Chapter 4

"Did you threaten Maya?" I removed my helmet while laughing at the very seemingly frustrated Lucas.

"Threatened?" I remained seated on my bike, "seems as if your girlfriend has been spreading a few lies sparky. She approached me and said to stay away from you." I unzipped my leather jacket and watched his eyes dart to my collarbone then instantly back up to my eyes. "I simply said if she had a problem take it up with you and to not try to out intimidate me."

His clenched jaw relaxed, thank God. "So you didn't?"

"What would I have to gain from that?" I swung my leg off my Harley, my pride and joy, but to my surprise pretty boy didn't move backwards.

"You've said I was sexy. So me?"

I lightly laugh, and glance around to make sure no one is paying attention. "You are sexy, and your body is amazing, it could just be the fact that you constantly wear tight shirts but clearly you work out often which makes you even more attractive." He was so visibly nervous which made him even cuter, I took another inch forward towards his ear and whispered, "but let's be honest sparky. If I wanted to have you, I could." The quarterback gulped, "what does your girlfriend not talk to you like this?" His cologne was amazing, it almost smelt like pine? Like a forest, strong and sturdy, I love it.

"Nope." It was clear his gaze was focusing on anything but me.

"That's too bad, because clearly you don't know how fucking attractive you are. Someone needs to tell you." God I love toying with him, he makes it so much fun because he is so, good. I stepped to his side feeling his triceps touch my chest. "I know you think about me Lucas." That was a long shot but with the silence I knew it to be true, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about you."

"Really?!" He cleared his throat and a smile tugged at my lips, "I mean really?" Lucas spoke more calmly this time.

"Oh yeah, but I'm not about that dating life. Too many emotions." I took a step back and saw him inhale quickly. "See you in first period Sparky."

I saw his best friend Zay sitting on the steps and gave him a small wink, knowing full and well he'd run and blabber to Lucas about it later. I obviously worked him over because he was still standing beside my bike.

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"Class today you and your partner are going to spend class walking around the school grounds with your partner and as a pair you will agree on something to write about that inspires you." I narrow my eyes in school really? Something inspiring in school? "It needs to be 3 paragraphs on what it is and why it inspires you. Ready set go."

I stare at Lucas who already had his eyes on me. Like why the fuck is he with this Maya chick if he was so hung up on me? Oh yeah, I'm a bitch. "Ready?" I snag a pen and spiral and before he replies I'm headed out the door.

We walked around in silence, looking for anything that can get this assignment over with to where I can get a decent grade. I know, I know why do I care so much? College. Not that anyone else knows but I was top 10 in my class at my last school, people only see what I want them to see and once people see that they don't want to go deeper. All except Lucas, AKA sparky. Once we stepped outside and he knew we were truly alone he finally said something. "What the hell was that this morning Rebel?"

"Rebel?" He had called me that a few times but I was just now bringing it up to avoid the original statement. "Is that my new nickname?"

"Yep. Now answer the question. Do you get some sick pleasure out of turning me on and then leaving?" I nod without hesitation, "so you don't think I'm sexy you just like playing with my mind?"

"No you are. Obviously. But it doesn't matter what I think." I found my spot the water fountain, I casually saunter towards it and continue what I was saying. "You should be asking Maya if she finds you sexy. Since you and I both know already that I'd ravage you if I could." I sat down on the concrete bench that encased the water fountain and started writing.

"That's funny I feel the same way about you."

"I'm proud. Bold words coming from such a goody goody." He inched closer, "Cool it sparky. I hate to admit it but we both need to cool it. You're with blondie." His chin touched his chest, "is this the moment where I ask you if you want to talk about it?" His laugh awoke my butterflies but I wasn't kidding, "I'm serious I suck with feelings and emotions."

"I'm just bored."

Can't say I blame him. This town is so boring, if it wasn't for what I did then I would probably want to blow my brains out. "I feel like I'm dating her because I have to. Popular girl with popular guy, she's gorgeous and sweet." I scoff, clearly. "To me, she's sweet. I just um, don't have that spark."

