The Wannabes (15 page)

CORBIN LET HER hands wander all over
Ryder as he drove. The two glasses of wine had made her head a little fuzzy and
she was very horny.

“You’re going to make me wreck,” Ryder laughed as she tugged
on his belt.

“You now I have always had this fantasy that I wanted to
live out.” She pulled up her dress and revealed her panties. Ryder looked from
the road to her then reached out and placed his hand between her thighs.

“Oh yeah?” She watched as he licked his lips.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and moved closer to him, she
nuzzled his neck and he groaned.

“I have always wanted to…you know…on a car.” She nipped his
earlobe and felt herself blush at the bold words she spoke.

“Hmmm…I think I can help you out with that.” Ryder slowed
the car down and turned onto a gravel road. “In the meantime, sit back, buckle
up and remove those panties.”

Corbin did as he said. Ryder ran his hands up and down her
thighs, then urged her to open her legs further. He ran his fingers over her
clit. Corbin’s body exploded with pleasure.

“Damn, Corbin,” Ryder growled.

Corbin placed her hand over his and placed his fingers
inside of her. A guttural moan erupted from her. She felt the car halt and
heard her door open. Ryder pulled her to him and kissed her. The kiss was
urgent and feverish and Corbin felt her knees give. Ryder slid his hands under
her dress and lifted her off the ground. He carried her and placed her on the
hood of the car. Corbin felt the heat from the engine under her and it
intensified her hunger for Ryder. She yanked and pulled at his belt, then once
she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, she slid her hand inside. He groaned in
her mouth as she wrapped her fingers around him and began moving up and down.

“If you keep that up your going to make me come in my
pants,” he whispered, and then gave her ear a little nip.

“Mmmm…” she moaned. The thought of him coming all over her
hand excited her even more. She felt Ryder slide his jeans down further and the
sound of a condom wrapper opening. She opened her eyes and watched as he slid
it on. He shivered as he rolled it up.

“Come here.” He tugged at her legs and slid further down the
hood. He placed her feet and legs where he wanted them then took a step back as
if to admire his work.

“That’s fuckin’ hot.” He clicked his tongue then covered her
mouth with his. As he entered her, Corbin lay back on the hood. He lifted her
legs over the top of his arms, grabbed her hips and drove into her hard. Corbin
cried out in pleasure louder than she had ever before. He in turn matched her
cries with his own.

“Oh yea, baby, come with me,” Ryder growled. They both
exploded together each one lost in their own orgasms. Corbin felt Ryder relax
and remove himself from her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to him. He
kissed her gently as she wrapped her legs and arms around him, she never wanted
to let go.

AFTER A HEAVY make out session they
were finally back on the road. Ryder wanted nothing more than taking Corbin
back to the apartment, lock the doors and never leave her bed. He looked to
Corbin who was applying lipstick, little giggles escaped her.

“What’s so funny?” Ryder cocked an eyebrow at her.

“I was just thinking about what just happened. I have never
done anything like that before. It was so…” He watched as she bit her lip.

“Naughty?” He wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed.

“Yeah…and freeing.”

“Freeing? How so?”

“Before I met you I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my
life. I mean I knew what I wanted but I didn’t know how to get it” He watched
her turn a deep shade of crimson. He grabbed her hand and entwined his fingers
with hers. “You make me feel like I can do anything, be anyone I want to be,
Ryder. I’m not the shy girl you met I the kitchen when you first arrived, you
know, the one who choked on her beer and hid in her bedroom all the time. And
hid herself under layers and layers of clothes. You make me feel like a
beautiful woman.”

Ryder felt his heart seize in his chest, he pulled to the
side of the road. He looked to her and placed a finger under her chin and
raised her eyes to his.

“You are a beautiful woman, Corbin. That shy girl I met in
the kitchen is what attracted me to you in the first place. I was so tired of
living the fast life and I wanted more, I didn’t know where to find it.” He
paused for a moment then allowed the words he had been holding back flow from
him. “I have never felt this way about a woman in my life. You make me feel
free too. Free from my past mistakes, free to be what I want to be. I love you,
Corbin.” He watched her eyes as he spoke those words and waited.

What if she doesn’t love me?

Too late to take those words back now, you’re whipped.

“I love you too, Ryder,” she said in a soft whisper. She
leaned into him and kissed him. He released her seatbelt and pulled her onto
his lap. Outside cars blew by them honking their horns and soon flashing lights
from a cop car lit up the inside of the car. Ryder didn’t care, he just kept
his mouth on Corbin’s, at least until a tapping on his window made them stop.
Corbin slid off his lap and her little giggles began again. Ryder looked to her
and held fingers up to his mouth as an attempt to quiet her. She bit her lip
and covered her mouth. Ryder pushed the button and rolled down his window.

