A Lie Like That

Chapter 7: It Wasn't Enough

(Author's note : Listen to this song while reading this chapter, trust me, you'll feel every emotion Ridge did on this unforgettable night.)

As Ridge lay there, his head on my lap, he let out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of everything we'd been through.

"June," he whispered, his voice unsteady, "you're... you're like... I don't know, like the perfect meaning to my life. Every time I see you... I feel like I can finally breathe."

My heart skipped, but I kept my face steady, watching his gaze slip back to the sky for a moment.

"Do you know what you do to me?" murmurs ridge

His fingers traced little circles absently, his words soft, like he was almost talking to himself. 

"You don't get it, June. You're in everything." He let out a rough laugh, almost disbelieving. "You're in every damn corner of my mind, all the time. It's like... I wake up, and you're there. I go to sleep, and there you are. I plan my day, and somehow, you're in every thought. You're everywhere, and it's terrifying because I can't control it."

He closed his eyes for a moment, struggling to get the words out. "Sometimes... I think I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you. Look at us; we're a mess. We argue, we pull each other in and push each other away, and I know I mess things up. But even when things are at their worst, it's still you, June. It's always been you."

He paused, looking up at me with eyes that were painfully sincere, raw in a way I'd never seen before. "Do you know since how long I've felt this way? I... I've loved you since that night at the party. I didn't even know it then, but I can't stop thinking about it. Every time I tried to convince myself it was just friendship, something more would slip out, and I'd realize it wasn't enough."

He sighed, his voice dropping to a murmur, "I feel alive with you, June. Like you see something in me that I never could. You make me feel like I could actually be someone... someone worthy of this."

I felt my heart pound, but I kept my face as blank as I could. He was drunk, and every part of me wanted to believe this was real, that he'd remember it in the morning, but I couldn't risk it. I couldn't let myself fall.

Ridge squeezed my hand, his grip softening. "I... I love you, June," 

He shook his head, looking up at me, his eyes glassy but intent. "I've loved you since that day at the party... when you looked at me like I was someone worth knowing. And all this time, all you wanted was friendship. But goddamn, I... I can't resist this anymore. Every part of me just wants you."

His fingers brushed against my cheek, and I could feel the warmth of his skin, the intensity in his eyes searching my face as if trying to memorize every line. "I know I'm drunk, but none of this is because of that. I'm saying this because I can't hold it back anymore."

"I couldn't say it back. I just couldn't. All my fears came rushing back, crashing over me like a wave I wasn't ready for. Ridge wasn't anything like the person I thought I'd end up with. It's not that I had a detailed checklist in my head, but if I did...he wouldn't have checked a single box. Is it selfish to want the moon? To ask for something that feels unattainable? Or are we just fooling ourselves, choosing comfort over passion, safety over the unknown, hoping it'll be enough to quiet the restlessness inside us?

'Ridge, you're drunk,' I said softly, trying to steady my voice. 'Your eyes are saying it all...' My lips twitched into a half-smile, my sarcasm creeping in without permission.

 Defense mechanisms—always showing up at the worst possible time. 

"I didn't even know you felt like this about me. You hid it so well." I tried to laugh, to deflect, but my voice cracked under the weight of it all.

Maybe I ruined what could've been a perfect moment between us. Maybe I shattered whatever romantic build-up we'd had. But I couldn't help it. I told him to calm down, to let the night pass, and that we'd talk about it when the time was right. 

But Ridge, euphoric and so drunk on his feelings—or maybe just the alcohol—didn't even seem to notice I hadn't given him a real answer.

He shifted the conversation like it was nothing, a bright smile breaking through his vulnerability, and I hated myself for not being brave enough to give him the truth. I knew, in that moment, that what I was doing was wrong. That I was letting his hope linger, even though my heart wasn't ready to meet his where it was. But I didn't have it in me to break him—not that night, not ever.

We sat there for another half hour, lost in the quiet of the night, before deciding it was time to head back. It was almost 2:00 AM, and the streets were eerily still, like the aftermath of an apocalypse. 

"Guess we should head back before the guard files a missing report," he joked, his voice softer than usual.

I chuckled. "Or worse, my mom wakes up and realizes I'm not in bed. I'm not ready for that interrogation."

As we walked back, the streets were eerily still, the kind of quiet that makes you feel like the only two people left in the world. We were just a few steps from the colony gate when the distant hum of an engine caught my attention. A white car was speeding toward us, its headlights cutting through the darkness like sharp blades.

"Crap, Ridge! Hide!" I whispered urgently, tugging his arm as we ducked behind a nearby shop's banner.

"You know, this feels like one of those cheesy spy movies," Ridge whispered, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Shut up," I hissed, but I couldn't help the small giggle that escaped when I tripped over my own feet and landed awkwardly.

Ridge extended a hand, his grin teasing. "Come on, Agent June, let's not blow our cover."

I rolled my eyes, but took his hand, his warmth momentarily distracting me from the situation. We stayed still for a moment, holding our breath as the car whizzed past, oblivious to our hiding spot.

"Phew," I exhaled, brushing off imaginary dust from my knees. "Good thing they didn't see us. I'd rather not explain to anyone why we're sneaking around like criminals at 2 AM."

"Relax, it's just us being 'adventure seekers,' remember?" Ridge quipped, putting air quotes around the phrase.

Soon, we reached his house. I stopped at his gate, crossing my arms with a mock-serious expression. "Alright, mister. You're safely home. Don't get any ideas about sneaking out again."

He smirked, leaning against the gate. "And leave you to your next solo heist? Never."

He leaned against the gate, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You know," he started, his voice lower now, almost shy, "all the years I've lived, this night... it tops them all."

"Ridge..." I began, unsure of what to say.

He waved it off with a small laugh, but his eyes stayed on me, warm and steady. "Goodnight, June."

For a moment, I stood frozen, but then, managing a small smile, I replied, "Goodnight, Ridge."

As he slipped inside, I turned and ran toward my house, the adrenaline still buzzing in my veins, the weight of his words sinking in with every step.

Did my rebellious act of chasing adventure just cost me everything I'd hoped would never happen between us? Bravo, June. You really outdid yourself this time. What's next? A parade for the being the world's biggest stupidhead person?

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