"Yeah sparky needs a spark."

"I have one with you." I crane my head to the left, "you feel it too."

"I thought that was nausea." My hand continues to move and I came to the realization I never did give him the 'advice' or whatever it was that he was looking for. "If you're unhappy or bored with your life than fucking change it. You can't sit around and mope about how 'boring' it is if you don't do anything to fix it. Take up a hobby."

Lucas bit his lip and I felt things in my lady parts I have never felt before. "Does that hobby include you?"

"You know, you're starting to sound like every guy in this school. 'I love every bone in your body including mine'. Who the hell comes up with that crap?"

He scratched the back of his hair and snickered, "I'm going to figure you out Riley Matthews."

"The only thing you've figured out is my last name sweetheart. Name one other thing you know about me."

His emerald eyes brightened, "I know you want to kiss me."

"Is this to boost your ego?" We gaze into each other's eyes for a moment and after what seems like a lifetime was in actuality just a minute I rose from my seat and smiled. "What do you want from me sparky?"

"To tell me what the hell is going on in that pretty little mind of yours. Why you have bruises on your face. Why you and Josh are the only ones living in that house and why you train." I clench my jaw and let out a small chuckle and saunter away.

"Oh Lucas, one more thing." The quarterback called to attention at his actual name. "Before you get too deep, I recommend backing off. Use all that effort you have been spending on me and put it towards what's her name. I'm trouble and got more going on than you can handle."

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S is for the simple need.
E is for the ecstasy.
X is just to mark the spot cause that's the one you really want.

YES! Sex is always the answer.
It's never a question.

"FASTER GO! GO! GO!" I duck under the rope that's about 6 inches shorter than me as I weave to the left and duck underneath the rope to swerve to the right. "FASTER!" I don't know what it is but there's a sudden need to listen to Nickelback when I train. Call me lame I don't give a flying fuck but their music motivates me, certain music. "THROW IN SOME PUNCHES."

I come up and after a left hook, I uppercut with my right before ducking back down again. I finally made it to the end of the rope, and more accurately my garage door where I couldn't go anymore. I spray some water on my face and inhale deeply. When the song changes again.

Got to meet the hottie with a million dollar body.
They say it's over budget but you pay her just to touch it come on!

"Better Riles you have to remember to keep your chin down though." I nod in agreement, I don't know why I bring it up. I move quicker when it's down. "Ready to work?" I agree and watch him put on some gear to protect himself. "No sparring. Exhale with each hit! Search for an opening, look for a weakness. Bully is a great offensive fighter, look for a weak spot in her defense, and look for an opening. Go for the face and take her to the ground when she isn't expecting it."

"She's good on the floor."

"You're better." I smirk and inhale deeply, "we hardly work floor because that's where you work best already. She's going to prevent you from going there, that's why we're working on your speed because she has like 30 pounds on you." I am tiny, I get it. It's not because I don't eat though. I intake at least 200 grams of protein a day. "Alright ready?"

HIT!

I'm not focusing I can feel it.

"RIGHT, LEFT, RIBS! COME ON RILEY GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!"

Now I'm mad.

"GOOD!" I swing for his face with my right and after a quick juke I land a blow to his stomach. It isn't hard but it will take her down no problem. I sweep his legs out from underneath him and grin standing above him. "You don't play fair Riles."

"It's underground fighting when has it ever been fair?"

"Touché." He whispers while I help him up, "nice juke. But it won't be effective." My lips separated from confusion, "Swing with your right, and move for the stomach with your left. Remember what your dad used to do when he'd wrestle with us to confuse you?" If my parents could see me now, would they be disappointed? Yes. But we're doing what we have to, to survive. To better ourselves and no matter how much Josh and I miss them, and know how upset they'd be, I know I'm doing what's necessary.

