Page 151 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
“No problem. I’ve got your back.”
The rest of the lesson goes smoothly. It’s surprising how comforting it was to work with Madison by my side. Plus, I need to continually thank the heavens that Jasper didn’t pipe up again during class. Maybe if I tell Ryder what he did, he’ll put Jasper in his place again.
As I leave the classroom with Madison, my stomach is in knots.
I was horrible to Ryder. I blamed and shamed him as if he were the villain of the piece. I didn’t give him a chance to speak. I let my rage spill out, and all I could see was red.
“He’ll understand,” I whisper aloud. “Won’t he?”
Madison leans in. “What was that?”
“Ryder…” I let the thought disappear when I see him up ahead.
He’s leaning against a locker, backpack slung over one shoulder, and he’s scrolling on his phone.
I swallow my fearand leave Madison two steps behind me.
“Ryder,” I start.
“No.” He doesn’t look at me, shifting to turn away from me. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“But we need to talk about…”
“What you said in that hallway?” He finally looks at me with narrowed dark eyes. “That was a lot, Alice.”
“I know. I was wrong. I just thought you...”
“Thought I what?” He tilts his head. “Stabbed you in the back? Thought I finally wanted some of your drama to mess up my life? That’s what you think of me?”
The bluntness of his words shoves me back. “Look, I was angry and I…”
“You were angry.” He repeats it like he’s examining it. “Right.” He shifts the backpack strap and pockets his phone. “So, whatwas it, Alice? You were pissed at me for not handing in that essay, so you needed to explode at me?”
“No, it wasn’t…”
His hand plants on his chest, skewing his tie. “I was actually worried about you all day. I was looking for you, but you hid from me.”
“Today has been a lot,” I reply. “And when stuff about my parents came out, I just… I thought…”
Horror lengthens his features. “You thought I said something?”
“Well, I…” I stutter. “You were the only one…”
He sucks in a breath, and his brow furrows. “You think that little of me? For what it’s worth, Alice, I’ve said nothing about your parents.”
“I know. I was wrong,” I say. “It was Jasper. He found articles and he...”
“Great.” His voice is clipped. “So you were wrong. But you tore into me in the middle of the hallway like I was your biggest problem in life.”
Tears flood my eyes. “I said, I was wrong.”
“Yeah, you did.” He’s quiet for a second. “Doesn’t make the words go back in.”
I press my hands together. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
He exhales hard and looks away.
“Can we just...” I try. “Can we talk about it?”
