Chapter 132: Goddamn feelings
Noah’s heart pounded in his chest as he finally let the words escape his lips, the confession he’d been holding in for so long. "I...I like you, Ryder. And since we’ve been together for so long, we’re...we’re dating, right?"
He stood there, looking at Ryder, waiting for a sign, anything that would confirm the connection he thought they shared. But instead of the warmth or reassurance he longed for, he saw Ryder’s face twist in disbelief.
Ryder blinked at him, almost like he hadn’t understood the words, and then...he laughed. It wasn’t the hearty, confident laugh Noah was used to, but an awkward, strained chuckle. "What are you talking about, Noah? Dating?" His voice was laced with confusion, maybe even a bit of discomfort.
Noah felt his stomach drop. The floor beneath him might as well have disappeared. What are you talking about? His heart stopped for a moment, and he couldn’t quite breathe.
Ryder shook his head, still smiling that awkward smile, his expression not matching the words he just heard. "Noah, we—" He paused as if searching for the right words, but none came. Noah’s lips parted to say something, but no sound came out. It was as if the world had turned mute.
And then, suddenly, the sharp buzz of Ryder’s phone shattered the heavy silence. Ryder glanced at the screen, his face instantly hardening. "I have to take this," he muttered, his voice low, but Noah could barely hear him over the pounding in his own ears.
He watched in disbelief as Ryder stepped away, answering the call. There was a sense of urgency in the way Ryder spoke, something about needing to leave. Noah blinked, his voice finally finding its way back to him, weak and uncertain. "Ryder, wait—"
But Ryder was already at the door, grabbing his jacket and keys, barely sparing Noah another glance. "I’ll...I’ll see you later, okay?" Ryder tossed over his shoulder, the words so casual, like they meant nothing, like everything was still the same.
Noah took a step forward, his hand reaching out as if he could stop him, as if he could pull Ryder back, make him face the conversation they weren’t having. "Ryder, wait...can we—"
The door clicked shut before Noah could finish, leaving him standing there, his hand still slightly raised, the room feeling colder, emptier without Ryder in it.
For a moment, Noah just stood there, staring at the door, his mind a mess of confusion and hurt. His heart, which had been so full of hope only minutes ago, now felt like it was breaking apart, piece by piece. He felt a wave of nausea roll over him, his mind replaying Ryder’s words, the awkward laugh, the disbelief in his eyes.