Honey and Spice | ✔️

Chapter 27

Ryder

Nathan’s hair is soft (so soft).

I bury my head more into it. Then, my eyes fly open. Nathan’s hair? I look down in alarm. The morning light bounces off it, his hair glinting golden. My arm is around his waist and we’re so close. Nathan’s curled into me, still sleeping. My heart races and I remove my arm in panic. Then, I notice my blanket on the floor and my panic rises.

We weren’t doing anything, right?

I try to think back to last night. I remember awkwardly clearing my throat and saying goodnight to him. That's all. I rack my brain for more. We weren’t doing the deed . . . right? Then I remember that it’s probably impossible to do it while sleeping and besides, our clothes are still on so I calm down.

I look at him, all snuggled up beside me. He looks so adorable in my hoodie, I'm going to let him keep it (even if it's my favourite one). I gaze at him, captured by the outward beauty of this freckled boy. Without thinking, I reach for his face. My fingertips lightly rest on his cheek.

That’s it. I don’t cup his cheek. That’s creepy. Well, lightly touching his cheek is also creepy. I should just look at him - wait, no. Fuck, everything is creepy.

Then, Nathan stirs, looking up at me sleepily. “Ry . . . ?”

I jump out of my skin again, my hand shooting back to my side, but I collect myself. “Hey, Nate,” I say, “sleep well?”

He nods. “You?”

“Yeah, I slept so well I didn’t know what happened!” I let out a nervous laugh.

Shut up, you creepy fuck.

“Uh, you just threw your blanket away and, um, hugged me instead,” he explains in a small voice, his adorable cheeks tinting pink.

I give a relieved sigh. “Oh, okay.” So we actually didn’t do it. Oh god, I was so freaked out. I don’t want to actually do it with him without his consent.

Consent is sexy, bro.

And absolutely necessary, I know, Nick. I inwardly roll my eyes at him materialising in my thoughts and I picture him shrugging in response.

Whatever.

“Ryder? Are you okay?” Nathan’s voice brings me back to the present.

“Yeah, I just, uh . . . remembered I have work,” I blurt, reminding myself at the same time.

Ugh, it’s Sunday. Work. What a bore. I really hope I don’t come across bitch-ass customers again (but what do you know, this is life).

I clear my head from my thoughts. “Oh, yeah. Do you need me to take you to your house?” I ask, propping myself on one elbow and letting my dog tag swing freely from my neck. Even though his house and my workplace are probably in opposite directions from home, I don’t mind strolling into work late for that.

Then I notice his eyes travelling to my chest and his cheeks redden again. Oh right, I'm still shirtless.

Nathan shakes his head, flicking his eyes back to my face. “Thanks, but, um, my dad’s picking me up,” he says, wrinkling his nose slightly. He looks like an adorable teddy bear when he does that.

“Your dad, huh?” I say, remembering yesterday’s phone call. “Is he Trevor?”

He nods and I look at him, thoughtful. I notice how he tenses a little at the mention of his dad and how his blue-and-green eyes flash brown for a while.