End Game_Bellevue Bullies Series Read online

  My heart aches as I look away from him.

  Ryan’s voice fills the room as he yells, “You aren’t a stupid girl. Think!”

  “I don’t care! You aren’t my dad. Stop acting like it!”

  A hush fills the room. There’s a lump in my throat, and my chest is hurting from the pounding of my heart. Ryan wets his lips, shaking his head as he looks down at the table. Pressing his finger to it, he looks up at her, his eyes swimming in dejection. “You’re absolutely right. I’m not,” he says softly. “And if Dad were here right now, in this room, he’d say the same thing they are because that was his job. It’s not my job to tell you what to do or even to guide you. I do it because I love you so damn much, Amelia…” He pauses, his voice breaking. “I promised Dad I would look out for you, and I will. So stop being a stupid little spoiled brat and use your fucking brain.”

  The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone is looking between Amelia and Ryan. The tension is so thick, it’s suffocating me. I look up at Ryan, and slowly, tentatively, I move my hand into his, lacing our fingers. I don’t want to butt in, but I want him to know I’m here. Supporting him. He squeezes my hand, not letting go. After a few more beats, Amelia looks away, tears streaming down her face. My heart aches for her. I want to jump across the table, wrap her in my arms, but I know it won’t help. She has to make this choice for herself. No one can make it for her. As I look up at Ryan, I know he wants to do just that. He wants to make his dad proud and do right by Amelia.

  I don’t think he realizes, but he already has.

  I also don’t think he realizes that he has and always will completely own my heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Sofia

  Well, dinner was awesome.

  I’m pretty sure the only ones who talked after the whole Amelia thing were the twins, Posey, and Quinn. Everyone else was tense, quiet, and quivering with anger. Especially Ryan. He’s livid. I get it, but I’ve never seen someone be so protective of another human being. Ryan stood tall, poised, and breathtaking as he looked into his sister’s eyes, telling her how he felt. I don’t know how Amelia could stand there like that, so defiant, because I’m pretty sure I would crumble under his loving gaze. It’s so obvious he loves her, but then, he loves all of his family. When we were leaving, he hugged everyone, kissing them and telling them he loved them. He even hugged and kissed Amelia, though she wouldn’t even look at him.

  It killed me to see, but he didn’t care. He made sure she knew he loved her.

  As we drive back to campus, I look over at Ryan. His hand holds the steering wheel, his knuckles white and his eyes dark. He’s still very upset, and I don’t blame him. While he holds my hand with his free one, I know he isn’t really here with me. He’s back at the table, yelling at his sister.

  I clear my throat, and he glances at me for a beat before looking back at the road. I bite my lip as I watch him. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine.” His voice is crisp, quick, and I know damn well he’s anything but fine.

  “You’re upset.”

  “Oh, I’m livid,” he says, shaking his head. “I don’t understand how she can be so stupid. She isn’t an idiot. Honestly. She’s a smart girl, good head on her shoulders, but she wants to throw everything away for some dude who left her. I get that they think they love each other, but she is making a success of things here.”

  “I agree,” I say, and his anger comes off him in waves.

  “You knew,” he says, chancing another glance at me. “And you didn’t tell me. I would have liked to have had some warning before dinner went to shit and it ended with me having it out with my sister.”

  My pulse kicks up. This is the fear I’ve had since she told me. “Ryan, I told you. She’s my best friend, and I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone. Especially you. She made me promise.”

  He lets out a heavy breath, squeezing the steering wheel even tighter, and his anger worries me. Was I in the wrong? Should I have told him? But that’s not being a friend to Amelia. This is so complicated. Sighing loudly, he nods. “I know. It was just out of left field.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. You were being a good friend.”

  “Yeah, but honestly, Ryan, it was killing me. I wanted to tell you.”

  He brings my hand up to his mouth, pressing his lips to it and holding it there. “It’s okay. I’m not upset with you.”

  “You should be. I feel like I held back something you needed to know.”

  He inhales deeply, kissing my hand once more. “No, you were being a friend. It’s okay.”

  Well, that’s good. But still, I feel a little guilty. “I told her the same thing everyone else did. I think it’s insane to leave behind everything she has here.”

  “Because it’s the truth. No woman should be with a man who wants her to give up her dreams and aspirations. He’s a douche. A selfish douche.”

  “I agree,” I say, and as I drink in his profile, my heart skips a beat. “She’s worth more than that.”

  “Exactly. I don’t get it. Pisses me off.”

  “I know. I’m sorry,” I say softly, and he shakes his head.

  “Fuck, I’m sorry I ruined Thanksgiving for you. I know it was hard already without your mom.”

  When he kisses my hand once more, pressing his nose against the back of my wrist, I drop my head onto his shoulder. “It wasn’t ruined at all. I was with you, and even with Amelia’s drama, I love your family. They’re amazing.”

  “They’re all insane,” he says fondly, his lips tickling the back of my hand. “Thanks for coming, though.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it,” I say without hesitation. “It’s been a nice day.”

  He doesn’t comment, and I know it’s because, for him, it hasn’t been. Between the news about Moon and then Amelia, I’m sure he probably thinks this Thanksgiving is a bust, but it isn’t.

  I know this could wait, but maybe it can’t. I need to know. “That thing you said about us, to Amelia.”

  He draws in his brows, looking at me quickly before looking back to the road. “What?”

  “About when you leave and I’ll be here.”

  “Oh yeah, what about it?”

  “I know we haven’t really talked about it—”

  “And there is no reason to,” he says, cutting me off. “Because I would never ask you to leave everything behind.”

  “No, I know,” I say, staring at his profile. “But—”

  “Sofia, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a dick, but thinking about leaving you right now… I just don’t have it in me. Can we shelve this?”

  I startle a little. “Oh yeah, sure.”

  “Thanks. I just hate the thought, and I just want to enjoy the rest of our Thanksgiving and not think about shit that sucks.”

  And leaving me would suck.

  Big-ass balls.

  When we pull into my dorm’s parking lot, he shuts off the truck, and I don’t have to ask him to come in. I watch as he gets out and walks around the truck, running his hand through his hair. The first few buttons of his crisp white shirt are open, while his blue sports coat hangs open. His fitted dress slacks hug his ass and thighs. God, he makes my mouth water. Even with the stress of the day, he opens my door with a smile before holding out his hand to me. I take it as he helps me out and to my feet.

  When Ryan wraps his arms across my shoulder, I wrap mine around his waist as he walks to the dorm. All my teammates are gone for the holidays. Even Amelia is staying with her mom, leaving me all by myself. She offered for me to come stay with her and her mom, but I needed the privacy.

  With Ryan.

  Leaning my head against Ryan’s shoulder, I enter the code and the door unlocks. After we go in, I relock it before we head up the stairs. Our dorm has a common area and a kitchen on the first level, but I don’t care about that right now.

  I care about getting Ryan upstairs.

  When I hear him sigh,