The Giving ( ON HOLD )

Chapter 6: Ryan

Grace has her arms tightly wrapped around my bare stomach, her face pressed against my back. She's been on the motorcycle with me so many times. She used to let go of me and wiggle her arms up in the air and scream out in joy. She seems so afraid, and I wish I could just tell her everything right now.

I pull into an alley and get off, Grace breathing hard. "First you show up mysteriously after my amnesia and then you make me ride on a motorcycle?"

"Sorry," I say. I wish I could say it a million more times, maybe stand on my knees for a deeper effect.

"I want to know many things," she says. "But I'm not sure if I should trust you."

Then, a black car pulls up into the same alley. Amanda hops out, wearing a long T-shirt over her bikini. "Ryan, get away from her!"

I step away without hesitation, because I know what she's capable of. Trust me-- she once took a gun out of the glove compartment in her car and held the barrel against my head. I know what she is capable of to protect her best friend. Grace's mother, Alyssa, told her to protect her daughter no matter what, because she knew of the danger she was in. Since I work-- worked-- for Reggie, Amanda is still very uneasy about me. Man, the things Reggie made me do.

"Farther away from her!" Amanda hisses. Grace glances at me. I know her expressions and I know she's trying to hide her confusion.

"Grace, we have to go," Amanda says, snatching Grace's arm.

I dare myself to speak. "I'll text you."

Grace's eyebrow twitches. Amanda glares at me. "I will murder you in your sleep if you even try."

I shrug and pretend to brush it off even though I am honestly terrified. No, I am not unmanly just because I admit what I feel. Sometimes you just have to push the limit. I learned that a long time ago. Like when I had to drug Grace and watch her collapse in my arms, then watch her regain consciousness and go back under. Torturing her that way made me feel like it was me being tortured, but a million times worse. I go to sleep each night wondering when I will get the chance for her to forgive me. Also, I have to admit that I am a liar, but never to Grace Patterson. A girl so innocent, sweet, and kind doesn't deserve to get manipulated. When the time comes, I will let her in on every horrible secret that I kept from her.

She goes into the car, covering her face, her shoulders shaking as she cries.

I sit on my motorcycle and let it rumble. I didn't want to hurt her.