Page 27 of I Don't Need Your Love

One of the popular kids, Warner, slaps me on the back. “You’re drooling, man.”

Ignoring him, I continue to stare at the house. If I plan my future right, could I have that one day? If I associate myself with these people, network, have friends in all the right places…

I could move my parents into a nice house and make sure they have everything they need. Would they finally appreciate me if I did?

But would I be using these kids for my benefit? Theyaremy friends, so it’s not like I’m taking advantage of them or anything.

“Ryder?” Felix asks. “You good?

Snapping out of my dreams for the future, I catch all of the guys and some girls staring at me. They’re lucky they have the luxury to just have fun and party. I need to think of my future. But I’m only a kid. I should be having fun, too, instead of worrying all the time.

Smiling, I say, “I’m good.”

Warner claps me on the back, then all of us head to the entrance to the mansion. My eyes flit around the driveway, as if I’m looking for someone.

Someone with red hair and eyes so beautiful they drive me insane when they’re searing holes in my head.

But Carly isn’t here. I’m not sure she even got an invite.

Why am I thinking about her all the time?

“Anyone seen the Parker twins?” Felix asks the other guys. “My man here can’t get enough of them.” He slaps me in the chest.

The other guys whoop and cheer. I just smile, though my eyes continue to search to no avail. She’snotcoming.

Felix must think I’m searching for the twins because he reassures me that they’ll be here soon. As much as I want to have fun and pretend my problems don’t exist, I’m kind of not feeling it tonight.

Maybe because it’s my first party without my best buddy. I don’t know most of the people here. I’m just out of my element. Without me being on a football team, I don’t exactly know my place.

My friends and I grab drinks—I choose Coke—hang out with girls, play games, and dance. The Parker twins dance with me as well and I feel like I’m back to my old self. Not worrying about my injury, my parents, college, or the future. I’m just a regular kid having a good time with my friends.

As I’m dancing with a twin on either side of me, my phone beeps with a notification from the school app. I stop dancing and check it out. The results of dance tryouts have been posted.

April wraps her hands around my arm, tugging me toward her. “Why’d you stop?”

Avery clutches my other side. “Your focus should be on us.”

I’m not listening to them as my eyes scan the names of the people who made the team. There are ten names on here, and at the bottom of the list is Ryder Bennett.

My eyes pop open. Even though I suspected I made the team, it’s different seeing my name officially on the list.

“What’s that?” April wines as she yanks my arm.

“I made the dance team,” I inform them.

Avery frowns as she peers at my phone. “We have a dance team?”

“It was just formed.”

April grins in this flirty way. “Well, of course you made the team. You’re the sexiest dancer at this school.”

I’d argue and claim that Carly is…

“Does that mean you won’t have as much time to spend with us?” Avery pouts. “We’ll miss you!”

“But we’ll come to all your competitions!” April adds.

“Thanks.”