Prologue

They sat at the fireplace in the lodge hands intertwined as they gazed at each other, there was something there, something between the two. They both knew deep down that something had always been there smoldering between the two and now everyone's cards were on the table. Mayas heart was in her throat after all these years, Josh Matthews had admitted he felt something for her. She cursed that her parents couldn't have conceived her just a few years earlier, but if they had, she might not have ever met Riley, or Josh or have all of her wonderful friends. She might not be here sitting with a boy she was completely head over heels admitting that he was willing to give them a chance; to play the long game.

"Someday?" Josh asked with that lopsided grin she adored.

Maya nodded with a grin "Someday." and while it wasn't exactly what she wanted, it was a compromise she was willing to accept, for now.

Present

The promise at the ski lodge was nearly three years ago, but the two kept their agreement. Every now and again they would find themselves in the same place, Josh would give her that signature smile and ask "The long game?" and Maya would always reply with her glowing smile she saved only him "The long game" and it still made her get butterflies. That was until last year when Riley begged Maya not to come over, but of course Mayas curiosity got the better of her Riley must be hiding something deliciously interesting if she didn't want her best friend around and when had she ever really listened to Riley anyways? So, she went to her second home, the Matthews apartment.

She stopped dead in her tracks regretting her decision to defy her best friend almost immediately, at the dinner table were Riley, her family, Josh and...Emily. Emily as Maya regretfully found out was Josh's girlfriend, who he met in College. Emily was a Theater major with long legs and purple in her hair. Emily was the same age as Josh, she wasn't three years younger, she was all sophistication and makeup and Maya hated her it was also when Josh stopped asking about the long game. That night she and Riley came up with their alarm system, if Josh was over Riley sent a red light emoji so she knew to stay clear and when it was safe, she would send a green light. Their system worked ninety percent of the time but there were some hiccups where Josh showed up unannounced but he never asked her their secret question and it crushed her.

Like Rileys Christmas party, when Josh showed up with Emily, Maya walked in on them making out in the hallway. It felt like a stab to her heart she knew their agreement, they were supposed to live their lives and if the stars aligned someday they would try. But it still hurt like hell and she did what she did best made a shitty comment and ran. She hid in Riley's room, Zay found her crumpled near the bay window sobbing. She didn't have to say why, he knew, he held her till she calmed and said soothing words. She and Zay grew closer after that, which really helped when Riley and Lucas were off being disgustingly cute.

Now a year later Maya was only mere weeks away from turning seventeen, she had been successful in dodging Josh and Emily for six months. Maya was trying to move on, she had even gone on a couple dates but nothing felt right, they were really just serving as distractions it seemed no matter how badly she didn't want to, she was still playing the long game.

Now like every friday evening Maya strolled to the Matthews apartment for another weekend in Rileytown. She was dressed in a Maroon long sleeve, a red and navy plaid skirt and knee high brown leather lace up boots her weekend bag slung over her shoulder with everything she would need. She and Riley were planning her seventeenth birthday, it was going to be a party of epic proportions and they needed every weekend to plan out every detail "What up other Family, I'm home!" she said cheerfully. Then she stopped as there was only one person in the open living space, and even with his back turned she knew, it was josh.

He turned from the fridge he was rummaging in with a surprised look that melted into his stupid smile "Maya...Long g-time...its been a long time" he seemed to stumble over his words.

Maya instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as if to protect her "Where's Riley?" she asked her voice as stiff as her body language.

Josh turned back to the fridge grabbing a soda cracking it open "They went to go pick up Chinese" He turned back to her crossing the room "Should be back soon, wanna watch TV while we wait?" he asked sitting on the couch grabbing the remote to flip through channels patting the cushion beside him.

Maya stayed put by the door head full of soft blonde waves shaking "It's friday night shouldn't you be with-No nevermind. I'll just go wait in Riley's room" she stopped herself from asking about Emily, she didn't need to reopen that wound. As she crossed the room, something hooked her elbow. Her whole body tensed as she whipped around coming face to face with Josh, he was still nearly a foot taller than her making her have to look up slightly, up at his stupidly perfect face.

"Maya. Why are you avoiding me." His face was settled into a hard expression, Josh had always been upfront, and never beat around the bush, Maya used to love that about him. Now...Not so much.

"I-I'm not Josh. I just…"The way his brown eyes bore into her, it was like he could see right through her and any lie that was about to pass through her lips. "I just want to get settled for the weekend she averted his gazed.

Josh's free hand hooked under her chin lifting it gently to look up at him "I'm not just talking about today Maya. For the last year I've barely seen you, you're never here when I come...You always used to be...You think I don't notice Riley running for her phone everytime I enter the house? I used to think…."he paused slightly as if he were going to back pedal on his words "I used to think it was to tell you I was there so you could come over….But now...Now I think she was warning you." there was an edge of hurt in his tone. Maya wanted to laugh he was the one who went and got a girlfriend did he really think she would just sit around and watch waiting for her chance?

She bit her lip shaking her head to free her face from his touch she didn't want to talk about it, and she really didn't want to admit he was right. Her blue eyes narrowed "Don't you have a girlfriend to be with, than give me the third degree."

Josh looked taken back from her words for a split moment, "Girlfriend?...No...Maya...Emily and I broke up."

Maya froze, he and Emily weren't together anymore? How long had that been, did Riley know? Was he still playing? So many questions whirled around in her head. They stood there, his grip still on her arm just staring at each other. She was about to speak when the door opened and they jumped apart "Peaches!" Riley's voice filled the room "Uncle Josh!...Oh...no..Peaches, uncle Josh…." Riley's voice began to get frantic looking between the two as Maya crossed the room linking their elbows "Now now darling, calm down, I know I've missed you too, four hours apart is just too long" She said smoothly glossing over the awkwardness, she and Riley would be having a conversation later.