My Bad Boy Roommate

Chapter Twenty Two

Quick A/N:

Check out the video on the side (or up top if you're on mobile), it's my favorite country singer, Cody Johnson. He's literally so good, anyway, check it out if you want to. Thanks and enjoy the chapter!

*Shay's POV*

To say that Ryder was shocked, last night, at my sudden outburst of information was an understatement. I just felt like I was hiding too much, he was so open with me, why couldn't I just be the same with him?

Fear.

As much as I didn't want to admit it, I was slightly scared of him. When he was happy and playful, I would tell myself that I couldn't imagine fearing the beautiful man that had stumbled into my life. When he was angry, it was a completely different story, he turned into a monster, just as Zach used to. I wanted to say he was better, but was he?

He just told me that he'd have a "talk" with Zach the next morning, and he hasn't gotten back yet.

I looked around, slightly bored in my room, I knew that I'd have to start getting ready for school but it seemed like so much was happening around here to focus on my studies but I knew I needed to. I had two years left then I have to have some type of scholarship or I'll have to work to help my parents pay for my college.

Aunt Karen always promised me that she would leave a college fund for me considering that my parents started one way too late, and never seem to add enough money to it. Only when she died, the bank claimed that there was no such fund in her or my names. I wanted to be disappointed that she had lied to me but I knew the truth, there had been a bank fund, she wouldn't lie. My parents suggested that someone robbed her around her death but then that would mean murder but they don't want to commit to that.

College was so stressful for me, other kids dread it but I wish for it and know that if I go, I'll be in debt for the rest of my life. I can do that and make something of my life or stay in this rundown town like everyone else does.

I huffed, trying to reach for my inflatable basketball in the corner of my room. My parents had bought them for the baby shower, thinking that Mom's baby was going to be a boy, rather than little Julie. I gave a sad smile, I really wish she could have made it.

Before I realized it, I tumbled out of my bed reaching for the ball.

"Shit."

I could hear laughing as I looked up to see Ryder had just entered the room. He walked over to help me up, his chest still bare, but his plaid pajama pants just made me giggle.

"What were you trying to do, Shay?"

His whole face was in a smile, a breathtaking sight.

I bit my lip, realizing how stupid my answer is going to sound.

"I was trying to reach for that ball without getting out of bed."

Ryder let out a laugh, before turning to his pile of clothes that he had my floor.

"Hey Ryder, you know that you can put your clothes in my closet or dresser, right? Like just scoot my stuff over."

Ryder looked up giving me a sincere smile, "Thanks Shay,"

Ryder looked around at his clothes as if he wasn't sure to take my offer or not.

"I might do that."

He said quietly before disappearing into the bathroom with his clothes.

***

"So how did the talk with Zach go?"

Ryder sighed, as he kicked a rock. For the time being, we were alone at the bus stop, probably because I dragged Ryder out of the house ten minutes early.

"It was fine, he's clean."

My eyebrows furrowed, "He's clean?"

Ryder cursed, "Sorry, gang talk."

I felt a shiver go down my spine, but I wasn't sure if Ryder noticed or not.

"Well, what was going on?"

Ryder paced as he told me, "His father was a gang leader and, he was trying to get him back. Zach told him that he was going to join him just not soon, but he says he just said that to get him off of his back."

Ryder talked as though it was completely normal, but I knew that for him it might be, but it will never be normal to hear stuff like that for me.

"Gang leader for a dad? How awful, you have no chance for anything great in life."

I shook my head at Zach's poor predicament.

"It's not that shitty." Ryder growled. "Don't talk like you know anything about that."

I took a step back at Ryder's harsh tone, was he..?

"Your dad is a-"

"Was." Ryder corrected.

I frowned in confusion and sadness. Ryder's father was dead, and I basically just mocked him. Bad move.

"He was the gang leader of the gang I used to be in. We called ourselves Black Blood, or just The Blood for short. He was killed in a, ah, mission," Ryder avoided my eye contact for a moment. "Usually the gang would go to me, but I wasn't old enough, so someone else was going to run it till I got older. Well, then I ran out, in attempts to get out."

I nodded at his words, his story was horrible.

"I'm really sorry about your dad, Ryder."

Ryder shook his head, "No, you're not, and neither am I. He was a horrible person, he killed people. No one should mourn his death."

I shook my head, "Ryder, it doesn't matter what you do, you deserve to have your death mourned."

Ryder stared at me in awe for a moment before composing himself.

"The Blood hasn't tried to contact me for two weeks now." Ryder stated. I noticed the bus coming down the road and Kelsey and Ansel walking up to the bus stop.

"I might just be out for sure now."

He said before stepping forward onto the school bus.

Author's Note:

Hey, if you did watch the video, what do you think? He's soooo good. Anyway, this really isn't the drama chapter, sorry, it's the next two chapters. Anyway, what do you think? Like the gang name?Let me know:)

thanks for reading & the support,

April

Word Count: 1,085