Okay so that apparently wasn't a great guess. I've never had a boyfriend before, so when I first heard 'I have something to tell you', I immediately went to the thought that he wanted to break up. But then I'm like, hey at the football game he said he didn't want to lose me. So my guess and his words were pretty contradictory. I didn't want to be overdramatic and assume he'd break up with me so of course I went to my next option.

Is he dying?

It's a valid question, what else could be going on? Oh no, what if he's moving back to Texas? No. no. no. no. Not okay with that. Nope, nope, nope. I refuse, I will sit on him and make him stay here. Like that would actually make a difference. Okay so this idea is much more valid than the dying question. The thought of him moving away again makes my heart clench within my chest. I don't like that feeling.

At. All.

I can feel my brows furrowing and my bottom lip trembling already. Hurriedly I suck it in and begin to think of what he could possibly be going down there for. His parents? Honestly, that wouldn't surprise me. I don't know if I could move out of state where I couldn't go visit my parents on a regular basis. But if he was willingly moving back to Texas then why would he make me fall in love with him to only pack up and leave? Jerk. Okay, you know what. I am making a lot of assumptions and I don't even know if that's what actually is happening.

Inhaling deeply, I shut my eyes and focus solely on my breathing. "Okay sweet cheeks, do I need to take you to the doctor? Are you having a panic attack?"

The left side of my lips twitch upward, opening my eyes I am just now realizing he's cupping my face in his hands. Worry etched across his face as he glances back at me. "Answer my question."

He chuckles, unknowingly igniting a fire within me. I love the way he laughs, "No princess. I'm not dying, I'm incredibly healthy. I even got my flu shot this year."

Ah the flu shot, Maya and I had… have an ongoing debate. She believes that the flu shot is a conspiracy theory since they use strands of the flu virus in the shot that should prevent it. I told her that it was a dead strand but she doesn't listen. Maya simply says that it's the government or FDA's or hospitals way to make more money, because the one time she got a flu shot she got the flu. Yes, Maya thinks they are intentionally trying to make people sick, so they'll have to go to the doctor and in the end they make more money.

I seriously need to focus. Blinking several times, I bring myself out of Rileytown and glance at Lucas. "Welcome back love." He takes a sip of his drink and crawls on the bed beside me. He takes my hands in his, "I really need you to pay attention and not go all Riley on me."

Should I feel insulted? He has a serious expression on his face and I really don't like that. The eerie feeling of something being wrong starts to creep within me. My stomach twists, but I remind myself that I have no idea what's going on and should remain calm. Crap, I'm already going 'Riley'. I should resent the fact that I have a term coined after my melodramatic actions. Instead I'm already using it on myself. "Okay."

"I've actually got 2 things to tell you. First, my best friend from Texas is coming up to visit."

A smile creeps on my lips, so far so good. "That's great. I can't wait to meet him or her?"

"Him." he corrects.

"Him, when does he get here?"

Lucas grins, "Sunday. I will warn you that he and Ryder are kindred spirits. We should probably keep them in separate rooms. Though Ryder is more obnoxious with his approach, they are both flirty and both very, very –"

"Ostentatious?"

He chuckles, "Yes. Exactly.

Well that's good, I really get along with Ryder. Speaking of him, I haven't seen his face around lately. Though with Missy being back I have no doubt he's staying busy. I actually think Lucas is warming up to him, whenever he isn't flirting with me. He only does it to get a rise out of my boyfriend. "Well I can't wait. Oh my goodness, maybe we can all go to the diner! How long is he going to stay? Will he be going to our school?"

"Indefinitely, Aunt Charlotte doesn't really care and he's taking a gap year in between high school and college. Wanting to see the world he says, but unless you count the DFW area along with a multitude of women 'seeing the world' then he hasn't accomplished that yet."

I nod in acknowledgement, "Well I can't wait. He sounds entertaining, to say the least." We both laugh and I take the chance to sip on some lemonade. I now know that the first half of this conversation was light and airy. The calm before the storm, because that's happy news. I can't wait to meet Zay, if he's anything like Ryder we will get along well. "Alright so what's the bad news?"

