Chapter 7
"Aiden, I gave you two chances." Josh said sternly while he casually planted his feet into the ground.
"You're the reason she broke up with me aren't you?"
"No, she broke up with you because you didn't treat her the way she deserves and you were cheating on her. I think that's reason enough." Lucas moved Riley backward, still not making eye contact and had his jaw clenched. Aiden's smile disappeared and he swung knocking Josh in the jaw. His friend swung at Lucas but missed and got a blow to the face.
"AIDEN STOP!" Maya screeched. Riley watched Lucas, hardly recognizing him anymore. Her hands fell to her side, as she stared at him punching Aiden's friend. Lucas glanced up, and had to do a double take, he was staring into the empty eyes of Riley and immediately stopped what he was doing to back away. The brunette finally felt like she could breathe. Lucas sauntered towards Josh and pulled him off of Aiden.
The quarterback turned his body to the side and picked Aiden up by the shirt. "I don't know who you are, and I don't really give a damn. But you're going to get the hell out of here, and thank God that my girl just saved you and your friend." His tone was so demanding, it was almost sexy as he dropped Aiden back on his feet.
"Good ridents."
The green eyed man stepped forward and his stare even made Josh shiver. "Excuse me?" Lucas whispered.
"I said good ridents to both Maya and Auggie." Riley's chin trembled as she watched Lucas punch him, knocking him to the ground than knocking him unconscious. He moved his eyes to try to find Riley, the blonde girl was holding her as she was bursting into tears.
"Take Aiden and get the hell out of here!" Josh exclaimed, Lucas was already beside Riley.
"Come here." The brunette threw herself into his chest. "It's okay." He whispered. "He was just being an ass, he didn't mean that Riles." Maya moved her eyes from her best friend to Lucas. "You okay Maya?" She shook her head and ran to her boyfriend. "Come on beautiful, let's get you home." He picked her up off the ground and carried her to his truck, inhaling her perfume.
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After a 30 minute car ride, and 30 minutes at home Riley finally stopped crying. "Are you okay?" She whispered while Lucas was washing his hands in the sink, getting a few cuts from that guys teeth clean.
"Are you?" She slowly nodded. "Then yes, i'm good." The brunette sauntered towards him and tried dusting off his shirt. "Don't worry about it, i'll wash it."
"That's a nice dress shirt." He started to unbutton it when she stepped backwards.
"Easy, i'm just changing shirts. I look pretty great in fancy clothes but they aren't comfortable." Her brown eyes couldn't help but notice his extremely chiseled physique, his back was noticeably wide even from the front and his shoulders looked like rocks. She hastily turned around and went into the garage, landing on the air mattress. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"You can."
"Why'd you run away as soon as Josh said 'double date'?" Lucas sat in front of her and tried to study her eyes.
"I felt happy for a second." She wiped the tear away and licked her lips. The quarterback grinned. "I shouldn't be though, I just lost my baby brother." She put her face into the pillow and cried, his phone started to ring so he lightly scratched her back.
Hello.
Hey Cory and Topanga are going out to dinner with my parents.
Thanks Josh. You good?
Yeah. You?
Right as rain. Y'all staying tonight?
Yeah, we are. Fixing to watch a movie. Take good care of her.
Always.
The brunette slowly rose from the bed and meandered into the backyard. She removed her dress and jumped into the pool. Lucas smiled and sat on the chair closest to the water. "What are you doing?"
"I don't know. It felt right."
"Riles, you know he'd want you to be happy. I'm not saying you have to smile and pretend like nothing happened, but i'm saying don't make yourself sad again if you feel a glimmer of joy." Her chin lightly landed on the stone. "I think that's why I fought so much after Lily passed."
"I've never seen you like that before." The brunette moved her hair out of her face.
"I'm sorry you had to."
"Don't worry about it." She mumbled, it was actually attractive knowing he could protect her if ever necessary. "Was that trained or self taught?"
"Both. I started boxing to let out some agression but got kicked out and I just continued to practice. Does that scare you? Let me rephrase that, do I scare you?"
"No. You wouldn't hurt a fly unless they started it."
