15. Friday Night Week Five (the party.)
I opted to leave my jacket in Eli's bike and just as I turned to walk up the lawn to Noah's house, Eli grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. He was leaning casually on the side of his bike, a sight for sore eyes.
"My next fight is Friday," he told me, dropping my wrist and crossing his arms across his chest. Okay, so same time next week.
I nodded, "okay, I'll be there."
"Rei...," he trailed off, hell no.
I put all my weight on my right leg, putting my left hand on my waist in the sassiest pose I could muster. "No," I shook my head, "I'm not having an argument with you on this. I said I would help you, you agreed and so I will. End of story Eli."
He looked reluctant but nodded his head anyway before his eyes flickered to something over my shoulder, he wiped his face of emotion in response to whatever it was.
I turned around and saw Noah stomping over to us, he looked annoyed. Oh shit.
"Where the hell have you been?" He practically shouted, "I've been worried sick."
"I-uh, something came up."
He nodded his head in Eli's direction, "with him?" He sneered.
I felt Eli stand up straight behind me, "wanna say something to me, Baker?" Eli's voice was hard, telling me he was probably glaring daggers at Noah over my head right now.
"Yeah, actually I do," Noah gently pushed me to the side before standing directly in front of Eli. They both had their backs straight, Eli's arms still crossed, Noah's down by his sides, his hands fisted. They were around the same height and build and the sight of them squaring off was enough to intimidate anyone, I decided not to intervene yet, maybe this was needed.
"You need to stay the fuck away from her Ryker," my eyebrows furrowed at Noah's words, huh? I mean, sure, Noah had become protective after what happened but he had never been like this. "I couldn't save Sienna from you but I sure as hell won't let you hurt Rei." Oh, so that's what it was.
Eli gave Noah a smirk, not the cocky one I had become so accustomed to but a dangerous one, that dared Noah to do something, "make me, pretty boy."
Well then, I guess I was going to have to intervene.
"Well, okay then," I shimmied my way between the two boys, my back to Eli and my hands on Noah's chest, "now that your pissing match is over, I suggest a drink. Soda obviously for you Noah," referring to how he couldn't drink anymore.
However, my words did nothing in relieving the tension, if anything I felt Eli straighten even more against my back. I rolled my eyes, of course they would ignore me. But I didn't want them to fight so instead I removed my hands from Noah's chest, I swear I felt Eli relax a fraction at this but chose not to read into it. Instead, I reached behind me and grabbed Eli's hand, he intertwined our fingers making me smile slightly â he had done that a lot tonight.
I patted Noah on the chest, "cool off out here, yeah?" He looked down at me and gave me a curt nod understanding he couldn't be at a party when he was like this, I kissed his cheek before tugging Eli behind me into the house.
The house was packed and I tightened my hold on Eli's hand as I shoved my way through the crowd to the bar. When we got there, none other than the birthday girl herself was doing shots like they were water.
"Reiii," she slurred when she saw me, wrapping her arms around my neck, "where've you been?"
I shrugged, "around."
She pulled away and her eyes fell to mine and Eli's fingers which were still interlaced. Like it was on fire, I pulled my hand away and prayed Tori was too drunk to remember it in the morning. The action made her look over at Eli.
"Ryker!" She shouted before launching herself at him as well. He looked stunned and just stood there with his hands out either side of him, the sight made me laugh. She pulled away from him and turned around, shouting at Lana, Kinsey and Kie to come over.
I turned to face Eli, a smirk on my face and then in my best baby voice, "aww, did you just give the biwfday girl a cwuddle."
His eyes flickered to me and he scowled with a grunt before stomping away.
"Fuck you too Eli!" I shouted to his retreating back with a chuckle before he disappeared into the crowd.
Smiling, I turned back around to face Tori who now had the whole the group with her. The girls, Arik and Kyle were all leaning on the bar ordering drinks whilst Jasper stood behind the group tracking Lana's movements with his eyes, Noah stood next to him. I gave him a small smile which he returned making me feel instantly better about how he was feeling.
