A Summer Romance

Chapter Thirty-Seven - Ryan and Skylar

Chapter Thirty-Seven - Ryan and Skylar

"There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment."

-Sarah Dessen

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Ryan

Deep breath. In, and out. In, and out. In, and-

"Let's make this quick, shall we?" Skylar's grandfather sat across from me, leaning his elbows on his knees, "I don't know when Skylar and Helen are gonna come back."

I nodded and rubbed my sweaty hands against my jeans, trying to calm myself down. It's just her grandfather. No need to freak out.

"I'm assuming you know about her parents?" I gave a single nodded and he sighed, "Well, seeing her parents so unhappy nearly killed her. And after her dad died? That damn near tore her apart." His eyes pierced mine, "After he died, she shut everyone out, including us. She could barely look anyone in the eye before she left. The only time she smiled was when she would talk about her dad, or work on her car." He closed his eyes for a second and when they opened again, they were filled with a new found confidence, "But seeing her today, there's something different. She was happy. Now, I don't know if it was because she got a change of scenery or because she met you, but I've never seen her so happy with someone before. I am only 100% confident of three things; that I'm in love with Helen, Helen's in love with me, and technology is ruining my life. But I have no doubt in my mind that Skylar loves you."

My eyes looked up and met his and a smile so big took over my face that I thought my cheeks would split. My heart swelled with that comforting warmth and I took in a deep breath. I knew that it was true, she had told me numerous times that she loved me, but I guess that there was still that small part of me that didn't quite believe that it was true. But knowing that someone else could see that she loved me made it that much more real.

A small smile flickered across his lips, "And based on that smile, you do too."

I looked down and murmured mostly to myself, "I do. More than anything."

"Good. Because if you didn't, I would have to hurt you."

I smiled and chuckled , running my hand through my hair, "You'd have to be stupid not to love her."

His smile grew, "It's good to hear that."

And then, almost on cue, Skylar and Helen walked through the hallway and back into the living room.

* * *

"Do you really have to go so soon?" Helen asked as Skye and I stood on the front porch, trying to leave.

Skylar sighed and nodded, "Yeah. We have to catch our flight." Her hand tightened around mine momentarily, "I wish we didn't have to leave though." 

I immediately felt bad at the knowledge that Skylar didn't want to leave, but was forced to go back.

Her grandma pulled her into a hug, and practically squeezed her to death. "I'm gonna miss you pumpkin." Skye smiled and pulled out of the hug, "I'm going to miss you too."

Her grandfather hugged her next and when he pulled away, looked her in the eye and said, "It was great seeing you again. And if he ever hurts you." He pointed a finger at me, "Call me and I'll be on the next plane to Oregon." 

Skylar rolled her eyes but smiled and nodded nonetheless. "Will do." But, when Skylar turned to go to the car, her grandfather and I made eye-contact and he winked, making me smile and turn to walk to the car with Skylar.