"Can I be done for the night?" The tears welling up in my eyes made it apparent that I wasn't in the right mindset and I'd have to get my shit together soon because the fight was on Saturday. Josh pulled me in for a hug and I inhaled deeply, "I miss them."

"I know me too." His lips pressed on my temple and after a few moments we go our separate ways. We don't ever say more than that, it's not because we don't want to but it's more of an unspoken rule. No ties. No feeling. No emotion, if we can help it. I stepped outside and laid in the grass while removing the tape from my hands. I glance across the street to Sparky's house and he's watching a movie with blondie. She looks so happy, and he had a small smirk. I must have really finished early today if she was still out.

Those beautiful green eyes moved from the TV to the window behind it and he must've seen me because after a huge smile he nodded his head. "Look at you sparky. Flirting even when your girlfriend is right there." I need to get out of here, I can't feel for him. Farkle. No, seriously don't even effing go there. Within minutes I'm stepping back outside and throwing on a helmet.

"Hey Rebel." I back my bike out of the driveway and smirk, "where are you going?"

"Around." I peruse his yard and notice his girlfriend is nowhere to be found, "How was your date?"

"Jealousy?"

"Don't flatter yourself. I'll see you around-"

Lucas took a step forward, "I asked you where you were going."

"And I said around." God, when he gets demanding he's so sexy. Oh Riley, you need to get laid. "What's it to you?"

"Let me go with you?" I inhale sharply and pull my bike back into the driveway. "What are you doing?" I toss my helmet off from frustration and stand about 2 inches away from his face, "If you want to kiss me, just do it." He whispered. Yup, I'm turned on.

"What are you doing Friar? I told you to back off before it got too late and now you want to go with me to places. What's your deal? Can you not take a hint?" I mumble with angst in my tone.

"I'm not going anywhere Matthews. Get used to having me around, now where are you going?"

"I'm not good for you Sparky. You'll get hurt." I spin on my heels to go back inside when he grabs my wrist, "Let. Me. Go."

The quarterback released my wrist and put his hands up in surrender. "What does that mean Rebel? That you aren't good for me? I'll get hurt? By who? Who's hurting you?"

"You ask a lot of fucking questions." I glance up to the sky and realize the sun was going down and fast. "Alright Sparky I'll make you a deal. Let's go for a little run, if you can keep up with me I will answer all but one question."

He narrows his smoldering eyes and a grin tugs at his lips, "which question can I not ask you?"

Oh shit, he can't ask me where I got the bruises or what I'm training for. Basically I can't answer any question he is going to ask. "Alright never mind I just realized that I can't answer them."

"Well then let me go, just to go." My brow eyes shifted their gaze onto him, "how far do you run? A mile?"

I can't contain my laughter, more like 5.75. "Oh Sparky it may be best if you stay home." I'm already wearing my tennis shoes so I slip off my jeans that cover my spandex and my tank top that covers my black sports bra. His eyes immediately look behind me to not stare. "Nothing interesting going on by the gate." His heart was noticeably beating faster, "Do I make you nervous Sparky?"

"Yep." That's very direct, "Hey what's that?" His fingers point to my hip bone where a hint of a tattoo pops out.

"A tattoo. I got it when I was 16."

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the party on Friday? It's a bi-week and I figured you'd want to come to blow off some steam." I stared into his eyes, trying my hardest to not be persuaded, "Or if you didn't want to go to the party you could hang out with me and my friends on Saturday."

I have Bradford on Saturday. "I'm busy on Saturday."

"Friday it is."

"Will your girlfriend like that Sparky?" Please say no so I have a reason to not go.

He chuckled, "Probably not but you're my friend so she can deal with it."

"What a caring boyfriend." I turn on my heels and jog off, leaving him in the dust. You can't do this Riley, you can't get attached to anyone here. They'll know, you can't do this. But God was he so cute, I haven't felt this way in a long time.

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Uh oh, seems as if Riley might start enjoying the idea of 'dating life'.

Do you like bold Lucas? I DO!