The Fault (Book 3 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 22: tears

Dakota

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I kissed Christopher Young. I'm so fucked, I can't ever see his face ever again. Maybe I should change my identity and run away. What makes this even worse is the fact that I enjoyed that stupid kiss. God, he's so good at kissing, I kept replaying it over and over again in my head. His hand placement, his taste, his cologne, the way he pulled me onto him. I'm done for, if Brooke ever found out, she'd strangle me. I never really make any moves on guys, the one time I do, it's on the guy my friend likes.

It's been a few days since I saw Chris, I've been doing a pretty good job of avoiding him. I saw him walking towards the bookstore the other day so I ran to the back and hid there, he was confused as fuck but he eventually just left. He also texted me, asking if we could talk, but I didn't respond. I was being a terrible person, I shouldn't have kissed him but I couldn't help it. I was so desperate to kiss him at that moment.

I walk out of Starbucks and walk down the sidewalk towards my car when Ryder literally spawns next to me.

I roll my eyes as I continue to walk.

"Dakota, I'm sorry for yelling at you." He says.

He came into the bookstore a few days ago, asking to go out again and when I said no. He started yelling at me for putting him in prison.

"I don't care, Ryder." I say.

"Look, if you go on one date with me, and we talk everything out. I'll leave you alone." He says.

I sigh as I look at him, I was desperate to get rid of him at this point.

"Fine." I say.

"Okay, when are you free?" He asks.

"Now. Let's go to The Grill." I say.

The sooner the better.

"Oh, okay." He smiles.

"We are going in separate cars. I'll meet you there." I say.

"Okay, don't stand me up." He says before he turns away and walks away.

How about you go drive off a bridge, Ryder?
I get to The Grill and walk in, I look around and see him already sitting down at a booth. I roll my eyes before I walk up to him. I sit across from him and he smiles.

"I thought you weren't gonna show up." He says.

"I wish I didn't." I say.

"Alright, come on, Dakota. I'm really trying here." He says.

"You yelled at me after I told you no like fifty times." I snap.

"Okay, but I just wanted a chance." He says.

"Well, you finally got it. So spill." I say.

"Why don't we order something?" He asks.

"I'm not hungry." I tell him.

He sighs as he looks at me.

"I'm sorry for everything I did to you, Dakota. I know it was wrong, and I deserved everything that happened to me. If I could go back in time, I would. To make sure I never hurt you the way I did." He says.

"It's too late now, Ryder." I say.

"I know, I just wanted you to know how much I regretted it."

I stare at him, he gives me a sad look. I didn't trust him anymore, not after everything that happened.

"I loved you, I really loved you. But the second you laid your hand on me, all my love for you disappeared." I tell him.

"I'm so sorry, Dakota." He sighs.