Chapter 23
Riley and Lucas were on the phone, completely giddy. Even though, she tried to hide it.
So are we like boyfriend and girlfriend now?
Does that scare you?
Well, only because you haven't officially asked me.
Shame on me. There was a knock at her bay window and Riley didn't have to turn around to know who it was.
Stalking is illegal in all 50 states.
I just have a question.
The brunette hung up the phone and slowly opened her window, hoping that the creak didn't wake her parents. She locked eyes with him and he reached for her hand, feeling her tremble at his touch.
"Are you nervous?"
"No, i'm just in like with you." His smile was perfect and he cupped her face with his strong hands. "What can I do you for?"
"You can do me the extraordinary honor of being my girlfriend." A slow smile approached her face. "Please." Riley didn't know why he was pleading with her, she didn't want anyone else.
"Yes, I will." His lips pressed against hers and he placed his hand on the back of her head, to ensure she wouldn't pull away. "I love kissing you." She bit her lip.
"Riley, I-" He stopped what he was going to say, knowing she would freak out. No matter how many walls he's broken down, Lucas knew it would terrify her to hear those words. "Riley, I really like you." They touched foreheads and she slowly exhaled.
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Good morning beautiful. How was your night? Mine was wonderful, with you on my mind. And when I opened my eyes, I thought of your face. So it's a good morning beautiful day.
Lucas had been her boyfriend for not even a full day, and he already made her happier than Charlie ever did. The brunette put her phone away and changed clothes rapidly. Teal skinny jeans, with a beige and white horizontally stripped tee, and her beige flats. The brunette touched up her fishtail braid and makeup. "Hello Missy. How may I help you today?"
"I'm dancing with Lucas during the country swing."
"Oh yeah? Is that what Darby said?" Riley couldn't wait to break the news to her.
"That's what i'm saying."
"Sure, you can if Darby gives it the clear. We're together now anyways so it doesn't matter." Missy's eyes turned to a glare. "Missy, I don't really know what your problem is, but I bet it's hard to pronounce." Her jaw dropped. "Bye, see you at practice." The cheerleader exited the locker room and meandered towards her locker to meet Lucas.
"Hey Riley." She closed her eyes, recognizing the voice.
"Come one come all. Charlie. What can I do for you?" Riley continued to walk to her locker.
"How's your arm?"
She scoffed. "Not like you really care. You never have before." It was a lot better still a tad yellow, but nothing noticeable.
"I'm sorry."
"Pull my leg, it plays jingle bells." She was trying to walk faster to get to Lucas.
"I'm serious. I think it just took a good beating to make me realize what I was doing wrong."
"Charlie, for your sake I hope you really mean that. But, it doesn't change a thing." The brown eyed girl made a sharp left and was only a few steps away from her locker.
"I'm not asking for you to get back together with me. I'm asking for a friend." Riley smiled seeing Lucas, she felt a lot more at ease. Lucas didn't, as soon as he saw her ex his smile faded to a look of seriousness and immediately pulled her away from Charlie's reach.
"Charlie, what do you want?"
"Easy Friar, I came to apologize." Riley nodded ensuring Lucas that's what he said. She was so hoping that this wouldn't turn out like last time. She hated seeing him angry.
"Great, you did. Now you can go."
"I was talking to Riley. Not her bodyguard."
"Her boyfriend." Riley's heart jumped at the sound of him saying those words, 'her boyfriend'. Charlie's smirk, turned to a vacant expression and he looked at his ex digging in her locker.
"I'm asking for a friend Riles."
"After everything you've done to her?" Lucas' jaw clenched, making him even more attractive. His green eyes were piercing Charlie's defenses. "That takes a lot of nerve."
"You don't know the half of it Friar!" The cheerleader shivered, she didn't like where this was headed.
"I KNOW Charlie, that you don't ever raise your hand to, or intentionally injure a woman. I don't give a damn about your 'reasoning' or how you justify it. Stay away from her." He looked at Charlie's faded bruise on his eye. "Or i'll give that shiner a friend, again."
"Okay, you two. Back up!" The brunette was standing in between them.
"Lucas, you know I don't like it when you get that way. Charlie, under normal circumstances I would agree to be friends with my ex, but these aren't normal circumstances."
"Well, my offer will always be out on the table. Maybe, when you're single." He nodded his head and turned around.
"Not anytime soon, bud." As soon as he was out of Lucas' sights, Riley smacked his chest.
"Lucas, you know I don't like that." He wrapped her up in his arms.
"I'm sorry baby girl." The brunette shivered, she loved that nickname. "I just am very protective over you. I don't want you getting hurt, ever again." He leaned back and looked at her. "You look stunning." He twirled her and kissed her soft cheek.
"Thank you, I thought i'd dress up a little today."
"Special occasion?" He grinned, knowing she only dressed up for him.
"No not really!" Riley giggled. "But I, have something for you this morning." She reached into her backpack and pulled out a Dr. Pepper and sour gummy worms.
"Oh my gosh! You're the best, thank you!" He kissed her lips causing her heart to jump.
