As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter sixteen

Song for the chapter: Love Somebody, by Maroon 5

Ryker POV

I was trying to concentrate on what Yolanda was saying to me, but I was also trying to hear what Vinnie was saying to Maddison.

If I knew my uncle Vinnie, he was surely making her run for the hills by now.

"Ow!" I grabbed my ear.

"Stop trying to eavesdrop, boy."

Yolanda slapped my ear with the rubber spatula she had resting beside her. I frown, fixing myself on the barstool.

"You're abusive."

"Only when I need to be." She winks. "Now, what's the deal with blondie?"

"Her name is Maddison," I practically growl.

Yolanda smiles a knowing smile, and I feel my stomach drop.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. Did it on purpose."

"Why?"

"Because you, Ryker Brooks, have a lot of your uncle Vinnie in you: a fighter, a lover, a helpless heart. You fight for what you love, you have a sincere passion for things of art and you're unapologetic for it. Why do you think him and his brother don't get along?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I can see it."

"You love and you love hard. It's a blessing and a curse. Isn't that why you called us here today? Talk to your girl, show her that falling in love fast can be normal?"

I blink; damn, she's good. I called Vinnie when I woke up earlier and invited him just because it had been a while...but also, my feelings for Maddison have been scaring the living hell out of me. And they had been married for so long, after knowing each other for a short amount of time. I thought maybe they could help.

I shrug. "I guess."

Yolanda smiles. "Yeah, is that so? Then why are you trying so hard to hear what's going on over there."

"You know him! He's probably making me look bad."

Yolanda laughs lightly. "I highly doubt it."

I turn to the side, leaning back in my seat to see Maddison. She's leaning against the wall, her attention fully on Vinnie. He's talking, using his hands to speak. She's smiling, saying something to him. And then, she laughs.

And not a forced laugh, or a half-laugh. But a genuine, beautiful sound that makes her head go back and her nose scrunch up. A laugh I have yet to make her do.

It stops me dead in my tracks, makes my heart beat soar as I watch her cover her mouth and try to settle, but she can't stop laughing.

"It's okay to love her, Ryker." Yolanda's voice pulls my eyes away from her. "I knew Vin was the one that moment he told me that stupid pickup line."

I lick my lips. "What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I love her, and she just throws it away?"

"Love is a dangerous game, love. It always is. But for a girl like her?" Yolanda looks at her from the side. "She's worth it, isn't she?"

I look back over at her, realizing Yolanda is right. Maddison is worth it. She's worth a million heartbreaks. I don't care if it's only been a few weeks and she's spent almost five years hating me; I don't care that I don't know a lot about her, I know enough. I know that she loves the stars and her sister and she's terrified of driving, and that she loves animals and she loves pink lemonade and that deep down, she's scared to let herself love me.