Secrets And Lies

Chapter 30: Secret Keeper

Ryan

We made it back to my house an hour after we left school. We had to stop by Taylor's and Foster's for their clothes since the former was too tall to borrow mine and the latter was too short to borrow Quade's. Axel could at least borrow my brother's sweats, and Sloane was almost the same size as me, and could roll pant legs up if needed.

I would have just dropped them off at their houses, but then I would have to wait for them to shower and still go pick them up and drop them back off at school. It would be less time-consuming if everyone cleaned up at my house.

Sloane pointed out the real reason that she thought I was offering them a ride and a place to shower. Her theory of having them help me clean the Jeep as thanks for saving their car's upholstery wasn't far off. It was a bonus.

I inwardly berated myself for insisting that everyone shower before me. It was a long, drawn-out process. My hair had dried into glittery ropes, and my face itched.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and sat down in front of my vanity, picking at some glue on my face. Peeling off my second skin reminded me of elementary school when we would try to peel glue off our hands in one piece. The six-year-old me would have loved this.

My nostalgia was interrupted by Axel's reflection in my mirror. He had his towel draped low on his hips. His abs and 'v' exposed. Damn, he was pretty to look at. His hair was damp and stuck up in all directions. He must have scrubbed the towel over his head to dry it.

  I turned in my seat to get a better view. My eyes wandered over his torso before landing on his blue eyes. He smirked, catching me shamelessly checking him out.

"You know you could see more if you want to. All you've got to do is ask." He put his hands on his towel.

Blushing, I quickly averted my eyes. Who knew that the chipped paint on the wall by my door was so interesting.

"Come on, baby. I know you want to.." He crouched down in front of me.

I immediately crossed my legs, using my knees as a barrier between me and his nakedness.

My stunned expression must have amused him because he started laughing. "Ryan, I'm joking. Unless you want..."

"Not today, Asshat," I  got up to walk out the door.

I turned when he spoke

"You say not today, but that means there's hope for the future."

"Hang on to that hope...it...and your hand will get you through many sleepless nights." I stated and walked out the door.

Once in the hallway, I inhaled a much-needed gulp of air. I know he was messing with me, but it, dare I say, turned me on anyway.

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I will always be grateful for our instant, tankless water heater. I never had to worry about not having enough while showering. I had finished washing, what I hoped, was the last of the sparkles off, and started shaving my legs when the door opened. 

"Ass-hat out!" I shouted above the noise of the running water and the sound of  Steven Tyler singing about a rag doll on my phone.

"Not Mathews.." Sloane and Sam replied in unison, followed by one of them turning the music off.

"Hey, I was listening to that!" I complained. "Where are the others?" I asked, rinsing off my blade.

"Raiding the kitchen," Sloane said before she threw back the curtain, causing me to shriek.