Save Me

Moment of Truth

-Ryker

The loud slam of my old truck doors sliced through the salty air. My high top sneakers crunched over the gravel along the road where I'd parked. Delicately, I took Lex's hand and excitedly tugged her along behind me.

"Ryke," she whined softly, "slow down. You're practically dragging me." I chuckled softly before slowing my stride slightly. Her 'whine,' as I previously called it, was not the obnoxious kind of whine where you wanted to slap someone. It was the childish, I-can't-walk-anymore-daddy-carry-me, kind of whine. Honestly, it was kind of cute, not to mention it proved I was not the only one acting like a kid today.

"Come on, babe! The beach waits for no one!" I cried, a large grin making its way on to my face.

"Actually, the ocean is not going anywhere. It has been scientifically proven that the level is in fact increasing due to large amounts of rain an-" Letting go of her hand, I stopped in my tracks and spun to face her. Lexi, desperately trying to keep up this whole time, rammed right into me. Her tiny frame bounced right off my chest and sent her backwards in a hurry. Snaking my arms out quickly, I caught her before she could fall, roughly pulling her into my chest. She collided with a small "oomph," cutting off her rambling. I chuckle at her confused expression.

"Ryker! What the crap was that?"

"Uh, I believe you went full blown nerd on me for a few seconds."

"Hey!" She exclaimed, slapping my chest lightly. My grip tightened on her waist and I pulled her closer to me.

"Hey now, no hitting," I grinned.

"What are you going to do about it tough guy?" She asked boldly.

"I'll be forced to restrain you." Leaning down slightly, I placed my lips next to her ear, "then I'd kiss you completely and totally senseless." I smirked at her, happily taking in her red cheeks, round eyes and parted mouth. She obviously didn't know what to say to that, which amused me even further than her expression. After a moment of looking at me, she finally recovered.

"Oh shut up." Ahhh, there she is, same old fiery Lexi has returned. I laughed again, unable to hide the amusement I got from her attitude. She was brave little one, there were a rare few that ever dared stand up to me or 'talk back' to me and she was one of those few people. She was definitely not a doormat and for that I was so thankful! I was beyond happy fate hadn't given me a doormat for a match, or I don't know what I'd have done. Match. My mood dimmed slightly, reminding myself why I'd brought Lex here today. Today was the day I'd tell her everything. Today was the day that would make or brake our relationship. Today determined it all.

**************************

-Lex

I watched Ryker suddenly grow quiet, a serious look taking over his previous happily grinning face. I fought the urge to open my mouth, I was curious as to what was bothering him, but I feared him totally shutting down. I noticed him do this before if he wasn't comfortable with the topic and I couldn't risk loosing all the footing I'd gained in our relationship . . . if you wanted to call it that. Something told me, however, that him bringing me here today, to our pier, had something to do with his little mood change. I had a feeling something was about to change things. Something big. Apprehension clawed at my stomach, fighting the urge to run away, I grabbed his hand and tugged him on to the old pier.

The weathered wood creaked beneath us, but I'd been here enough to know we'd be fine. It was safe, like him. With new found courage, I pulled him to the end and took a seat, dangiling my feet over the edge, before softly pulling him down beeside me. As much as I feared what he was going to tell me, I wanted to know and I wanted him to feel like he could tell me. So what better way to reassure him than to tell him something first.