"I saw the look in your eyes, like you had no idea who I was." He was hoping she'd deny it.
"I um, at first I didn't. I hadn't seen that side of you before and I wasn't sure what to do. But after he said, what he said and you knocked him out, I saw you. Fighting for people you care about."
"Fighting for you." He pointed out. "And it just so happens I stopped because of you." The dancer went back underwater and swam to the steps to get out, where Lucas was waiting with a towel. "You make me a better person."
"Thanks. You're a really sweet guy, i'm glad you forced me to be your friend." They both lightly giggled. "Hey, I laughed."
"The time must've been right." Riley noticed how close they were and her body had an explosion of tingles. "By the way, you wanted to be my friend too."
"Maybe a little." She whispered and walked back inside to the empty house. "Where is everyone?"
"Parents went to dinner and the others are at a movie. What did you wanna do?"
"Change into dry clothes." He followed her down the hall into her bedroom and smiled at the millions of pictures she had hanging on her wall, sitting on her bedside and vanity. "Don't look." He turned around and stared at one of the millions of pictures of her and Auggie, he understood now why she couldn't stay in here. "Hey Luke?" He turned around instinctively and couldn't help his jaw from dropping. "Turn back around please." The quarterback did as instructed.
"I'm sorry, pure instinct I swear." His green eyes weren't completely sorry about what he saw.
"It's okay. Things happen." Lucas couldn't wait for her cheery voice to come back, he missed her tone. "Aren't your parents wondering where you are?" Her dainty fingers grasped his hand and escorted him to the garage.
"No. My dad is always gone and my mom buries herself in her work, sometimes stays at her store and other times flying out to Texas. Truth is, I haven't felt more at home since I started staying here." Riley crossed her legs, sitting on the air mattress and Lucas mimicked her movement, playing with her hands. "I definitely don't want to be home when he finds out I broke up with Lindsey."
"How is she?" He shrugged his shoulders and continued to mess with her hands. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not." The green eyed man gazed into her brown ones. "You wouldn't hold my hand, or lay on my chest, or even let me call you beautiful if I was still with her. You sure as hell wouldn't let me stay the night."
"I appreciate everything you're doing for me. You're a great friend." His eyes dropped at that word.
"Friend?" Her body released some more tingles at his whisper. "Riley, I really like you. A lot. You're my girl."
"Having a boyfriend is the least of my worries right now." There it was the blunt honesty.
"You have feelings for me too."
"Please don't." She mumbled. "Please don't change what's happening right now." Her eyes filled with tears and he pulled her into a hug.
"Shh, i'm not going anywhere. I just want you to know, I don't see you as just my friend. I never have." The brunette sniffled and leaned backwards, touching foreheads with the only man who seemed to comfort her. "I know you aren't ready." The green eyed man kissed her cheek. "Please remember, i'll be here when you are." Her lips slowly grazed his cheek as she reluctantly pulled away.
"Kiss me." She whispered. His lips lingered, and longed for hers. Her brown eyes were closed and she somehow moved closer. Lucas stared at her and kissed her forehead. "That's not what I was looking for."
"No, but it's what you needed. I can't kiss you, not right now. I'd be taking advantage, I can comfort you in any other way you need but I can't kiss you yet." He laid down and pressed play on the remote. "Come here to me." Riley lowered herself onto his chest and closed her eyes, breathing him in. "I have to go home tomorrow to pick up some more clothes. You gonna be okay?"
"I hope so."
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Riley woke up the next morning and instead of rolling onto Lucas, found a note.
Good morning beautiful girl. I'll be back soon, try not to miss me too much.
The brunette pulled herself off the air mattress and stared at the stereo, it was almost haunting. It hadn't gone this long without being played, but those were different times. She stripped her shirt and moved the air mattresses out of the way, carefully pushing the TV out of her reach.
Oh, oh.
Whatcha doin' in this place?
Well, I could probably ask you the same thing.
Another round girl whatcha think?
If you're buying well you know i'll drink. Riley closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. She'd danced for years but somehow it felt like she had forgotten how, like she couldn't move her feet.
So make it 7 on 7. Do you want it on the rocks? Double shot of heaven, spillin' off the top.