“Good evening, officer.” Ryder plastered on a smile.

AFTER THE COP grilled Ryder about
parking on the side of the road, he let him off with a warning. Corbin couldn’t
stop laughing, she wasn’t sure if it was the wine or the fact that they had
both just shared their feelings for one another. They pulled into the parking
lot at Rebels. Even from inside of the car they could hear the lead singer of
Skin Candy wailing from inside of the bar.

“Is that a chick singing?” Ryder asked as he shut the car
off.

“Yep, they are an all-girl band, they are pretty badass.”
Corbin checked her reflection in the mirror one last time then turned to Ryder.
He sat with his head against the headrest looking at her, that sexy sly smile
on his face. She reached out and ran her hand down his face. He released his
seatbelt and leaned in for a kiss. As he did the driver’s side window exploded.
She felt him wrap his arms around her and pin her to her seat. She squeezed her
eyes shut and a scream erupted from her.

“What the fuck!” Ryder exclaimed. From outside Corbin heard
thumps against the car and it shook. Corbin opened her eyes and seen glass all
over Ryder. He seemed to be searching her face for any signs of injury. “Call
the cops and stay in here,” he commanded.

“No...please... don’t go out there,” Corbin pleaded. She
felt as if she was going to throw up.

“I’ll be ok.” He gave her a quick kiss then yanked open the
door. Corbin scrambled for her phone, and dialed 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“We…were…attacked…please…hurry,” Corbin sobbed.

“Who’s we Ma’am?”

“My…boyfriend and I…someone busted out…the car window…and…”
From outside of the car Corbin heard several voices yelling over the loud music
inside, then Ryder’s voice rang out. It sounded strangled, weird, and
different. “Oh my God, please hurry!”

“Calm down Ma’am, what is your name and what is your
location?”

“Corbin Frederick, and we are at Rebels in River Junction…I
can’t remember the address.” Tears flowed down Corbin’s face and she was
shaking uncontrollably.

“Corbin, help is on the way. Stay on the phone with me ok?”

“Yes, just hurry!” Corbin ignored Ryder’s request and
stepped out of the car. “Ryder!” she screamed into the darkness. In her
peripheral vision she saw a flurry of activity. She hurried to that spot and
saw Ryder on his knees. His hands were held behind his back by two other people
and Rob stood in front of him. She watched as Rob swung his leg back and kicked
Ryder in the crotch. Another scream erupted from her and Rob turned in her direction.
She turned on her heels and made a run for the door as she did she felt hands
in her hair and then searing pain as she yanked away. She pulled open the door
and ran inside spotting Mike and Moses at the bar. She pushed and shoved
through the crowd her heart hammered in her chest so hard she thought it was
going to come out of her chest.

“Jesus Christ, girl,” Moses yelled over the music. Corbin
fell into his arms. He placed her on a barstool.

“Ryder…in the parking lot…they’re going to kill him!” Moses
ran behind the bar, grabbed something and he and Mike ran out the door. Alex
hurried to her.

“What’s going on?” Alex yelled. Corbin stood on wobbly legs
and Alex wrapped her arms around her, she tried to speak but at that moment her
head whirled and then everything went dark.

CORBIN FOUND HERSELF in a
swimming pool. She was in the deep end struggling in the water, then felt
herself sinking deeper. Bubbles erupted from her mouth as she tried to scream
for help. She looked to the surface and saw her mom smiling down at her. She
reached her hand up and her mom reached down and began pulling her up.

“Corbin, wake up.” A pungent smell of ammonia filled her
nostrils. She sucked air into her lungs then began coughing. She opened her
eyes and seen that she was in the back of an ambulance. A paramedic sat on one
side of her and Stella was on the other. Stella was as white as a sheet.

“Ryder…” her voice sounded raspy. She tried to set up but
her head whirled.

“Lay down, you have a nasty bump on your head,” the
paramedic said.

“Where’s Ryder?”Corbin looked to the paramedic then to
Stella.

“When you fainted you cracked your head pretty hard on the
floor,” the paramedic continued.

“Stella, where’s Ryder?!” Corbin yelled her head pounded.
She watched as Stella placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes grew wide and
tears flowed down her face.

“He’s on his way to the hospital. They beat him up pretty
bad, Corbin. When Mike and Moses got to him he was unconscious and laying in a
pool of blood.”