"Don't get used to it. I'm not that nice! I just know you're always jonesing for a DP by the time second period rolls around and well the gummy worms because they're your favorite snack, besides popcorn! But that'd be hard to eat in school." Lucas opened up his backpack and pulled out a flower.
"Pretty flower for my beautiful girl."
"Thank you." Riley placed the flower to her nose and inhaled deeply. She heard a camera shutter again. "Why do you keep doing that?"
"I need pictures of you. Remember 'on my phone, on my dash all over the place'." The cheerleader smiled, and took a step closer to him. "You lookin' for a kiss baby girl?" He leaned in and kissed her, Lucas got chills all over his body. He could kiss her all day, he had waited to be with her for a long time and kissing her felt so right.
"Come on. We're gonna be late." Riley turned to walk away.
"Come here, right now." The brunette squinted her eyes and took the few steps back. He smiled, and placed his hand in hers. "Now, we can go." She grinned. "This is how a relationship is supposed to be."
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Lucas walked into the smelly locker room, ready to talk to Josh. He was one of his best friends, and didn't want any bad blood between them. "Hey Josh."
"Hey, what's up Luke?"
"I just wanted to kind of clear the air." He dropped his bag on the bench and pulled out his clothes.
"Clear the air? What do you mean?" Josh put on a shirt and sat down.
"I could tell you were pretty pissed off at the diner. I just wanted to make it clear that I was not dating her."
"Yeah, I know. Riley tells Maya everything." He grinned.
"So, she tells you. I should've known." Lucas bent over to lace his shoes.
"Congratulations by the way. Finally getting Riley to drop-"
"Her armor." Lucas interrupted. "Thanks. I'm very lucky."
"How did you manage to do that? Everyone knows Riley holds a grudge for at least 3 days."
"Nothin' a little guitar couldn't handle." Josh punched him in the gut and the pair went to lift.
"Real clever Luke. Treat her right, i'm not afraid to kick my bestfriend's ass."
"I will, and i'd like to see you try." Josh glared. "No, seriously Riley stops every fight before it begins. Like, this morning-" The running back started to bench press. "Charlie follows her to her locker, and obviously, hold on-" He pushes out 3 more reps and stands up. "So, obviously I get defensive. Can you believe he had the audacity to ask for them to be friends?"
"Yeah, he's a piece of work. That doesn't surprise me."
"She doesn't like fighting or confrontation." Josh switched places with him.
"After what you told me, can you blame her?"
"I guess not. But, he deserves it."
"My guess is, to her it doesn't matter if he does or doesn't. It's you that she really cares about."
"I can hold my own." Josh sat up and raised the top of the bench to work on incline.
"That's not what I mean and you know it. She doesn't want to see you acting violent or get hurt, it'll freak her out." Lucas didn't say anything. "You know i'm right."
"Doesn't mean i'm gonna say it out loud." They both laughed. "Come on. Let's push it out."
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"Alright, let's run it from the beginning. Country section is first, after we're done with that guys you come off and watch me i'll wave you back on to stunt." Lucas, Josh and Chase walked onto the floor and Riley turned around after hearing Missy and Darby argue. The brunette looked at Lucas and rolled her eyes, which caused him to grin. "Hey Riles."
"What's up D?" They walked off to the side.
"Do you mind doing this once with Chase? I'll see which one I like better." Riley had the word really written across her forehead. "I know it's stupid, but i'm not going to choose her. Obviously you two dance better together. I just want to get her off my back."
"Sure, no problem." The cheerleader stood a few feet from Chase and Missy lined up in front of Lucas. He automatically looked at Riley, she shrugged her shoulders brushing it off.
"Ready! Wal 8." The brunette ran through the country swing section and didn't enjoy it near as much when it was Chase holding her. Riley noticed Missy having trouble. "Guys walk off." The song switches. "Girls, grab invisible poms." The beginning tune of crazy train starts to play.
All aboard, ha ha ha ha ha. Ay ay ay ay. Whenever the rattle sound started all 3 girls jumped into a Z sit and landed back down on the ground. Riley dropped her poms and started running to do her fancy tumbling. The guys started clapping and it made Lucas smile, he was always so proud of her.
Get crazy, get wild. Let's party, get wild. If you wanna have fun then do somethin', if you wanna have fun then do somethin'.
Party Rock Anthem started to play and the guys were waved on. Party rock, let's go. Party Rock is in the house tonight. The guys got set up. CLAP! The cheerleaders clapped their hands.
Shake that. The girls began stunting, so far so good. Until Riley went up for her last stunt. Lucas heard a thud and turned around to find his girlfriend on the floor. The brunette's face had turned red from not breathing, she didn't even realize Lucas was by her side. "Riles are you okay?" She put her hand up and started coughing, then grabbed her head. Finally she took a deep breath and laid back down. "Sweetheart are you okay?" He found Darby. "I'm going to take her to the nurse."
"No. I'm fine." She still sounded winded.
"Babe, you just fell onto hardwood floor. You were thrown by 4 strong guys." The brunette rolled her eyes.
"Strong is an understatment, but i'm fine really." She glanced at Chase. "Make sure you don't move your hands, you have stay down to catch me." Lucas glanced at Chase.
