Chapter 7
"Wow." Riley instantly removed her shoes and stepped into the creek, leaving Lucas' hand behind, "this is beautiful. Like this looks like it's from a picture." The running creek was the only noise, besides the occasional bird chirping. The sunlight cut through the trees, shining brightly on certain parts of the water. Lucas stared at her lovingly; in a dress, barefoot in a creek, and the sun hitting right behind her head, it couldn't have been better. "How'd you find this place?"
The quarterback sluggishly shrugged his shoulders, "I just drove one night and once I got out of town far enough I saw that line of trees, and walked. It reminds me of my Pappy Joe's ranch in Texas, its quiet."
The brunette elevated her chin and looked at the towering trees above her, "yeah. You're right I almost feel like I have to whisper." She started giggling and continued to walk through the water.
The green eyed man kept his hands in his pockets and followed her along the edge. "What's so funny?"
He reached out for her hand and she took it without question. Oh okay, I did that out of instinct. Mph, was that normal? "Um, I was just thinking." He's a lady killer. Of course he said he liked me, which might change a thing or two.
"About?"
Riley bit her lip afraid to say anything, but did because it really was funny. "Do you bring all your dates out here?" She stopped walking and felt an urge to kiss him, her first kiss.
"No, you're the first." Lucas lightly guided her closer towards him, "you were the only person I felt could really appreciate this place." Her arms found their way around his waist inhaling his cologne, he caressed her cheek. "Can I kiss you?" She didn't have to say anything, she wasn't thinking anything either. They communicated with their eyes and he lightly touched her lips. Her stomach did back flips, she'd never felt this way before. Riley's toes curled and she continued to kiss him, soaking up every single second of this moment, deepening it with every small release. Lucas couldn't believe what was happening, he couldn't believe he was kissing her. He couldn't believe how happy he was. The only reason they stopped was because his phone rang, "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. Get it." His lips touched her forehead before he released her back to play in the water. YAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS! That was pretty damn perfect, except for the fact we aren't dating. Oh wait I don't care because he's Lucas freaking Friar, star quarterback and he was my first kiss!
Hey Josh. Good timing man.
I don't know what was happening, but I'm glad I called.
What'd you need?
Maya wants to take pictures and needs a model. Riley was my first thought but I couldn't get ahold of her.
Yeah, she's here.
Ask her when we can take them and do you know a spot?
Lucas glanced upward and saw Riley kicking water, he couldn't help the smile on his face.
Um, yeah I'll ask her and I'll let you know. I do have a spot, it'll be perfect.
Thanks man. Later.
Lucas hung up the phone and sauntered back towards her. Riley was still thinking about the kiss, her first kiss. The one that melted her heart, it was literally like a dream. She couldn't have imagined her first kiss being better. "Hey Maya needs a model for some pictures. Would you be interested?"
"Me?" She disagreed quickly, "that's not a good idea. I would feel awkward."
"You're beautiful. I think it'd be a great idea, besides no one else will see them besides you, me, Maya and Josh. We'll take them here." The quarterback could tell she was considering it, "I'll let them know." Oh okay, because I said yes.
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"Oh my gosh, that was a lot of fun."
"I can't believe you've never done painting with a twist. I mean, I've never done it either but you're a professional artist." Maya giggled and took his hand while staring at her canvas of the beach at sunset. "You did a lot better than me." Josh held up his picture and couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you for an amazing date. I really enjoyed myself." She climbed into his jeep and bit her lip, not wanting this date to end.
"Anytime, literally, anytime." Josh found himself leaning in towards Maya, his hand moved to caress her cheek, her eyes closed taking in the embrace and felt herself falling into his hand. "Maya can I kiss you?" Her lips turned upwards, and she moved the last few inches to kiss him. His hands pulled her in, ensuring she wouldn't leave. Josh stroked her hair, and kissed her one more time before she pulled away.
"Finally." The blonde whispered, he laughed and couldn't help himself, pressing his lips onto hers felt so natural.
"You don't have to go home right away do you?" She shook her head, "want to go back to my place? Watch a movie?"
"I'd love to." She inhaled deeply and sat back in her seat. Reliving the moment, the one that happened a few seconds ago, still feeling those butterflies. This whole day has felt 100 percent surreal, for everyone. Maya knew she'd wake up in just a few minutes, and realize this was all a dream.
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Things are changing! It used to be so simple, I'd wake up, get ready for school. Make a bowl of cereal, pick up the bowl of cereal that I dropped and now I'm here. Avoiding Lucas at all costs since the kiss, which proved to be difficult because he kept coming by. Supposedly for Josh, but whenever he'd come knocking on her door she'd dive out the window. So that was pretty smooth, it was now Tuesday and it consisted of ignoring him again, but um his locker is right by mine, and he plays football, I'm the athletic manager. Oh look a fight. Riley ran towards the crowd and pushed her way through, "Maya what's going on?" Her eyes moved to the 2 men in the center of the hallway, "LUCAS!" The quarterback dropped his fist and gazed into her eyes, "what are you doing?" Why are my eyes leaking? Oh my God I'm crying.
"Riley-"
"DON'T!" The brunette spun around and sprinted away. Of course, he didn't really change. He kissed me, which is what he wanted and now we're here. I mean, I haven't talked to him since Sunday. Oh okay, I'm falling. "Ow." I'm just going to lay on the floor. The brunette released her fists and let them lay on the cold tile floor, thank God he didn't come after me.
