Chapter 14

Riley sat in the torn red booth, she was supposed to be waiting for Chase but everytime the door bell jingled she looked up hoping to see Lucas' smile. She had woken up to a good morning text this morning and that act alone made her day. The brunette closed her eyes thinking about everything good that had happened last night, she felt closer to Lucas then she ever had. The door jingled but she continued thinking about Lucas' arms wrapped around her.

"Hey beautiful." Her eyes remained closed, but her lips formed a smile. "What are you thinkin' about?" Lucas slid into the space next to her.

"Last night. I had a spectacular time with a really amazing dancer." She opened her eyes and rolled her head to look at him.

"I was thinkin' about us last night too. I couldn't sleep for several hours after I got home."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about you." He raised his blonde eyebrow and started tickling her, he really just wanted to hear her laugh. "You had enough?"

"Lucas!" The green eyed boy stopped tickling Riley and saw Missy.

"Hey, how are you today?" The brunette didn't say anything.

"I'm alright, i'm ready to work on the project with you, partner." She was trying to make Riley jealous, but it didn't work.

"Why don't you grab a booth and I will be there in a minute." Missy turned on her heels and stormed away, as she always did. "You look great."

"Yeah right, this is my hair and makeup from yesterday."

"I'm not lying." Riley saw the flecks of gold in his eyes. "Um, so what are you doin' today? After this?"

"Your mom didn't tell you?"

"No? Why, what's up?"

"I'm comin' over for dinner." She grinned, seeing the happiness in his eyes. "At 4 o'clock."

"Lookin' forward to it! I better go, but uh, try not to stare at me too much!"

"Wouldn't think of it." They both laughed as he walked away. The brunette noticed the black and white checkered tile that was chipped and scuffed from all the wear and tear. The Elk Diner had been open for 20 plus years and they never once remodeled, the brown eyed girl always thought it built character.

"Hey Riles." Chase sat down beside her.

"Hey, how are you?" Lucas perked up seeing Chase sit beside her, they were just far enough away where he couldn't hear what they were saying. Riley continued to talk, but glanced at Lucas several times. "You know what Chase, i'm gonna grab a drink would you like anything?"

"Sweet tea please." Riley stood up and intentionally sat across from him when she came back.

"LUCAS! Could you focus please!"

"Sorry, I was distracted." He still wasn't looking at her.

"Then be distracted with the project or, me." Missy rubbed his leg.

"Oookaaay!" He grabbed her hand and moved it off of his leg. "Project, I was thinking that we could draw like a picture of the jungle and write where it's at, then a picture underneath the water with sea creatures. You know, like different sceneries and label where you can find them. The writing will be easy, and I can draw the sceneries."

"We make a great team." Riley started laughing because Missy had her head laying on his shoulder.

"I think i'm gonna sit over here. I'll start drawing and then on Monday i'll bring it to you for you to write. Maybe Tuesday, these drawings may be tricky and I work tomorrow."

"Where do you work?"

"HEB."

She bit her lip, and tried to look at him seductively. "Maybe i'll come see you."

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

"That's a really great idea, actually. Simple enough too. So can you draw?"

"Not even a little bit." Riley exhaled and got to thinking. "Well, how about you write the story and i'll draw it. I can probably trace what I need."

"Isn't that like cheating?"

"No, she didn't say we couldn't trace. She said for us to draw, it's one in the same." Chase laughed and it caught Lucas' attention.

"You're sneaky." He leaned across the table.

"Nope, I just know how to play this game called life." She started packing up her stuff when he tried to seduce her with his eyes. They were pretty, but she already found some that caught her attention.

"Can I get a copy of that rule book?"

"I'm sure you can find it on google." She smiled and slid out of the booth. "So i'll see you Monday?"

"Yes, and at practice, for the senior pep rally thing. Can I make a request?"

"Sure." She held the binder in her hands, looking adorable. He stood up and stepped close to Riley.

"Can I dance with you?" He reached to move her hair and she stepped backwards.

"We will set everything on Monday. But, there are several guys to a girl. There's like 12 or 13 of y'all and only 3 of us."

"I call dibs on you." She laughed and pulled her dad's car keys out of her pocket.

"I'm not a seat." Lucas and Chase both started laughing. "I'll see you later. Have a nice weekend." After another glance at Lucas she stepped outside, and removed her jacket that was hiding her bruised wrist.

"I'll be right back Missy." Lucas ran after her.

"Oh my God, Riley. Give me your wrist." She didn't get a chance to raise her arm, he already had it in his grasp.

