Thanks to The Boots

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ryder's Point of View

I smile down at my princess, she's fast asleep. I should get up and start cooking breakfast, but last time she was her she said she wanted to cook it. I wonder if she still does.

She mumbles something in her sleep, and I kiss her cheek before standing up. I walk to the kitchen and begin preparing food. As I cook the pancakes I think about what she said at the base.

"I know who you are. I know that you would've let me die. I know I was just a little warning. If you value your life at all, you should leave now."

She knows that Ryan and I planned the incident in the hallway. Why would she be back here if she knows that I let her almost die? Unless her parents sent her here. I trained her too well, she had to have come up with this herself. She's getting into something that she definitely does not want to be in.

Brianna's Point of View

I wake up, confused to why the bed is empty. I went to sleep with Ryder holding me, why is he not here now? I simply shrug it off and walk into the bathroom to take a shower, my routine from when I first stayed here. What I didn't expect was the thong hanging from the shower head. I wrinkle my nose in disgust at the sight, then walk into the kitchen.

"Your guest from the other night left a surprise on the shower head," I state.

He turns from the stove to face me, "Crap, Princess, I'm so sorry."

I shrug, not knowing how to react really. We aren't together, it's not my place to judge him for what he likes to do. Or should I say who.

"How did you sleep?" he changes the topic.

"Very well, thanks. How 'bout you?"

"Good," he replies curtly.

"Okay..." I raise a questioning eyebrow, that he can't see because he's facing the stove once more.

"Hey, I have some things I have to do so you'll be here alone for a few hours."

"Could I come with?" I probably should calm down a little, it might be too obvious that I want to get into his gang business.

"Why? I thought you hated gang stuff?"

"I did-do. But," I bite my cheek, "I think I want to join your gang. Maybe."

He shakes his head, "No."

"Pardon?"

"No. That's all. No."

I decide not to push it, his tone sounded angry.

We eat breakfast in an awkward silence, then he takes a shower and gets ready without a word to me.

When he steps out the door, to the hall, I run after him and stop him. "Ryder! Wait," I call. I give him a hug and when we separate, he holds me at arm's length. "What's wrong? Don't say nothing because all morning you have been ignoring me. Did I do something?"

He sighs, "I don't know."

"You don't know if I did something? Ryder, what's going on?"

"I have a lot to think about, and honestly I don't know if you bring here now is the best for me."

I feel a sharp pain in my heart, as tears well up in my eyes. "I thought you were happy I was here?" I take deep breaths to keep my tears in, and I tell myself they're an act. But who am I kidding.