Chapter 13
Hey guys, I know it's short but I couldn't resist ending here...don't hate me! Oh and I think I might actually be wrapping it up! Which will give me time to focus on my new Anna/Ryan story!
"You look good," Marissa states after a quiet car ride.
"So do you," Ryan responds as they slide into a booth at the Crab Shack.
"I, uh, heard about Theresa, I'm sorry."
Ryan nods and turns his attention to the menu he already has memorized from his days of working at the Crab Shack. "So," Ryan switches topics, "how's rehab?"
"Good. They've helped me to realize I have a problem and that I need to wait out the rest of my treatment. But I'll be out in time for school to start again. In the group they make us go to everyday we talk about the people we've hurt. You come up a lot for me."
"Marissa..."
"Hang on a second, please. I just need to say all of this. You put up with me doing a lot of stupid things. You shouldn't have had to deal with any of my crap and I'm so sorry for that, and I know it's a lot to expect for you to want to try again and even consider forgiving me...It's just, rehab teaches us a lot about purging the bead things out of your life but also as important is making sure the good things are still a part of your life. Ryan, you're one of the best things in my life and I hope we can start over again, I don't expect it. I know I screwed up royally and if you can't forgive me I totally understand."
At the end of Marissa's speech Ryan states, "Marissa, I forgave you a long time ago."
Marissa looks relieved, "so maybe when school starts again we can try to have a normal relationship?"
"Marissa...we...that's...I mean..."
"It's a long way off and who knows what will happen between now and then."
Ryan nods, "yeah."
The lunch had been uneventful, Ryan wasn't sure what he had expected from it but the actual events had not been it. Marissa had changed that much was obvious, maybe part of Ryan had expected her to throw herself at him, but she hadn't with her simple words that no one knew what the future held she had dropped the subject of them getting back together. They'd skirted around the topics of their lives, Marissa didn't talk much more about rehab and Ryan didn't mention Chinese class or Summer and spent the entire meal making small talk.
When the meal was over Ryan dropped Marissa back off at Jimmy's and headed back to the pool house to find Summer asleep on his bed. With a yawn Ryan realizes he hadn't slept much the night before, Summer had stayed late and then she called, obviously nervous about seeing her mom but talking about anything but. Crawling on the bed Ryan manages to fall asleep without another thought.
When Ryan wakes up nearly an hour later Summer's weight on his chest confuses his momentarily, his movements must have woken Summer because she groans and moves closer to him. Leaning over Ryan whispers into Summer's ear, "wake up Sleeping Beauty."
"I'm no Sleeping Beauty, she got a kiss apparently I get up a wake-up call." Ryan catches Summer's mouth with his and givers her a long kiss, "I wouldn't mind waking up to that everyday." Yawning Summer asks, "what time is it?"
Ryan rolls over and glances at the clock, "almost 4:30."
"I should get up and go get ready for the party tonight, but I'm way to comfortable right here."
"Lei Mei wants to meet us at Mickey's at 9:30."
"Sounds fun," Summer murmurs.
"So," Ryan isn't sure how Summer will react to hearing that he had lunch with Marissa. With a deep breath Ryan comes out with it, "I had lunch with Marissa today."
"You had lunch with Coop?" Summer sits up and stares at Ryan.
"Yeah, she called before I even left the parking lot."
"Is she out of rehab?"
"She just had a day pass, we had lunch and she was going to hang out with her dad for the rest of the day."
"Is she coming tonight?"
Ryan shakes his head, "She has to be back at the clinic by five."
"How is she?"
"Better than I've ever seen her, she realizes she has a problem and that she needs the help the clinic has to offer."
Summer looks relieved, "really? Good I've been really worried about her." Summer catches Ryan's eyes and taking a breath she asks, "did you tell her about us?"
Ryan shakes his, "I didn't. I figured it was one of the things you'd want to tell her."
Summer nods, "kinda is." With a sigh Summer snuggles closer to Ryan and asks, "so what about tonight?"
"We'll go to the party and then meet Lei Mei and everyone at 9:30."
"No, I mean the actual party. Are we coming out to all of Newport?"
"You make it sound like we're a gay couple coming out of the closet."
"Ryan, I'm serious."
"I know," Ryan shifts, uncomfortable with the subject.
Summer moves way from Ryan and sits cross-legged in front of Ryan, "I was kind of thinking we should make it so obvious." Summer lets out a long breath, "it's not because I don't want people to know...it's just...I don't want Seth and Marissa to find out from someone else. Because that would suck. And this is already going to be a sucky situation."
Tears swim in Summer's eyes when she states, "Marissa has been my best friend for most of my life and we've been there for each other through a lot, and I hate the thought of hurting her. And I hate the thought of your and Seth's relationship being hurt because of this...because you guys are family and..."
Summer moves quickly off of the bed, "you don't even have to say anything to that. I'm going to go get ready. You know, it takes a lot to look great. So, uh, I'll see you later. You know at the party..."
"Summer..."
"Ryan," Summer takes a shaky breath, "really. It's okay. It's just been a really emotional 24 hours I just need to kind of pull myself together." She leans and lightly kiss Ryan, "I'll see you at the party."
"Summer..."
"Ryan, please."
"I was just going to say, you don't have a car here."
Summer bites her lip, "right."
"I can take you home."
"I just really need to be alone Ryan, I'll call a cab."
With a sigh Ryan tosses his keys at Summer, "you can borrow the car."
Summer offers a small smile, "thanks."