Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 43: First Dances and Second Chances

Rydel's POV

Not again. This can't be happening again. It's too soon. I'm not ready.
"No," I whisper aloud. "This time will be different."
Hugging my knees tighter to my chest, I repeat to myself that it isn't going to end the same as last time. This time is different. He isn't going to leave. He means it when he says he loves me. This time is different.
Peeling my body off the bathroom floor, I dry my eyes and walk to my room. As soon as I lie down, tears begin falling from my face again. How exactly do you tell your best friend, recently turned boyfriend, that you're pregnant with his child?

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Marriya's POV

The day of the party has finally arrived, and the tension in the Lynch house is thick enough to cut with a knife. Ratliff and Rydel took Stormie, Mark, Cheryl, and George out for the afternoon, leaving the rest of us the final few hours before the party to make sure everything is perfect.
Since my house is empty, I've been at the Lynch's all morning. My hair and makeup is done, leaving my dress as the final thing on my list.
As I have nothing else to do at the moment, I lay across a couch in the living room and scroll through new releases on Netflix.
"I am so mad!" Riker exclaims, storming into the room wearing the most atrocious floral shirt I've ever seen.
"At who?" I ask, doing all I can to stifle the laugh rising in me. "The guy who sold you that shirt?"
"Don't even start with me," he growls. "Where's Rocky?"
As if on cue, Rocky walks into the room dressed in a black suit. The second he sees Riker, he bursts out laughing. After calming himself down, he pulls out his phone and snaps a picture.
"Looking sharp," I comment. "I'm impressed."
"At least one of us is," Rocky smirks, mockingly eying up his brother. "Oh, and Riker, the ugly store called. Even they don't want that shirt back."
"Where did you put my clothes?" he seethes.
"Check my closet," Rocky grins.
Swearing under his breath, Riker storms up the stairs.
"You're an asshole," I laugh.
"I know," he replies smugly.
"I'm going to go get ready," I announce.
"I assume you're coming later with Ross?"
"Yeah, I think I will. You take Ryland now, and Riker should be on his way really soon."
"Sounds like a plan," he replies before calling for his brother then walking out the door.
Climbing the stairs slowly, I make my way to Rydel's bedroom. Her room is perfectly clean, causing the black bag on her bed to stand out even more.
Unzipping the garment bag, I pull out a tight, strapless red dress that stops just above my knees. People can insult a lot of things about Rydel, but her taste in clothing is not one of them.
Discarding my jeans and hoodie, I pull the dress up my body. Sliding the zipper up, I step into a pair of black stilettos. After adjusting my curls and touching up the red on my lips, I leave Rydel's room and go to find Ross.
Walking up to his room, I find the door slightly ajar.
"Hello?" I ask, rapping my fist softly against the doorframe.
"Come in," Ross calls.
Pushing the door open, I walk in to find Ross standing in his closet.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
At the sound of my voice, Ross' head whips around and his eyes drift across my body before finally meeting mine.
"You look stunning," he murmurs breathily.
"Thank you," I reply, moving to stand beside him.
"Really," he whispers. "You're gorgeous."
Again his eyes drift up and down my body before connecting with mine again. "You look amazing in red."
"You don't look too bad yourself."
"I need your help with something."
"Anything," I offer.
"Which one?" Ross asks, revealing a section of his closet that is home to over 30 different ties.
"The red one," I reply after scanning through all of them. "It matches my dress."
"Good point," he smirks, pulling the red tie off the hanger.
"Let me get that," I offer, stepping towards him and looping the fabric around his neck.
After making one final loop with his tie, I step back and admire Ross in the mirror.
"You look adorable," I grin.
"I'm a guy. I'm not supposed to be adorable," he replies.
"Well you are," I tease.
"I'm actually very tough, thank you very much," he says. "I can protect you."
"Whatever you say, Sweetie," I smirk.
Instead of replying, he attempts to flex to emphasize his point.
"Don't hurt yourself," I laugh.
"Stop giggling! You're ruining my masculine moment!"
"I love you."
"I love you, too," he says.
Taking me by hips, he pulls my body into his. With the four inch advantage from my heels, I'm close enough to Ross' height that he doesn't need to lean far before his lips connect with mine. His mouth moves against mine, causing a knot to form in my stomach and my heart to beat much faster than it should.
"We should get going," I murmur breathlessly, my mouth barely separated from his.
"Can't we be a little late?" he whispers seductively.
"Not when we're the ones throwing the party," I laugh, pressing my lips to his once more before pulling away.
"But really, do I look alright?" Ross asks, inspecting his outfit in the mirror once again.
"You look perfect," I whisper.
"Only if I'm standing next to you," he replies.
"We need to go," I urge.
"Fiiiiiiiine," he drawls.
The hall we booked is deep in the city, meaning almost an hour drive since traffic is light. By the time we arrive, the building is packed. Riker, Rocky, and Ryland have everyone organized, and our parents should be here any minute.
Taking Ross' hand, I lead him towards the head table where the rest of the Lynch boys and Alana stand. Rocky, Ryland, and Alana talk amongst each other, but Riker stands off by himself. Excusing myself from Ross, I approach him.
"Hey, Rik."
"Hey, Mar. You look really pretty, tonight, and my brother is a very lucky guy to be here with you" he says, flashing me a smile that barely reached his mouth, never mind his eyes.
"You don't have to be strong for me," I whisper. "I know you miss her, and I really wish she was here-"
"But she's not," he interjects.
I am about to reply when someone near the door shouts, "They're here!"
Silence falls over the room except for the sound of clicking heels approaching the door. Rydel and Ellington pull open a set of double doors, revealing the surprised faces of Stormie and Mark. The crowd parts, leaving a clear path from the six of them to the five of us. Stormie's face is captured with one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen, Mark grinning widely as he takes the whole scene in. When they finally reach us, the 11 of us pull into a group hug.
"So before everyone gets going their separate ways, we have another surprise for you," Ryland announces.
"But this part of the surprise if for Cheryl and George too," I add.
"As a present from all 7 of us, we have purchased the four of you a vacation to Cuba, which you leave for tonight!" Riker announces.
Stormie immediately moves to hug each one of us individually, tears of joy now pouring down her face.
"I love you all so much," she sobs. "Thank you!"
"You guys are amazing!" Cheryl adds. "Thank you so much all of you!"
After receiving my hugs, I step back to stand with George and Ell.
"You look incredible," George murmurs.
"He's right darling," Cheryl agrees, moving to stand with us.
She places her hand on my shoulder before pulling me into a tight hug.
After moving back, Ellington wraps his arms around me from behind.
"I love you both so much," Cheryl whispers. "Every single day you two are my reason to smile. I am so proud to call myself your mother."
"I love you, Mom," Ellington murmurs, moving in for a hug.
Soon the four of us stand together, posing for a picture. I can't help but think back to where I was six months ago, and how glad I am to be far from that place. Also, how glad I am that the distance is both physical as well as emotional.