He frowns and brings my hands to his lips, brushing them against my knuckles softly. "It isn't bad news. I'd say it's more shocking and possibly overwhelming? I don't even know if that's the right word. Anyways, I'm just going to start talking and hopefully this comes out the way I need for it to. So you know that I moved to Texas, do you know why?" Hesitantly I shake my head no, I had just assumed that it was because there was family down there. "One reason was because my mom's side of the family was down there. Charlotte wanted to move back but that didn't happen, anyways I'm losing track. The second reason was because my father was investing in a hotel down there and needed to be there for the build and set up and help with the hiring." Instantly I'm confused, "My dad started an investment company. A billion dollar and very large company that has their hands in everything luxury." Billion as in 'b'?

Blink. Blink. Blink.

"Starting January second the company is mine."

I just shake my head, no. "Yes." Lucas furrows his brows at my defiant attitude. There's no way he hasn't even finished high school yet. As if he knows what I'm thinking he says, "Which leads me to my next confession. I've already graduated."

Blink. Blink. Blink.

"When I came back to New York, my intention was you. I wanted you and my way of doing that was being around you as much as possible. So after a hefty donation to the school," he grumbles, "I was allowed to repeat my senior year, granted these grades would not be permanent."

So that's why he never takes notes and aces everything.

Lucas glances at me warily, his green orbs trying to decipher what exactly it is that I'm thinking or feeling at the moment. But whenever I don't say anything or make a move to change my facial expression, he continues. "I'll be taking control of the company, and taking some business courses online at the beginning of the year."

"So…" I guess I'm just trying to wrap my mind around everything that has happened. "I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret asking this, but when you came back and you had all my classes?"

Immediately his face flushes, his hands moving to rub the back of his neck nervously. "I was really hoping to avoid this part." Stalker. "I had a buddy of mine –"

"Zay." I fill in for him, I don't know how I knew but I did and since I was meeting him on Sunday Lucas was trying to save face.

He scrunches his nose and closes those emerald orbs before nodding. "Yeah. He uh, hacked into the schools servers. I have no idea how he even did it."

"That's creepy." I blurt out as soon as he finishes speaking. And then because I'm getting somewhat of a stalker vibe I continue, "At the time I wanted to smack you into next year. I was calling you a 'Russian Toad', a 'nincompoop' and a multitude of other kind words." And that's when it hit me, "Oh for all that is good and holy." When I say 'it' hit me, I meant everything that he just admitted hit me full force with brass knuckles.

First, Lucas has graduated high school.

Second, he came back to school – paid for it – so he could be around me. I don't really know what to think of that.

Third, he got his friend to hack into the school's servers to have the same schedule as me. At least now I knew how he ended up pulling that off. That's a positive.

Fourth, he takes over a multi-billion dollar company at the beginning of the year.

Lucas rises from the bed cautiously. How on earth did I get off the bed? Why are my hands in my hair? "Riley?"

My foot begins to tap on its own will, a habit I picked up on while I'm processing information. Something he gives me hell for in class. When the only thing you can hear is the 'tap, tap, tap' of my foot, Lucas catches on to what it is I'm doing and he nods in understanding.

10 minutes later I'm pacing the room. Lucas, being the patient man he is just sits on the edge of the bed with his hands clasped in between his legs. "How are you so calm?" I ask.

He shrugs and tries not to smile, oh if he smiles I'll go berserk! "I mean, I've known since I was 16 that I'd be taking over the business. So I've had time to process the information?"

"That's…" understandable, "not fair." He furrows his brows and I realize I'm not even being coherent? What does that even mean? Not fair? We weren't even talking at age 16, of course I didn't know he would be taking over this business, or any business for that matter. By the look on my face he came to the conclusion that I don't even know what I said when I used the words 'not fair', so he kindly sweeps that under the rug. I'm glad he did because that would be embarrassing. "I can't seem to quite comprehend the fact that I'm dating a billionaire stalker."

"I'm not a stalker." He defends instantly which has me gaping at him.

