Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Rylie's POV

"Ugh!" I groaned, shielding my eyes from the rays of sunlight that filtered into my room. I tried moving again but couldn't as everywhere hurt like hell.

My head was hurting so bad so I decided to just lie still in bed for now. Lying there doing nothing made me to recollect the events of the night before.

Asher was back. Why? Did I even want to know? And then there was Blake. I already couldn't handle myself around him and now I had to deal with Asher as well. My two exes in the same town with Christmas around the corner. I'm really starting to hate my life.

A knock at the door brought me back to the present and I looked up to see my mom walk in, holding a breakfast tray.

"Hey honey. Nice to see you awake. Just thought I'd bring you breakfast in bed," she sat on the bed beside me.

"Oh, thanks Mom," I mumbled, struggling to sit up without causing myself more pain.

"Hey. Are you okay?" she touched my forehead.

"My head just hurts so bad," I moaned, trying but failing to keep my eyes open.

"Oh Rylie. You're burning up. Just sit still and I'll get you some painkillers," she stood and left my room hurriedly, returning soon after with some pills and a glass of water. She gave me the drugs and then the water which I struggled to swallow.

"Mom! Why is the room t-turning? Ugh!" I fell back and passed out.

I awoke later on, feeling significantly better. I was alone with the breakfast tray placed on a stool beside my bed. There was also an empty chair beside my bed which looked like it'd just been vacated not long ago.

I sat up, weakly grabbed the breakfast tray and placed it on my lap. There was a mug filled with tea, bacon, fried eggs, toast and butter. Everything was already cold but I was so hungry I couldn't care less.

I cut out a piece of egg and was about putting it in my mouth when someone walked in. With that someone being Blake, my hand stopped midway as I looked over at him, wondering what he was doing in my room.

"Oh, you're awake. Here, lemme help you with that," he rushed over and took the fork from my hand before I could object. "Open up," he instructed gently and I did as he said.

He watched me chew then swallow without saying anything then picked up the bacon.

I waved my hand in front of him then asked in a not so gentle voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to intrude but after I heard what happened, I just had to check on you. You were asleep so your mom said I could watch you sleep but had to leave once you awoke."

"Well, I'm awake now so you can leave," I said dismissively.

"Not until you're done eating. Open up," he directed again and I did.

"You don't have to feed me, Blake. I can eat by myself," I mumbled after swallowing.

"I know but I want to. Don't worry. I'll leave soon so you can rest," he raised the mug of tea so I decided that there was no point arguing again.

Other than a few directions, Blake and I exchanged no words until I was done eating. He put the tray away and helped me lay back in bed.

"I guess I'll go then," he stood to leave but I found myself calling him back.

"Hey Blake?"

"Yeah. What do you need?" he turned back almost as though he'd been expecting it.

"You can stay a bit...if you want to," I added the last part without meeting his eyes.

"Oh. Then I want to," he sat back on the chair he'd been occupying.

None of us spoke so the room was silent but it was a content silence. Eventually, I began to feel drowsy again from the effects of the drugs and as I drifted off to sleep, Blake took my hand in his and brushed his lips against my forehead.

"Sweet dreams, lovely," I heard him whisper as my eyes fell shut and I went off to Dreamland.

***

By the time I awoke again the second time, the sun seemed to be setting which meant I'd basically slept for the whole day. I sat up and that was when I noticed the figure sleeping soundly beside me.

He was holding tight onto my hand and had his head placed on the pillow, close to my head. Despite fighting the urge, I gave into a smile as I turned to the side so I could clearly see his features. He certainly looked divine.

A few strands of his hair were blocking a part of his face so after trying to decide what to do, I slowly brushed them away, taking a moment to feel the smooth silkiness of his hair between my fingers. His lips were so close now that all I had to was lean in just a little bit more and we would be kissing.

Just then, his eyes fluttered for a second before they finally opened. My breath caught in my throat for a split second when my eyes met his piercing gray gaze. I wanted to retreat but it was as though I was spellbound. I couldn't move away even if I tried.

