Chapter 14 - Let's Get This Show On The Road

"Here you go!" The airport personnel handed Riley and Lucas their boarding passes back. "Hope you two enjoy your trip."

The pair just made it through the security checkpoint. They collected their luggages and looked towards the signs that stated which way to go for each gate.

"Gate A7," Lucas read from his boarding pass. "It's that way." He pointed towards their right and they began to walk.

"There's a Starbucks over there," Riley stated as she turned her head slightly to the left to smile at Lucas. "Can we get breakfast?"

He chuckled and nodded, "Sure let's go." They made their way towards the coffee shop and fell in line. Riley began to open up her purse to grab her wallet when Lucas' hand stopped her. "It's on me."

"But Lucas,"

"You're going to have to get used to the fact that I'm your boyfriend now," He winked at her and she bit her lip in response. "That's what I thought. What do you want?"

She looked at him lovingly briefly and then blinked a few too many times, "Iced green tea latte and a blueberry scone please!"

"Okay bebs," He grinned.

Riley looked away and sighed deeply. Before leaving that morning, Maya had texted her to ask if she was actually going to pull through with the game they were playing. But Maya knew that nothing could change Riley's decision because she had made a promise to a friend and Riley was too good to disappoint anyone. Knowing that her best friend would be worrying all week, Riley reassured her that it was strictly a business deal between her and Lucas-nothing more would happen between them.

Having been lost in her thoughts, Riley completely missed that Lucas had already placed in their order. "Lucas?" The barista called, pulling Riley out of her trance. She grabbed her food and drink from the counter and the two headed towards their assigned gates.

"Over there," Lucas nodded his head towards two seats that were situated by the glass window. Riley followed him and they took a seat, both of them placing their food and drink on the seat next to them. "Let me call my mom really quick to let her know that we're just waiting for departure." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and tapped a few times. "Hello?"

"Lucas dear!" His mom greeted on the other line a little too loudly causing Lucas to widen his eyes in surprise. "Are you at the airport?"

"Yes Ma," He laughed. "We're here now. We should be boarding in an hour or so."

"Oh we're so excited! I've been up since the crack of dawn!"

"You have our flight details right? I emailed it to you yesterday,"

"Oh yes I do! Is Riley next to you? Can I speak to her Luke?"

The took the phone off his ear and turned to his pretend girlfriend, "Mom wants to talk to you."

Riley widened her eyes in fright, "Me?" She mouthed and Lucas nodded. "Why me?"

"Please just take it?" He gave her his best puppy dog pout while Riley shook her head in disapproval. Finally, she gave in and gently snatched his phone from his hand.

"Uh," She cleared her throat. "H-h-hello? Mrs. Friar?"

"Oh pish posh Riley dear!" Mrs. Friar exclaimed. "Call me Lucy!"

Riley furrowed her eyebrows and mouthed, "Lucy?" Lucas chuckled and bit his lip to suppress it. "Lucy?" She stated again for Mrs. Friar.

"Much better." Mrs. Friar laughed. "I just wanted to let you know that I cannot wait to meet you Riley! I hope that you two have a safe flight and make sure you get a little bit of rest on the plane. I planned a fun filled week for you two!"

"Oh," Riley giggled. "Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to meeting you as well."

"You're too sweet! Okay dear take care! Bye!"

"Bye!" Riley responded and handed Lucas' phone back to him. "Ma?"

"It's a Texan thing!" He responded in defense.

"I don't feel so good," Riley swallowed a big lump in her throat.

"I'm sorry," Lucas put his head down.

Riley placed a hand on his shoulder, making the doctor look up to meet her eyes. "It's okay. It's part of this whole pretend thing right?" He nodded and gave her a small smile.

What is this effect she has on me? Just one slight touch and I'm immediately feeling better. Lucas thought. He didn't want any trouble. But sitting here at the airport, being one step closer to actually putting together their little act, he felt butterflies in his stomach. He hoped that at least by the end of their game, they would still remain friends.

"Let's get this show on the road?" Riley smiled offering her hand. He looked down at it and intertwined their fingers. She gingerly placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. "You still worried?"

"With you here?" He asked. "Not at all."

"Good," Riley responded. "Because the two of us worried at the same time, would be a terrible thing." The two stayed in the same position for a while before Riley straightened up and untangled her hand from Lucas. She grabbed the bag containing her scone and took a sip of her drink. "How's your uh food?"

"It's good," He shrugged. "Not as good as Topanga's."

"Of course it's not!" She giggled as she took a bite of her scone. "I'm going to have to take you there when we get back from Texas."

"Good,"

Attention all passengers of American Airlines Flight 1450 bound for Austin. We will be boarding shortly. Please check your boarding passes for your seat number. Thank you.

"You excited?" Lucas asked.

Riley nodded excitedly, "Hell yeah! New place, new adventures! And no work for a whole week!"

"Did I tell you Zay and Vanessa will be coming too?"

"They are? That's amazing!"

"Mhm," He chuckled. "Said he couldn't miss it for the world."

"You're going to take me to a rodeo right?"