"Well Riley, I was thinking maybe you shouldn't do the last stunt." Missy stood behind everyone else that had made a circle around her.
Riley stood up, still struggling to catch her breath, she felt like Missy may have had something to do with this. She had no proof but the cheerleader had a hunch. Riley put on a sarcastic smile and stood up. "Miss, next time you get the urge to think, don't."
"Alright you two." Darby stood in between the would be cat fight. "Chase, can you handle doing this?"
"Absolutely."
"Okay, Riles you want to try and run this again? Just your group do it?" The brunette took a deep breath and blinked a few times.
"Yeah, let's do it. Can you get in position guys, please."
"I got you this time Riles. I'll make sure nothing happens." Chase smiled.
"I'll be here too." Lucas was only a few inches from the group, and Riley felt a little better knowing he was around.
"Darby, count us off please."
" 8. 8." The brown eyed girl was lifted, she did a scorpion and brought back down for the basket toss. " 8. 8. Good, 5 6 7 8." She dropped and they brought her back up for the last time. "Tight. 8." The cheerleader landed back in the guys arms softly and stood up. "Good job y'all. I think it was just a fluke. But, Riles do you want to take off early for the day?"
"Yeah, Riley maybe you should leave." Missy snapped, she was clearly angry about Lucas and Riley dating.
"When I want your opinion, i'll give it to you." Lucas placed his hands on her shoulders and started to massage, the brunette wanted to rub a little salt into Missy's wound. "Hey Darby who's dancing with who during the country part? I want to run through it again."
Darby faced Riley and grinned, knowing that Missy couldn't see. "You will be with Lucas, Missy will be with Chase." The brunette took Lucas' hand. "Alright, let's try this again. From the top."
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The brunette was sitting on the tailgate, and Lucas was standing in between her legs. "How're you feelin'? The fall only seemed to up your level of attitude."
"I don't have an attitude problem, it's supposed to be this way."
"Oh okay." Lucas laughed and kissed her cheek.
"I'm alright, I feel like I have a knot on my head though." She giggled. "I think Missy had something to do with that. I can't prove it, I don't even have any evidence supporting my theory. But, I really think she did."
"What? Like her and Chase got together and connived?" He laughed, but once Riley raised her eyebrows he knew she was serious. "Oh, stop. You're such a pessimist!"
"Missy wants you, Chase wants me. I wouldn't put it past her."
"That could've given you a concussion."
"Yeah, it could've. But, it also could've made you angry with Chase for being careless. Everyone and their dog knows I hate fighting." He started glaring, thinking really hard about this. "Personally, I think she's really doing this to get under my skin. I mean you're good lookin' and all but she has more fun this way." He kissed her nose, releasing a laugh from his girlfriend. "Oh crap, I have to go to work."
"Call in. You have a head injury!"
"You're becoming a bad influence on me! I'm not gonna call in, but I can call around to see if anyone can take my shift. Let me make a call or 5." She jumped off the tailgate and meandered around the parking lot while she made a few phone calls. The running back watched her move around, every step was perfectly planned, almost like she was playing a game. The sunlight was hitting her hair and made it look even more beautiful.
"Lucas?" Missy waved her hand in front of her face.
"Sorry, hi."
"Yeah, I was calling your name for awhile. Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" He furrowed his brows, and looked at Riley who was talking to Chase.
"No, if Riley can't get off then i'll just go home."
"I can go with you. I'm available." Missy winked.
"I'm not!" Lucas exclaimed proudly, he loved being able to say those words.
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"Riley, I really am sorry about dropping the ball earlier. Are you feeling okay?"
"Besides the lump on my head i'm good. That's what practice is for."
"Let me make it up to you." He went to move some hair out of her face and she leaned backwards. "You're hair is beautiful." Riley laughed.
"Thanks I grew it myself." Chase started laughing. "Anyways, making it up to me isn't necessary. It was an accident. At least I hope." He recognized the insult by the words 'I hope'.
"You're pretty blunt."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." She smirked.
"Well, if I didn't know any better i'd take it as a sign of flirting."
"Good thing you know better." Riley still held a sarcastic grin.
"It isn't turning me away." He took a step closer. Riley raised her eyes to look at him.
"Looks like i'm going to have to try harder."
"Why are you playing hard to get?" She took a step backwards.
"I've already been got. Wait, does that even make sense?"
"Yes it does sweetheart." Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Hey Chase. Do you mind if I steal my girl away?" The brunette blushed she loved being his girl.
"Riley, i'll take you out some other time." Chase walked away and the new couple walked hand in hand to his truck.
"That's okay, you don't have to." She exclaimed as he walked away.
"Am I always going to have to fight guys off of you?" She leaned against his truck.
"That depends."
"On?" He pulled her towards him.
"Am I always going to fight girls off of you?"
"You don't have anything to worry about. Would I bug you for a month if I didn't want to be with you?" She giggled.
"You don't have anything to worry about. Would I let you bug me for a month if I didn't want to be with you?" A smile spread across his face and the butterflies awoke as he licked his lips. "So, what now?" Lucas opened up the passenger door.
"Now, you sit in the middle seat." They kissed and she jumped into his truck.
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