It Ended With A Lie

Chapter 3

Ryder's POV

The next few days went by without anything being brought up about Braelyn. Mom, Dad, and Lee gave me my space, and I just stayed in my room. It wasn't until Wednesday that I decided to go out.

I drove around for a good hour before I decided to go to the mall. It was just as crowded as I remembered. My stomach growled after I had hit a few stores. I ordered some food from the Subway counter and took my seat at an empty table.

"Marcus, grab Easton before he runs off," I heard a familiar voice order. I turned and saw Braelyn's best friends from high school, Emilee and Marcus. Emilee was ordering from the Taco Bell counter, and Marcus picked up a little blonde headed boy.

Should I go talk to them?

Marcus looked around the food court, and his eyes landed on me. They widened before he patted Emilee's shoulder. She looked at him, and he pointed toward me. I looked away.

A hand slammed down in front of me a minute later. I looked up, finding myself staring at a very furious Emilee. "Hey," I said.

"You have some nerve coming back here. You promised Braelyn you wouldn't come back, so why are you back?" She said in a very calm steady voice; it intimidated me.

I swallowed. "I wanted to see my family," I said; it was true, but I also wanted to see Braelyn. I wasn't going to tell Emilee that, though.

"You couldn't have tried to stay away from Braelyn? She is happy, and she's getting married to a guy that is a hundred times better than you. He can make her happy," she said.

"Em, let's go," Marcus said, gently grabbing her arm.

Emilee shook him off. "You listen here, and you listen good. Stay away from Braelyn. She's too good for you, Ridge," she said then she stomped off.

"I know," I said when she was out of ear shot.

××××××

I didn't go home when I left the mall. Instead, I went to Stormy's house. He was the only one who was there when Braelyn found out about the dare. Yeah, he always made fun of me before she found out, and he insulted Braelyn. That stopped the next time I talked to him once he saw how much I loved her.

I knocked on the door, and he opened it, rubbing his eyes. "Did you just wake up?" I asked.

He squinted then smiled. "I can't believe my eyes! Ridge McCain is standing on my porch!" he said the yawned. "Yeah, I just woke up."

Stormy stepped aside and let me come in. "I see you haven't changed," I said when a girl comes down the stairs, pulling at her very short dress.

"Nope, but Alliyah was just leaving," he said.

"Yes, I was. Call me," Alliyah said, kissing Stormy's cheek and walking out the door.

I followed Stormy into the kitchen, taking a seat on the counter. "So, what are you doing back in town?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"If I told you, you'd call me crazy," I said.

"Want a cup?" he asked, and I shook my head. He took a sip then hopped up beside me. "Tell me anyway."

I sighed, "I came for Braelyn. I know I'd promised her I wouldn't, but I just couldn't stay away."

"Dude, she's getting married to Jake friggen Remington," Stormy said.

I nodded. "I know. I saw her the day I came back. What's with this Jake Remington guy anyway other than he's rich?" I ask.

"He's actually a pretty cool guy. I met him once when Braelyn brought him to one of my parties," Stormy said.

I nodded. "Does he treat Braelyn well?" I ask.

Stormy took a sip of coffee then nodded. "He treats her like a queen from what I've seen," He replied.

I looked at the ground, nodding. Stormy sighed, "She's in good hands, Ridge. Don't worry about her."

"I'm not worried," I said.

"Then, why are giving the floor a kicked puppy look?"

"I just wish it was me that she was marrying."

××××××

Later that night Stormy and I decided to hit the bar. I ordered two shots of tequila and threw them back quickly. Stormy ordered his own shots then decided to scavenge some hot girls, leaving me by the bar.

"What's got you so sad?" a girl asked.

I turned to my left, and I immediately recognized the brown hair and brown eyes. It was Wren, and she had a million dollar smile on her face. "What do you want?" I snapped, ordering two more shots.

"Well, I heard you were back in town, and I wanted to say hello," she said, running a hand through her hair.

I rolled my eyes, throwing back another shot. "Get out of here, will ya?"

Wren scoffed, "Gladly." She got up then whispered in my ear. "She isn't worth it."

Before I could reply, she had disappeared into the crowd. I paid for my shots then called an Uber. I texted Stormy, telling him that I would see him tomorrow, then waited patiently for my Uber. I heard laughter to my right and turned my head.

Braelyn was walking toward me, holding onto a unfamiliar male arm. The guy was tall, and even though I wasn't attracted to guys, he was a pretty good looking guy. His blonde hair was cut short and clean, and his green eyes watched Braelyn with admiration and love.

He leaned down to kiss her, and she gladly took the opportunity. I clenched my fists, and before I knew what I was doing, Jake was on the ground. "Ridge!" Braelyn screamed, snapping me back to reality.

I looked at her, and I didn't even see Jake get back up. He shoved me, and I snapped my head to his. "You got a problem?" he asked.

"Yeah, your lips on my gi-" I cut myself off.

Jake raised his eyebrows. "You must be the infamous Ridge McCain. Everyone has told me about you," he said, and I could hear his British accent.

I clenched my jaw, and Braelyn sighed, "Jake, could you give us a minute?"

He looked at her and nodded. "Sure, love. I'll be in the car," He said then disappeared around the corner.

"What is your problem?" Braleyn asked, fury in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I blacked out," I said.

She scrunched her nose up. "Have you been drinking?" she asked then looked up at the sign of the bar. "Of course you have."

"I had four shots of tequila. I'm not drunk, Braelyn."

"Listen to me, Ridge, and listen good. You are not my boyfriend; I barely know you anymore. I'm getting married, Ridge, and I'm happy. Don't ruin this for me. Stay away from Jake," she said the started to walk away.

"What about you?" I called after her.

She stopped and met my eyes. They softened, and I caught a glimpse of old feelings. She didn't answer me. Instead, she just turned back around and walked away.

Maybe I did have hope.