The Best Friend Agreement

Ivy's P.O.V I was sitting on the sofa, getting on with some college work while I had the apartment to myself. "Ace where you at?" I heard my best friend and roommate Ryder call out. "Living room," I called back, rolling my eyes. He was meant to be at work until three pm; It's only one pm. So much for the house to myself. He sauntered into the living room, making his way over, flopping down next to me. He sighed, running his hands through his dark hair. "Hey love you, OK?" I asked, turning to look at him, something seemed off, and he had a sadness to his usually bright eyes. "No. She is back. She even got her old job at the gym back." He groaned. Oh s**t! He was talking about Ellie, his ex who cheated on him with his brother. Who does that? "s**t! Ryder, I am sorry." I said sadly. He turned around, laying down on the sofa, resting his head on my lap, my fingers playing with his hair that always soothed him. Ellie was the only girl that Ryder ever committed too; they were together for about two years until she decided she preferred his older brother. It destroyed him. I never liked or trusted her, but he was too much in love to see who she was. She hated me with a passion. I never did anything to her; I think she hated how close Ryder and I. She tried more than once to ruin our relationship but failed.  "Why could she not just stay away? Her and him? I just got over what they did to me, and then they show back up." He sighed, "And they will probably be at this party for my dads fiftieth next weekend. And I am going to show up alone, and she will take advantage of that. You know what she does to me even though she destroyed me. I would probably still take her back if she asked."  He added. I knew he would. Ellie was his whole heart at one point, since the break up about seven months ago his way of dealing with? Working too much, drinking, screwing around. He was not my Ryder anymore cause of that b***h and his prick of a brother. The thing is Ryder, and his brother was always very close. He was three years older than Ryder and Ryder looked up to him. He had done since he was a kid. What sort of brother does that? "Well find a hot date to take with you. Make her jealous." I suggested, "Ask one of your booty calls to be your date." I added. "Nope, that would make things complicated. They are booty calls for a reason." He said, looking up at me, managing a small smile. "Well you have a week to find a hot date. I am sure for you that will not be a problem for you." I laughed prodding his nose. He was a good looking guy with the charm and the wit to go with it. He always has women throwing themselves at him. He gave me the dorkiest smile, making me giggle. He grabbed my hand, resting it on his chest, linking his fingers with mine. "I would be a mess without you, Ace, do you know that?" He said, kissing my knuckles. "Yes you would be, indeed." I smiled. A comfortable silence fell between us. Ryder still thinking about this full Ellie thing. I wanted to kill that b***h for what she did to him. All of a sudden, he shot up, turning to me, a devilish smirk on his lips. Oh God, what is he after? "Ivy?" He said in his sweetest tone, batting his lashes at me. "What are you after?" I asked, raising my brow at him. "You can be my hot date?" He smiled widely. "What? No! Everyone will see right through that. I said someone hot Ryder; I don't exactly make the cut." I laughed "Bullshit! You are just as sexy as anyone else, Ivy. You don't know that everyone is always saying one day we will end up together. Let's play on that." He smirked, hopeful eyes. "Please Ivy for me?" He pouted, giving me his best puppy dogs eyes. "I don't know Ryder," I said a little anxious about the suggestion. "You know it would piss her off even more if it were you. Come on help me out Ace? We only need to pretend when our families are around. Come on, and it will be fun." He added. I looked at him, going to tell him, no but I couldn't not with the way he was looking at me. Plus if I can get to that b***h then it's a bonus. "Fine! You owe me, though. And there are some rules." I groaned, annoyed at myself for giving into him. "Yeah! Thank you. Rules?" He asked. "Yes no inappropriate touching or full-on kissing," I said sternly. "Come on, why not? It will make it more believable." He said smirking, "That would take the fun out of it. What harm will a kiss or an ass grab do?" He added laughing. "Your hands aren't allowed anywhere near my ass Ryder." I giggled. "Fine! Fine! Spoilsport." He pouted. I pushed him playfully rolling my eyes at him.   "You are taking me out for dinner and drinks tonight for doing this for you," I said. "I will happily do that, especially when you agree to do this for me." He smiled jumping on me, hugging me, "Thank you. I love you, Ace." He said, kissing my cheek. "I love you too, now get off me you big lump." I giggled. "Hey baby its all muscle." He winked. He was right about that, it was. He had a very sexy, very toned body on him. Then again he a personal trainer after all. I chuckled, pushing him off me. Why did I agree to this? Then again, he is my best friend, and I would do anything for him. "I am going to go to study for another couple of hours. Stay out of my room and don't disturb me, OK?" I said, sticking my tongue out at him. "I will think about it." He smirked, winking at me. I throw a Cushion at him before leaving him to it. I know fine well he will end up through annoying me within an hour.