Tasting 173
Tasting
173âDating My Ex Friend
Nora:
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Disbelief and shock paralyzed body for a while. I watched her jump into the back with the helmet on
and then wrap her arms around his stomach, holding him tightly. The two took off right before my
eyes. and I couldnât even object. My heart was pounding so hard that I stepped back and started
taking deep breaths.
âI need toâ,â I looked around, noticing how everything had started to blur up. It was as if the stress
was slowly blinding me. This couldnât bel possible. Cain could do it because he wanted revenge, but
Ryker? There was no way the guy who was obsessed with me would date. April. This didnât seem
right. Maybe he was just trying to make me jealous to get a reaction out of me? Or he might have
done it in response to me dating Brody. Because other than these reasons, I couldnât really believe
Ryker would do that to me.
I had barely calmed myself down when a hand on my shoulder jolted me to reality. I spun around to
find Brody standing there with a smile. on his lips.
âThank goodness youâre here,â I instantly smiled for him, showing him how desperate I had been for
some affection. âHey, are you okay? Did something happen in school? Please tell me no one
bothered you.â His smile vanished when he saw how worried I looked.
âIâm fine. Itâs just that the driver isnât there yet, and I freaked out,â I lied, rubbing my palms anxiously.
I wanted to scream, but it wasnât the right time or place to show my craziness.
173 Dating My Ex Friend
âActually, Iâve come to drop you home myself,â he stepped ahead and opened the door to his car. I
was stunned to realize he had come and parked his car right in front of me and I couldnât see it.
How lost I was in my thoughts.
âThank you,â without a second thought, I jumped in and closed the door. Next, I texted the driver not
to come to the school.
Throughout the car ride, Brody talked about a multitude of things, but I couldnât focus on anything
he was saying. I was worried: if I confronted Ryker, would he hurt me like Cain did? Or would he
feel guilty? He didnât look guilty when he picked her up though. I was convincing myself that Ryker
did it because I was dating Brody. That made sense. Why would he hold back when I was dating his
enemy?
âAre you alright? Youâve barely spoken a word,â he laughed uncomfortably, jolting me awake.
âOh, Iâm sorry, what were you saying?â I shook my head and asked him.
âEh!â he chuckled a little, âgirls love the topic of shopping. And you showed no interest, ouch!â he
joked.
He was so pleasant. I could be so happy just being with him. No drama. or worries. No fear of
getting caught with him. Why couldnât I
convince myself to do just that? Because of the mate bond. I was tied to those who were so mean
and cold.
âItâs actuallyâ I donât think April and Natalya like me very much,â I murmured under my breath.
âWhy? You should be the one hating on them since they started that rumor,â he corrected me.
âItâs just that April told me today that she has asked Natalya to move in
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with her. Iâm not sure how much itâs not related to me,â I nervously chewed upon my nails.
âOh, that. I donât think she means any harm to you. Sheâs just that way. Sheâs messy, sure! But she
moves on from stuff quickly. And as for asking Natalya to move in with her, once she befriends
someone, she wants them under her nose. So Iâm pretty sure itâs just them bonding,â he explained,
kind of defending her actions.
I wasnât certain if I could even say anything more about her. The fact that Ryker and Cain chose
those whom I hate was just too much of a coincidence. Did they plan all that to hurt me? Was
revenge always on their minds?
Once we arrived, I got out of his car and so did he. Thatâs when I watched Ryker returning. He had
dropped her off and was already coming back. It gave me a little idea.
I needed to know if he felt the same way about me or not. It was just a little test, something that
would comfort me into knowing my mate was still not entirely done with me. I turned to Brody when I
watched Ryker take off his helmet and look our way. I held my breath and smiled for Brody, who
was frowning in bewilderment.
âThank you so much for the ride. You have no idea how much I had freaked out outside that school,â
I laughed even when there was nothing to laugh about.
âThank you,â repeating myself, I leaned over him and kissed him on the cheek. The way his body
flinched filled me with guilt. He was so sweet and nice, and here I was using him to see if my mates
were even still in love with me. Love was actually a huge word; even if they cared a little, it would be
enough.
Then, as expected, Ryker narrowed his eyes and put his helmet aside.
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His brisk walk made it clear he was not happy to see us together. It raised my hope. I watched him
approach us and stand face to face with Brody, who also straightened his back. Now, I was
regretting my actions. If Ryker insulted Brody because of the kiss I gave him, I would be the guilty
one and responsible for it.
However, my hopes died very instantly when instead of showing jealousy, Ryker pressed his lips
tightly and uttered, âI think it would be better if we keep our differences aside just for the sake of you
dating my stepsister.â My jaw hung low, but Ryker wasnât done yet. âAnd I am also dating your
cousin April. So I guess it is safe to say we are even and that we need to accept each otherâs
presence from now on.â
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