Save Me

"I'm Scared." (Ryker's P.O.V)

-Ryker

"Lex, whatever happened to you, whatever you've been through, I can handle. I won't judge you, I won't put you down, and I'm not going to think of you any less. Really, there's nothing you could tell me that would damage how high I think of you."

After I said that, I physically saw a shift in her eyes. I can't say exactly what it was but in that moment I knew I'd got to her, I knew she was about to tell me something. What? I had no idea, but I can tell you that whatever it is will open up a hole new layer of Lexington Jacobs that I'm unaware of. Apprehension and anxiousness filled my gut, tying my stomach in knots. Suddenly I was scared, yes Ryker Lands was scared, write this down on the calendar everybody! I thought moodily. But, in all seriousness, I was. I was terrified to hear what she was going to say. What if I don't want to hear want she says? What if what she is going to tell me is so terrible that I loose control? She can't know my secret yet! Not when I'm so close to learning hers! It would scare her away!

"Ryker?" Her sweet voice gently pulled me from my thoughts and back into the present. I blinked a few times, my eyes focusing back in on her own big, brown ones. "I haven't even begun yet and you're scared already! Maybe it's best you don't know." The last part she half mumbled to herself, but with my enhanced hearing I was able to catch it.

"I'm not scared!" Lie. Bolded faced lie!

She snorted incredulously, "Sureee."

"Lexington, I can handle it." I stated in all seriousness, setting my jaw.

"I know you can." She murmured, all joking gone from her face. "But, I don't know if I can."

"Hey," I cooed, cupping her face gently in my big hands, "You are so much stronger than you think." I stressed the word 'so' for emphasis. I watched as her brows furrowed and she seemed taken aback.

" . . I was in prison." She blurted suddenly. My mouth popped open slightly. The information shouldn't have come as a surprise, given the ink on her hip. I knew I recognized the work. Yet, the news still shocked me. I plastered on an emotionless mask to compose myself. I did tell her I wouldn't judge her after all.

"Snakeroot Juvenile Penitentiary. It was hell." I felt myself wince. She laughed humorlessly. "So you've heard of it?" I'd heard of it, that's for dang sure. I'd heard nothing pleasant about it. In fact, I almost did some time there but the judge felt it was too extreme given what I was being charged with.

Oh, my poor Lex! I didn't voice my opinion though because I knew the last thing she wanted was pity. I just nodded, compose myself, and waited for her to keep going.

"I was in Snakeroot for five years."

"You were charged at thirteen?" I asked surprised. She just nodded in response. Holy frick! What could she possibly have done at thirteen to get thrown in a place like that?

We were in my bed at the moment, beneath my red, satiny sheets. I was very aware of how close we were laying and to say it was slightly torturous being so near something so tempting would be a huge understatement. Every time we touched it was like a bolt of electricity shot through my body. The feeling was intense and slightly addicting. I loved the sight of her wearing my cloths and laying in my bed, there was something just so right about it. Lexington had accepted the fact that she was staying at my house pretty quick. She didn't argue whatsoever after her shower, she just crawled in next to me and settled down. This surprised me slightly, I had prepared myself for one heck of a fight. However, there was no such thing. She simply shrugged when I told her she'd be sleeping in the same bed with me and that was that. The truth was I wanted her near me, I needed her near me. I didn't want her clear across the room on the couch. I wanted her right by my side.