The Shore (21 page)

Mac and Riley walked onto the porch then, taking in the scene. “Looks like you two made up,” Mac said with a wink.

Cody wrapped his arm around Ryan’s waist. “You could say that,” he grinned.

“Good. I’m glad to see it,” Mac said.

“Thanks for letting Berkley spend the night with you guys,” Ryan said to Mac and Riley.

“It was our pleasure. I think Jake really liked having a dog here,” Mac answered. “She’s a really well behaved dog.”

Ryan smiled proudly. She was happy she picked such a good pup.

When Ryan looked back to Riley, she could see a slight scowl on his face.

“Hey Riley, can I talk to you for a second?” she asked.

He simply nodded and started walking toward the side of the house.

“Be right back,” Ryan said to Cody as she squeezed his hand and followed Riley.

When they were a short distance from everyone else, Riley turned, stuffed his hands in his pockets and raised an eyebrow.

“I just…” Ryan started, but she wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to say.

Riley waited patiently for her to find the words.

“I really like Cody, Riley. And I know the last couple of days have really sucked. And he’s your brother. And you seem really unhappy with me.”

She was rambling again, and still Riley said nothing.

“Cody and I worked this out, I think. And I apologized to Mac and Abby for making them worry. I guess I wanted to apologize to you, too. I came into town and made like a tornado for the rest of your family. I’m sorry about that, Riley.”

Finally, she got a response from him. A slight grin started to appear on his lips. “I appreciate that.”

“Really?”

He simply nodded, but Ryan could see the smile had reached his eyes.

She looked up at him questioningly. “Does that mean we’re okay?”

Riley nodded again. “We’re okay.”

Ryan smiled and sighed in relief. “Good.”

“Come on, let’s go join the others.”

It was the most he said the entire conversation. She wondered if he ever talked to Mac.

Ryan was smiling as she walked back to Cody.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Everything is great,” she said as he kissed her cheek.

“Okay.”

Turning to Mac and Riley, Cody informed them, “We’re going to take the bike down to Ocracoke and grab some lunch. We’ll be back later tonight.”

Ryan turned to Cody. “I’ll see you in a little bit back at your place, okay?”

Cody nodded and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. “See you in a bit.”

Ryan turned to wave at Mac and Riley. “Thanks again!” She then turned to Jake and said, “Thanks for taking such great care of Berkley while she was here. I know she had a lot of fun with you.”

Jake blushed and ran into the house.

Ryan chuckled then called for Berkley to get in the car. With the top down, the dog jumped into the car, not needing a door opened for her. Everyone laughed at the dog and Ryan waved goodbye as she got in and pulled out of the driveway.

Cody joined Mac and Riley on the porch and took a seat. He knew they’d have questions and figured he might as well get them over with now.

“Okay, let me have it.”

“We just want to be sure you’re okay, Cody, that’s all,” Mac said.

“I am,” Cody smiled. “I think I’m really good.”

Mac looked at him, silently pressing him for more information.

“We talked it out – her sister, what happened with Jaxon, even me packing up Laura’s things. We’ll see how things go, but I think we’re in a really good place right now.”

Mac smiled. “Okay.” Riley didn’t say anything, but Cody could tell by the expression on his face that he was okay.

“I’m going to head out. I need to take a shower, and I want to get the bike gassed up before she comes over.”

“Okay. Have a fun and be careful on the bike,” Mac said again.

“I will,” Cody grinned and waved as he walked toward the truck and took off.

Ryan walked into the house and peaked in Madison’s room. She wasn’t there, but her bed had been slept in.

That’s a good sign.

She went up the stairs and saw red curls blowing in the wind on the deck. Madison turned when Berkley came up and started licking her hand. Ryan joined them on deck.

“Hey you,” Ryan said.

“Hey there yourself. How’s it going?” Madison asked, a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes from the sun.

“I’m good. How are you? Bad hangover?”

“Naw, I’ve had worse.” Madison looked at Ryan trying to determine how the night had gone. “So, how’s Cody?”

Ryan couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine.”

“I take it you two worked things out then?”

“Yeh.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that,” Madison said sincerely.

“I told him about the history with Paige and what happened with Jaxon,” Ryan added.

“What did he say?”

“He wasn’t happy, obviously, but I think we’re okay. He pressed me to talk to him, and I’m glad he did.”

“I knew I liked that guy,” Madison smiled.

Ryan sat in the other chair on the deck. Both of the girls were quiet as they enjoyed the sun on their faces and the light breeze.

“Would you still love me if I disappeared today?” she finally asked.

Madison gave her a sideways glance. “Let me guess. Cody wants you all to himself?”

Ryan felt her cheeks turn red as she nodded.

“Of course. I'm the one that barged in on your week away,” Madison said.

“Only because I wouldn't answer your calls. It's my fault you're here.”

“Okay, I'll blame it on you then,” Madison winked. “I'll be fine, Ry. I wouldn't mind a quiet day on the beach to relax.”

“Are you sure? I feel bad leaving you … but I really want to go,” she said with an expression that was half excitement at the thought of spending the day with Cody and half guilt for leaving her friend behind.

“I'm sure. Go have fun with your sex-on-a-stick.”

Ryan got up, walked over to Madison and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”

“Oh, and can I just say,” Madison added, “that boy is F.I.N.E.”

Ryan grinned. She couldn't help it. “I know.”

Madison just laughed, happy her friend had finally found some happiness.

“Will you at least be doing something fun?”

“We’re going to go for a bike ride down to Ocracoke.”

“Eew. Forget I asked. I don’t want to bike anywhere.”

“Not that kind of bike. A motorcycle.”

