Fade Out (The Morganville Vampires #7)(36)

Like. Okay, not what I expected to hear. It’s dry, bland, formal. But also safe. No passion stirring with “like.” No crazy, frenzied emotions taking over my head, debating with my heart. I can do like.

“Are you with me?” he says, lowering his head into my line of sight. I’m pulled out of my obscure musings.

“Sure.” I nod. My father has affectively scared off the school playboy from trying to get into my pants. “Against my better judgment, I like you, too, Ryder. We can be study buddies.”

He laughs. “Okay. Agreed. And it will keep my head in the game, too. I really need to buckle down this semester. With the playoff coming up, I’m struggling in a couple of classes. I think we could both benefit from a friendship with a goal in mind.”

Hmm. It’s out of my mouth before I can stop it: “And what’s the benefit for me?”

His expression shutters. He turns, leaning his shoulder against the tree. “Anything you want. Name it.”

The many, conflicting things that suddenly storm my mind almost bowl me over. I struggle to stand still, the wind whipping so harshly I’m in fear of falling over. Equilibrium lost. All the things I can imagine Ryder giving me…

Putting my father in his place by taking me out on a proper date. Just to make him that much more antsy over my future prospects. Another game where he makes the team wear thongs. Or some other lacy undergarment as their uniform. An introduction into the school of Ryder Doesn’t Give a Damn. Showing me how to shrug off the world and its judgments.

The possibilities as to what I could gain from a mutually beneficial friendship with Ryder Nash are endless.

But one clear thought rises to the top.

Gaining my bearings, I roll my shoulders back and look into his face. “A date with Gavin.”





16





Ryder





My body goes rigid. Gavin’s thick face appears in my mind…and I see my fist plowing into it.

“What?” The word spits from my mouth harshly. I was going along with the idea that Ari and I would have to settle for friends—at least for now. Anything more would cause her too much trouble with her family. I was a bit sore over that at first. I don’t understand how a woman of probably twenty years of age, in today’s time, would let her family decide whom she can date, but it’s not really my place to question.

There are some dynamics there at work that I actually don’t want to understand. As long as Ari’s okay with it all, ultimately making the choice for herself, then it’s none of my business. I’ve decided I’ll discover this fact in time—I’ll figure out what to do later if it turns out differently. And besides, rushing headlong toward a girl out of my league is what got me in trouble way back when in the first place. Sometimes, we do learn from our mistakes.

But regardless, and against all better judgment, I’m unwilling to not be around her. I haven’t been able to think clearly for the last two days. My mind felt sticky, lazy, a constant awareness of her running on a loop in the background. I’m man enough to admit when I need to see something to the end—get to know this girl and get her out of my system.

I am not, however, going to set her up with my best friend. Fuck that.

She laughs, and my spine stiffens. “You’re asking me to set you up with Gavin,” I say, each word forced out through gritted teeth.

She shakes her head. “No. Not for me, for Vee.” Her head tilts, and the wind sends her soft brown curls across her cheek.

Realization dawns, and my chest loosens. A heavy breath whooshes from my mouth. “Your friend.” She nods once, affirming. “She’s into Gav?”

“That’s a gross understatement,” Ari says. “She would probably die if she knew I was even telling you.” I see her wince, as if her friend is aware of her actions right now. “Look, you can’t tell him right out. You have to be like, I don’t know, sneaky. Just casually mention to him he should ask her out, or something.”

I laugh. “That’s not exactly how guys work.” If I’m bothering to scope out some chick, enough to mention her, I’m in it for me. I sure as shit wouldn’t hint my interest to another guy, sicking the hard leg right on her. No guy would. We don’t think like women; checking out prospects for our friends.

It’s all about us. We’re selfish beasts that way.

With a sigh, Ari crosses her arms over her chest. “Well, that’s what I want, Ryder. I want Vee to have a chance with the guy she’s been infatuated with since freshman year.”

“Damn. Really? That long?” Why the hell hasn’t Gavin hooked up with her yet? She’s not bad on the eyes at all. Just the opposite.

“Just see what you can make happen,” she says, backing up a step. “And I’ll help you with whatever you need.”

“A story.”

She stops short. “Not novel length, I hope.”

A quick smile spreads across my face. “A short story. My professor is a real hard-ass on themes. Everything I’ve written so far is convoluted, or not testing my characters enough, or something. I’m not really sure what she wants from me.”

“Have you Googled her?”

“What?” I take a step closer to Ari, hating the distance she’s putting between us. I’m not ready for this lunch period to be over. For her to leave.