STRICTLY BETWEEN SIBLINGS

Chapter2

SKY'S POV

I never imagined falling in love with Aiden's younger brother, Ryder. It just happened, you know? Everything changed on the night of Z's birthday celebration.

FLASHBACK

As I was idly browsing through my phone on my couch, Aiden's name appeared on the screen. His soothing voice filled my ear as I answered. "Hey, babe, how are you?”

I sighed, “I’ve been better. You appear to be very busy these days."

“Um yeah… I'm sorry babe.” He stopped like he always did when he was immersed in thinking. "I was thinking, I'd love for you to join me at our family house for the celebration of my sister's upcoming birthday."

My heart skipped a beat. It felt like a big step to meet his family, and I wasn't sure I was prepared for it. “30th, right?”

I could feel him smiling over the phone.

“You remember."

I sighed.

"Aiden, that sounds wonderful, but I believe I may be dealing with some family issues that day."I quickly replied with a lie.

It was obvious that Aiden was disappointed, but he understood. "Okay, no worries." With a hopeful undertone, he continued, "But hey, I'll send you the address just in case things change."

With a sigh of relief, we bid each other farewell. I wasn't quite prepared to meet his family face-to-face just yet. Even though I loved Aiden, I was so nervous to meet his family that it made my stomach turn.

Days went by, and the party's impending date got closer. I was caught between wanting to remain by Aiden's side and not wanting to venture too far from the familiar. I was unable to get rid of the uneasy feeling that descended into the pit of my stomach.

Then, on the morning of the party, I made a spontaneous decision. Seizing my keys, I hurried out the door as the thrill was pumping through my veins. I decided to go ahead and surprise Aiden at his sister's birthday celebration.

Excitement and nervousness swirled about me as I drove to his family's home, sending a wave of emotions through me. My thoughts turned to Aiden and how his reaction would be to my unexpected visit. Would it surprise him? Happy? Or would he be surprised by my sudden appearance?

I followed my GPS to his family's home, the address he had supplied, and the strange streets faded into the distance. Mile after mile, my resolve grew stronger.

As I stood on the doorstep of Aiden's family home, the emptiness inside echoed the hollowness in my chest, and the air hung thick with an odd tension. When I realized there was no celebration in sight, I felt lost and disappointed at the same time.

The door unexpectedly opened as I was about to leave, showing something that took me by surprise. Aiden's younger brother, Ryder, was in front of me. He clutched a joint between his fingers shirtless, else for a thin vintage robe on his shoulders, left unbuttoned, his shorts were riding a bit low, with the v-line that led to the inside of the shorts exposed. I noticed a noticeable bulge in his shorts that made me blush and look away. His long locks fell down to frame his face like a curtain. His eyes were dark and hooded. The air carried the smell of smoke, which gave the scene an unexpected depth.

Leaning against the doorframe, he was silhouetted against the waning night light. I couldn't help but be drawn in by the aura he radiated.

I was mesmerized by the intensity of his look and I stood motionless. There was something magnetic about him, something raw and wild that sent chills down my spine. I was drawn to him in that instant and was unable to take my eyes off of him.

He said, "Hey," in a low, rumbling voice that made my legs feel like they were entwined with heat. He pressed the joint to his lips, let a puff of smoke into the air, and his dark, unfathomable eyes stared into mine. My stomach turned over at his stare. He asked, "Sky, right?" His gaze narrowed as if he was having trouble placing me, and his words slurred a little.

I paused, uncertainty nibbling at the edges of my mind. This was by no means how I had anticipated the day to go. Nevertheless, there was something about Ryder that beckoned me from the deepest recesses of my being—something seductive and dangerous.

"Yeah, that's me," I said in a hesitant tone. I couldn't help but observe Ryder and Aiden's extreme differences. Aiden was the epitome of safety and predictability, whereas Ryder was the stereotypical bad guy, full of rebellion. With my thoughts rushing to make sense of the bizarre situation that was happening before me, I fought to find the proper words. "I...I came for the party," I stumbled, barely able to speak above a whisper.

With a half smile on his lips, Ryder held the door open, the smoke billowing around him like a ghostly veil. "Well, Sky, you may not be happy. I believe there must have been a misunderstanding." He continued, "They moved the party outside," his words lingering in the air like a depressing tune.

I was hit by the news like a tsunami hitting the sand, and I came to the realization that certain surprises weren't meant to be.

“But… why aren't you with them?” I questioned in a confused tone.

He just shrugged in response.

I turned to leave, but something stopped me in my tracks: his voice. He reached out and grabbed my arm. I felt a sudden surge of electric currents coursing through my veins from where he held me. What was happening to me?

"Wait, don't go just yet," He said, with a playful twinkle in his eyes. "Why not stop by for a little while? We don't often have surprise guests."

I should have said no. I should have turned around and gone away, back into the safety of my own world. But I had a part of myself that was rash and reckless that wanted to explore the unknown and give in to this temptation. I was drawn in by a magnetic pull and a strong sense of curiosity.

So, against my better judgment, I crossed the threshold and entered the house. My fate was sealed as the door softly clicked shut behind me.

Through the dimly lighted hallway, Ryder led the way, the subtle smell of the joint lingering like a trade secret between us. Memories appeared to be everywhere in the house. With each stride, a surge of electricity shot through my veins.

When we walked into the living room, I couldn't help but notice the mess: an old sofa, magazines all over the place, and the slight smell of burnt wood. And then we were standing in the middle of the living room, as if by some unsaid command. Ryder turned to look at me, a fire in his eyes that reflected the fire within me.

He muttered, "You shouldn't have come," in a low murmur that seemed to loom large in the silence. "I can't promise to control myself with you in my space, so please go now if you want to."

I swallowed hard, his words bearing down on me. I don't know what came over me at that instance. Maybe it was the fact that he was hot. Maybe because the lust in his eyes was driving me insane. But I moved to close the distance between us, and he leaned in to capture my lips in a kiss.

END OF FLASHBACK