I couldn’t believe that I had made such a great friend in Isabelle Clark. She was such a sweet girl who would do practically anything for someone. I felt bad for her and the struggles she was going through with that hot patootie she called Ryder. At first when she told me all the issues she had with Ryder on Christmas, I thought she was taking it way too far, but she forgot to mention the Witch Bitch she had to deal with growing up her entire life.
Still? in some ways I did think she was taking it a little overboard. I could tell from the way she talked about Ryder and everything he had done for her that he really did love her. Yeah, he was a player, but every player will eventually settle down. I’m pretty sure, even without ever meeting Ryder, that he was going to settle down with Isabelle. She just had to get over her mommy issues and realize that not everyone was like her mom. That some people do care about our well-being and want good things for us because they love us.
After all, that’s what love is. Love. It’s sacred and pure and raw. It’s an emotion that you can’t really explain. It’s just in the feeling. You feel warm and happy and content with yourself. You feel like you’re on Cloud 9 and you can’t be brought down because you love someone. Better yet, they love you. I’ve experienced love before. My parents loved me. My grandparents love me and have taken care of me. I know my girl Britt loves me, but I’ve never been in love.
I’ve been in lust, but I’ve never been in love. Lust and love are two completely different things. Lust is all about the physical attraction. Of course, before you fall in love with someone, you take their outer appearance into account, but after a while the outer shell is put on the back burner.
We all know looks fade. We can’t stay young forever… that’s where true love comes into play. You love someone through thick and thin. Through the struggles and the laughter. Especially the struggles, because that’s when you know someone really loves you. They’re there for you at the lowest of lows in your life. Don’t get me wrong—while it’s nice to enjoy the highs of life, when you sink to the bottom, you realize who’s really there for you and who isn’t. That’s what is most important.
I knew Ryder could be that for Iz. She just had to get over the demons she was facing and wake up and smell the deliciously roasted hot coffee reality was waving under her nose. And that coffee was in the form of a hot, tall, tattooed, muscled, pierced beefcake man.
***
“So I was thinking we could all go to the bar this weekend. What do you think, Patrick?” Iz asked while she was stocking books on the shelves.
Glancing over towards her, I saw she had a little smile on her face. I was glad she was finally smiling again. I knew things were becoming difficult between her and Ryder. She told me it was hard for her to even be in the same room with him. They never fought. At least I never saw it. What I did see was a lovesick puppy dog having absolutely no clue how to rectify the hole he was in.
Shrugging my shoulders, I said, “Sure, why not?”
“Great!” Iz said with a little more cheer and pep in her step.
Tilting my head to the side, I asked, “What are you so excited about, Isabelle Clark?”
Placing the books back down in the box, she shrugged. In a tiny voice she said, “Well, I wanted to set you up with someone… “
Nodding, I said, “And… ?”
“His name is Derrick. Derrick Miles. He’s on the football team. He’s not out yet to a lot of people, but I think you two would be perfect together.” She paused. “You’re so vibrant and loud and obnoxious—”
“Hey!”
She crossed her arms and looked at me expectantly. “Yes?”
I shrugged and laughed. “Yeah, okay.” I turned more serious. “What’s he like?”
“He’s really quiet. But I think you two would get along really well. He’s easy on the eyes. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He’s about 6 foot 3.”
Tilting my head to the side, I said, “Huh. Okay, sure. Why not?”
Running toward me, Iz jumped into my arms and yelled, “Great!” Letting go of me, she clapped her hands. “I’m so excited! You need to have some fun and let loose. Well, I want you to be happy, Patrick.”
I started to get a little emotional. It was nice to hear someone had my best interests at heart. There are very few people I let in. But when I let you into my life, I know that there’s something special about you and I won’t get hurt. If I do? I know the hurt will be worth it because I want that person in my life long-term. They’re worth fighting for.
Wrapping my arms around her middle, I pulled her close and hugged her. She hugged me back. We held onto one another for a few seconds and then I whispered into her hair, “I want you to be happy too, Iz.”
Nodding into my chest, she whispered, “I know. I’m just not there yet.” Breaking free from me, she looked into my eyes and shrugged. “Maybe when I move out things will get better.”