How To Kill Ryder Blake (COMPLETED)

{Seven} Punching In The Throat and Other Self Defense Techniques.

Just when I thought the night couldn't get any worse, I was greeted by Ryder with a cup of beer in his hand.

I'd spent a while trying to recollect myself after revealing my half naked body to everyone and possibly losing my best friend. Finally forcing myself down the stairs, I was relieved to find the people were starting to dissipate but annoyed to find Ryder waiting expectantly for me in the living room. He was stretched out along the couch, blocking anyone from taking the seat next to him, his hair still matted against his forehead with water. His bare chest was bright red, I'd guess from the impact of the water smacking against him, but he didn't seem the least bit phased by anything that had happened.

He took in my oversized white KOREA shirt I'd snatched from Max's closet. He'd brought it back from South Korea after visiting his grandparents last year and shoved it in the back, not wanting any part in wearing the plain shirt.

Ryder stared for a while, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, his brother cut him off.

"Are you wearing anything under that?" He questioned.

"That was my question too." Ryder laughed. "Beat me to asking it though, man."

I rolled my eyes, starting to back away from them. "Yes. Not that it matters since literally the entire graduating class and then some has probably seen me in my bra and panties by now."

Ryder frowned and sat upright, grabbing my wrist before I could escape him. "I'm sorry for earlier, Zoey."

"At this point, that's the least of my concerns." I mumbled under my breath. "But that was super dumb. You could have cracked your head open."

He avoided his older brother's eyes darting back and forth between us, leaning forward so he couldn't hear what he whispered to me. "But isn't that the point."

Anger bubbled in my chest, but it started to fizzle down when I saw the hint of fear in his eyes. That had been exactly why he created that stupid list, and I had somehow managed to give in to the devil's pleas, which meant I needed to push my own feelings aside and try to make sense of his.

"Ryder, that wasn't even part of the list." I stated.

"What list?" Ryan asked, stepping between us. "What the hell are you two being so secretive about?"

Ryder shrugged and fell back against the couch, chugging both cups of beer in his hands before answering Ryan.

"It's none of your business. man."

Despite the look of protest and hurt on Ryan's face, he didn't respond to the comment. Even if the thought of doing so had crossed his mind, Max came up behind me and interrupted our conversation.

"You good?" He asked me directly, then looked to the Blake boys in disgust. "You two can get out of my house."

I nodded. "I'm fine, Max. We're just talking."

"Talking?" Max looked back to me with a dark look. "Do you realize who you are talking to, Zoey? The only they want to talk about is a way to get between your legs."

Knowing the result of his comment, I immediately lurched forward and threw myself between the boys and Max. Ryder hadn't budged, but was more amused by the entire scene playing out before him then upset by the assumption my best friend had made. Ryan, however, stepped forward just as I put myself between them, looking ready to answer Max with his fists rather than his words.

"How about you keep your mouth shut for once in your Goddamn life, Park. All you do is talk, how about you show you can back that shit up." Ryan snapped.