Fightin Like Hell For You ; ryden

Chapter Seventeen

Brendon's POV 

My head pounds. My eyes burn. It's late. Ryan's head rests on my chest as he sleeps. The feeling of guilt eats away at my insides. I really have nothing to be truly guilty about but that feeling still sits deep in my guts. 

I'm texting Dallon. I should be sleeping but instead I'm up at 2am arguing with him.

It's been a month since I took Ryan out for his special day and things have gone sour. Not with Ryan specifically, just with everything. Dallon's been texting me more and more frequently, being far more flirty than I like and definitely more than Ryan likes. I've told him to stop but he just won't. That's why I'm arguing with him through text right now. 

I know about the text Ryan sent him. I don't blame Ryan at all for sending it. If he felt threatened he had the right to speak his mind. I just wish Dallon would respect what he wants. He's not though and it's infuriating. I've made it very clear that I have no romantic or sexual interest in Dallon, yet he keeps trying to get me to leave Ryan for him. 

I let out a groan of frustration as Dallon's message comes through. 

Dallon: But Brendon, I just can't help but want you. I'm obviously so much more attractive than Ryan so why don't you just come to me? If you came over tonight I could show you why I'm so much better than Ryan. 

Me: No, Dallon. I'm not coming over. And I'm not leaving Ryan, whom I love very much, for you. So fucking stop before I block you

"He's still bothering you?" 

Ryan's sleepy voice startles me. My heart races for a moment but it slows down after Ryan places a gentle kiss to my bare chest. 

I huff before responding. "Yeah. He just won't fucking stop and it's annoying." 

Ryan grabs my phone from my hands and reads the texts. A small smile graces his face and I feel my heart speed up again. This time it's not from fear. 

Ryan adjusts himself, sitting up so our heads are level. I feel the heat of his breath as he leans closer to my ear. 

"I love you, Brendon." 

I'm in shock. My heart feels like it's going to pound out of my chest. A smile spreads across my face, so big I swear my cheeks are gonna crack. 

That's the first time he's said he loves me. 

I turn my head and look at him. He also wears a huge smile on his face. There's no trace of regret. All I can see is love. 

"I love you too, Ryan. So much." 

We both lean in and share a gentle yet passionate kiss. I feel the warmth of his lips. I can taste his morning breath but I don't even care. In this moment I am the happiest I've ever been and it's all because of this precious boy here with me. 

We break the kiss. Ryan's hand roams over my exposed stomach. His finger circles around my belly button before he moves his arm around me and pulls me into a one-armed hug. I breathe in his scent. He still smells like vanilla, the same as he did all those months ago. 

Ryan's turned my phone off now and placed it on the bedside table away from me. 

"Forget about Dallon for right now, Bren. Just lay with me and we'll figure out what to do about him in the morning." 

That's what I do. We lay back down and wrap each other in our arms, our legs entangled. I stare into Ryan's beautiful, honey eyes. I can see so many emotions swimming within them. But ya know what I see the most? Love. I can tell he truly loves me and I really hope he knows I truly love him. 

We eventually fall asleep, limbs entangled and breaths mixing from our close proximity. 

~Time Skip~ 

"BRENDON, STOP!" Ryan's scream rings through the air. I can tell he doesn't truly want me to based on the laughter that falls from his lips and the smile that takes up his face as he looks over his shoulder at me. 

We're getting weird looks from parents at the park but I ignore it as I continue to chase Ryan around. Every time I catch him I pick him up and throw him over my shoulder before relentlessly tickling him until he squirms out of my grip. 

I catch him again, my ADHD providing me with an energy Ryan can't match. This time I don't pick him up and tickle him. Instead I swing him around and plant a small kiss on his lips. When I pull away I see that his cheeks are tinted red and that his eyes are closed. He opens his eyes slowly, savoring the moment. 

"I love you, Ryan." I look straight into his eyes as I say it, wanting him to know that I truly mean it. 

He stares at me for a second, cheeks still red and a huge smile on his face. "I love you too, Brendon. I don't know what I'd do without you." 

I lean in for another kiss but I'm pulled away just before our lips touch. 

"Hey, dude! What's hangin?" I recognize the voice immediately. My face flushes with anger. He really had to ruin my moment with Ryan. 

"Hi Dallon. I'm just trying to have a nice afternoon out with my lovely boyfriend, if you really couldn't tell." I glare at him as I pull Ryan to my side, my arm wrapped securely around his waist. 

Ryan plants a kiss on my cheek just to piss Dallon off and it seemingly worked. Dallon huffs and sends Ryan a look that could kill. Ryan ignores it and just lays his head on my shoulder. 

"Honeslty, Brendon, why are you even with him? You could do so much better. You could have me but you always choose him instead." His tone is angry. His eyes are slits. He stands like he's gonna attack at any moment. 

I shake my head in exasperation at him. "I love him, dumbass. I love Ryan, not you. I don't have any romantic or sexual feelings for you and at this point I don't even have any friendly feelings for you. I'm done with you Dallon. I tried to be your friend but you can't seem to respect me or Ryan so just fuck off. Don't contact me again." 

I grab Ryan's hand and push past Dallon. He looks upset but I don't even care. He deserved everything I said to him. 

Ryan's driving us home, to his house. My phone dings. It's Dallon. 

D: I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?

The number you've contacted is no longer accepting messages from you. 

I blocked him. I didn't even have to think twice about it. All I need is Ryan. I love him, he loves me and that's enough. 

~Hello. It has been a super long time since I've updated. That's my bad and I honestly don't even have an excuse, I've just been busy and lazy. Anyway, I think the next chapter is gonna be the epilogue. I had an idea for where this book was going but I lost the motivation to go through with it. I hope you've enjoyed this book for what it is. Don't be a stranger - vote, comment, and follow :))~