Kyle suddenly grabbed my shoulder and tugged me over to the bar, handing me a shot, he raised his own in the air.
"To getting shitfaaaaced," he screamed. The rest of us raised our glasses, cheering with him before downing the shots.
Around 10 shots, multiple mixers and hundreds of shitty dances later, I was completely hammered. I turned to Kins who was dancing with some random guy, "I'm going for a piss," I shouted at her, slurring my words. She nodded but in all honesty, I don't think she really gave a shit.
Surprisingly successfully, I stumbled up the stairs and threw open the first door I saw. I stopped dead in my tracks at the sight that greeted me.
Eli and some brunette chick making out on a bed.
"Well this isn't the bathroom," I stated lamely when they both looked over at me. Eli said nothing, just peered at me with that blank face of his, hurt blossomed in my chest.
"Obviously fucking not, bitch." Did she just-? Hell no.
Just like that, the hurt in my chest ignited and turned into anger, I always did have a shitty temper. The anger coursing through my veins sobered me up a little and I stepped fully into the bedroom.
"What the fuck did you just call me?" I questioned Little Miss Skank.
"Rei...," Eli said warningly. Rei, my ass.
"Shut the fuck up Ryker," I snapped, glaring at him. His face hardened as he sat back on his haunches, peering at me incredulously.
"Get out then," Little Miss Skank added, my temper flared and Eli noticed as he stood to his feet in front of me, interrupting whatever I was going to say to Skanky McSkankyson, over there.
"Calm down, tigru." He did not just call me that.
"Fuck off Ryker," I spat, my anger now fully directed at him.
His eyes darkened considerably and his jaw clenched telling me he was pissed â well he could kiss my ass.
"Get out," he snapped. Gladly.
Angry as hell, I turned on my heel to leave but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to him. "Motherfucker," I whispered under my breath as the alcohol and heels combo made me stumble into him.
"Not you," his eyes stayed on me as he called over his shoulder, "get the fuck out."
"Are you being serious!?" She squeaked, clearly someone had botched her nose job.
"Now!" Eli snapped.
She stomped over to us and sneered at me as she passed causing me to flip her off with my free hand. Get lost bitch.
"What the fuck was that?" Eli questioned angrily
"She was pissing me off."
"You're pissing me off."
"Bite me, Ryker."
"Don't fucking tempt me," he mumbled under his breath, my heart skipped. Enough of this shit.
"Let go of me."
He tugged me closer to him and leant down so he was level with my face, "make me, Reillyn."
Instinctively, my left hand raised to slap him but he caught my wrist. His eyes darkened considerably as he pushed me, not so gently, up against the wall. He pinned my wrists in his hands, either side of my head and pressed the rest of his body against mine so I couldn't move my legs.
Ignore how good it feels Rei. Ignore how good he feels.
"I thought I taught you better than that." You did asshole.
I struggled in his hold but he was stronger, way stronger. So I did the only thing I felt I could do at this point which ended up being equally amazing and stupid.
I reared my head back before smashing it forward into his.
Okay, so the stupid part; I was a lot shorter than him so it ended up being my forehead hitting his chin and the rest of my face hitting his chest which really hurt.
The amazing part; it caught him off-guard long enough for me to stumble away.
I somehow made it down the stairs and over to the bar without falling over.
I ordered myself some more alcohol because holy shit that had hurt. The bartender looked apprehensive but I snapped at him, in no mood for bullshit. He got the message and supplied me with enough alcohol for my liver to have a definite cause to hate me for, for a very long time.
With a nod to the bartender, definitely my new best friend, I stumbled over to the dance floor and began dancing in the middle of the crowd, not caring that I probably looked like a twat.
I didn't even care when a pair of hands grabbed my waist from behind and started swaying with me. I didn't care when the hands spun me around to face some random guy. I didn't care when a pair of lips descended on mine in a sloppy kiss.
