakes his head. “I honestly didn’t know. I just knew I was scared to death that you’d given up on me.”

  I brush my h
and down his chest. “Ryder I’ll never give up on you. I just needed a little time to think and then it all got crazy. I should have text you on my way here, before I killed my phone.”

  “It’s okay I shouldn’t have flipped out so bad.” He kisses my lips. “I’m sorry again.”

  I start kissing down his neck. “You’re forgiven.”

  “I’m not having sex with you in your brother’s house. Plus you could’ve told me that your brother was the Cade Johnson.”

  I giggle. “I’m sorry. It’s not that big of a deal to me. I didn’t really watch football that much and at that time I never knew Cade. So the only thing I know about his football days are the things I’ve read and the stuff he’s shown me.”

  I run my hand over his stomach and down to his erection. He grabs my hand. “I told you no. No means no.”

  I laugh. “Oh really. I consider that a challenge.”

  “Shh. Your big ass brother will come in here and kill me.”

  “We could be really quiet.”

  He turns over to me and starts kissing me hard. He starts making his way down my belly and works my panties down my legs. “Now if you’re really quiet I’ll give you a treat until we get home tomorrow.”

  I giggle and whisper as his tongue swipes my clit. “I promise. I’ll be quiet.”

  ~*~*~

  “Are you guys sure you don’t need me to stay a couple of extra days to help you with the baby?”

  Cade laughs. “We are sure. Don’t worry Anna will be over here all the time and it’s a few months before Gabby has their new addition. Plus if I don’t let you go I think Ryder over there is going to have a coronary.”

  I laugh and hug him. “Yeah I guess so. But I’ll be back to visit and get baby cuddles.”

  Still hugging me Cade chuckles. “And for God sakes the next time you decide to blow out of town text the boy and let him know. I’ve done the crazy over the girl you love thing. It’s not fun.”

  I step back a little. “You think he loves me? Really?”

  “Sure do kiddo. Nobody follows a piece of ass 7 hours from home. I don’t care how good it is.”

  I smack his arm. “Damn Cade. Don’t say shit like that it grosses me out.”

  “Be safe going home and call me when you get there.”