Chapter 7

Riley decided not to go to tutoring this morning because of her pained body and ended up sleeping in till 11:00, the time she'd normally be getting home. "Hi peaches."

"Hi honey. How's your body?"

"I'm afraid to move to find out." The brunette giggled, "I'm sure it's fine. How are you and Josh? I need the details."

Maya lazily shrugged her shoulders with her eyes still closed, "we had a great time last night. But, no kiss and no date."

"What about you and Lucas?" The brown eyed girl sighed heavily, "Come on. He likes you Riley." After last night I really couldn't deny it. The gummy bears, the almost kiss twice, his fingertips and the way they made eye contact. Okay quit thinking about this!

"Maya, I'm a nobody. A bruised ribcage and leg is what will happen, metaphorically if we try to date. We're too different, so nothing is going on between us."

"That's too bad, because once he came back he hung out in his room and cleared out the party as soon as he could." She closed her eyes, remembering his hands on her waist and holding her. When he caressed her cheek, and when his fingertips grazed her side, all of the butterflies and goosebumps came back to her. "I know you like him too."

"I kept your secret from Josh, you keep mine from everyone. In the entire world. It's what's best, he deserves more."

The blonde scoffed and sat up to look at her, "more what? You're the best person I know and I wish you could see what everyone else sees. You're my best friend and I'm telling you that he could never do better than you." Riley's arms opened wide and she gave her a hug, "now get your ass up I'm starved."

"Language." She rolled herself out of bed and stretched, "my body isn't too bad. It's sore but nothing I can't handle." Her hair was still curled from yesterday, even after sleeping on it and her face had no traces of makeup. She stepped into the living room, and heard Maya stumbling behind her.

"Will you make your cinnamon pancakes? Please?"

"Good morning ladies, it's about time." Maya and Riley stopped in their tracks afraid to turn around. Please let it just be Josh, please let it just be Josh.

"Yeah, I missed you at tutoring this morning." Lucas pronounced. Son of a-

Her brown eyes connected to Maya's blue ones. "Is it too late to run?" The guys giggled and rose from the couch. Lucas maneuvered himself right in front of her.

"I think it's a little too late." Tingles erupted through her body. That's new, hmph why is he so attractive?

Her lips smiled, "hi."

"Hey."

She cleared her throat quickly and shifted her focus, "so what are you doing here?"

"I'm taking you out, as a friend, platonic scout's honor." Riley shook her head no, and opened her mouth to say something when her best friend interrupted.

"I'm sure she'd love that, right Riles?" Oh Maya I have so much dirt on you! Don't even, and Josh is my brother OH it's on.

The girls exchanged glares and clenched jaws, "um, I was really wanting to stay home today."

"NO! Maya and I are hanging out here, till later this afternoon." Her brown eyes narrowed yet again, "come on sis you know you want to." The quarterback snickered, it was cute how hard she was fighting. It was cuter though how Josh and Maya were pushing her, they must do that a lot. "Hey Maya, will you go on a date with me tonight?"

The blue eyed girl jumped into his arms, with the prettiest smile he'd ever seen. "YES!"

Lucas reached out for her hand, and pulled her closer. Oh alright you can hold my hand. Wink Wink! Why does holding his hand feel perfect? "Riley, go get dressed. Please, you'll have a great time." He was practically begging which was something completely new for him, but yet again this whole situation was brand new. He'd never worked this hard, ever. Girls have always dropped everything to even talk to him, and he actually welcomed the change that the brunette brought to his life. She was already a good influence, he hadn't fought all week. Plus he actually enjoyed spending time with her, whether she was feeling shy or talkative.

Well he's not giving up. It was actually kind of cute, his eyes are exuding determination! I already told him that we're only friends. So, why does it feel like he was still pushing for more? "Okay. Um, can I have like 20 to 30 minutes? Please."

"Take all the time you need." His eyes and smile were light and a breath of fresh air.

Oh hello dimples, "peaches. Come with me."

"I'm hungry."

"Then grab an apple!" The brunette shifted around the relentless man and snatched an apple and a banana, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away. And you're gonna need a doctor once I'm through with you. Consider it a prophylactic." She dragged the blue eyed girl out of the living room and the guys sat back down on the couches.

"You sir are stubborn, I'll give you that." Lucas sighed with a smile, "but this isn't a date."

"No, I know. But we've hardly had one on one time either. It's kind of like a pre date," his eyes moved down the hallway to make sure they weren't there. "Josh, I like Riley and I hope you know I don't plan to sleep with her and leave her."

"Yeah, I know. I've never seen you work so hard at anything, smooth move with those damn gummy bears." They fist bumped, "just know what you're doing Luke. Because I know what she's thinking, partly because of Maya and partly because she's my sister."

The emerald eyed man tossed his hands up, "tell me."

"She's told you. You two are very different people, she thinks you deserve someone who people know exists."

"That's stupid," the quarterback muttered, "I don't care about popularity, despite what other people think. And she's right we are different, but that's what I want. Someone who challenges me, like what the hell does prophylactic even mean?"

"How are you top 5 in our class?"

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"Why are you and Josh pushing this?"

