As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter three

Song for the chapter: Be the One, by Dua Lipa

"You just abducted me, you know." I cross my arms over my chest, holding my nose in the air.

I hear Ryker's breathy chuckle before he speaks. "I'm not keeping you against your will." When I turn to him with raised brows, he glances at me and the corners of his mouth raise. "We're going to the same place."

I take a deep inhale. "Whatever. Still abduction."

He has a smirk on his lips when I look at him; his wet hair was sticking to his forehead, which he was running his hand through to get it off. Since it was wet, it almost looked jet black, different from his normal raven color. Odd. The white shirt he wore now clung to his broad body, thanks to the rain. His lip ring was so strangely attractive to me, especially when he tugged it between his teeth.

I had to tear my eyes away from it—away from him.

His hazel eyes were fixed on the road, until they glanced over to mine.

"What?"

"Nothing." I say, too quick.

Another smirk plays on his lips. "How about I get you another coffee? Make up for the one you're currently wearing."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. Not happening."

"It's just coffee, Maddison."

I ignore the fluttery feeling I got from him saying my name.

"It's never just anything with you, Ryker. You're notorious for sleeping with anything that moves." I snort. "I'll pass."

"Is that so?"

"It's a fact."

I see Ryker's jaw flex. "Well, I was just being polite. And, trust me, you're not my type, princess."

I don't know why it infuriated me—and kinda hurt me—that he said that. I knew Ryker wasn't my type; I'd never willingly date Ryker. He's a man-whore and an idiot. But...dang. That really did hurt.

I cross my arms and stare out the window the rest of the way home. Stupid Ryker and his stupid car and his stupidity all around.

When we pulled into our neighborhood, I was relieved. Of course, Ryker being Ryker, he pulled into his house and not mine. I rolled my eyes and opened the door.

"What? No thank you for my generosity?"

I glare at him. "Bite me." Then I step out and slam the door. I stomp across the street and up my porch steps, getting inside.

I truly hated Ryker Brooks. I couldn't wait to finally save up enough money and move out of here and get as far away from him as possible.

*  *  *

The next week that passed was busy. Almost every morning I had a morning shift at Joe's, which was ironically called Joe's Joe. Then I'd have to hustle to Lowe's for the rest of the day I'd work there.

I missed Joey. I haven't seen her all week and she hasn't reached out. I guess it's been hard for her to get out, which I understood. But I missed being able to talk to her and hang out with her whenever I felt like it.

I was currently working, dealing with a customer who thought they had no fault in the world.

"You don't understand, I bought it from here."

I exhale. "I understand that, ma'am. I really do. But like I said: you bought that in a clearance buyout. We cannot return it."

The woman scoffs, slamming her hands on the counter and grabbing her curtain rod.