Page 98 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
Ryder sighs, turning back to meet my eyes with defeat. “That’s what the fight was about. Money.”
I rub my temples, questions popping up in every corner of my mind. “My mom loaned Miranda money?”
Ryder shrugs. “That’s what she said.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t know that. But then again, Mom refused to talk about her sister.”
Ryder takes another step forward, pleading in his eyes. “I really don’t want to get in the middle of this. Miranda is my manager, and I don’t want to tick her off. She just told me,maybe you’d have an entitled attitude because your parents spoiled you.”
My jaw almost hits the floor. “Spoiled me? The woman doesn’t know what love is. Probably the fact my parents gave me hugs is spoiling me in that evil woman’s eyes!”
Ryder’s in front of me, grasping my arms. “I don’t think you’re spoiled. I don’t think you’re entitled. But I was mad at you before I met you.”
“Mad at me?” I force myself out of his grip. “You heard about me because I lost my parents!”
“You’ve met Miranda. That’s not exactly the headline she used.”
Tears pool in my eyes. “She was never going to love me.”
“I had an idea of who I was going to meet,” Ryder continues, uncertainty in his voice. “And you broke my equipment, just fanning the flames already in my head. But I see you differently now. I see you as hurting.”
I claw at the fabric above my racing heart. “You’re without your parents right now. Why wouldn’t you have felt bad for me from the beginning?”
“I told you I was already angry about being stuck here.”
“You should’ve had compassion.”
“You’ve spent a week in this town. Can’t you see it’s not normal here?”
I clutch my elbows, turning away from him. “I hope this place never changes me like that.”
His hand is on my shoulder, and he turns me back to face him. “I see you, Ally.”
His dark eyes glimmer with sadness and a touch of hope.
“Stop.”
He shakes his head. “No. I don’t want you to be alone.”
“Pity isn’t friendship.”
His hand leaves my shoulder. “Did I say I pitied you? You’re the one who wanted me to feel bad for you.”
“I just wanted you to have feelings.”
“I have feelings.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Don’t.”
“Don’t, what?”
I keep my eyes fixed on his, no good answer on my tongue.
“I know everyone thinks I’m dumb because I don’t care about school, but my instincts never let me down.” His thumb draws a circle beneath my chin. “And my instincts tell me I want you in my life.”
With nothing better to say, I utter, “Why?”
It makes him mumble a laugh, and he releases my chin. “Because I’ve liked getting to know you. Because you’re the person with the most substance I’ve met since moving here.”