“Stella your freaking me out, I need to go!” Corbin tried to
sit up again, but the paramedic stopped her. Corbin slapped his hands away.

“Please calm down, the police want to talk to you before you
go,” the paramedic said.

“I just want to see Ryder.” Corbin burst into tears.

“Alex is with him, Mike and Moses are waiting until you give
a statement then we will go ok?” Stella wiped her eyes then grabbed Corbin’s
hand. Corbin wiped her eyes then with the help of the paramedic and Stella, she
sat up on the gurney. As she did her stomach rolled, she felt vomit well up at
the base of her throat. She took a couple deep breaths and the nausea went
away. Two policemen stood at the door of the ambulance.

“Ms Frederick, I am Officer Jacobs and this is Officer Ryan.
Can you tell us what happened tonight?”

“We were attacked…” Corbin began.

“You and Mr. James?” Officer Jacobs began scribbling in a
small notepad.

“Yes,” Corbin mind went back to the image of Ryder slumped
down on the ground. She shivered, and fresh tears flowed.

“Did you see who it was that did this?”

“Yes, it was Rob Nelson and a couple others I didn’t
recognize.” Corbin wiped her eyes.

“Do you have any idea what the motivation was?”

“Because Rob is a total dickhead, jealous, asshole,” Stella
spat. The officers looked to Stella then back to Corbin.

“Ms. Frederick?’

“Pretty much what she said. Can I go now?”

“And you are sure it was Rob Nelson?”

“Yes, I am positive!” Corbin threw her hands in the air.

“Ok, we will be in touch soon, we may need more information
from you.” Officer Jacobs gave her a nod then disappeared from her sight. Moses
and Mike took their spots at the back of the ambulance and helped her down and
to her feet. The paramedic was babbling something to Stella.

“Is he ok, guys?” Corbin asked both Mike and Moses. They both
looked to the ground and then back to her.

“When we got to him….” Mike began then stopped.

“Come on, let’s go,” Moses said in a hushed tone. Corbin
swallowed hard and got into the front seat of Mike’s truck. Nausea struck her
again she grabbed a hold of the door and this time she emptied the contents of
her stomach all over the ground.

Please let him be ok. God, don’t take him away from me.

RYDER FELT A sharp pain in his arm
and jolted awake. His brain was still in battle mode and he struggled against
whatever was holding him down. He tried to open his eyes but they wouldn’t
budge.

“Get the fuck off of me!” he yelled.

“Mr. James, you are in the hospital. We are trying to put in
a central line. Please lie still.”

“Ryder, please calm down, let them help you,” he heard Alex
say. She sounded like she was crying.

“Where’s Corbin?”

“She’s on her way.” he felt Alex’s hand over his.

“Is she ok? I have to go, did that fucker touch her?” Anger
welled up inside him again and he struggled against the restraints.

“Mr. James, please remain still.”

“She’s fine… and no… he didn’t touch her,” Alex responded
between sobs.

Ryder felt warmth spread through his veins and he relaxed
against the bed.

“Please…Alex…wake me up when she gets here...” As the
morphine kicked in he heard Corbin’s voice whisper in his ear.

“I’m here, I love you.”

Ryder fought to stay awake but the medicine overtook him.

CORBIN SAT NEXT to Ryder’s hospital
bed. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She dabbed Ryder’s face with a
wet wash cloth. Both of his eyes were badly bruised and swollen, his left
eyebrow held eleven stitches and his bottom lip had been split open. He had
several broken ribs and bruises all over his body.

“Ms. Frederick, when he wakes up we need to try to get a
statement,” Officer Jacobs said from the hall. Corbin looked to him and gave
him a nod.

“Corbin?” Ryder’s voice came out in a croak. Corbin felt
fresh tears.

“I’m right here.” She entwined her fingers with his, and
brought his hand up to her lips and gave it a soft kiss.

“Are you ok?” he asked softly.

“Yes, I am fine,” her voice quivered as she spoke. She
watched as he tried to open his eyes, but they would only open a small crack,
his beautiful green eyes looked red and irritated. He reached his free hand out
to her.

“I wish I could see your face.” She placed his hand on her
cheek and he stroked his thumb over it. “Damn it, you got cut.” His voice came
out as a whine.

“Just small ones from when the window exploded. I had to
have a few glass shards removed, it’s no big deal.” She placed her other hand
over his and let out a deep breath. “I am so glad you are awake, how do you
feel?” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.

