Wheel You Marry Me?

CHAPTER 21.

My phone rang, vibrating softly against the wooden surface of the nightstand. Skylar was calling.

"Hey Sky," I said after answering, my voice still heavy with sleep.

"Hey girl. I'm coming to your house. I know you're probably hungry, so what should I bring?" she asked, her voice filled with that bubbly energy I adored. God, I love this woman. She always knew when I needed someone.

"Uh... bring me Pepper Lunch steak and rice sizzle, please," I said, stretching.

"Girl! What's with you and steak?" she teased.

"I don't know... there's this quote: 'Be kind, choose love, smile often, and eat steak.' I think that's what motivates me," I said, chuckling.

"Ha! Very funny. I'll be there in twenty," she said before hanging up.

Exactly twenty minutes later, Skylar knocked on my door. I let her in, and she handed me the food.

"Here's your steak, carnivore," she said.

The moment I opened it, the mouth-watering aroma filled the room.

"Mmm... this is the steak I've been craving," I said, taking the first bite. She watched me, shaking her head with amusement.

We ate and talked for a while, gossiping and catching up like old times. But then her tone shifted.

"Aurora... that night at Tyler's... I think I saw something."

I looked up from my plate. "What do you mean?"

"I was tipsy, yeah, but I swear I saw Eleanor's bodyguards carrying a body into a black SUV." She stared into her glass, her fingers tightening around it.

I inhaled sharply. "Are you sure, Sky?"

"I think so. I mean, I was pretty out of it, but it felt... off. Everyone knows the Tylers have skeletons in their designer closets. I've heard rumours, illegal dealings, hush money, even cover-ups. Wouldn't be surprised if they... you know." Her voice dropped into a whisper. "Kill people."

"Skylar!" I snapped. "You can't say stuff like that so carelessly."

She gave me a sheepish grin. "Fine, fine. Just saying... you should be careful around Ryan and his family. They're not just rich, they're dangerous."

I didn't know what to say. My stomach turned, but I pushed the unease aside.

"So... why'd you leave the party so early?" she asked, suddenly switching gears.

"What? I didn't..." I began, trying to sound casual.

"You totally did. You ghosted after midnight. Something happened, didn't it?"

I bit my lower lip. "Ryan kissed me," I said softly.

She grinned. "Ooooh! And how was it?"

"It was... okay," I teased.

"Okay?! Girl, spill the real tea."

I laughed. "It was magical. Like fireworks-in-my-stomach magical."

Skylar squealed. "My best friend is falling in love!"

Was I? I wasn't even sure.

I needed a distraction. "Anyway, what about Douglas? I haven't seen him around."

"He got a job in the next town. Software engineer. He only visits on weekends now," she said with a soft smile.

"That's amazing, Sky."

We spent the next hour curled up on the couch, watching Ratched on Netflix. It was creepy, but oddly addictive. Five episodes in, I casually glanced at my phone and suddenly bolted upright.