Chapter 30

Ryker locked himself after fighting with Daniel. He had been feeling bad since the moment he humiliated Cassie in a cafe but to keep his ego satisfied he was convincing himself that he had taken his revenge now he is happy but deep down he was tormenting.

Ryker didn’t find peace in his room because, in this same room, he got close to Cassie and had the unforgettable sex of his life. When he started playing Xbox to distract his mind from everything he recalled the same day when he had played with Cassie.

Ryker was unable to take Cassie out of his mind and heart. He found himself struggling with his emotions. He had no one to express his feelings with, and that's when he recognized he was living a lie. He had been covering up his fears and insecurities by bullying everyone in college. The truth hit him hard: his rough façade was only a cover for his fragility.

He stood up and stormed out of his house and went straight to a racing place to vent out his frustration. He loves to put himself in danger, he felt adrenaline in the screeching sound of wheels. Nobody dared to ask him about his bruised face. Everyone knows him as a short-tempered Ryker.

After winning, he got out of his car, and his joy faded into a faint murmur. The moment of victory, which he normally enjoyed, was hollow. He missed Cassie yet again. The last time he won a race, she was there to hug him, her arms wrapping around him in a way that completed his victory. Her absence left a huge emptiness. Ryker drove away from the track without accepting his winning prize. His mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions. The more he drove, the more remote the area became, until he found himself in a lonely, secluded spot far from any signs of life. He pulled over, the silence of the surroundings pressing in on him.

He got out of the car and stood still for a time, feeling the cool air on his face. The reality of his feelings hit him, overwhelming and strong. Here, away from prying eyes and curious glances, he felt free to express himself. Ryker screamed his voice echoing over the immense void. The pent-up frustration, anguish, and confusion poured out of him, each begging for relief.

Ryker's shouts faded into quiet. He stood there, breathing deeply, and felt a strange sense of relief despite the remaining pain. When he came back home Lilly was standing in a foyer waiting for him. Lilly opened her mouth but Ryker pointed at her. “Not now Mom.”

Ryker dashed to his room fell in a bed and drifted off after so many days. He finally confronts his feelings for Cassie and accepts he is not happy after hunting Cassie. The next morning Ryker went to the college and there he got to know about Cassie’s mom. He decided to visit the hospital.

During Maths class Peter got to know about the reason for Cassie’s absence through Rita. She was telling someone and he heard. Peter immediately contacted Steven and both decided to go to the hospital because this was the only way to reach Cassie.

Steven and Peter had no clue what to ask from reception so they dropped the idea to ask from anyone instead they started looking for her all around the hospital. Steven’s eyes landed on Cassie when he was passing by the waiting area and he nudged Peter.

Cassie was shocked to see them in the hospital. She stood up. “What are you guys doing here?’

Steven asked. “Where the hell is your phone?”

Cassie’s eyes widened. “I forgot my phone at home.”

Peter intervened. “You should keep the damn phone with you. You have no idea how much we worried about you.”

Cassie looked at Peter but refrained to understand why on earth he was worried about her. She shrugged her head. “I am sorry it never occurs to me that I am important to anyone.”

Steven responded. “You shouldn’t devalue yourself because of that jerk.”

Cassie opened her mouth but Peter didn’t give her a chance to say it. “We’ll talk about this later first tell us how is your mom?”

Cassie shot up her shoulders. “I don’t know because the last time she woke up Daniel spoke to her.”

Peter asked. “So your that glasses friend was with you all the time?”

Cassie nodded and pointed a finger at Daniel, who was seated across from her. Steven and Peter turned around to see him. Daniel waved at both with an awkward smile on his face. Steven should have felt jealous of Daniel being with her all the time when he wasn't. Instead, he looked at Daniel. “Thank you so much for not letting her leave alone in this difficult time.”

Peter squinted but didn’t say anything. Daniel stood up and shook hands with both. Cassie sensed Daniel’s urge to tell Steven that Cassie is equally important to him as she is to Steven. Cassie stood up and asked. “Steven, can we talk somewhere in private?”

Steven nodded and both excused Daniel and Peter. Cassie and Steven headed outside where they sat on a bench. Cassie asked. “Remember I told you I was going to talk to you after your match.”

Steven nodded. “Is the third guy Daniel or Peter?”

Cassie squinted. “What?”

Steven sighed. “You told me and Ryker that we both were not your first kiss…”

Cassie interrupted. “Oh yeah yeah, I remember now, but no it’s about me I want to tell you something.”

Cassie immediately added that she didn’t know when she’d lose her courage to tell him. “I recently got to know that I am polyamorous.”

Steven was looking at her. Cassie rolled her eyes. "How could no one know about it, damn it?” she took a deep breath “That means…”

Steven shrugged his head. “I know what it means.”

Cassie pressed her lips. “Ohh so you were processing what I just told you about me.”

Steven nodded and still looking at her. Cassie adjusted her glasses. “Look I know you must be thinking I am slut who intents to sleep with more than one guy but trust me I am not ashamed of it for who I am.”

Steven immediately responded. “You shouldn’t be ashamed of who you are.” then he immediately stood up “I think I should go now.”

Cassie grabbed his arm. “Steven I know you deserve to take time but just keep in mind you are as important to me as the other guy.”

Steven asked. “Is Ryker still that guy?”

Cassie for the first time confronted her feelings for Ryker. “I tried to hate him but I couldn’t I don’t know why but what we had still seems real to me. Maybe by the passage of time, I’ll realize where I was wrong.”

Steven was about to go but he couldn’t move without kissing Cassie. Steven slipped his hand under her chin and kissed her. Cassie smiled and kissed him back. When Steven parted his lips from her. “I need time to think about it.”

Cassie smiled and nodded.