Chapter 2
The next morning, I woke up to my phone blowing up with texts from Ryder. He’d sent like thirty messages asking when I was coming over.
My stomach twisted as I read them. Seriously, Ryder? Do you even realize how fucking cruel you are?
With shaky hands, I sent back one message: “Not feeling well. Not coming.” Not even five minutes later, my parents knocked on my door.
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“Autumn, honey, I know you and Ryder might be having a little spat, but this isn’t the time to be stubborn,” my mom said. “Get dressed and go to his place. You have no idea how important this setup is to him. He’s had a thing for Elle for years! When he heard she was back from Paris, he immediately asked your father to help arrange this meeting.”
“That’s right,” my dad added. “Elle took piano lessons from me for a while. I personally went to speak with her parents to set this up. The whole thing is incredibly formal, from the gifts to the dinner. He wants you there to keep things from getting awkward. Having another woman her age around will make Elle more comfortable. Ryder’s really serious about this one, and you two are so close—how can you not help him?”
When I didn’t show up, Ryder actually called my parents!
Listening to them plead his case, I could only fight back tears as I got up to shower and get dressed.
Our families lived in the same neighborhood, just a few houses apart. Ten minutes later, I stood at the Caldwells‘ front door and opened the shoe cabinet in the
entryway.
It was empty. The rabbit slippers I always wore weren’t there.
I looked everywhere, finally finding them in the trash can outside the door.
The slippers weren’t alone. My water bottle, toothbrush, towel, and pajamas were
all there too.
“Miss Autumn, Mr. Ryder threw those things away,” their housekeeper told me. “Please use these shoe covers instead.”
I stared at the trash can in silence for a long time.
Because our families had been friends for generations, I came over almost daily and often stayed overnight. Ryder had set up a bedroom just for me, buying all these daily necessities with little rabbit designs because he knew I liked them. He’d always said his home was my home and that I shouldn’t feel like a guest.
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11:34 AM Thu 24 Apr
02
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Weld kiss in the entryway when his parents weren’t looking, hold hands under the dinner table, and have sex in his study withrem everyone was asleep.
But now that Elle was back, he was afraid hits anush might get the wrong idea.
So he’d thrown away everything commextrexdl to me.
I had to take a moment to pull myself together before putting on the shoe covers.. The second I walked in, I saw Ryder slicing finuit for Elle, both of them laughing.
together.
He sat on the couch wearing a tailored suit., his hair perfectly styled, even wearing cologne. He looked like some kind off sexy villain from a movie.
Back in school, I’d heard so many girls talk about how hot he was. They said he’d look good even with a bag over his head, and if he ever actually dressed up, heldi put actual celebrities to shamme.
But Ryder had always beem too laid–back to care about his appearance, usually just wearing t–shirts and jeams.
Turns out he would make am efffort–just not for me.
The guy who’d been inside me lless than 24 hours ago now acted like he barely kme me, glancing at me once before turning his full attention back to Elle..
He talked about everything with her hobbies, the weather, work, jewelry brandss, childhood stories,, schooll memories.
Watching him desperately trying to keep the conversation going, I felt sick with the realization: so he could be this attentive when he actually cared..
“It’s such a coincidence–in high school, you were a grade ahead off me, and we weren’t evem im the same building, but we kept running into each other. Itt musst have been fate,” Elle said with a smile.
I watched Ryder’s ears turn red and had to bite back a bitten laugh..
Fate? Handly..
He’d orchestrated every single “accidental” meeting.
Back them, I’d followed behind him, watching him pull out all the stops to impress his crush, my heart breaking a little each time.
When Elle left for Paris, I thought I’d finally have a chance..
Now I realized Ryder was the one getting what he always wanted.
Lost im thought, I suddenly heard my name.
“I heard in high school you had a best friend you grew up with. That must be
Autumm, night?” Elle asked, her eyes clearly trying to figure out our relationship.
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Before I could answer, Ryder’s parents jumped in cheerfully.
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“Oh yes, those two have been inseparable since they were in diapers! They’ve done everything together. We even used to joke about arranging their marriage…” Halfway through, Ryder’s face darkened, and he cut them off sharply.
“Mom, Dad, stop. I would never date Autumn, of all people.”
I kept my eyes down to hide how much that hurt, forcing a smile. “Same here. I’d date anyone but Ryder.”
His expression froze for a second before quickly going back to normal.
He threw his arm around my shoulders like I was his buddy and said casually, “Exactly! We’re just friends. Nothing more.”
The whole room seemed to relax at once.
I smiled along with everyone else, and heard Ryder quietly whisper “thanks” with obvious relief.
I didn’t say anything, just subtly moved away from him to put some distance between us.
Cover for him?
No, I’d meant every word.
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