"Please stop. It looks worse than it is." He had popped a blood vessel or 5, her wrist was a rainbow of black, blue and purple.

"It's swollen."

"It'll be fine. It always was. I'll have it covered up for dinner tonight, don't worry." He glanced at her body, for the first time today and since her tanktop wasn't pulled down all the way you could see her hip bones and flat stomach.

"First, I wasn't worried about dinner I was worried about you. And secondly, you look good. Like really good." She giggled and pulled her arm away.

"Thank you, but i've gotta go get ready for dinner tonight."

"Riles' it's only 2."

"Yeah, I have to take a shower and look presentable. I normally don't care so much, but I feel as if meeting your father is important for our friendship." He grinned and ignored Missy knocking on the window.

"Do you need a ride?" He started to feel himself break a sweat from the summer sun.

"No, i'll just meet you over at your place."

"Bring your swimsuit please m'am. We'll go swimmin'."

"Yes sir." He winked at her then waited for Riley to reverse before he walked back into the diner.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

You have knocked me off my feet again, got me feelin' like a nothin'.

"Really Riles, T-Dub?" Maya was laying on Riley's bed, flipping through a magazine.

"Hey, don't hate. I have a soft spot for her. Some of her songs like speak to me."

"You're so silly. No, Riles don't wear that dress." She looked down at her red dress.

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"It's red. Sensual color, where's your yellow one?"

The brunette dug through her closet. "Why the yellow one? It is super low cut."

"Yellow is a pretty color on you, low cut for Lucas and doesn't intimidate his parents. If you throw on your denim jacket it will cover those bruises."

"Saw those did ya'?" She sat down at her vanity and started putting on her makeup.

"How could you miss them? You should've let Lucas kick his butt."

She giggled. "He did, probably not as much as he deserved. I just, I don't want Lucas fighting for me, i'm done with Charlie and I don't like seeing Lucas angry. Which is why we decided until Charlie takes a hike then we aren't gonna date."

"Y'all are seriously so weird. Who gives a crap about Charlie? Look at your arm, that's what he does to you."

"Maya-" The brunette put down her curling iron. "I'm not doing this for Charlie. I'm doing it for Lucas, I really don't like seeing him that way. It's sweet that he protects me, don't get me wrong but, I like his happy face much better."

"I guess I get that. He will get angry a lot until Charlie disappears."

"Besides, I have a feelin' he'll wait."

"Oh ya' do?" The girls started giggling. "By the way I love your new comforter."

"Thanks, I got it on sale at Kohl's. I figured i'd need a new one when I go to school."

"I can't believe you're leaving me." Riley got up from her vanity and walked into her closet to change clothes.

"Come with me. We can rent an apartment together." The blonde rolled her eyes.

"Yeah right, I don't have the money. I haven't saved since elementary school like you have. And, what about Josh?"

"Josh has talked about UT before, and there's scholarships. You are super smart, and talented. I bet there are a ton of art scholarships." The blue eyed girls once sarcastic face turned to one of curiosity. "Just something to think about. And, please do, for me." The brunette walked out of her closet in her yellow sun dress.

"Well, you look great!"

"Thanks, i've gotta go though." The cheerleader grabbed her jacket and slid on her boots. "Stay as long as you want. You know where, everythings at." They kissed cheeks and Riley took off to his house.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

Riley stood at the gate to Lucas' home, she had no idea why she was so nervous. With a quick inhale she walked up to the front door, that had already opened. "Hello gorgeous!" He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. "I was wonderin' how long you'd stand at the gate?"

"Were you watchin' me creeper?" He chuckled and let her go.

"I've always got one eye on you." The brunette rolled her eyes and stepped inside. Brinley was already at her leg.

"Hi B, what are you doin'?" The cheerleader sat down on the hardwood floor with her.

"Playin' with blocks." There was a pile of pink, purple, and white mega blocks in front of her.

"B, can Riley play with you later?"

"No."

"Brinley has spoken." Riley smiled and started building.

"Riley, hello. How are you?" The brown eyed girl stood up and hugged Taylor. "Come meet my husband he's working on some sort of project out back." His mother grabbed her bruised wrist and Riley squeezed her eyes shut to prevent Mrs. Friar from noticing anything was wrong. Lucas mouthed the words i'm sorry as she was pulled away from him. He realized he was gonna have to work harder to get her alone here, than he did at school.

"Wow, your back yard is beautiful." She looked around, there was a pool, hot tub, stereo and flowers of all sorts everywhere. The brunette looked up and saw lights strung across and to her left was a random open area.

