The Orphan

Chapter Thirty-Three.

Autumn-

Yesterday, after the whole Ryder thing, I was left to my last resort, Andrew.

So I unwillingly called my brother who happily let me ramble about my relationship problems.

"I don't get it, what's so bad about him saying I love you? Don't most girls I don't know... practically jump a guy after they say I love you?"

I shot a piercing glare towards him.

"What?" he asked innocently.

I shook my head and sighed, deciding  not to get too precious.

"I'm not most girls."

He laughed, "don't we all know."

Cue the daggers.

"I still don't see the problem." he stated taking a bite out of his toast.

I groaned, why was I bothering!

"Look, I haven't bmm tld hmh hahm hew bfr." I mumbled.

"Bmm tld hmh hahm hew bfr?" he repeated in question.

"I haven't been told I love you before ok!" I blurted out loud and clear.

"Never?"

I shook my head.

"So you didn't run away from him because you're angry at him?" he asked but it was more an understanding statement than a question.

"Of course I'm not angry at him!"

"Well, does he know that?"

I bit on my lower lip.

I hadn't thought about that.

Shit, he thinks I'm mad at him!

"I have to go." I stated before dashing towards the door.

Find Ryder. Find Ryder.

***

After asking around I finally found Ryder at the tree.

He looked like he was sleeping in the truck bed but I wasn't taking any chances.

I don't care if he's sleeping or dead he's going to stop thinking that I'm mad at him when I'm not.

"Ryder!" I yelled.

It was like my voice was an alarm clock as he jolted up in fright.

I couldn't contain the laughter that followed.

He was so easy to scare.

"Autumn?" he frowned.

"Hello." I waved weakly as my confidence plummeted, due to seeing  his half naked body.

It's not like I hadn't seen him shirtless before, but it still made me breathless.

"So...whatcha doing here?" He asked awkwardly.

He looked so faultless right now, I was a lucky one.

A hot shirtless guy In jeans, standing on top of a truck bed looking like a shy puppy, and to think he said he loves me.

When I didn't answer Ryder looked down at his shirtless perfection and grabbed his shirt from off the floor.

Once he'd covered up my own distraction It was like I woke up from a daydream.

Snapping Back to reality it took a second too long to remember what he'd asked me.

"I would say I'm sorry for what I said, but I don't want to lie to you." He smiled weakly scratching the back of his head nervously.