Annoyingly, though, I didn't even have a chance to tell the guy he was a crappy kisser because as soon as I registered his lips touching mine, he was ripped off me and shoved to the floor.
I peeled my eyes open to see an angry Eli stood over the guy, fists clenched at his side and breathing heavily. A circle had formed around us with a few people watching what was going on. Great, just great.
Eli looked down at the poor guy on the floor, "don't fucking touch her," he said harshly, looking very intimidating with his even harsher glare on his face. Um, double standards much.
Taking pity on the guy who looked like he was about to piss himself, I grabbed Eli's shoulder and attempted to pull him away but I ended up swaying on my feet causing Eli to spin around and steady me with his hands on my waist. The guy got up and scurried off and the circle that was around us closed in again.
Eli moved his hands upwards to cup either side of my face, his eyes scanned my face, "you've had enough, we're leaving."
"I don't wanna leave," I slurred out but then the room span and I stumbled a bit more causing me to grip onto Eli's wrists, still on either side of my head, "okay, yeah, let's go."
He grunted before bending down and picking me up 'princess style'. Well okay then.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my head into his chest as all my anger from earlier dissipated and I just enjoyed the feeling of him holding me.
"Wait," I slurred out, looking up at his face, "I told my Nan I staying with Kins, can't go home like this."
He seemed to understand me and nodded, "fine, then you can come to mine." I started to protest but a hard glare from him shut me up, 'kay then.
I wiped at his chest when I got a bit of drool on his top, he looked down at me questioningly and I gave him a cheeky smile. I took in big gulps off air when we finally made it outside and Eli's strides quickened slightly.
"Where are you taking her?" Eli turned around at the sound of Noah's voice and I spotted him coming across the lawn giving me deja vu. I giggled at the feeling and Eli's eyes flickered down to me.
"She's had enough, I'm taking her home."
Noah pointed at Eli's bike, "on that?" He questioned, good point No-No. "No," he shook his head, "she stays here."
Eli nodded in the direction of the party, "cause that's a safe place for her." Also a good point Eli.
"You are not putting her on that fucking bike Ryker."
Eli looked over his shoulder at his bike, contemplating something before turning back to Noah with a nod, "fine, then give me your car."
Noah's face hardened, "fuck no, give her to me."
Eli's arms tightened around me and I began to trace patterns on his chest absentmindedly with my right hand, my left still hooked around his neck. Both boys looked down at me as I did this but I was too preoccupied with my tracing to notice.
"She stays with me, Baker," Eli growled out.
"No way, Ryker," Noah responded with just as much venom.
Looks like I am going to have to play referee again. I wiggled in Eli's hold to tell him I want to get down. He puts me on my feet, steadying me but when I turned to face Noah, Eli grabbed my right hand in his. I was the one who interlaced our fingers this time and I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
I looked up at Noah, "it's fine Noah, he's all good."
Noah gave me a pointed look, "I've heard that one before Rei."
Understanding, I responded softly, "I promise you, it's okay."
I reached up and wrapped my left arm around him, pulling him into a hug. It was a little awkward as Eli refused to let go of my hand but I made it work. "I'm all good with him Noah, promise." I pulled away and held my pinky finger out to him. He smiled a little and interlocked our pinkies.
I detached my pinky and held my hand out in front of him as a way of asking for the keys, he reluctantly pulled them from his back pocket and handed them to me causing me to let out a grin. He looked at Eli over my head, "I swear to god Ryker, don't make me regret this."
I turned to look at Eli who nodded his head curtly causing my grin to widen. Noah gave me a kiss on the forehead and I returned it with one on his cheek because I'm giving like that.
"Be safe," he mumbled.
"Always, No-No." He smiled softly at me before turning and heading back into the house.
Happy and ready to leave, I turned back to face Eli. I handed him the keys before looking up at him with a pout on my face, "carry me again?" I asked, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.
He pocketed the keys and shook his head whilst chuckling at me. He bent down and scooped me back into his arms making me let out a happy squeal which resulted in a laugh from him.
