Out of my Control

Chapter Sixteen

Johnny

"Ryder!" Sure as shit, it's my best friend and the fucker does not even bother telling me he is back home. "When the hell did you get back?" He tries to force a smile and it makes me sad to see that what happened overseas has changed my best friend in more ways then anyone expected.

"Johnny." Pulling me into a brief hug. "I just got back today." When he pulls back I take a good look at him and notice the weight he has lost. I really wish that I could have convinced him back then to not rejoin. I knew his reasons and if I wasn't who I was that bitch would be dead.

"So, you decided to come to a gay club?" I laugh to lighten the mood or I might just cry and I have not done that in forever. His lips twitch and just when I think he is going to smile he frowns.

"Thought it would be the best place to not get hit on. Man was I wrong."

Slapping him on the back I laugh even louder. "Trust me if I was gay, I would definitely hit on you."

"Shut the fuck up!" He chuckles a little. It might not be much but I will take it. "What brings you here?"

"My girl." Giving me a puzzled look.

"Is it anything like..." Shoving him there is that twitch again. He wants to smile but a lot of things are holding him back.

"Fuck you, man! It's nothing like that. My angel is something else."

"Like the time..."

"Nope, nothing like that. She is the real deal." I know he is skeptical but then again he has never seen me be serious about anyone before. I point her out as she talks animatedly with Josh.

"Who's the twink with her?" I shove his shoulder again. I may not know Josh well enough, but he is a good guy and helped me get my girl back more than once. There have been more times then I can count where I have been his voice of reason, and now is no different. I swear some things never change, but it gives me hope that in time Ryder will be okay.

"That's Josh Harlan, he's Katrina's best friend. He's a really nice guy."

"Yeah, one who likes to get himself into trouble." 

What is he on about? Have they met before? Laughing it off, I pat his shoulder and it doesn't go unnoticed to me that he stiffens up. "Still got that hero complex I see." It fucking kills me  to see him like this, but there is something in his eyes as he keeps looking in there direction.

I can see him struggling with his demons. "I was ready to beat your ass earlier when you put your arms around her waist when I thought she was with him."

Slinging my arm around his shoulder, his body tenses again. Damn it! I fucking hate this! "Come on man, let me introduce you." I know he is reluctant to follow but he does. I'm afraid at any moment he might bolt and who knows how long it will be before I see him again.

"I'm telling you Kit Kat, he is so fucking hot! I just want to climb up that damn body again." Hmm, that is interesting. Smiling as I kiss my girl's cheek, I can see Josh's face turn beet red.

"Hey babe, hey Josh. I want to introduce you to my best friend. Ryder this is Katrina and Josh."

Kat beams up at Ryder and it warms my heart for her to be friendly to him when he is a complete stranger. But I have a feeling that my best friend is what her and Josh were talking about. "It's Kat and nice to meet you, but you already know my best friend Josh." I fucking knew it!  She gives Josh a gentle but not so subtle push towards Ryder. The interaction between them is quite interesting. I turn to my girl and her smile is evident on her face. 

The poor bastard is going to be so disappointed when he realizes that Ryder is straight.

"Shit!"

"You good?" Ryder asks in a real gentle tone that I have never seen him use with anyone before. What the actual fuck?! He is letting Josh basically feel him up and not pushing him away or better yet punch him in the face. Which I am glad he doesn't or I would have to hold Kat back from trying to tear his eyes out.

"Fucking hell!" Josh mumbles and a chuckle escapes from Ryder. What the hell is going on?  When Josh mouths he's got abs towards Kat I know I am not seeing shit as he smirks again. 

"You want to grab a drink and catch up." I need to say something the fucking tension is palpable. Guiding them to the VIP section I explain to them that Lucas and Jaxon come here a lot, so anyone who comes with them gets the same VIP treatment. "Come on Angel, let's get those drinks." Getting a death glare from my best friend only makes me laugh as we walk away.

"He's going to get hurt." Turning my attention to my girlfriend waiting for her to explain. "Josh, when he gets a crush on someone, he always ends up hurt in the end. I don't want that happening again, but I know it will."

"Sorry babe. Ryder has some demons that he needs to fight and hopefully he will come out stronger than before." 

"He's straight, isn't he?"

"I thought so." I order our drinks and as we wait I pull Katrina closer to me. I have missed her so damn much. "I'm just not sure anymore. Josh made him fucking smile."

"That was a smile?" 

"Okay, not a smile per se, but it's the closest thing I have seen in almost a year. The last 6 months have been hell for him and even before that it's as if he lost his way." Grabbing our drinks we head back to our table.

"Well for Josh's sake, I hope this little crush goes away quickly."

You and me both. Maybe I am being selfish but I do not want anything getting in the way of my relationship with Kat. Ryder downs his drink in one go the moment I set them down.

"A power bottom?" 

Spitting out my drink. Did my best friend say that? "What the hell were you two talking about while we were gone?" Kat and I share a knowing look. This is actually something I do not want to hear about. They both share a look and I know we do not need to be here for this conversation. "Angel, let's go dance while Josh gives Ryder a lesson." 

"Gladly." The moment we are away from the two laughter fills the air between us. "I don't even want to know."

"Me either." Getting lost in each other as we dance, I don't want to let her go. "So, I get a whole week with you."

"If you don't mind Josh tagging along sometimes. I cannot leave him alone that long, it wouldn't be fair." I know she is right, but damn it! 

"That's fine." Raining Men starts playing and I look towards my best friend. "Oh fuck!"

"What?" Katrina sounds alarmed but when I hear her giggle next to me it makes me smile. I just love to see her happy. I'm such a sap! "That is Josh for you. He can get anyone to laugh or smile. He just has that aura about him, and that is why I worry about him so much. He wears his heart on his sleeve."

But he is making my best friend truly smile, that is a fucking miracle. I should be jealous that I cannot be the one that makes him feel better. Maybe Josh Harlan is exactly what Ryder needs in his life. A light that brings him out of his darkness, and I would do anything to see that happen.

Kissing my girlfriend because I am so damn happy at the moment and also I just love the taste of her, that I will find any excuse to kiss her. I pull away before I take things too far again like back in the room. Fuck! Now is not the time to think about that.

"So, here's what we are going to do."

He might kill me, but in the long run it will be worth it. If it helps Ryder in any way, it will be so damn worth it.