Escape

Scout

"So. How much did you learn?" I ask sarcastically. Seth looks up from the book he's flipping through and smiles at me. I take this moment to look at the kid. He is definitely young. For his eyes are bright with hope and he has so much more growing to do. It's hard to imagine a life where we aren't going through this. Seth puts his book down as Ryker walks into the room from the kitchen.

"Jason said he's headed straight to work from errands and Cade will be home in an hour. Meaning, we need something to do." Ryker smiles. And I automatically know what he has planned. I look at him with a scowl.

"No poker. Or strip poker. That ended badly last time." Ryker visibly sighs and Seth perks up.

"Wait. What happened?" He begs. Ryker and I shoot the kid a look. To be honest I left early on in the game. So I only lost my socks and sweater. But I do remember seeing just about every inch of skin the boys have to offer. Well not the groin.

That's why they invented blankets and pillows. My eyes drift towards the ceiling where a wooden fan used to be. That is until Ryker decided that throwing bottles of beer at it would be smart. I end up placing my arm on Seth's shoulder, leaning on him a little.

"We'll tell you when you're a bit older." I laugh as Seth groans in annoyance. I hear Ryker gasp and I turn to meet his amazingly deep hazel eyes.

"Wait, was that something funny I saw? That SCOUT did!?" He jokes. I run over and punch him playfully while he screams like a little kid.

"Take that back. I'm funny and you know it." I shout. He raises his hands to protect himself.

"NEVER!" He shouts back. I sweep his feet from under him. He falls to the floor, the breath knocked out of him. I hit him in the arm again.

"Take it back." I mutter, a fake dangerous look in my eyes. His eyes lock on mine.

"Like I said, never."

"Feel the wrath of Scout!" I yell, starting to hit him in the arms and chest. He just laughs, unable to move from my flurry of fists. I finally stop and let him breathe for a moment. "Do you take it back yet?" I demand, a smile teasing at my lips. His head shakes, his red orange hair flopping in his eyes.

"No. It takes more than that to get something out of me."

The corners of my mouth turn up in a dangerous smile. "You're on." He stops chuckling immediately. I start to tickle his sides. He wriggles, trying to get away.

"Stop. Stop it Scout." He says between breaths. I raise an eyebrow, stopping for a second.

"Never." I repeat. He smiles, a brilliant lopsided grin I love. I go back to tickling his sides, and hitting him in the arm from time to time.

"Seth! Help!" He calls.

"You're on your own man." The kid says, sitting down with, is that popcorn?! I continue my torturing of tickles, not listening to him saying stop.

"I will stop when you take it back. Otherwise I could do this all day." A devil's grin appears on my face. Ryker continues to cackle until finally he breaks.

"Ok! Ok. I take it back. Scout is funny." I tilt my head to the side.

"Good. Don't forget it." I say, standing. I put out my hand, and he takes it, hoisting himself up.

"You," He pants, out of breath, "are evil. Positively evil." I turn and look at him, the corners of my mouth turned up.

"I know."

"You like him don't you." I hear Seth say. I turn wide eyed towards the brunette and my heart stops.

"What are you talking about?" I spit emotionlessly. I start moving my jaw in nervousness. He looks at me with an overly fond smile.

"You do like him! I knew it." He laughs, giving himself a high five. I growl and cross my arms. I'm not about to let the kid ruin my image.

"I don't like him. Well not like that anyways." I assure him. He rolls his eyes and steps towards the stack of books on the coffee table.

"Well if you did like him, you should know he likes you too. And you both act like the main characters in like half the romance novels Cade has." He smirks. I ignore his words and look at the books.

"Why exactly are you reading Cade's romance novels?" I laugh. He glares at me, his green eyes proving to be unamused. I flip blonde straggles of hair out of my face and wait for an response.

"Stop changing the subject."

"Just wondering. I'm sure Jason and Cade would love to know what you're reading." Before I know it I feel Ryker's arm around my shoulders. My heart stops as the smell of his cologne intensifies.

"Seth. I want you to know. Scout and I aren't in love. I could kiss her and feel absolutely nothing." Seth looks at us with a raised eyebrow.

"Prove it." He smirks. My blood runs cold and I look at the kid in shock. Was he serious?

"Fine." Ryker huffs. Before I register what's going on, warmth spreads through my lips and a soft hand is placed under my chin, his thumb resting on my chapped two lips. My brain shuts down, as he tilts my head to the side, and his lips brush against my cheek. Tingles explode from the place his skin touches mine.

"See. Nothing." Ryker states with a joking smile. 

Everything. 

Seth looks at us wide eyed with his mouth agape. Yet no one in the room could possibly feel as stunned as I do. Ryker steps away from us laughing. "Well it's been fun. But I've got a smoke in my pocket that's dying for some action. See ya at dinner." And with that, the red headed beauty is gone.

Did that really happen? It couldn't have. No way. I just imagined it. I tell myself. But the reality of the kiss is confirmed when Seth laughs.

"You two are totally in love."

I throw a pillow at him. "Shut up, you romance novel reader."