Chapter 1: Rekindle
The constant buzz of the city pulsed in Riley Freeman's chest as he glanced at his reflection in the mirror of his upscale apartment. He had it all thanks to Chicago: fame, prosperity, and a tattoo business that spanned the rough streets of the city to the private homes of famous clientele. At 25, life was as golden as the skyline view from his penthouse.
"Yo, you ready to hit this club or what?" Caesar's voice, familiar and amusing, emerged from the living room. Riley grinned and straightened his leather jacket before leaving.
"Yea, Nigga. Riley grinned broadly but with a hint of expectation, "Let's make this birthday one to remember."
The club was crowded, with neon lights illuminating the dance floor and bass-heavy music capturing the enthusiasm of the audience. Riley nodded at familiar faces, some of whom had ink he had personally etched into their flesh, feeling at home in the midst of the mayhem. The night was alive with the reckless abandon that only the city could provide, and drinks were flowing.
Then, as Caesar cracked a joke that pulled a genuine laugh from Riley, his gaze caught a glint of gold at the bar. A woman was standing there with her blond hair falling down her back in a way that was painfully familiar as it caught the neon lights' glare. Riley's breath froze in his throat as she turned slightly.
"Cindy?" The name rolled off his tongue like an old melody.
The years hadn't taken away her sharp eyes or the confident set of her jaw. If anything, time had only refined her. The last time Riley had seen Cindy McPhearson, they were teenagers in Woodcrest, where she had an unshakeable spirit and an accent that clashed with her surroundings in the best way. She left for college, dreams bigger than their small suburb, and Riley never heard from her again.
It stung more than he'd ever admitted.
He found himself weaving through the crowd, his heart pounding louder than the music. When she saw him approaching, her eyes widened, and then a smile, soft and slow, pulled at her lips.
She took a sip of her drink and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Well, well, if it isn't Riley Freeman." Even though the ice in her glass clinked softly, the expression in her eyes chilled him. It was recognition plus curiosity, perhaps? Feelings of nostalgia?
Riley tried to maintain his composure as he added, "Didn't expect to see you in Chicago." He was deceived by his own pulse, which throbbed in his ears like a tattoo needle.
Cindy leaned on the bar and said, "I could say the same about you," her smile turning into a more genuine one. "Mr. Famous Tattoo Artist, I've heard you've established quite a reputation for yourself."
Riley laughed, his voice a touch sharper than he meant. "I guess word spreads."
The conversation spilled into hours, the rest of the club melting away as they talked about the years in between—her time in Europe, his rise from the neighborhood shop to inking NBA stars and hip-hop legends. An underlying question lingered between them as they chuckled over their shared memories of their childhood recklessness: Why had they fallen so far apart?
The laughter subsided as the night grew darker, and Cindy's eyes grew softer as a hint of vulnerability appeared on her face. With a piece of hair tucked behind her ear, she said, "I always meant to reach out." "But, you know, life... got in the way."
Riley looked at her, feeling the familiar twist in his chest, the ache of old wounds that hadn't quite healed. "Yeah," he nodded, voice low. "I know."
There was silence for a moment, the air between them charged with memories and words unsaid. Finally, Cindy broke it with a smirk. "So, birthday boy, you gonna show me how much you've really changed or what?"
Riley's grin returned, a little less guarded this time. "How 'bout I show you why Chicago's never let me leave?"
She glanced at Riley, who had a mixture of nostalgia and excitement in her eyes. "Maybe tomorrow we can catch up more. Somewhere quieter.
Riley's heart skipped a beat, and he felt a smile spread across his face. Yes, it would be nice. I know a spot—cool little café near the river. Does noon sound good?
Cindy gave a nod, her face returning to its usual sly grin. "Perfect. Then, Mr. Famous, see you."
She pressed a light kiss to his cheek before turning and disappearing into the crowd, her golden hair the last trace of her as she made her way toward the exit. Riley stood there for a moment, staring after her, feeling the warmth of her brief touch linger. It was like the past and present were colliding, sparking something inside him that he hadn't felt in years.
"Yo, bro!" Caesar's voice jolted him out of his thoughts. He turned to see his friend making his way over, two drinks in hand. "Who was that? You were lookin' real caught up over there."
Riley took one of the drinks and downed half of it in one gulp, the alcohol burning away the tension. He let out a breath and smirked. "You won't believe it, my nigga. That was Cindy."
Caesar's eyes widened, then he let out a sharp laugh. "Cindy? From Woodcrest? Blondie who always talked shit and could hang with us no matter what? No way."
Riley nodded, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, man. Haven't seen her since she took off for college. We just... talked for a while. She's still got that fire, but different, you know? Grown-up."
"Damn, that's wild," Caesar said, clinking his glass with Riley's. "You think she's back for good, or just passing through?"
Riley shrugged, the grin slipping into something softer. "Don't know. We're meeting up tomorrow, so I guess I'll find out."
Caesar's eyes sparkled with knowing mischief. "Man, this is about to be interesting. You gonna play it cool, or you still hung up on what happened back then?"
Before Riley could answer, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen—a message from one of his more recent "friends." A typical invite, something he would usually accept without a second thought. But tonight felt different.
"Yo, you gonna head out for a bit?" Caesar asked, seeing the flash of Riley's phone screen.
Riley hesitated, thumb hovering over the keyboard. The club noise surrounded them, the laughter and movement of people a blur. He looked up at Caesar and pocketed the phone, a resolute smile forming. "Nah. Not tonight."
Caesar raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Oh, all right. I see you, changed nigga."
Riley shook his head and laughed. "Nigga, it's ain'teven like that. Simply aiming to improve. This time, no games.
They clinked their glasses again, a silent acknowledgment that the night was about more than just drinks and fleeting moments. It was the beginning of something more profound, the kind of tale Riley had been waiting to rewrite without realizing it.
"Here's to tomorrow, then," Caesar said, lifting his drink higher.
Riley nodded, experiencing a tug in his chest that brought back memories of his childhood and hidden emotions. "Here's totomorrow."
A/N welcome to my first Riley/Cindy story. I'm trying something new so I hope everyone enjoys it. As usual leave those reviews!