We'll go shot for shot for shot, till we forgot what we came here to forget.
The dancer held out her arms and spun around in circles, like she did when she was a little girl. Like she did with Auggie, her feet came to a screeching halt and she started to cry. "I miss you Auggie. I'm sorry you're gone, i'm sorry you, I just I love you." She mumbled, barely able to make out words, while she collapsed to the floor. Lucas opened the door to her dance room and the smile quickly disappeared.
"Riles." He slid to her side and her arms wrapped around his neck. He glanced the room, seeing everything moved like it had been thrown. "Are you okay?"
"I can't dance Lucas. I can't do it. I'm sorry, but I can't."
"Shh." He stroked her hair, continuing to hold her.
"Auggie would be so disappointed in me." He clutched her face and stared into her gorgeous eyes.
"Don't say that, ever. Auggie loves you and is so proud of you. Every time I saw him, he'd mention how beautifully you danced." Her forehead leaned against his. "Don't say that. Okay?"
"Today is his funeral."
"Yeah, it is." The brunette crawled into his lap, which Lucas absolutely adored. "I'm here, Maya will be, Josh will be, your parents will be. We're all here."
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Riley sat beside Auggie's tombstone, silently crying to herself. Lucas stood back, enough space to where she can have privacy but close enough to where she could quickly get to him. "I want to die bubba, just to see you." Lucas' green eyes shot towards her. He was about to say something when Cory walked towards him.
"It's 8 o'clock. We have to get her out of here." His father mumbled. Cory was clearly exhausted, emotionally and physically.
"She's not going to want to leave Mr. Matthews." Her fathers head tilted to the side and he immediately disagreed. "No, I can't do that again. I can't pull her away. Please don't ask me to do that." The quarterback's eyes turned red.
"Please Mr. Friar, I have to get back to my wife. She is falling apart in the car, I have to get her home and she won't leave without Riley." The green eyed man closed his eyes and dropped his head. Mr. Matthews shook his hand and Lucas turned on his heels.
"Riley." He gulped and kneeled down beside her. "Riley, we have to go." She turned her head and disagreed. "You can't stay out here, you're torturing yourself." His green eyes moved towards her father who was pleading. "Come here beautiful." He whispered and went to pull her away.
"NO!" She held onto his tombstone, trying to fight him off. "NO!" Lucas started crying and took a few steps away from his grave with the brunette in his arms.
"Just hold onto me." He was able to mutter through his tears.
"AUGGIE! NO!" Her scream stabbed him in the heart.
"Riley, i'm sorry. Please don't hate me." He saw Mr. Matthews crying as he left and the quarterback set Riley back on the ground. His arms were still wrapped around her to make sure she wouldn't leave.
"LUCAS LET ME GO PLEASE!" The brunette hit his arm, trying to crawl out of his clutches, tears streaming down her face. Her lips collided onto his and he found himself kissing her back. The brunette pulled away and stared into his eyes. "Please, just a little bit longer. He doesn't want me to leave." Lucas was in a daze, completely entranced by her eyes. "Please." She dropped her head and her chest moved up and down quickly as she sobbed. Her plan to kiss him and runaway failed. "I can't leave him yet. I can't leave my bubba yet." The brunette's head relaxed onto his chest.
"I can't let you keep torturing yourself."
"Lucas please, if you care about me at all." She whispered.
"I do care about you a lot and that's why I can't let you stay here anymore."
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Riley hadn't spoken a word since they left, somehow she didn't cry either. Her face held a vacant expression, and she didn't make a move without Lucas.
The blonde leaned over to her boyfriends ear. "Josh can you get Riley away from Lucas for a few minutes? Please?" He nodded his head and pryed Riley away to take her into the garage. "Lucas." Maya pronounced.
"Yeah." He still had one eye on Riley, and she had her eyes on him.
"She's shutting down again." He shook his head. "I'm serious, she's not going to eat, and all she'll want to do is sleep. She didn't talk the entire time we were getting ready and hasn't mentioned a word since getting back home."
"Okay?"
"I'm telling you this because you seem to be the only one she wants right now. You have to know what to expect. Because you can help her." The brunette ended up manuevering out of Josh's grasp and clung to Lucas again sitting in his lap, the quarterbacks lips touched her head.
