Chapter 130: The Fallout (Part 1) (Ryder's POV)

(Ryder’s POV)

I slumped down on the cold kitchen floor, my back against the cracked pantry door. Blood trickled down my face from my nose, dripping onto my chest drop by drop. The entire left side of my face throbbed where Tyler’s fist had connected, and every breath I took sent a sharp pain through my ribs.

The fight had been brutal, and now the aftermath was even worse.

Dad stood in front of me, his arms crossed and his face a mask of controlled fury.

“What the hell were you thinking, Ryder?” he asked, his voice still ringing with anger and accusation.

I wiped the blood from my nose with the back of my hand and shrugged. “I told you, nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened?” Dad’s voice was a low growl. “Your brother nearly killed you, and you think nothing happened?”

“He overreacted,” I muttered, looking away. "Nothing happened with Bailey. Him and Kate are just jumping to conclusions."

Dad stepped closer, his presence looming over me. “How did you think it would look, Ryder? How did