"Thank you. My men work hard to make it look great." The running back chuckled.

"That over there, is our dance area. My dad and I want to put a floor in, we just haven't started yet."

"Luke, will you go find your father? He may be in the shed down there." Riley watched him jog away and she couldn't help but smile.

"Riley, did you bring your swim suit?"

"Yes, I did. My purse is inside."

"Great, we thought while we cooked y'all could swim and relax. Especially since you have to work early in the morning." Riley started laughing.

"No kidding-"

The cheerleader was interrupted by Taylor. "Oh, there he is. That man, I can't get him to stop moving. You'll find Lucas is the same way. Come on honey, it's hot the kids wanna swim." Riley couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance Lucas held of his father. They could've been twins, except Lucas was more muscular and obviously younger. "Husband of mine, this is Riley. Riley this is my husband Corey."

"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Friar. My dad's name is Cory also." He put his hand up to stop her, she was afraid she said something wrong.

"Mr. Friar is my father, please call me Corey. I'd hug you but, i'm covered in Lord only knows what." He made everyone chuckle. "Let's go inside y'all. Burnin' up out here."

"We will start cookin' dinner, Lucas why don't you give her a tour and then y'all can go swimming." Taylor's smile was powerful she could light up a dark room.

"Come on pretty girl." Lucas placed his hand on her back and took her down the hallway. As soon as they turned the corner he kissed her head. "Are you okay? I saw what my mom did."

"I'm fine, it's just tender. I'll wear a wrap on it at school so no one will mess with it. Give me the tour sir."

"There's not a whole lot to see just my room and the game room. Where do you wanna go?"

"Your room." She smiled, as he escorted her to a room that was filled with light. "Wow, I wasn't expecting this." His room was perfectly clean, his bed was even made. She jumped onto his blue comforter and continued to glance at his room. "So, this is where the magic happens?"

He started cracking up. "No, not really. But, it will if you don't get off my bed." Riley quickly slid off and saw his guitar.

"You play?" She picked it up and started strumming.

"Yeah, I do. Do you?" He stepped into his room.

"No not really. I'm a dancer, singer kind of person."

"You can sing? That works out well, because I need a partner." He gently grabbed his guitar from her and put the strap on. He started strumming, and Riley found him instantly more attractive. Funny how a guitar can do that. "I'll start, i'm almost positive you'll know the song." The brunette knew immediately what song it was.

I really hate to let this moment go. Touchin' your skin and your hair fallin' slow. When a goodbye kiss feels like this.

The brunette smiled and joined in. Don't you wanna stay here a little while? Don't you wanna hold each other tight? Don't you wanna fall asleep with me tonight? Don't you wanna stay here a little while? We can make forever feel this way. Don't you wanna stay?

Riley got a little nervous to sing without him, she'd always sang in the car by herself. The cheerleader ended up closing her eyes before she started. Let's take it slow, I don't wanna move too fast. I don't wanna just make love I wanna make love last. When you're up this high, it's a sad goodbye. Don't you wanna stay here a little while? Don't you wanna hold eachother tight? Don't you wanna fall asleep with me tonight? Don't you wanna stay here a little while? We can make forever feel this way, don't you wanna stay?

Lucas stopped strumming and threw his guitar behind him. "Wow." The running back stepped closer. "That was-"

"I know what you mean." She grinned.

"Y'all that was so pretty!" Taylor had her phone out recording the pair.

"Momma, seriously?"

"Oh come on Luke, this is what mom's do. They embarrass you."

"I'm not embarrassed I want a copy of that video!" Riley scoffed and hit his arm.

"Why don't you change Riles, and y'all can go swim?"

"Great." The brunette left his room to get her swimsuit. Lucas stood still and looked out his window where a flood of sunlight was entering his room, he couldn't believe how much he liked her.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

Riley looked at herself in the mirror. Trying to think of an excuse for her bruise, but after a good 10 minutes and her still not knowing what to say she figured she'd hide it. She wished she had already worn the wrap. The brunette opened the bathroom door and saw those abs she was fond of. "Oh, hey Riles I was just-"

"Flexing?"

"Oh no sweetheart, this is natural." He kissed her cheek, his lips made Riley's heart speed up. "Come on, let's go."

"Riley, do you want a water? Or anything to drink?"

"Oh that'd be great Taylor, thank you!" She reached her hand out to grab the water, and automatically wanted to kick herself. Riley had revealed her bruises, with no reason as to why she has them. Taylor looked up at Lucas and he shook his head no.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

Thanks for reading. Please follow, favorite and review.