LEGACY | OBX NEXT GENERATION

5 | Ryker Cameron

      I slowly opened my eyes, I was in Tara's bed, she was lying next to me, a gentle smile on her face that was more beautiful to wake up to than the sun. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, trying to shake off the rest off my fatigue.

"Good morning," I mumbled, shaking her awake.

Her eyes fluttered open and Tara's smile grew wider. "Good morning," she replied. I reached out, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. But before I could snuggle in closer, she sat up, her expression suddenly serious.

"Ryker, you have to go," she said, checking the clock next to her.

I groggily sat up, still half-asleep. "What's wrong?"

"My dad will be home soon," she whispered, her eyes darting to the clock on her nightstand once again, it's not like the guy is gonna teleport here or something. "You can't be here when he gets back." She urged.

I quickly scrambled out of bed, grabbing my shirt from the floor and stuffing my arms into the sleeves. I didn't even bother with my shoes, just hurried to the window and threw it open.

"I'll see you later," I whispered, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before swinging my leg over the sill and dropping down into the grass.

I landed hard on the grass, but I didn't stop to catch my breath. I took off, jogging around the corner of the house and disappearing into the streets making my way to my house. We didn't live too far apart so I made it home in less than fifteen minutes.

I jogged up the walkway to my house, trying to move quietly so I wouldn't wake anyone up. I slipped inside through the front door, hoping to go unnoticed. But of course, my mom was standing in the doorway, with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised.

"Ryker, where have you been?" she asked.

I sighed, knowing I'd been caught. "I was just at Tara's, Mom. Dad said it was fine."

She gave me a look of disapproval. "Dad doesn't know better, Ryker. Topper said he doesn't like it when you do that. If you got caught, I'd be in trouble with Tara's parents."

Just then, my dad walked into the room, with a grin on his face and a coffee in hand. "What's going on guys?"

Sofia turned to him, her arms still crossed. "Rafe, did you tell Ryker he could sneak out to Tara's last night?"

Dad's grin faltered, and he looked stuck. "Uhhh..."

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "Exactly. No more sneaking around, Ryker. Next time, you're grounded."

I held up my hands, surrendering. "Alright, Mom, I got it." Then I gave dad a fist bump and I trudged up the stairs to my room, feeling a bit defeated. But as I passed by Serena's room, I saw her standing in her doorway, a smug look on her face. She had heard everything.

"Told you," she said, with the tilt of her head.

I rolled my eyes. "Told me what, Serena?"

She smirked. "Shouldn't have snuck off to Tara's."

I shook my head, continuing to my room. Serena was back from college for just a few weeks. I wish she'd go back today, the house is a lot more peaceful without her around to snoop in my business and scold me about it.

I continued on to my room, changing into my gym clothes to meet up with Kaleb. At least I had my friend to look forward to rather than being stuck in the house with my sister. I grabbed my car keys and was out the door to my car.

After some time driving, I walked into the gym and I spotted Kaleb already lifting, his muscles rippling beneath his skin as he hoisted a heavy weight above his head. I dropped my bag and walked over to him, giving him a nod as I took the weight from him.