“I feel like I have been beat up by three baseball bats.
Thank the aliens for morphine. I’m glad you are ok. I was so worried they would
come after you. I saw Rob turn to you when you screamed, I saw him grab your
hair…” Ryder began coughing. He winced in pain and grabbed his side.

“Shhh…take it easy. I am safe,” Corbin reached up and
stroked his hair. Ryder relaxed a little.

“Can I get some water?” Corbin grabbed the water cup and
held the straw to his lips. He took a couple sips then rested his head back on
the pillow.

“The police are here, and if you are feeling up to it, they
would like a statement from you,” Corbin squeezed his hand.

“I’m ok, let’s do this. I am starting to feel loopy again
from the drugs.” He took another sip of water and Corbin waved the officers in.
Alex followed them and hurried over to Ryder. She looked totally distraught.
Corbin stood and Alex took her seat. She grabbed Ryder’s hand.

“Oh my God, your face…” Alex cried.

“I’m ok. You shouldn’t get yourself worked up, it’s not safe
for the baby. I just wish I could open my eyes.” Ryder smiled but then yanked
his hand from Alex and placed it on his mouth. Alex shot Corbin a panicked look
then looked away quickly. Corbin felt her jaw drop and she gasped.

“Mr. James, I am Officer Jacobs and this is Officer Ryan.
Can you tell us who did this to you?”

“A pussy named Rob Nelson and two of his merry men.”

“Do you know the others names?”

“Nope.”

“Do you know what the motive was?”

“Yeah, I stole his girl,” Ryder laughed then grabbed his
side again.

Officer Jacobs cleared his throat and looked to Corbin.
Corbin placed a hand over her eyes.

“Can you tell us what happened last night? Start from the
beginning?”

“Do you want the Pg or R rated version?” Corbin watched that
sly smile play out on his lips. She felt herself blush and she quickly turned
away to face the window.

“Ryder…” Alex huffed. This time both Officers chuckled.

“Ok, I will give the PG version. Corbin and went out for
dinner at David’s. Of course good ole Rob was there. He ran his mouth, called
Corbin a slut, so I told him to leave. He huffed out the door. Told me ‘this
ain’t over’.. I blew him off. After dinner we drove to Rebels and were sitting
in the parking lot. The driver’s side window of my car exploded, I got out,
gave Rob a roundhouse kick to the face. I’m pretty sure I broke his nose.”
Ryder paused, a small smile on his face and Alex gave him a sip of water. “Then
I got whacked by three baseball bats, which brought to my knees. Rob’s merry
men grabbed my arms and held them behind my back and Rob punched me in the
face, then continuously kicked me in the ribs and dick until I puked and passed
out. Then I woke up here.” Corbin covered her mouth as he finished the story.

“And you are sure it was Rob Nelson?” Officer Jacobs asked.

“Fuck yeah, it was him,” Ryder spat.

“Are you planning on pressing charges?” Officer Ryan asked.
Corbin watched as Ryder swallowed hard.

“Yes, I am. If you would’ve been just me in that car
probably not, but since Corbin’s life was endangered…” He coughed and winced
again. Alex pushed the call light.

“I think he’s had enough for today,” the nurse said as she
entered the room. She leaned over him and checked his pulse then pulled out a
syringe. She squeezed the liquid into Ryder’s IV.

“Ok Mr. James, that is all we need for now, we might need
more information from you and Ms. Frederick later.” Ryder gave them a wave.

“Anything to help.” Corbin wiped a stray tear. The officers
left the room.

“Alex, could I please be alone with Corbin?” Ryder asked.

“Sure,” Alex looked to her gave her a nod then stood and
kissed Ryder on the forehead. Corbin followed Alex to the door. “I don’t want
to talk about the baby right now, ok?” Corbin gave her a nod the watched as
Alex hurried down the hallway.

“Corbin?” Ryder called from inside. Corbin went back in the
room and sat down next to him again. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
Tears slipped down her cheeks. Ryder reached out and touched her face again.
“Shhh…don’t cry. I’ll be ok, I’ve been through a lot worse.”

“I was so scared…” Her breath caught in her throat, she let
it out slowly.

“Just breathe baby, calm down. Come here, your shaking.” He
tugged her hand.

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Come on.” He tugged her hand again. Corbin scooted the
chair closer to the bed and rested her head on his chest. She wrapped her arms
carefully around him. He ran his hands through her hair, the sound of his
heartbeat soothed her. He kissed the top of her head. “It’s going to be ok, I
promise.”

The morphine took over again and his touch stopped. Corbin
clung to him and cried.