Plot Twist

Chapter 4: Pancakes

Jaci's POV:

Ryder was treating me differently since last night. We always joked around with each other but this morning was different something was up and he tried playing it off by saying he just needed water... what a liar.

Then meeting his mom for the first time in only his shirt was embarrassing but he held me close. And he even dressed me... slowly... making note of my body, my movements, me.

He's the only guy who's ever seen me naked.

He looked at me with aw. He made me feel so beautiful.

The way he kissed my legs... and my sweet spot, which I wasn't expecting. By the time his lips moved away I was soaking. He makes me want him. All of him. Whether it's sexually or emotionally. I want him.

I love when he kisses my head, I feel so safe in his arms and for him to kiss my head it's like he's reassuring me that he'll protect me.

Even if we aren't in a relationship I know he'll always protect me.

•••

His mom mad banana and chocolate chip pancakes!

My absolute favorite....

"These are my favorite kind of pancakes." I smiled at his mom. "Thank you."

She laughed. "You're very welcome. Ryder here used to always ask for banana and chocolate chip pancakes every chance he got."

"Wow small world. I used to do the same thing to my brother." I looked at him smiling.

"You have a brother?" My smile dropped. I can't believe I mentioned my brother... of course Ryder would ask about him. 

"Yeah." I looked away. His hand gripped my thigh.

"That's cool." He smiled at me.

No questions...  he's good at that rule.

"So mom what's the surprise?" He turned to her.

"Well, I got a promotion..." she smiled.

"Oh, that's nice." His hand squeezed my thigh a bit.

He's not happy. 

"Ryder... this is good. I can finally pay off the medical bills and everything else." She sighed.

"I know." He removes his hand and cleaned his dishes.

I finished but didn't know what to do...

"I'll take that." He winked at me. Pretending he wasn't upset.

I stood behind him with my arms around his waist while he cleaned the dishes.

"I'm so rude. I never asked your name." His mother spoke again.

"I'm Jaci." I smiled at her moving away from Ryder.

"Hello Jaci, I'm Monica. It was nice meeting you." She smiled. "Are you two dating?"

I froze and I saw Ryder's body stiffen.

"Um I'm his-" Ryder cut my off.

"Yeah mom." Wait... What?! 

I turned and looked at him and he smirked.

"I'm fucking with you were just friends." He laughed.

"Ryder! It's not nice to lie." His mom scolded him.

That's when he finally looked at me and he looked worried.

I started laughing. I wasn't expecting to laugh and neither was anyone else.

"You're an ass." I hit his arm.

He then shook his ass "I know you like it babe, but really my mom is standing right there." He joked.

"Ew, you're so full of yourself." I smiled and rolled my eyes.

"So you two are just friends? Huh?" His mom laughed.

"Yeah." I smiled.

"Well it was nice meeting you, I hope to see you again soon. Not ditching school." She laughed.

"It was nice meeting you too, thank you again for the pancakes." I smiled about to shake her hand when she hugged me.

"He likes you. I can see it in his eyes. Just don't let him hurt you and don't leave him when things are hard." She whispered in my ear.

I didn't know what to say so I just nodded my head and smiled.

His mom went and packed clothes and left.

I guess she's like my parents never home, always working.

But she said something about medical bills....

•••

I laid on his bed next to him while he tried to find a movie to watch.

"Hey Ryder..." I finally spoke.

"Yeah?" He stopped and looked at me.

"I know we agreed on no questions but..." I tried to not make eye contact.

"The medical bills were for me and my dad. When I was 11 and we were in an car accident and he died 3 days after. After he passed away my mom worked so she didn't have to be home. Once I turned 16 I didn't have any parents, I acted out and fucked any girl and that's why I don't do feelings and all that because I loved my dad and I lived but he didn't and my mom she doesn't come home because I look like him." He sighed.

I sat on top of him and just kissed him. "It's not your fault."

"It is... we left the house that night because I begged him to go to the arcade and well some drunk lady crashed into our car on the way home. If I would've just stayed at home with him, he would still be here."  I didn't know what to do so I kissed him.

He needed it.

He kissed me back harder and with so much emotion.

"You can't blame yourself Ryder... you didn't kill your dad." I sighed.

"I know. Its just... my mom blames me..."

"No, she couldn't blame you, it wasn't your fault." I shook my head.

"Babygirl... she told me it was my fault." His eyes watered.

I wiped his tears away. "I'm sorry." I kissed his cheeks.

"It's okay, I've dealt with it for the longest and I'm just gonna keep dealing with it." He kissed me.

"My brother was my best friend. His name was Zac and he was the best person ever. He joined the army because my family needed money and  I know he wanted to. But when he came back from war he was different. He didn't want me to know what he saw and I understood that but when I found him... he overdosed on his antidepressants. I found him. No one else was home. He left me a birthday and Christmas gift and a letter. He didn't think I'd find him, I know he didn't want to hurt me. He faked being okay for me but it was too much. Justin was his friend and he promised to take care of me but he never did in the right way. He loves me and I don't even like him as a person. But I deal because that's what my brother wanted." I felt tears stream down my face. Ryder then wiped my tears. About to kiss me when I interrupted. "Zac has flowers sent to me for my birthday every year until I turn 21 because then I can open the present he left me. We never touched his army money because he gave it to me. So that I can get my flowers and on Christmas he has my favorite chocolate sent. Even though he's gone he sends these reminders that he loves me." I smiled. Laying my head on his chest.

"He'll always love you Jaci." He kissed my head.

"Thanks." I kissed him.

"So much for no questions, no feelings." He laughed.

"Yeah we failed. But I like this..." I smiled.

"Me too. Also I can't believe we both love banana and chocolate chip pancakes. I've never met anyone who liked them." He laughed.

"Banana and chocolate chip pancakes brought us closer." We both laughed, kissing through our smiles.