Arranged to My Best Friend

3.

Suddenly there was a teasing growl in my ear. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and I relaxed when I recognized the cologne.

"Daaang. Who knew I could attract the attention from a Dallas? I must be smokin'!"

He laughed wholeheartedly. "I swear you were dropped on your head as a child."

"My father was pretty clumsy," I thought mindlessly.

Ryder tightened his hold, keeping me against his chest. "Those girls can't keep their eyes of us," he whispered.

"Hmm, I wonder why."

"Maybe they'll start trending on Twitter about Ryder Dallas' new leading lady."

"I'm surprised they're not rushing over."

"Like I said," Ryder ruffled his hair, "they're not as pestering when my girlfriend's with me."

I felt his hand take mine and our fingers intertwined. "You're not going to talk to them?"

"I usually do, but I don't really feel like dealing with questions quite yet," he replied. "If they get pictures of us now and how I hugged you earlier, that shall get theirs and the internet's attention."

"Oh good. That means no lingering gazes. Phew, I was afraid I might start turning green after a while."

I yelped and scurried away when he reached for me, not wanting to be on the end of his tickling wrath.

~~~

I began firing question after question the second we were in the car.

"Okay, what do I need to expect being engaged to a Dallas? What kind of attitude do I need to have? Can I still be my sarcastic, charming self or do I need to adopt a more serious persona? Does your family know about the arranged marriage? Oh, and-"

Ryder stopped me by putting a hand to my babbling mouth. "I will tell you everything you need to know if you shut up."

"Okay," I said muffled.

"I basically told you about the press. We'll say we've been dating for months, but wanted to keep it under wraps, etc. etc. We really wanted that time together without paparazzi following us everywhere, but we're now ready to share it with the world.

"Kyle is the only one who knows about the arrangement. My mother would not take it well and that'll cause so much other drama that our family can't take. We'll tell them the same back story, but they'll be more suspicious than anyone so we really have to convince them we're in love and ready for the next step," Ryder explained carefully. I nodded along, making mental notes.

"Honestly, you don't really need to change anything regarding yourself; however, I will suggest that at fundraisers and banquets, lose the jeans and sneakers. Guests and associates won't appreciate it nor will my mother."

I made a face. "Let me guess, dresses are the acquired attire."

"Unfortunately, yes," he answered.

"I must really love you," I grumbled unhappily. Dresses were awful. I would find every possible to avoid putting on a dress.

He smiled. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

"You don't have to. If I were in the same situation, you wouldn't hesitate."

"Heck yeah I wouldn't. I rather be stuck with you than some stranger off the streets."

I slapped him on the bicep. "You were always the peanut to my butter, the sizzle to my steak, the doctor to my pepper..."

Ryder shook his head, chuckling at my antics. "You are so weird."

"That's what makes me, baby. Get used to it."

~~~

I dropped to my couch, my limbs sprawling lackadaisically. I didn't like getting up before eleven on the weekends. Weekends were my days to chill out and do nothing.

"I feel like having a movie marathon," I announced. "Wanna join me?"

"I'd love to, but I have to answer a conference call," Ryder shouted from the kitchen. If he was snacking on my pop-tarts, there will be blood.

"It's Saturday," I said confused, pushing myself up in a sitting position.

He came into the living room, chewing on a piece of beef jerky. "Not all of us have days off. You know how the company, or should I say my father, wants me available all the time. I practically had to beg to skip out on a meeting this morning."

"I didn't mean to get you in trouble," I instantly apologized.

Ryder sat down next to me, not looking upset one bit. "Don't start thinking that you did because you didn't. Kyle is just a class A jerk who hates letting me out from under his leash."

"You're twenty-three. Of course you're gonna want out," I crossed my arms.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "He still thinks I'm twelve that needs babying."

See, everyone thinks being born into a wealthy and successful family and business is one of the grandest gifts on earth. But actually, it's a nightmare. I've seen the damage it does to a person. I've seen Ryder battle his father and the person he wants him to be. I've helped Ryder through the nights where he wanted to run away and never look back and the nights he wanted to let the depression win. His entire life, Ryder has tried to make his father proud, and every time he doesn't, his father slams him down each and every time.

I scooted closer, leaning my head on his shoulder and hooking my arm around his elbow. "Remember, I'm never leaving your side," I whispered into his shirt.

"You're the only one who won't," he murmured back.

We stayed silent, knowing there was nothing else to say.

Suddenly a phone vibrated loudly.

Ryder cursed under his breath, taking his phone out of his pocket and scowling at the screen. My eyes narrowed when I saw it was Kyle calling.

"I have to take this," my best friend sighed, sulking. "He's gonna give me an earful..."

I squeezed his hand for comfort and reassurance, letting him know that I'm here. "You can take it in the kitchen if you like. I'll even turn on the TV to quiet the yelling."

I knew his father can get pretty vocal and vulgar with his son. It hurt to know I couldn't do anything.

He stood from the couch, venturing to the kitchen and I heard him breathe in deeply before answering the call. "Yeah?"

I closed my eyes and prayed that it didn't last long when the bellowing reached my ears.

~~~

There's a day that will forever and always be etched in the back of my mind.

It was a Tuesday and we were working on our sixth grade Science Fair project. I remember Kyle, clad in a dark suit and leather shoes, coming to the door and wishing to speak with Ryder.

Twenty minutes later, when my best friend returned, my heart sunk at his verbally slapped expression, and I remember tugging on his arm to sit him next to me.

The next thing I knew, I was running my fingers through his hair, trying to calm him down as he cried into my lap.

I could never look at the elder Dallas the same again.

~~~

Poor Ryder :( I just want to scoop him up and hug him!

Sorry about it being a filler, but the last scenes are important. It glimpses what kind of life Ryder grew up having, which will be shown more throughout the story.

Until next week!