"If that's what you want,"

She grinned, "I want"

Attention all passengers of American Airlines Flight 1450 bound for Austin. Thank you for your patience. We are now boarding first and business class, those requiring special assistance, and those traveling with infants and toddlers. We will then begin to board those seated at the back row.

Riley and Lucas got up from their seats and grabbed the handles of their carry on luggage. They walked towards the end of the line and tossed their garbage at a nearby waste bin. One by one, the passengers disappeared into the aircraft bridge to board the plane. Within a few minutes, Riley and Lucas had also made their way towards the front of the line to hand their boarding passes to the flight attendants.

They stepped into the plane and were directed towards their seats: a middle row and a window seat. Lucas stowed both their carry on in the over head bin and he took his spot on the window seat per Riley's request because it was her first time riding in an airplane and she would rather not see what was going on outside the aircraft.

Once everyone had boarded the plane, the flight attendant announced their upcoming take off. The screens in front of everyone's seats turn on and a video of instructions began to play. Within a few minutes of taxi-ing, the jet revved its engine and Riley immediately grabbed on to Lucas' arm and buried her face in it. Lucas chuckled. He pried Riley's hands off his arm and instead, placed it around her to pull her closer.

"Just close your eyes," He whispered.

"Why do I feel like we're slanted?" She screeched.

"It's just the plane taking off Riles," He gave her a tight squeeze. "I got you don't worry."

As they came out of their arrival gate, Riley exhaled loudly. "Well that was an experience alright."

"Now was that so bad?"

"Yes. Yes it was,"

The doctor chuckled at her silliness, "Okay Nurse Riley. Let's just go get our check in baggage from the carousel now."

"Horses have our baggages here?" Riley exclaimed in surprise. "Damn Texas!"

"Riley!" Lucas couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Not a carousel ride! A baggage carousel! I'll just show you," He took her hand in his and started to follow the crowd towards the baggage claim.

When they arrived and Riley saw what he had actually meant, her mouth formed into an 'O' in realization. "Those are most definitely not horses..."

"No they're not bebs,"

"Let's just uh," She popped her lips together. "Let's not speak of that ever again."

They took a few more steps before they heard someone call their names, stopping them at their tracks. The two turned their heads around and saw an older lady flinging her arms around, running towards them.

"Mom!" Lucas exclaimed, dragging his luggage and Riley behind him to meet his mother halfway. She threw her arms around Lucas and he did the same. Riley stood there taking in the mother and son reunion.

While still in an embrace with her son, she turns to her left and sees Riley. She immediately lets go of her son and jumps over to give Riley a bear hug, "Riley dear! It's so nice to finally meet you!"

"It's nice to finally meet you too!" Riley smiles, returning the hug.

"Sorry about your mother, son," A man approaches and gave Lucas a hug too. Riley assumed it was his father. "Lucy would you let that poor girl breathe?" Mrs. Friar let go and Riley was finally able to get a full vision of her. Lucy Friar was slightly shorter than Riley. She had tan skin, beautiful blonde locks that stopped just below her shoulders. Her eyes were as blue as the sea and she notices she had the same nose as Lucas. His father on the other hand was just as tall as Lucas. His hair was graying and he sported a beard. Riley then smiled at him-he had the same eyes as Lucas. "I'm Brent. Glad to finally meet you!" He stepped forward and gave Riley a quick hug.

"Oh she's such a beautiful lady Luke!" Lucy smiled. "I can't believe you didn't tell us about her earlier!"

"Mom,"

"Right okay let's go grab your luggages so we can all enjoy the home cooked meal I prepared!" She led the couple towards the carousel. "Oh this is going to be such a wonderful week!"

Riley stood in front of the Friar's dining table with wide eyes. Lucas' mother had prepared a feast for the five of them-Pappy Joe had joined them from his ranch just a few miles away from the Friar house.

"You good sweetie pie?" Pappy Joe asked after seeing Riley's reaction.

She nodded in reply, "This is just so much! An entire town could eat this!"

A loud laugh escaped Pappy Joe's lips, "Trust me this is just enough for the five of us."

"Riley dear," Lucy announced. "Take a seat right there next to Lucas and we'll get started." Riley did just as what she was told. The dining room had a rectangular table that had room for six. Lucas was seated to his father's left side. Pappy Joe and Brent Friar each sat at opposite ends at the head of the table while Lucy positioned herself just to the right of her husband. "Here you go sweetheart," Mrs. Friar sliced a slab of ribs and placed it on Riley's plate. She did this for all of the dishes that were on the table.

"Oh thank you so much Lucy but you didn't have to do that," She giggled.

"You can tell her to stop all week Riley," Mr. Friar began. "But she is going to spoil you rotten while you're here."

"I've never had a daughter before and Lucas over here has never brought home a girlfriend before," Mrs. Friar gave her son a look. "So I'm going to take advantage of it while you're here."

Riley smiled towards Lucas and he took her hand in his, "In that case, I won't argue." The five of them continued on to eat their meal whilst catching up on each other's lives. They talked about Lucas' upcoming party and what's left to be done for preparation.