He got to the car and put me down, leaning me against the side whilst he got the keys out from his pocket, I kept my arms around his neck, telling myself it's for stability, not because he feels good.
He opened the door to the car and placed me in the seat before doing up my seat belt. He gave me a hard look, "do not be sick Rei."
I gave him a mock salute, "yes, sir."
He let out a groan before jogging around the car and getting in the driver's seat.
Once he was in the car, I turned to face him, "hey Eli?"
"Hmm," he mumbled as he started the car.
"Have you been drinking?"
"You think I could carry you to the car drunk?"
"I dunno, maybe," I shrugged, blowing hair out of my face. Eli noticed and turned to move the hair out of my face, I smiled at him in thanks.
"No, tigru, I don't drink"
"Like, ever?"
"Never."
"Why n..." I didn't finish my question as my eyes closed and I felt myself drifting off to sleep.
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I was woken by the feeling of Eli carrying me up the stairs at his house. I put my arms back around his neck and let out a yawn, snuggling deeper into his chest. He looked down at me with a soft smile but didn't say anything.
He opened the door to his room and then kicked it closed softly behind him. He placed me on the bed before kneeling in front of me, moving my hair out of my face before cupping either side of my head, forcing me to look at him, "do you want a shower?"
I assessed how I was feeling and once I determined that I was now sober â okay, fine, maybe I was still a little tipsy â I decided I want to wash away all the stickiness I could feel on my body from sweat and spilt drinks, ew.
"I don't have anything to wear." Eli nodded before striding over to his draws and picking out a t-shirt, he strode back over and handed it to me, I looked at the grey fabric. "I thought you only owned black."
He stood in front of me with his arms crossed and his leather jacket on, when did he get that?
"I only wear black, tigru. Doesn't mean Ma doesn't buy me every other colour," I nodded at him and he pointed to his ensuite bathroom, "towels are in the first cupboard under the sink and there is a pack of new toothbrushes in the draw above that." I nodded at him again as I rose from the bed before making my way to his bathroom.
"And Rei?" He called out to me, I turned to face him, "don't drool on that one." He nodded at the t-shirt in my hands and my cheeks flamed as he gave me a wide grin which only got wider when I stuck my tongue out at him.
Once I was done with everything and had changed into Eli's shirt and my same underwear (sans bra), gross, I looked in the mirror. My head cocked to the side as I realised how intimate it was to be wearing his clothes. I opened the door a crack and saw the light still on.
"Eli," I called out softly.
"Yeah?"
"Please can you turn the light off," I whispered.
"Why?"
"Just do it," I grumbled, "please."
I saw the light flicker off so I scurried over to the bed and jumped under the covers, "you can turn them back on now."
They turned on just in time for me to see him roll his eyes as he took in my figure cuddled up under his duvet, this is comfy.
Eli took his top off, followed by his trousers, "what on earth are you doing?!" I whisper-yelled at him.
He raised his eyebrow, "I'm going to bed, tigru."
I sat upright, pulling his blanket up to my chin, "um, not here you're not."
He crossed his arms on his chest causing my eyes to momentarily flicker to his biceps, "where am I gonna sleep then?"
I lifted my arms up in exasperation which made the duvet fall, I quickly grabbed it again causing amusement to flash through Eli's eyes, "Mmm. I don't know. Maybe, in one of your one million guest rooms?" I whisper-yelled again, my voice rising towards the end.
Eli ignored me and instead grabbed the corner of the blanket in front of him, "it's been a long night, tigru, I'm sleeping in my own bed."
"Fine," I huffed, slapping my hands against the outside of the duvet, "but know that if I kick you in the night, it is most definitely not accidental."
"I'll keep that in mind," was his response as he reached up to switch his bedside light off.
"Night, Eli," I whispered into the darkness.
"Goodnight, tigru."
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3402 words^
Checked for tenses â
That's my fave chapter so far, good or no? ð¤·ââï¸
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