Behind Closed Doors-A Rydellington Short Story

Unless You Play it Good and Right

Rydel's POV:

I stayed in the back of the bus with Ellington for a while longer. The boys were preoccupied helping Ryan move in all of his stuff, so they didn't take any notice to the significant amount of time Ellington and I were spending together.

We both needed some time-for Ellington to calm down and for me to process everything that's going on. We resumed the movie that we had started earlier, but we were busier talking about what had just gone down.

"You know, I never liked him," I admitted to Ellington, hooking a finger through his. I was sitting sideways on the couch, body positioned towards him. His arm draped around the back of the couch but his fingers would intermittently touch my arm. We couldn't be too obvious just in case somebody suddenly came through the doors. 

He cocked his head. "How come you never said anything? I'm sure me and your brothers wouldn't have spent as much time with him if we knew you had a problem with him," he said sympathetically.

I cast my eyes downward. "I didn't have a problem with him," I lied.

He brought a finger to my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. He gave me a knowing look.

I sighed, defeated. "Fine," I admitted, "I didn't think you guys would believe me-that he would deny it and that my brothers would think I was just overreacting." I shook my head, remembering. "But he was always mean to me-always mocking, insulting me, being passive aggressive," I shook my head. "I don't know what I ever did to him."

Ellington flashed me a smile. "I bet he just liked you." I watched as a realization crossed his face and his smile disappeared. I read his mind: he was thinking that if he liked me those years ago, and now that we'd be fake dating, he could  finally win me over.

I shook my head and softened my eyes at him. "You know I'm never going to let that happen," I said, referring to the silent conversation we'd just had.

He nodded, then spoke, "And you know I'm not going to let him treat you the way that he used to," his voice was serious-I loved it. "If he does, I'm going to kick his ass." He reached a hand to my cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

I couldn't help but smile. "Good luck with that, he played football in high school," I tried to lighten the mood, but when his expression didn't change, I added, "don't worry, I won't let him get to me."

He ran a hand up and down my leg softly. "That's my girl," he gave me a sad smile and said, "but I'm still going to worry."

I could tell he was trying to hide his anger for my sake. I knew he hated this situation-I could see it in his eyes. But he knew there was nothing he could do about it so he stayed silent.

We grew tired very quickly so we headed to the bunks to get changed and ready for bed. We found my brothers and Ryan there too. Ryan sat on Riker's bunk, talking to them, as the boys cleaned up their individual bunks.

I changed quickly, feeling Ryan's eyes on me the whole time and a self conscious feeling creep under my skin.

I pulled a hoodie over my head and turned to where he was sitting. I watched as his eyes flickered away from me, pretending as if he hadn't been looking.

"So," he rose his voice slightly so we'd all pay attention to him, "Where am I sleeping?" He looked around to each of us, but none of us really had an answer. The bus was crowded enough as it is.

"Umm," Riker answered, "I guess you could sleep on the couch in the back." He shrugged and gave him a "sorry, it's all there is" look.

But before Ryan could do more than nod, Ellington cut in, "Actually, why don't you take my bunk," he suggested.

I turned my attention to Ellington, shocked at his offer. He glanced back at me but showed no emotion. He knew what he was doing.

"Really?" Ryan stood and walked toward Ellington.

"Yeah," he nodded slightly and I watched an imperceptible smile cross his face. I knew I was the only one that could see it, though. "I'll take the couch."

"Thanks, man," Ryan patted him on the back and passed him, already climbing into Ellington's bunk and making himself at home.

Ellington turned back to me and I gave him a questioning look, wondering why he did that. He gave me a knowing smile. I knew he'd gotten what he wanted, although I didn't know what that was.

It could be dangerous, but Ellington was going to play this game with Ryan. Whether I liked it or not.

------------------------

I texted him later that night when everyone had gone to sleep and I was laying wide awake in my bunk. Why'd you do that? I typed.

I knew he'd still be awake because I was still awake. I knew the same thing was keeping us up: the thought about tomorrow and how everything was going to change. We'd be in a new city, I'd have a new "boyfriend", and I'd have to convince the fans of that. Ellington would have to watch and not be able to do anything.

Confirming my suspicions, he replied within a minute. Come to the back.

I smiled. I knew that this wasn't necessarily the best idea. Sneaking around in such close proximity to my family could increase their chances of finding out about us.

And yet I pulled back the covers, hopped down from my bunk and made my way to the back as quietly as possible.

He smiled when I entered the room and he opened his arms wide for me to lay with him.

"Are you going to answer my question?" I asked as I crawled under the covers next to him. His makeshift bed on the couch consisted of just one thick blanket and a pillow. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't very comfy either.

He chuckled and brought one hand to my cheek and the other around my waist. "I did it so that I can see you more."

I cocked my head, not fully understanding. He elaborated. "I thought this could be our spot. We can meet here after everyone's gone to sleep. We can spend time together, and talk, and-" he trailed off as he slowly brought his lips to my neck.

I giggled. "Mmm I like the way you think," I slipped an arm around his waist and tangled my legs with his.

He pulled away after a minute and finished his thoughts. "And if anyone happens to come back here, we'll just tell them we couldn't sleep and are watching tv."

I smirked. "Mhm," I joked. "It really looks like we're watching tv right now," I said sarcastically.

I watched a faint blush cross his cheeks. "Well you know sometimes I just can't resist you," he flirted.

"Mmm," I closed my eyes and tilted my head closer to his so that our lips were almost touching. "I can say the same thing about you."

I barely finished the sentence before I felt his lips on mine. It was the gentlest kiss he's ever given me-so soft and sweet. Even after dating for 3 months, this kiss sent chills down my body.

He ran his tongue across my closed lips and I smiled into the kiss. He knows I like it when he does that.

We pulled away after a few minutes. He rested his forehead against mine and I could feel his breath on my lips when he spoke, "You know, I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow," he shook his head and a shadow crossed his face. "It's gonna be so hard for me to hide what I'm feeling-to watch you with..." his jaw clenched and finished, "him."

He was about to speak again, but I didn't let him. I put a finger to his lips gently and brought my sympathetic eyes to his. "Let's not think about that right now." I gave him a half smile. "I only want to think about you."

The words were partially for him and partially for myself. I knew that if I let my mind wander to what tomorrow holds then I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it-to stop worrying about it. I would lose sleep over it tonight. And I didn't want Ryan to have that effect on me. I wouldn't let him have that effect on me.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed this time with Ellington, knowing we wouldn't have many of these moments in the next couple months.