Fighting The Riptide.

It took a long minute for Ryder to fully process what just happened as he slowly moved around his room, grabbing a few clothes here and there and his phone charger, stuffing them into his backpack.This wasn't the first time his dad had told him to get out and he was sure once his dad sobered up by morning, he would forget about what exactly happened. Ryder didn't say a word to his dad as he moved around and called Apollo to come with him as he and Zoey headed downstairs.

He wasn't even sure what to say to Zoey because that wasn't something he wanted her to see and he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed about it. He hooked a leash to Apollo as they headed outside and he wasn't quite sure what he was going to do for the night or with Apollo but he would probably end up at Parker's like he always did.

@ RomanSky

Zoey walked with him, "You can stay at my place if you want until you figure things out." She said, crossing her arms. She hated to think of him not having anywhere to go. Zoey couldnt believe his dad was that horrible. She was worried about Ryder now.

@ LuckyB

Ryder smiled."As nice as that would be, I highly doubt your mom would just let me stay for as long as I needed." He also didn't wanna impose on her either especially with how he felt about her."I'll probably just end up back here in a day or two anyway." He shrugged as he began to walk with Zoey and Apollo."Think your mom would mind a dog for the night though?" He asked curiously as he would need a place to crash with Apollo for the night.

@ RomanSky

Zoey stopped and stared at him, "Are you seriously going to go back there? He's could seriously hurt you Ryder." She said, crossing her arms. She sighed when she realized he didnt care in that moment, "Mom wont care if you and Apollo stay the night." She said. Once they got to her house she walked in, seeing her mom getting ready to go somewhere. "Where are you going?" She asked. Her mom looked at her, "Just out with some friends." She said, looking over to see Ryder and Apollo. Zoey looked at her, "Can they stay for the night? His dad is a pyscho." She said, muttering the last part. Her mom nodded, "Sure but if the dog makes a mess thats on you." She said smiling at Ryder. "Here is some cash to order food or whatever you need." She said, slapping some money in Zoey's hand. "Have fun." She said on her way out the door, "But not too much fun." She said before shutting it. Zoey looked at Ryder, "What do you want to eat?" She asked him.

@ LuckyB

Once Zoey's mom left, Apollo settled down, sprawling out on the floor with her head on her paws."I'm good with whatever you wanna get." Ryder shrugged as he didn't have much of an appetite after what just happened."But I think I should apologize because you shouldn't have been there anyway and I'm sorry you had to see and hear what you did." He said as he thought about what would happened if he didn't go back home, maybe he could find an apartment to rent on the change he made at the shop.

@ RomanSky

Zoey looked at him, "You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault." She said as she sat down on her couch and turned the tv on. She looked at him, "What are you thinking about?" She asked. She could tell that he was in deep thought. Zoey looked at the tv, "Anything you want to watch? Maybe a movie?" She asked him. She flipped through the channels trying to find something.

@ LuckyB

"Maybe but if I didn't bring you then you wouldn't have witnessed that." Ryder knew it was a lot different hearing about how terrible his dad was and how mean of a drunk he was than to actually see it."Just thinking of what would I do if I don't go back home sooner or later. Hopping between Parker's and Evan's is doable for a while but that's not a permanent solution. And after graduation, I won't have much a choice either." He plopped down next to her, watched as Zoey channel surfed.

@ RomanSky

Zoey looked at him, "I don't see why you don't just stay here. We have a guest room." She explained to him. "At least until you can figure something out Ryder. What if next time he is way worse." She asked, looking down at the remote. She didn't want to think about him getting hurt like she had seen.

@ LuckyB

"Two reasons, your mom isn't gonna be so happy about that and also, you'd get so sick of me being here all the time." Ryder laughed lightly nudging her side."You're cute when you worry but you shouldn't especially not about my dad or what could happen, it's nothing new." He tried to reassure her but the thought of living out on his own wasn't such a bad idea since he would have to find a place after graduation.

@ RomanSky

Zoey looked at him, "I wouldnt get tired of you and my mom is never home." she said crossing her arms, her stubborn side coming out. "There really is no reason for you not to stay here and Apollo loves me so you cant take the dog with you." she said smiling. Zoey was pretty happy that he thought she was cute though.

@ LuckyB

Ryder laughed."Are you seriously trying to bribe me with my own dog?" Apollo raised her head and her ears twitched at the mention of her name. He looked at Zoey and saw how adamant about this she was and it was nice for someone other than Parker or Evan to care so much, he had never had that before."You're really determined about this?"

@ RomanSky

Zoey smiled, "I'm not bribing you i'm just keeping your dog." She teased him. She nodded when he asked if she was determined about this. "Well of course. You have yet to see the side of me that always gets what i want." She said, smiling as she leaned back against the couch. She looked at him, "So you will stay?" She asked him.

@ LuckyB

"Adding dog-napping along with bribery to your list of crimes, hm?" Ryder quirked an eyebrow with a laugh. He thought about his options and he didn't have many but he hated being in the situation to even need options. He ran a hand through his hair, shrugging."Maybe I'll stay for a day or two but after that, I'll see how it goes."

@ RomanSky

Zoey laughed softly, "I guess im just a bad person." She said watching him. When he agreed to stay she hugged him, "yay!" she said as she held him for a moment. She was so glad she wouldnt have to worry about him going to his dad. She pulled away then leaned back against the couch.

@ LuckyB

Ryder laughed as she hugged him."Yeah, you say that now until I start leaving my socks on the floor or hogging the bathroom or something." He teased as he wasn't that messy of a person anyway but he had never really lived with any women."You'll be dropping hints for me to leave."

@ RomanSky

Zoey looked at him, "If you start to bother me then i will be sure to let you know." She said as she looked at her phone. "So did you want to get something to eat now?" She knew that he hadn't been in the mood for food once they got there, but she figured that he may be hungry now.

@ LuckyB

@ dead upon arrival

Ryder couldn't argue with that because what he already knew of Zoe, she would never have a problem with telling him up front if he was over staying his welcome and so for now, he could relax in the idea of staying. He nodded as he could feel his stomach untangling itself and his appetite would be back in no time."I could go for pizza if that's alright with you."

@ RomanSky

Zoey smiled, "Pizza it is. What do you like on your pizza?" She asked as she got up and grabbed her phone. She grabbed the pizza menu and looked over it. She nodded when Ryder said what he wanted then called and ordered it. She thought for a moment, She liked the idea of him staying with her. She wanted him to be safe because she was getting really close to him.

@ dead upon arrival

"I'm not to picky with pizza toppings." Ryder shrugged as he was never quite a picky eater begin with. He stood up and Apollo's ears perked up."I'm gonna take her out before pizza comes." He said as he clicked his tongue for Apollo who happily stood up with a wag of her tail as Ryder opened the sliding door to let her out into the backyard.

@ RomanSky