Page 18 of Knight Moves 1

“What?”

Tori just stared at me.

“Three years…”

Tori’s jaw dropped open.

I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t really done this whole thing. There was this one guy, when I first moved here, I was almost twenty and figured I should just see what all the hullabaloo was about…”

Tori sputtered for a moment, before she could form her question. “And? What happened?”

“We did it,” I answered. “It was…nice. I don’t know. I guess it wasn’t what I expected and didn’t leave me chomping at the bit for more.”

“Wow!” Tori sank down into a chair, as though her legs couldn’t hold her up anymore. “Does Ryker know?” She asked, shifting her eyes back to mine.

“No! Of course not!”

She smiled. “Oh wow, he’s gonna flip. You’re basically a virgin!”

“Okay, done talking about this. Ryker is gonna be here soon. I don’t need you freaking me out even more.”

“Okay, okay. I’m done. I swear.” She mocked zipping her lips, and we waited in a thick silence for the sound of the doorbell.

Minutes stretched on, and when it was ten minutes past the time he’d said he’d arrive, I dared another look at my phone, wondering if I’d missed a message or call—even though I’d been sitting within a few feet of it.

“Maybe there was traffic…” Tori offered.

I nodded and assured myself that was the explanation, but that excuse faded away as the half hour mark approached.

“He’s not coming,” I announced, when his face popped up on my smart phone screen. “Ryker?” I answered.

“Yeah, text me your address again please, I’m running a little late. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Okay. I’ll do it now. I was starting to wor—”

“—don’t worry, I’m on my way. Be there soon.”

“Okay, see you then. Bye.” I pushed the end button on my phone and sat back with a sigh.

An hour ticked by. I was starting to worry again. “I’m going to call him,” I mumbled to myself and grabbed for my phone. I pressed his name on my phone, and lifted the phone to my ear in time to hear:

“—the number you’ve dialed has been disconnected or is no longer in service. Please check the number and try your call again.”

Click.

“Well?” Tori said.

I shook my head and tried again only to get the same message. I had no idea what was going on, but one thing was obvious. Either Ryker had done a complete 180 on his feelings towards me…or something was very, very wrong.

And the worst part of it all—I had no way of finding out which one it was.

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