"Need I remind you of your little hacker friend?" Arching my brow, I continue my pacing across his room. "So when you turn 18 –"

Lucas rises from the bed, my hands intertwine with his naturally. This guy, damn him for making things better with one touch. And damn him for not doing that sooner! Ass. "I don't take any responsibility until January 2nd."

"Even without a business degree?" I don't really know how things work in the business world despite the fact I have looked into a business degree. I still don't know what I want to do with my life for sure, but the more time I spend at my mom's shop the more I love baking. Maybe?

He nods and pecks my forehead, "Like I said I'm going to take a few business classes but the board approved it. Uncle Brett, he's been running the company and doesn't have a business degree. Since the company has profited with him in charge, they are willing to take a chance with me – under his wing of course."

"So Brett took over after your parents passed away?" He nods, and though he tries to cover it up I can tell my words were like ripping off a Band-Aid on a fresh wound. It's odd, sometimes he acts as if he wants to speak about them and other times he almost completely closes off. I think that's bad grammar – almost completely – but I don't care. His parents passed away 2 years ago, but from the way he flinches in a mention of them it's as if it just happened.

I'm not trying to be insensitive but – you know what I can't say anything. I have never lost anyone close to me and for that I'm extremely blessed. "Wouldn't the company being turned over twice in four years be a hindrance to the company?"

A smile approaches his lips, "If it were being bought out then yes. Productivity would slow down and companies could terminate association with us, but in this case our operations are remaining the same, the name on the CEO's office door is changing however." I can tell by the smugness in his tone he is going to love that. C.E.O. Lucas Friar, eh I can't see it. "I just, I know that when January 2nd comes around it will be more difficult to see you."

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I don't say or do anything. "With me learning the ropes of the company –

"I understand." I whisper, I don't want to hear about that. I'll make the best of the time I have left. At least I don't feel like jumping in that freezing cold pool outside to make sure I'm not dreaming anymore. Yes that thought had occurred to me. You're probably thinking, why? There's a shower right over there. And my only answer for you is, dramatization. "I just have one request and I won't go all 'Riley' on the situation."

His eyes narrow before he releases a throaty chuckle. "What's that sweet cheeks?"

"No female PA's or secretaries. I've read way too many WattPad stories and I don't like them. They're all hoes foe sho!" Those eyes that remind me of a damn meadow light up with amusement while he nibbles on his lip in an effort to stop from laughing.

Does he think I'm kidding?

Without a warning he begins to laugh, his arm curling around his ribs while he's hunched over. "I don't like it when you laugh at my thoughts or ideas you nincompoop!"

"I'm –" He stops and exhales, puffing out his cheeks in the process. "Baby I'm sorry. I'm just saying after everything you heard tonight and found out you are worried about me having an affair with a PA or secretary?"

"Like that's the most ridiculous idea ever?" I question with a raised brow, "Have you seen yourself? I mean honestly looked at yourself in the mirror?" When he doesn't answer I continue, "You sir are what some women define as attractive and let me tell you, I'd try to get in your pants."

That got his attention.

Seconds later, I'm lying on my back. Lucas is hovering over me, how did I get here? I'm pretty sure my hair is on the chicken nuggets… damn him, ruining perfectly good chicken nuggets. "I have an idea. Let's play a game, are you a naughty secretary Ms. Matthews?" Lucas questions while pressing a feather light kiss to my neck.

"No." I reply bluntly while forcing myself to not whimper from how good that kiss felt.

Lucas laughs and rolls off of me, "Are you mad at me princess?"

"Yes."

He frowns and props himself up on his elbow while his other arm is still draped around my stomach. "What made you mad? That way we can address it specifically."

"Well, Lucas to be honest I'm pissed because my hair is in the chicken nuggets." His tense shoulders immediately drop with my revelation. He thought I was seriously mad about the company? HA! No. It would have been nice to know earlier but I'm not mad. A little creeped out that he's a stalker, but hey he's pretty cute what am I gonna do? "Chick-Fil-A Lucas, freaking Chick-Fil-A and for whatever reason my hair is still in them. You know I won't eat them now."

"So weird." He chuckles before resting his face in my neck.

