The One Without The Happy Ending [18+]

Zero| Hugs & Kisses

Ryder's POV

Bonus Chapter
Hugs & Kisses!

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HER LIPS WERE SO SOFT AND FAMILIAR AGAINST MY OWN. FELT LIKE HOME. Kissing her was like a dream I never wanted to wake up from and I pulled her closer to me, revelling in her delicate frame being pressed against my own. I completely breathed her in, and she pushed away with a small laugh.

"Stop, Ryder." There was an adorable smile on her face, her eyes twinkling as she pushed her small fists into my chest.

I put her arms around my neck and pulled her in even closer, ignoring her meek protests. "I can't, Shelia." My gaze softened as I dragged my knuckles down her cheek. "You're my home. I never want to leave you. I don't ever want to stop showing you how much I love you. I won't ever willingly let you go. I want you with me whenever you can."

Her smile melted away and she frowned at me. "I don't think I can do that, Ryder. I can't be with you."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What? Why can't you be with me? I love you, Shelia. And you love me too, don't you?" I pulled away slightly to give her space but she reached for my hands and held on tightly.

"I do love you, Ryder. I always have. And I always will. But please don't fight me on this; I can't be with you."

I shook my head. "Why not? It's you and me, Shelia. I'm never going to leave you. You can trust me. I'll always be there for you."

She cried out, "No, no, no! Please just stop, Ryder. You can't say that!"

She wrenched her hand away and slapped me across the face, shocking and startling me.

But it made me wake up with a start. Where was I? There was cold, wet soil underneath my left cheek and I sat up with a wince, feeling everything come flooding back.

My love was dead. She wasn't coming back. We couldn't be together.

I stared hard at her gravestone, which I made sure to visit every week without fail. Her blank eyes would haunt me till the day I left the Earth and there was no escape for me. I was forever bound in the world where only Shelia existed in my thoughts. I was forever hers.

"I love you, Shelia. In the afterlife or in the next life. I'll always love you. And I'll hold onto the faith that we'll be together someday. Forever is hard to escape, my love."

"Forever, huh? Too bad that didn't become reality." A harsh voice came from behind me and I turned around with a wince. Shit.

"Hunter." I gave him a grim smile, which he didn't return and just turned to stare at his sister's grave.

"She loved you so much, you know."

I gawked at my best friend, eyes wide. "You knew?"

He scoffed. "Of course I did. I'm not blind. It was obvious to anyone how enamoured the two of you were with falling for one another."

"Oh." I sighed. This wasn't going good. And Shelia wasn't even hear to listen to her brother's opinion about us. "I'm sorry, Hunter. I didn't meant to betray you. Shelia... she was just this sun in the dark. I couldn't help but be drawn to her, and like Icarus, I got burnt."

My laugh was bitter and dark, and Hunter gave me a look filled with pity. "She was lucky to have you, Ryder. And I can't thank you enough for making her happy when nothing else ever did."

I shook my head hastily. "I was the one lucky to have her in my life, Hunter. And there's no need to thank me. She gave my life meaning for the time she was in it, and I'm not sorry I loved her. Love her."

He nodded. "The love the two of you shared; it was magical. The way she looked at you..." He trailed off, his eyes elsewhere.

We were both quiet. There weren't any words in the English language to help me say what I wanted which would convey the depth of my feelings for his sister.

Hunter sniffed. "But all I can say is, I'm so sorry that I wasn't a good enough brother to her. If I had been, maybe she'd still be here with us today and you two would have gotten your forever."

I wasn't ashamed of the tears that had also filled my eyes. "No, Hunter, no. You were the best brother that any girl, including Sheila, could have. She admired you so much and if not this life, then we'll get the next. I have hope."

He chuckled darkly. "Hope. It keeps you breathing just to kill you in the end. I wouldn't bet on hope."

But I did. Hope would be the only thing that kept Shelia with me, forever.

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