Just a Simple Touch

32

The hours passed while I talked to Ryder and drank a few more beers with him. We eventually settled in the living room area with Emma, Maddie and Caleb, but Ryder and I talked amongst ourselves. While talking to him I realized that he is actually a very entertaining person to talk to and knows how to hold a conversation, he is funny too I can't understand why Houston doesn't like his brother. 

Ryder and I were talking so much that I lost track of time, I pulled out my phone to see that it was going on two in the morning. I was so into Ryder's and I conversation I  didn't realize how late it is, I need to start heading out I have early classes in the morning and I need to make sure I have enough energy for class and ballet. I look over to Emma who is sitting next to me talking to a person she just met.

I lean in towards Emma "Emma are you ready to go?" 

"Um in like an hour or so" She says 

I sigh "Okay" I wanted to leave now but Emma is my ride home 

"Trying to leave already? It's only been a few hours" Ryder chimes in 

"I know but I have early classes" 

"I mean I can take you home" Ryder shrugs 

I shake my head "It's alright it's better if I leave with my friends" 

"Don't worry about us" Maddie smiled at me 

"Yea Caleb is going to take us back anyways and then drop my car off tomorrow morning" Emma  says

"Are you sure ?" I ask both Maddie and Emma 

"They will be in good hands don't worry" Caleb reassures me 

"Looks like it's settled I will be taking you home" Ryder places his cup down and  stands up from the couch 

"Um alright" I say standing up to then turn to my two friends "I will see you guys tomorrow" I add 

They both gave me hugs and seconds later I was being being guided by Ryder through the crowd of people out of the frat house and into the cool dark night ... well morning. 

"So where is your place?" Ryder asks when we get inside of his white spacious car 

"Well I am on campus just make a left at the end of this block then keep going straight until you hit dorm C" I explain 

Ryder starts the car "You got it" 

"So Valentina what are you majoring in?" Ryder asked driving away following my instructions

"Dance" 

"Wait are you in that ballet program at NSUA ?" 

I nodded my head "That's correct" 

"Wow that's amazing I hear that's a hard program to get into so that must mean you are a good dancer" Ryder says 

I smile "I like to think so" 

"Do you like it?" 

I briefly traced my thoughts back to my ballet classes "It's challenging but I am managing and yeah I like it" 

I have no choice but to like it I have been working my whole life for this. 

"Are you in school ?" I ask 

"I am in school but in L.A for business" Ryder answered

"And do you like it?" I mock in Ryder voice 

Ryder laughs "I love it actually it's away from home so that's a plus" 

I took in what Ryder said.. "away from home" There is something that I obviously don't know about the King family 

"You want to be away from home?" I couldn't help but ask I was just too curious besides if I were to ask Houston if there was any drama in his family he wouldn't tell me he's way too secretive for my liking 

Ryder sighed "Yes, but it's not because I don't like my family or anything I love them actually including Houston even though he hates my guts, but there is just way too much drama with my family that I have helped cause. Being in L.A. it's gets me away from all that and being there for the past four years has helped me change as a person and I want to show my family that" 

I was extremely intrigued by what Ryder was telling me I am also in awe of how open he is being towards me about himself and his family. I wondered what kind of drama him and his family had been in but I will keep that conversation for another day unless he is willing to tell me today. 

"Is that why you are back? 

Ryder nodded his head "Yes that's part of it but I missed my family and friends so I thought it would be nice to come back home for a few" 

"I'm the total opposite, if I weren't a dancer I would never go to college so far away from home my mom and I are just way too close which reminds me that I have to call her sometime tomorrow to catch up with her" 

Ryder lets out a small laugh "That's nice that you and your mom are close that's important, family is important and I have learned that while being away at school" 

I smile "I agree family is important" 

"Can I say something ?" 

"Of course" I say 

"You and Houston you guys seem good together" 

My heart dropped "Houston and I.. we aren't together" 

Ryder pushed his eyebrows together "You guys broke up?" 

"We were never together" 

"Oh my bad, I figured since I saw the way he treats you" 

"Yea I know" I cut his sentence off

It's even worse to know that he will never be mine either not even close. 

"Well I want to say that last night Houston came in the house pissed off and I figured it's from that fight you told me about, look Houston means well so whatever the issue is, can you try to  resolve it with him I can tell you are good for him" Ryder says catching my eye then looking back at the road 

I swallow the lump in my throat. If only Ryder knew what actually happened he wouldn't be saying this to me instead he could be telling his brother what an asshole he is. 

"This is me" I say when Ryder almost passes my dorm building 

I unbuckle my seatbelt "Thanks for the ride" 

"Anytime, just think about what I said" 

There was nothing to think about Houston and I are done even though nothing ever started. I was tired of thinking of Houston and hoping he would come back and apologize for his actions because I know he's not. It was nice knowing Houston for the small time that I did but it's time to get back why I am in school in the first place.

"Have a goodnight Ryder" I get out of the car and begin walking off