His lips spread into a crooked grin as he said, "You look beautiful."

I thought to myself that he was lying. I had been in bed all day so my hair was a mess. I hadn't showered or brushed and I was still in the clothes I'd wore the day before.

"You're lying."

"I'm serious," he brushed a strand of my hair hair and caressed my cheek. "Messy or not, you're the best sight I've ever had the pleasure of waking up to see."

His hand caressing my cheek sent my heart racing and for a moment, it was just like the old days before everything changed. Before Grandma Nellie died. Before he broke my heart.

That line was my callback to reality so I pulled away and rolled out of bed.

"Thanks for staying with me, Blake. I really appreciate it but it's time for you to leave. Now."

Seeing how serious I was, he simply nodded and stood up.

"I'm glad you feel better. I guess I'll see you around then..." he trailed off as though he wanted to add something but after a moment of complete silence, he shook his head and walked out of the room.

Once he was finally gone, I sank back into my bed and took a moment to calm my racing heart. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

When I was finally able to breathe again, I grabbed my towel and marched in the direction of the bathroom.

About an hour later, I finally felt human again and decided I needed a walk. So I grabbed my jacket and scarf and went downstairs.

"Hey Mom. Hey Dad. Myles," I acknowledged everyone on arriving downstairs.

"What's up, sis? Are you better now?" Myles sounded concerned.

"Sure. And careful. I'll start to think you actually care about me," I joked back at Myles who rolled his eyes at me. "Whatevs."

"But you are better right?" Mom inquired.

"Yeah. I'm fine, Mom. I'm going on a walk by the way. Just thought I'd let you guys know."

"A walk? Rylie, are you sure? You only just got better."

That was my dad speaking.

I smiled. "I'll be fine, Dad. It's just a walk."

"But do you really have to go? Maybe Myles could follow you." My mom tapped Myles on the knee.

"No way. I can't miss this part," he looked back at the movie.

"There's no need for that, Mom. I'll be fine. I really need this. Please," I pouted.

"Okay, you can go. But I expect you to be back in the next thirty minutes or I'll be sending a SWAT team after you," my dad remarked obviously as a joke.

"Got it. Later," I waved back at them, stepping out on the porch as I pulled on my jacket and wrapped my scarf around my neck.

I stepped onto the sidewalk, my hands in my pocket and just strolled along. I had no particular direction in mind. I just let my legs take me wherever while I let my mind roam.

The only thing I could think of was the whole situation with Asher and Blake, if you could call it that. I didn't even know what my issue was.

Sure, I'd dated two of them but I was over them. Asher, at least. As for Blake, I wasn't so sure.

He hurt me. They both did but it was different for him. At least, with him, I got a reason, no matter how inconsiderate and selfish it was. With Asher, I never got to know why. Why did he kiss that girl? Why did he never pick any of my calls? Wasn't I good for him?

Maybe that was the reason why him being back was such an issue for me. It meant, having to face all those unanswered questions again and I didn't know how to handle that.

Though lost in my thoughts, I was quickly alerted by the sudden presence of a figure beside me. I was frightened at first but it didn't take me long to figure out who it was. He still walked the same way.

We walked in silence at first, uneasy, awkward silence. Eventually I gained the courage to speak.

"What are you doing here, Asher?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

"Oh nothing. Just thought I'd take a walk is all."

His playful easygoing tone annoyed me. He spoke as though we were still friends that could easily joke around with each other.

"I'm serious, Asher. Why did you come back? Why now?"

"To see you, of course."

I clenched my fists in my pocket and stopped walking. After taking a few more steps forward, he noticed I wasn't beside him and stopped as well, turning to face me.

"Stop it," I spat with gritted teeth.

"Stop what?"

"That thing you're doing. Where you're acting like we're best friends again. Just stop it, okay? We are not best friends and I'm sick of this. Tell me why you're here, Asher and no jokes this time," I demanded.

He sighed softly and looked to the floor. Just when I thought he wasn't going to speak, he started, "Okay. I'll tell you."

He gestured towards a nearby bench which I walked over to and sat.

"You can start now."