"I tried to keep her away but she wanted him." Lucas smiled at the notion and hugged her tight. He loved holding her, he loved that she wanted him.
"I'm gonna take her to the garage. Are y'all staying the night?" Maya nodded.
"We'll be out here." She mumbled.
Riley was led to the garage and after she locked the door her fingers started fighting with the zipper, and right now it was winning. "Here, let me help." Lucas' left hand held her shoulder and his fingers worked to unzip her dress, just enough for her to reach. He moved to face away when her hand landed on top of his and she slowly turned around. Riley slid off his jacket and began peeling off his shirt, Lucas was loving every minute of it, until he realized what 'it' was. "Riley, no, no, no. We can't do this. At least not like this." She dropped her dress and he immediately turned away to not look at her. "You have no idea how bad I want to, but i'm not going to." Lucas heard the air mattress then saw the comforter shift out of the corner of his eye and he moved to join her.
"Please don't hate me." He whispered, as he laid down on the bed. The dancer didn't have to say anything, she laid on his chest. "If your father walks in right now, I won't be able to stay the night anymore." Her lips touched his chest, he welcomed the embrace. "Hey Riley, what about me reminds you of him?"
The dancer sighed and gulped before replying. "It's not necessarily what you do, but your general spirit. Your presence, the i'll do anything for anyone attitude. That's him."
"It's you too. Being auctioned, going to the competition, saying to take your lungs, what you do with the prize money, none of that was for you. You have that same attitude." He lightly scratched her arm and she somehow inched closer, draping her leg over his tangling their feet under the covers. He felt her skin against his side and needed a distraction. "Is that the only reason you want me around? I thought you liked me." He lightly laughed.
"No. You're right. I have feelings for you. And now that i'm not dancing, and if I ever get to feeling better we can be together." Lucas' heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest, but he knew something was wrong with that statement.
"You have no idea, how happy that would make me, us being together. It's all i've wanted since the day I met you. But, I can't let you give up dancing."
"You don't get to decide that, I do." She snapped.
"Auggie wanted you to go to national's. He drew you a picture showing you winning."
"I CAN'T!" She raised herself up off of him. "I literally can't, I don't know how anymore. I tried and I just-" His strong arms tugged her back down onto him. The brunette continued to sob in his chest.
"Shh." His large hands stroked her hair. "Maybe you just need some help."
"You dance?" She questioned.
"No, but maybe me being here would help you. Starting off small and going from there. Besides, I think dancing will help. Tomorrow morning, you and me."
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Party girls, don't get hurt. Can't feel anything when will I learn.
I push it down, I push it down.
Lucas stood behind her in basketball shorts, with no shirt per Riley's instructions. He watched Riley roll her head around with her eyes closed, he reached for her hand and spun her in circles. "There you go."
Throw 'em back, till I lose count.
I'm gonna swing, from the chandelier, from the chandelier.
I'm gonna live, like tomorrow doens't exist. Like it doesn't exist.
The jade eyed man tossed her into the air and her legs naturally went out in a jete. "Beautiful." He mumbled. Her brown eyes opened and for the first time in a long time she had a small smile. "I've missed seeing that." His thumb grazed her cheek. "I'm gonna step back, but i'm here if you need me." His back leaned against the wall and followed her with his eyes.
"Hey, how is she?" Mr. Matthews stood beside him.
"Slowly but surely she'll get there."
"Lucas, I uh, I really can't thank you enough. I've been so busy with Topanga and planning everything i've neglected her."
"Don't mention it Mr. Matthews, i'm happy to." They shook hands. "She really is an incredible dancer." He whispered.
"Mr. Friar, I don't know how much longer you can stay here. Aren't your parents gonna be wanting you home soon." Lucas glanced towards the ground and shook his head. "You're welcome anytime, but if you two date you won't be sleeping in here." He chuckled lightly and was about to reply when the song changed.
I've been a walking heartache, I've made a mess of me.
The person that i've been lately, ain't who I wanna be.
But, you stay here right beside me and watch as the storm blows through.
And I need you.
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