"So tell us more about yourself Riley!" Pappy Joe asked.

"Well," She cleared her throat. "I'm a pediatric nurse at the same hospital Lucas has his residency. And I'm working on my doctorate degree as a nurse practitioner. I have a younger brother Auggie who's in college. Uh... my family owns a bakery in New York named after my mom. And that's about it."

"Oh wow, the power couple you are," Brent nodded and winked at the direction of his son. "So is that how you met then I'm assuming?"

"Yeah," Riley blushed. "We met before he started his first day. While he was still doing his orientation."

Lucy sighed deeply, "Y'all are just so adorable! So Lukey how did you ask her out?"

The doctor was taken aback. How did he ask her out? With quick thinking he responded, "I uh I went to her mom's bakery and ordered her favorite drink. I left it at the Nurses' Station with a note asking if she wanted to go out for dinner."

"How sweet of you my boy," Pappy Joe leaned back on his chair and rubbed his bulging belly. "I don't know about y'all but I am stuffed."

"The food was really great Lucy," Riley smiled. "Thank you so much. Would you like some help clearing the table?"

Lucy smiled, "You're welcome dear. And I'd really appreciate that." She got up from her seat and began to collect the dishes, Riley doing the same. "That way, I can tell you stories of Lucas when he was still a child!

"Mom!" Lucas groaned.

"Let me tell you the story of how he used to run around with a diaper on his head," Mrs. Friar began and the two girls walked away disappearing into the kitchen.

"Uh..." Riley's words dragged on. "I'm sleeping here?" She was standing by the doorway of Lucas' old room. Mrs. Friar had led them upstairs and told them they would both be sleeping there. Both of their luggages were already waiting for them inside.

Lucy walked inside the room and opened up the curtains, "I'm sorry dear. I didn't mean to assume anything but I thought you two would be okay staying in the same room. My sister and her family are taking the guest room for the weekend and I want you to feel as home as possible."

"Uh..." Riley gulped. "Yeah that's no problem with me at all. It's totally fine. No problem here. Nothing to worry about." She began to laugh nervously.

"Wonderful!" Lucy clapped. "Well I'm going to leave you two to get settled. Get some rest, shower, do what you must! I'll call you for dinner later!" She closed the door behind her leaving the two in an awkward silence.

The doctor cleared his throat, "I can sleep on the floor and you can take my bed."

"No that wouldn't be right," She shook her head. "I'll take the floor and you take the bed."

"Riles what kind of boyfriend would I be if I made you sleep on the floor?"

"Well what kind of girlfriend would I be if I let you sleep on the floor in your own room?" She argued raising her arms above her head. "I think there is only one solution here."

Lucas cocked his head to the side, "And what would that be?"

"We both sleep on the floor," She stated firmly. "You take the other side of the room and I'll take this side."

"Riley!" Lucas laughed, clutching his stomach in the process.

"What? It's the only way!"

"No it's not!" He laughed some more.

"Then what do you suggest hmm?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest, raising an eyebrow at him.

"It may not be the ideal situation but we're both going to have to take the bed,"

Riley gasped, "Oh no no no no. I know I agreed to this whole pretend thing but nothing, I am putting my foot down here, NOTHING is going to happen between us so no."

"And I agree too!" Lucas exclaimed. "It's purely innocent sleeping on the bed! I don't want my momma to come barging in here with the both of us sleeping on the floor on the opposite sides of my room. Or with you sleeping on the floor at all! It will just be impolite and she didn't raise me that way."

"Ugh," Riley groaned. "You and your Texan values! Fine."

"Thank you,"

"But you sleep on top of the sheets,"

"What if I get cold?"

"Get a blanket!"

"Yeesh!" Lucas backed away. "Miss sassy pants."

"Call me that one more time Lucas Friar and the day you need to get a catheter I will make sure to use the largest size,"

"Why on earth would I need a catheter? And why would you be the one to insert it?"

"I don't know!" Riley responded exasperatedly. "Just, would you just, I'm going to unpack."

"Relax bebs," Lucas chuckled. "Come here."

"No," She pursed her lips and looked away from him.

"Come on. Don't be like that,"

"No."

"Come here,"

"No."

"Fine I'll come over there," He slowly made his way towards her and wrapped his arms around her, giving her a tight squeeze. "Thank you again Riley. I can never thank you enough for this."

"Mhm," She mumbled in his chest.

"I've never seen my mother so happy for me," He sighed. "Well besides med school and stuff."

She looked up at him, "You're lucky you smell nice. "

He just laughed and hugged her tighter.

We're finally in TEXAS! WOOOT WOOOT! I missed y'all so much! Seriously, I miss writing! It's my only way to relieve some school stress but I have absolutely no time to relieve the stress which is really ironic. :(

Thank you for your patience! Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. I very much appreciate all the love :) My next chapter will be dedicated to all the reviewers because I absolutely love reading each and every single one of them. They keep me going and wanting to write more! So I will go through and jot down your usernames and give you a shoutout!

Response to the Guest reviewer who asked if I watched Filipino shows: YES! You caught me :) Can you guess which one?