"Because we both know you like him, can I wear this?" Riley nodded, "and if Josh is pushing you to go out with not just a guy but one of his best friends shouldn't that tell you something? He would never let you date someone he didn't trust."

The brunette toyed with her hair and ended up leaving it down, then began her makeup, "what about what I said this morning? We're too different, I have bruises on my body for a reason."

Maya dropped the clothes that she had pressed against her body, "do me a favor and picture the cheerleaders. Most popular girls in school, just about, as a friend would you want Lucas to date any of those girls?" Hoes fo' sho'. Yeah I can be gangster in my head. But the gangsterness is totally negated by saying the word 'gangster'. "Exactly. I don't think you can decide for him who he does and doesn't like, or who he should or shouldn't date. He's a big boy, and you're a big girl, if you like each other then quit pushing him away. Trust me, this is for your own good. Yeah you got hurt last night, but you can't play life safely. You both are stepping out of your comfort zones and spreading your wings. I don't think he wants to be just a 'football star' anymore."

"He doesn't. But, I don't think he even knows that yet." Riley stepped into her black fit and flare dress, "zip me up. I'm gonna go out today and have a good time, no being shy. Just 2 friends hanging out."

"Perfect! Let me just say, he can't get better than you. Plus you look beautiful, don't waste the makeup, or the outfit." Riley inhaled proudly and smiled, before giving her best friend a grin. "Now go, I've gotta get cute for my date tonight."

The brunette's fingers touched the door knob, "congratulations by the way. I'm happy for you." As usual her booties announced her presence, "hey you ready?" Lucas raised himself off the couch quickly and grinned.

"You're awful dressed up for a friend date sis." Josh winked at Lucas.

"I wasn't sure where we were going. Is this not okay? I can change." Her brown eyes moved from her brother to the quarterback who felt like he couldn't catch a breath. She was stunning, Oh God this is too much. I knew he didn't like me like that. Slowly turn around and go to your bedroom. She was halfway around when he finally said something.

Luke cleared his throat, "NO, no don't change." He pointed towards Riley. "You beautiful thing you are coming with me." Her lips curved upwards. He placed his hand on the small of her back on the way out the door.

"So where are we going?" The brunette buckled her seatbelt and grinned.

"First you left these in my room last night." He passed her the box of gummy bears, "second I found this classics, antique shop that I think you'll really like. They have old books and records." YAAAAASSS! I love those stores, play it cool. This is just friends hanging out.

Her fingers fidgeted, "that sounds great." Alright small talk, we're friends talk about anything. "I'm sorry if I ruined your party last night."

"No, no you didn't. The fight did, and then the guy that hurt you did. You didn't do a thing." Her brown eyes moved towards the ground, "you nervous Riley?"

"If I was?"

"I'd have to ask you why? You're beautiful."

Her shoulders rose and dropped just as rapidly, "I don't really hang out with popular football players in my spare time. Or guys in general. I've never been on a date or had a kiss." Did you just admit that out loud?

"You're kidding?" Riley disagreed then shyly glanced out the window, "that's crazy to me."

"I mean I have hung out with like Farkle, but that's about it." Lucas took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers.

"Aren't we supposed to be friends?" Oh God, I did say that out loud. I like the hand holding, I like his eyes, and those dimples.

"You aren't letting go." Touché Friar, touché! "I was thinking lunch after the shop."

"Well, how about you take me to this place and then take me to a place you like. I don't really know a whole lot about you. Friends are supposed to know stuff about each other."

He glanced to his right, "okay. Mine's a little further away though."

"I have all day." She whispered.

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"Wow, 'The Shop around the Corner'. I've never been her but it's so cute." There were vines running up the sides of the brick building, the shop itself screamed antique, plus the stained glass was gorgeous. "How'd you find this place?"

"Google, for hours last night." Lucas helped her out of the truck and ensured he took her hand before letting her run off.

"You spent that much time for a friend date?" A smile overwhelmed her face. That's awful thoughtful.

The quarterback smirked, in his mind this was a date, certainly unofficial but a date nonetheless. "For that smile? Always." Her cheeks flushed, she inhaled deeply and walked into the store. Alright so he excels in being a lady killer. Wait was she the current lady he was killing?

"Oh my gosh!" It was so quaint, there were so many things to look at and she didn't know where to begin. "I can't go that direction." Her finger pointed towards all the china and glassware. There were old Coca Cola signs; mirrors, lamps, chairs, there were even some clothes. "I'd be like a bull in a china closet." The brunette giggled and moved her head to the right.

Lucas tapped on the front desk. "Ma'am, I called earlier about the-"

"Ah, I remember. Yes, right this way." An elderly woman led them down a hallway. This is where he Dexter's me. I knew it, he was a literal lady killer!

"Lucas, where is she leading us?" The quarterback didn't say anything, he smirked and tightened the grip on her hand. He saw the door and covered her eyes, the brown eyed girl snickered, "what are you doing?"

"This is a surprise, or I would've told you already." Lucas nodded and the older woman opened the door, "thank you very much ma'am. Now take a few steps, don't worry I won't let you knock anything over." Good luck with that Friar! "Good, ready? 1. . . 2. . . 3." His large hands fell back to his side.

"OH MY GOD!"

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Let me know what you think!

What's behind the door?

What kind of place will Lucas bring her to?