Crush Crush

Chapter Fifteen

The clock was nearing eleven at night. Ryder and I spent most of the day laying on the couch, talking and sleeping. My parents were picked up at the airport by a couple of police officers. They were being kept at the police station until they had Kristy in custody. One of the officers outside told me that my mom demanded to hear my voice. He gave me his own personal cell phone to call her from. They weren't sure that Kristy hadn't tapped Ryder's phone.

She answered her cell phone on the second ring. "Isabel?"

"Yeah, Mom. It's me."

"Oh, thank god. These assholes aren't tell me anything! They won't let me see you. They said they needed to keep you there, wherever there even is! They won't even let your father and I go home! What the hell is going on, Isabel? They said you're dating Ryder, and that his ex-girlfriend is what got you in this whole mess. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Dios mio, if he hurt you . . ."

I flinched as my mom launched into Spanish threats. I glanced at Ryder, who was sitting beside me on the sofa, idly watching the movie we had started a while ago. I knew he was listening to my side of the conversation, so I spoke honestly. "No, Mom. I'm fine. Ryder's been taking care of me. They just want us close by to watch over us. They're about to make the arrest any moment now and then you can come home."

"Isabel, you tell me what is going on right now. Are you dating Ryder Duchannes?"

I turned to face Ryder. He looked over at me, taking my hand is his and twining our fingers before returning his attention to the TV. "Yes, Mom. I'm dating Ryder." He kissed my knuckles.

She was silent for a moment. "Dios. I knew this was going to happen eventually. Granted, I thought it would be after you graduated, but at least we know the boy and approve of him. I mean, you two practically grew up together. The age difference worries me a bit, but you're almost eighteen . . ."

I started laughing, surprising Ryder and my mother. "God, I missed you, Mom."

"I miss you, too, mija. Are you sure you're safe? You're all right?"

"Yes, Mom. I'm okay, really. Nothing bad is going to happen. Ryder's taking good care of me."

Mom paused. "I want to speak to him."

I panicked. "Well, actually, Mom-"

"Put him on the phone, Isabel. Ahora," she demanded.

I sighed and handed the phone to Ryder, giving him a sheepish look. "She wants to talk to you."

His lips twitched and he took the phone from me. "Yes, Mrs. Rodriguez?"

I didn't hear my mother's voice, but I heard enough of his side of the short conversation.

"Yes, ma'am . . . No, absolutely not. I promise . . . I'll let her know . . . I look forward to it, too. Good bye, Mrs. Rodriguez."

He hung up the phone and returned his attention to the TV. I slapped his shoulder. He looked at me. "Uh, hello? What did you promise her and what do you look forward to?"

"She wants to sit and have a talk with us when everything's settled. And I promised her," he kissed the top of my head, "that I would protect her daughter with my life."

My scowl shifted into an easy smile as I pulled him closer to me, pressing a brief kiss to his lips. We broke apart when a crashing sound came from the opposite side of the house. Ryder glanced at me, a hard look on his face. "Stay here."

I watched him move toward the sound. It came from the front room, near the front door. I tensed as I watched him walk away from me. I turned off the TV and took the cell phone Ryder put on the coffee table, dialing 911.