Neon Sign

Author Note: This takes place as part of Dance in the Rain, as a new part of a scene from the chapter Dear Darlin'.


Lucas stood outside the bar for a moment; he couldn't help but think about what he'd done earlier in the day when he'd gone to see Prince Laurence. He'd laid his heart out on the line, revealing the depth of his love, the honesty of it all in a way that maybe he should've said to her a long time ago with oh so much more.

He ran his hands over his blonde hair before going in, it was still early but the way his heart felt ripped into a million tiny pieces, the twisted, knotted, butterflies combined in his stomach only seemed to find relief from one thing at the moment.

As he sat down he didn't even have to make an official order, Zay had the whiskey waiting for him. He took a sip tasting the cinnamon undertones as his throat burned as he swallowed. Yet something about this reminded him he was alive, even though he felt dead inside.

Lucas glanced at the clock on the wall, which was really nothing more than a neon beer advertisement. He couldn't help but wonder what Riley was doing at this moment, where was she right now?

Was someone doing her hair and makeup, were people helping her put on a dress that was far more fancy than she was comfortable in?

Was she making love to Laurence arching her body in ways that Lucas had been allowed to do?

Was she having a quiet dinner alone with him, candlelight and champagne with the fanciest caviar like in old movies?

Was she lost in thoughts of becoming an honest to God Princess?

Was she sitting on a bed, a sheet wrapped around her body as Laurence kissed the back of her neck and she studied her gaudy engagement ring?

Was she calling out Laurence's name in the throes of passion?

How did that even work?

Yes Laurence fuck me like that, oh yes Laurence that's the spot. Oh Laurence you're so big, bigger than Lucas, better than Lucas.

He took another sip of his whiskey.

Maybe it made him a caveman but the thought of another man making love to Riley, touching her, discovering the way she always shivered if he ran his fingers over her breasts before suckling them slowly.

Damn what Lucas wouldn't give to ride a bull right now, to feel the animal be tamed or throw him. To feel something other than the heartbreak that was dripping through his body.

He took a third sip, looking at the clock again.

Why was time ticking so slowly?

Why did it feel like the days wouldn't end?

He closed his eyes and all he could see was Riley, the sun shining in her hair as they ran around the park. Her smile infectious, she could make the saddest person on the worst day of their life smile.

Why did she make love to him, and not just once?

Why did she say yes when he came back to her that first night, why did she give him that night, that hope, that promise of a future only to snatch it away in the morning?

Why did she take him to the alley outside the club, or Maya's bathroom, why did she go home with him?

If they weren't meant to be why did he love her so damn much?

If they weren't meant to be why did she fall into his lap on the subway all those years ago?

He looked at the clock again, trying not to wonder where she was, what she was doing as he pulled out his phone trying to find a distraction and maybe his email would hold the answer.