"RILEY!" Damn it. "Are you okay?" Lucas helped her off the ground and intentionally kept their hands intertwined.
"What were you doing?"
Lucas dropped his head, "I don't-I don't know. I just lost it."
"You were doing so well Lucas!" Why do I care so much?
The quarterback clenched his jaw, "why have you been ignoring me?" Shit. Her lips separated as if she was about to say something. Was he blaming me? Wait say that out loud Riley.
"Are you blaming me for what you were doing? Seriously?" Goodbye shy Riley, hello to angry Riley.
"I quit fighting for you!"
"I told you not to! I said do it for yourself!" Riley replied and dropped her hands from his, "we're friends Lucas."
He scoffed and clenched his jaw even harder, he is about to break his teeth. "Friends? Really? That kiss we had was way more than friends."
That's for damn sure. "Lucas, you know what you are right." His jaw released the tension and a light smile approached his lips, "but you're fighting Lucas. I'm gone for a few days and you beat some guy to a pulp."
"You don't know why I was doing it!" Hello strong jaw.
"You're right," I whisper, "I don't. I have no idea why you fight, I have no idea why you started in the first place and even though you say it's because you hate bullies I see right through you. It's deeper than that." Lucas dropped his head and ran his fingers through his sandy blonde hair. The school bell rang and Riley only had one more thing to say, "You're right Lucas that kiss was way more than a friendly thing. But you need to focus on you and figure out how to stop yourself from fighting. I'm flattered that you did it for me, but clearly you need to do something for you." Her lips brushed against his cheek. "If you need a friend to talk to I'm here."
Lucas watched her waltz away, in her signature flared skirt and booties. "Riley." He let out a heavy sigh, and swallowed his emotions.
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"Coach, do I have to go to the away game tomorrow?"
"Yes." So serious. "You won't really have to do too much but you can keep things organized for me. For the guys, sign out sheets and what not. Don't worry the guys won't mess with you." Her brown eyes found Lucas on the field, it was easy because he was staring right at her. How can he pass the ball if he isn't watching where it was going? "Just meet us at the buses, they leave at 5."
The brunette nodded, "Yes Coach. Dinner will be there by 4, and I've confirmed the buses."
"Thank you." The wind blew in her hair as she spun on her heels and trudged across the track. Why can't I just drive myself up there? Dang it! Hey go me, I didn't cuss!
"RILEY!"
She licked her lips before turning around, "hi Lucas." God she's beautiful.
"Hi." The quarterback removed his helmet and revealed his dimples, "I want to talk to you."
Her almond eyes narrowed, "in the middle of practice?" He chuckled lightly and disagreed.
"I'll pick you up after practice." She shook her head, "friends. Please Riley, I need you." You have no idea how much I need you Riley. He could tell from the look on her face that he hit her soft spot, "please."
"Okay, yeah. I'll just meet you at your truck." He smiled again and ran his fingertips down her forearm before grasping her hand. She lightly bit her lip and closed her eyes enjoying the embrace. Do I make her nervous? Ask her!
"Do I make you nervous?" Riley's eyes sprung open and she clenched her jaw before removing her hand from his grasp.
"I'll see you later." She continued her original plan to leave the field, hurrying to calm herself down.
"It's a date!" He yelled, which made her come to a screeching halt.
"NO IT'S NOT!" The brunette turned back around as he laughed. Her brown eyes caught sight of a smirking Missy, "great." She mumbled under her breath.
He threw his helmet back on and jogged back to the field. "What'd she say?" Josh questioned, "Is she good?"
"She said she'd wait by my truck, so we'll see. I feel awful." Correction, I feel awful without her. It's so weird how I have become so attached to her. She makes me a better person, I need her. "Why did I have to fight that guy?" More like why did Riley have to see me?
Josh laughed and took out his mouth guard, "because dude, he was being a dick."
"Not to me." The quarterback mumbled and fixated his gaze to the field entrance where Riley was just now exiting.
"You're right he was a dick to some girls, which is a better reason. Just talk to her Luke, she'll come around."
"Yeah I hope so."
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What am I doing? You're his friend Riley, be his friend. Maybe he genuinely wants to talk to you. Oh God there he is. Lucas, hello! That white t-shirt looks like it's about to burst at the seams, and yup those are his cowboy boots. I feel like I'm having a heart attack. Just say hi. "Hey Lucas." Damn you're good, oh he's about to hug you. And there's that cologne.
He enveloped her in his muscles and his earthy cologne. "Hi beautiful." He inhaled deeply and squeezed her even tighter. "How are you?"
"Great, how are you?"
The quarterback pulled away and caressed her cheek, "better now."
"Lucas, what are you doing?" Oh thank goodness he didn't pull away.
"Taking you out on a date." He lifted her off the tailgate and opened up the passenger door.
Riley clicked her tongue several times, "this isn't a date. I thought you said you needed to talk?" Lucas Friar you are one smooth son of a-
"I do. So we're going to my spot and if you truly feel like this isn't a date you can ignore the candles and picnic I brought with us." Awe, that's just about the cutest thing I ever heard. He jumped into his truck and glanced out the passenger door, "you coming princess?"
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Thanks for reading.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Let me know what you think:)
