Free Thin White Line by J.A. Templeton, Julia Templeton Page A

against the fence, I would have probably fallen on my butt from trying to back up.
    “Don’t ever let anyone determine who you should be. You’re the only one who can do that.”
    Before I can ask him what he means by that, the door to the house opens and closes. Ryder appears wearing a soft, grey, v-neck t-shirt and dark jeans.
    “Hey, you.” His gaze shifts between me and Deklan. “What are you up to?”
    My heart pounds with every step that brings him closer to me. His gaze slides slowly over me, stopping at my chest for a millisecond before his blue eyes meet mine.
    Before I can respond, he leans in and gives me a heart-stopping kiss.
    All my fears disappear in an instant.
    “I was going to text you...but then I realized I didn’t have your number.” He pulls out his phone. “Let’s fix that right now.”
    I give him my phone number and shift nervously on my feet, reliving the memories of last night. He licks his lips as he plugs my number into his phone. A blush runs up my neck as I recall just how far we’d gone last night. How those same lips had been on my breasts while those hands were taking me to new heights.
    When he finishes, he pockets his phone and asks, “So how do you feel today?”
    “A little rough around the edges. I don’t think the straight shots were a very good idea.”
    He lifts a hand and slides a lock of hair that has come free from my ponytail back behind my ear. It’s a sweet, surprising gesture. “Your cousin has your back. In fact, she kind of has this mothering thing about her.  Just ask Curtis. I think that’s part of the appeal. Not to say that your cousin isn’t smoking hot because she is.”
    “I’d stop talking right now,” Deklan says, laughing under his breath.
    Ryder rolls his eyes. “I do have a tendency of getting myself into trouble with my mouth.”
    The door opens and closes as Brooke storms out, Curtis on her heels.
    “Brooke!” he yells.
    A girl steps out on the porch behind them. She lights a cigarette, lifts her chin, and lets out a stream of smoke, all the while watching Brooke’s retreating back with a smug expression on her face. Oh my God, it’s blondie. Her peroxide blonde hair is pulled back into a sloppy bun.
    “Get in the car,” Brooke orders, passing by me.
    Before I can move, Curtis has Brooke by the arm. “Seriously, I didn’t do anything.”
    “Get your fucking hands off me,” Brooke says to Curtis, who shakes his head and refuses to drop her hand.
    “Not until you listen to me. I am wearing the same clothes I was wearing last night. I did not sleep with her. Will you tell her that?” Curtis looks at the blonde.
    “I didn’t sleep with your boyfriend,” blondie replies in a monotone voice that is far from convincing.
    “She was in your bed...with you.”
    “She crashed out, Brooke. Her friends left her.”
    Blondie offers nothing else. She just stands there, smoking her cigarette while watching the drama ensue.
    Ryder pulls me away from Brooke and Curtis. “Let’s get out of the line of fire.”
    The blonde continues to watch in amusement as she approaches Ryder and me. “Could I get that ride home you offered?”
    Ryder is giving her a ride home? My heart sinks a little.
    “She lives down the road from me,” Ryder explains and I feel only slightly better about him giving her a ride.
    I don’t say a word, though. I really don’t have any right to protest anyway.
    “I’ll text you later.” Ryder gives me a kiss on the cheek and, without another word, walks towards his car; the blonde on his heels.
    Last night, I remember her having fishnet stockings on. The stockings have mysteriously disappeared and there is a mark on her knee.
    All sorts of bad images enter my brain.
    I watch them get into the car and pull away.
    “You want something to drink?” Deklan asks, sliding his shirt back on.
    Brooke and Curtis are still talking. Brooke has her arms crossed over her chest, her back against the car. She’s