"I would like to call it sanitary!" I shout causing him to jump from my sudden outburst before he laughs again. "Next time you get lunch from the cafeteria I will litter it with my hair. And if you don't eat it I will call you 'so weird'."

I hear a sigh before his footsteps lead him to his walk-in closet. I hear the familiar sound of a chip bag, it's hard to miss. As soon as I see orange I'm fist pumping the air. Cheetos. "How many bags you got in there?" I question while glancing around his perfect body.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yes, that's why I asked."

When I know I won't get an answer, I sigh in defeat. At least I know where he keeps them. "This bag is for keeping the secret from you. I wanted to make sure you and I were real, before I spilled everything. NO matter how real we were in my mind, it had to be reality."

My bag is already opened, and I'm pretty sure I'm on my fifth crunchy Cheeto when I start talking. "I get it you didn't want a gold digger. Blahbity blah! What's the other bag for?"

"Next Friday we have a formal dinner. An investment client will be there and you have to come."

"No." I reply calmly before biting on my Cheeto. Seriously, I'm fixing to start my period because as soon as he hands me the other bag in his grasp I feel like my heart is melting. Either way, 1 week and he's just now telling me?! Urg, if he didn't have Cheetos I'd beat him up. But he came prepared, smart man. "You know the way to my heart."

Climbing back on the bed with me, I feel his lips press against my cheek. "Yes ma'am I do. So that just means if you go to this dinner with me, you'll get bunches of Cheeto's." I shyly shake my head while he chuckles, he can't always get his way with the cheesy goodness. Oh who am I kidding he can and he will. "We'll go shopping for a dress okay? On me. We can take the girls."

"I knew I loved you for a reason."

"I'm pretty amazing." He whispers before I feel his mouth press against mine. "But you can't see the dress I pick out." What am I saying? This isn't like a wedding or prom. Urg, I hate my mouth opening before I even fully process what it is I'm saying.

"We'll figure it out. We'll go Sunday."

Gingerly I continue to snack on everything, still processing all the information I've been provided with tonight. An 18 year old with a billion dollar company, that can't be easy. But I know Lucas can handle it, he's very smart, honest, blunt and talented. Not to mention a fast learner.

Wait, his birthday is coming up! Oh my goodness, Zay will be here for his birthday. Surprise party! I'm feeling a little surprise party deep in my bones. Now I just have to get our friends in on it. "Is there anything else you have questions about sweet cheeks?"

"Could you like, buy me a pony if I asked for one?" Acting as if he didn't understand the question I asked, or if he thought I was joking, I asked again. Lucas only nods, a hint of a smile toying on his lips. "I don't want one." Yes I do, "But knowing you can is pretty cool. Don't worry I'm not –"

"A gold digger." He finishes, "I know that."

Shrugging I take another drink of my lemonade, I knew his uncle had money. But his parents didn't have a huge mansion like this one. They had a simple one story house and didn't have extravagant cars. I never would have guessed, not to mention Lucas doesn't throw his cash around or act high and mighty. "You act as if you know me so well."

"Don't I?" I giggle and pass him a Cheeto. The true testament of my love for others.

"You don't. Because I want a pony. My dad never got me one."

"Oh you poor princess." I'm only able to let out a scream before I'm tackled completely to the bed with Lucas hovering over me. "I love you."

"I love you too babe." After waiting a few seconds and feeling his lips on my neck, I decide that I'm hungry and need to break up this moment. "So where did we land on the whole 'no female secretaries or PA thing'?"

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

I love cliché chapter endings. And I mean chapter endings, this is not the end of the book! So at the beginning of this chapter I had every intention of her running out of the house but I'm like realistically it isn't a huge deal. Sure he's a billionaire, whatev's because they love one another that doesn't change riley's opinion of Lucas. Plus you know he can buy her a pony. However I dwindled on the stalker part because first it's funny and second because she needed to make a big deal about something. Lol, I hope you guys liked it. I'm kind of iffy on it. I wasn't sure if this chapter stayed true to its characters because I was falling asleep writing half of this chapter. I won't even lie to you, I did fall asleep and it felt good.