Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies by Kelsie Stelting

Author:Kelsie Stelting
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kelsie Stelting Creative LLC

Thirty-Two

I texted Ginger first thing, asking what had transpired between Ryker and Ray. Then I sent a group chat to the girls.

Cori: I’m not sure what’s going on, but Ryker asked me to go out with him tonight. I’m going to see what he wants.

Des: You know he wants that *peach emoji*

To which I immediately replied with an eyeroll emoji.

I tapped back to my message thread with Ginger, but she still hadn’t replied. I sent her a string of question marks, hoping she’d speed it up, but nothing. Not even those bubbles to reassure me she was replying.

No, all I could do was stare at the back of Ryker’s and Dad’s heads as they talked about boating. Apparently, Dad’s family used to sail a lot because he was saying things to Ryker I didn’t even understand.

A bit of jealousy welled inside me, because Dad never talked to me like this—like I was a friend he wanted to know more about and not just a child to protect.

As we pulled into the parking lot of Ripe where Ryker’s black truck gleamed in a spot away from the store, he shifted to face my dad.

“Sir,” he began, “I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to meet your family tonight and the chance to get to know you a little better.”

“The pleasure’s been mine, son.” Dad extended his hand for a shake. “If my daughter will have you, it’s alright with my wife and me.”

What? Dad actually acknowledging my choice in this? Miracles were possible.

“Well, I’m glad you said that, because I was wondering if I could take you up on your offer and take Cori for some burgers?”

Dad looked at me, actually checking with me, and I nodded.

“It’s fine with me,” he said. “Be back by ten thirty.”

That gave us two hours, and I could hardly even believe he was letting me stay out that late on a school night. I couldn’t help but think that would never fly with Mom. How much would things change when the twins finished filming and she was around to micromanage us again?

My door opened, and I realized Ryker was holding it for me. I picked up my purse and scooted out of the seat. “See you later, Dad.”

He lifted his hand in a wave, and then Ryker hit the button on his own keys, making the taillights flash.

As Dad drove away, I realized this had been a terrible idea. What was I doing alone in a parking lot with a person I’d declared war on? Who’d smashed my chocolate chip cookies to a pulp? Who’d pretended my friend was a cow in a chute? What kind of sick person did something like that?

I gritted my teeth as he let me in the passenger door of his pickup and held on to the righteous anger as I buckled in. With the seatbelt firmly in place, I folded my arms over my chest, reminding myself to guard my feelings, and my heart.

My phone vibrated as he got in, and I checked it.

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