Chapter 16: Chapter 16

As soon as I slide into the back seat of Ryder’s truck, he squeals away from the curb and does a U-turn in the middle of the street.

His gaze flickers to mine in the rearview mirror. “Find what you needed?”

“Yup.” I don’t mention the familiar floral scent tinging the air in my room. I can’t be certain, but it smelled like the same one that clung to the blonde from Saturday night.

Unfortunately, as soon as I’d caught a whiff, it sent my senses into overdrive and my cock had stiffened right up.

And since I didn’t want to sport a hard-on for the rest of the evening, I’d gotten myself off in record speed.

This is definitely getting out of hand.

Pun intended.

I stare out the passenger side window and watch the landscape roll by as we head home for dinner with my parents.

I really need to move on from this girl. Scenting her perfume in my space and catching glimpses of her all over campus is really starting to fuck with my head. My fingers brush over the necklace that hangs around my neck. I’d thought I lost it the other day and panicked, tearing my room apart.

Turns out I’d left it in the bathroom before hitting the shower.

It’s only after I fastened it around my neck that everything settled within me.

Juliette twists toward the back seat. “Have you talked with Mom lately?”

My eyes slice from the landscape to my sister. Her brow is furrowed. “A couple days ago, why?” I hate the suspicious tone that enters my voice.

It’s like I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It’s exhausting.

“She went for a checkup yesterday.”

Her words are like a gut punch.

“No, she never mentioned it,” I mumble, fingers drifting to the necklace before tightening around the silver W pendant that hangs from it. For some odd reason, it makes the tension attempting to flood my system dissipate. Maybe not completely, but enough to stop my brain from spiraling with fear.

“I’m sure she’ll mention it at dinner.”

I can’t help but notice the way Ryder wraps his hand around my sister’s fingers before giving them a gentle squeeze. She glances at him, and some of the concern marring her expression melts away.

It only makes me feel lonelier.

Isolated.

With an irritated huff, I close my eyes and allow my head to fall back against the seat. I just want to forget about the crap that’s been swirling around inside my brain like a chaotic storm.

The constant concern I have that Mom is one step away from a relapse.

If that happens, it’s doubtful we’ll come out of another battle unscathed.

Then there’s my changing relationship with Ryder.

And my English grade that’s now in the shitter, jeopardizing whether I get ice time, which in turn could affect my future.

Last but not least, there’s the elusive girl who continues to haunt my thoughts like a specter.

The very same one who belongs to River fucking Thompson.