Madison was interested now. “Seriously? He rides a bike, too?”

Ryan grinned and nodded. “And I’m going to spend the afternoon with my arms wrapped around him, holding him tight,” she teased.

“You bitch! No, you can’t go with him. That’s just not fair!”

Ryan laughed. “Too late!” She turned and headed into the house. “I’ve got to go get ready.”

When she got out of the shower, Ryan looked at her phone to turn on some music and noticed a text from Cody.

Cody: 
Hey beautiful. Make sure you wear a pair of jeans, okay? And no flip flops. I want you safe on the bike. Bring something to change into when we get back if you want. See you when you get here.

She didn’t realize how much she had missed seeing him call her beautiful until she saw it again. It had been only a few days and he had stolen a piece of her heart.

Ryan: 
Okay. Just got out of the shower. I shouldn’t be too long.

Cody: 
Still in a towel?

Ryan: 
Don’t you have something to do?

Cody: 
Nope. Just sitting here imagining you in a towel.

Ryan: 
Stop. I need to get ready. I can’t if I’m texting you.

Cody: 
Then quit texting me and hurry up!

Ryan set her phone down after reading Cody’s last text so she could finish getting ready. A minute later, the phone dinged again with another message.

Cody: 
Btw, why don’t you bring Berkley with you? I’m sure Wrigley would love the company and ya know, in case we fall asleep on the couch tonight.

Ryan: 
Okay. :)

Madison made her way into Ryan’s room and sat down. Ryan was grinning from ear to ear.

“He just texted me to make sure I wear jeans. He wants me to be safe on the bike.”

“He’s making it really fucking hard for me to hate him, you know that?”

“Why do you want to hate him?”

“I don’t, Ryan. I want him to be good to you and treat you well and screw you until the smile never comes off your face.”

Ryan just laughed. “Madison!”

“What? It’s true. That boy better be good in bed.”

“Or what?”

“I dunno. I’ll have to figure out a reason to hate him, convince you of the same and make you find someone who
is
good in bed.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I know,” Madison grinned.

The girls continued to chat while Ryan got ready. Madison had a sneaking suspicion she wouldn’t be seeing Ryan again that night and wanted to spend a little time with her.

“How did things go after we left last night?” Ryan asked.

Madison chuckled. “Poor Riley. Here was this guy with three completely drunk girls he had to deal with. Mac must have been feeling really horny because she kept rubbing up on him and you could tell it took every bit of strength he had to calm her down. My guess is they had some fun last night when they got home.”

Ryan laughed. She didn’t really want to think about Mac and Riley doing the horizontal mambo, but it was a funny scene to think about.

“What time did you finally get home?”

“I think it was just after 2:30. We stuck around for last call and then headed out.”

“Sounds like you guys had fun.”

“We did. The girls are really great. But Riley, he doesn’t talk much, does he?”

Ryan chuckled. “No, apparently he doesn’t. I tried to talk to him this morning, apologize for making Cody and Mac worry, and he really didn’t say anything.”

“Wow. Was he at least nice about it?”

“Oh, yeh. We’re good. I just think of him as the strong, silent type. He’s a nice guy.”

“Good. Makes me feel better that you’re getting in cahoots with good people,” she winked.

“Alright, I think that’s everything,” Ryan said stuffing the last piece of clothing in her bag.

“You sure?” Madison asked.

“Yep. I’m wearing jeans and not flip flops. I have a pair of shorts I can change into and even another shirt. Oh, and I brought another pair of shoes, just in case.”

“Have any condoms?” Madison asked, totally dead-pan and completely serious.

“No… but we won’t need them.”

“You sure?” Madison asked, repeating her prior question.

“No…” Ryan said as her cheeks began to flush.

That’s what I thought.

Madison shook her head. “See your dresser over there?”

“My dresser?”

Madison nodded.

“What about it?”

“Go look in the bottom drawer, underneath your sweatpants.”

Ryan looked at Madison skeptically. She walked over, pulled out the drawer, and reached her hand in. Under the clothing she felt a plastic bag and pulled it out.

“Oh my God, Madison!” Ryan exclaimed and she looked inside the bag. It was full of condoms. “Just who did you think you would be sleeping with that you brought this many with you? And when did you put them here?”

“You never know, Ryan. Better safe than sorry,” Madison winked, her response covering both points. She took the bag from Ryan, opening it and offering them to Ryan.

Ryan took a few from the bag and pushed the rest away. “I think this will be just fine.” She was quiet for a second. “Besides, I’m not sure I’m ready for that yet.”

Madison sat down on the bed, laying the bag on the comforter.

“It’s entirely up to you, Ryan. I know you’ve talked about it with Cody, but you can change your mind. If the moment is right and you’re ready, don’t let anything hold you back.”

Ryan looked at Madison.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say it. Cody isn’t Jaxon. From the little I’ve seen him and the things you’ve told me, I know they are night and day. Relax. Have fun. And if the mood strikes you, go for it. I bet it’ll be one hell of a ride,” Madison winked.

Madison always knew how to make Ryan feel better, and she always knew the right thing to say. Ryan hugged her.

“Thank you.”

“Now, you want these raincoats or what?” Madison grinned, pointing to the bag that had been discarded on the bed.

Ryan thought for a second. “No. I think this is plenty, but thanks.”

“Alright, you be careful on that bike.”

“I will,” Ryan smiled. “Thank you, Mad.” She gave her another hug.

“You’re welcome. Just let me know when you get back from the bike ride so I know you’re safe, okay?”

Ryan grinned. “Of course.” She grabbed her things and ruffled the fur on Berkley’s head. “Come on Berkley, let's go! See you later!” And they were off.