Hi! Long time no update - sorry!

Chapter 7:

Lucas knocked gently on the door to Riley's parents' apartment. He knew that Mr. Matthews …or Cory, as he still hadn't gotten used to calling him, was still in Buffalo for a Principals conference. He wondered if Topanga was home, not that she was the one he was here to visit.

Auggie opened the door after a moment and looked up at him. "Lucas…hello". He said before moving aside to let Lucas in.

"Auggie! Wow. You're almost as tall as me now!" He couldn't believe how much the teenager had grown in the last year.

Auggie shrugged before making his way back to the breakfast bar and picking up his bowl of cereal. "Do you want some?" he asked, pointing to the box of cocoa puffs.

Lucas laughed and shook his head, "no thanks. Your sister and Maya are the only other people I know who can eat that stuff. It's way too sweet for me."

Auggie shrugged in response, shoveling another spoonful into his mouth.

"So…it's nice to see you again Aug, but I have to say I was a bit surprised when you called."

Auggie put his bowl down and looked at Lucas, his expression blank. "You went back on your word, Lucas"

Lucas was bewildered for about half a second before it clicked. He'd forgotten all about the promise he'd made to Auggie way back in high school. The promise that he would never do anything to hurt her. (Also that Auggie was the only brother in Riley's life, no matter what she said, which Lucas had also agreed to wholeheartedly).

"You're right Aug, I'm so sorry."

"She was devastated when you left last year with no explanation. That was worse than what that creep Charlie did to her, because at least we could all see he was an asshole." He swirled his spoon around in the bowl.

Auggie had always been very close with his sister, but Lucas was struck again by just how much he'd grown.

"You're completely right Auggie. I really hurt her, and I've apologized but I know that even if I did 1000 times it wouldn't be enough. I'm sorry to you too."

"It's…fine. Just don't do it again okay? I mean it."

"I would never, Auggie. I promise."

"Good. Because I'll have to hurt you if you do." He said, a somber expression on his face.

"You have my word" Lucas reached out for a fist bump, something him and Auggie had been doing for almost as long as he'd known him.

There was a pause for a beat before Auggie extended his own fist. "Do you wanna see my new track trophies? Uncle Shawn had to build me a new shelf just to store them all!" His face broke into a grin, and suddenly he looked so much more like the charming boy Lucas knew.

Auggie walked him to the door twenty minutes later. "Hey Luke… I think its really cool of you to take Riley back to Texas with you for the weekend. She really needed the change, and I know how much she loved it last time."

"Thanks Aug. I'm glad she's coming with me. Maybe you can come see my ranch some time too."

"Yeah, maybe" he smiled.

Lucas stifled a yawn as he grabbed Riley's bag from the baggage claim. Usually he was one of those people who could fall asleep as soon as the plane took off, but Riley was a nervous flyer, so he'd stayed up and quietly talked to her through the entire four-hour flight. Not that he'd minded, it felt like they'd barely been in the air at all.

He couldn't help the smile that spread on his own face as they walked out into the parking lot and their eyes adjusted to the Texas sun, because Riley let out an excited squeal as soon as she saw Pappy Joe's familiar red pick-up truck. She darted across the lot and gave his grandfather a huge hug, as Lucas followed closely behind.

"So wonderful to see you, love. You're a sight for sore eyes." Lucas heard as he approached them – and he wasn't kidding, Pappy Joe's eyes were truly twinkling.

"It's so great to see you too! I think about my last trip to Texas all the time, I've missed you!"

Pappy Joe smiled as he pulled Lucas in for a hug as well, before taking his spot behind the steering wheel. "Good to see you, Lucas."

"You too, Pappy. Although I can't help but feel like you're way more excited to see Riley than your own grandson." He teased as he got into the truck.

"Well sure, that's because I like her better than you." Pappy Joe turned to wink at Riley before pulling out into traffic. Lucas looked back at her through the side mirror as she laughed, and he loved the genuine smile on her face, one that he hadn't seen in way too long.

They got to his grandpa's house and got settled, Lucas in his room and Riley in the guest room across the hall. His mom had organized a big Texas barbecue with a some of their neighbours and friends to welcome them, but her and Lucas's dad had refused to let either of them help. He heard a knock on his door just as he shoved his duffle bag on his chair.

"Settled already?" He asked Riley as he opened the door to find her standing there. She'd changed out of her leggings and a hoodie for pair of jeans and a New York Rangers t-shirt.

"I didn't have much to do," she shrugged, "besides, I was hoping you could take me to see the horses before dinner?" There was a shyness to her voice, but it was also laced with excitement.

"I'd love to" he said, reaching behind him to grab his phone.

They walked at a leisurely pace down to the stables on his grandfather's farm and Lucas led the way in. Pappy Joe had four horses, but after a quick pet to the first three, and stopping to let Riley feed each of them a small carrot, he led her to the horse who waited excitedly at the end. Benny was a large horse with a sleek brown mane and an attitude to match. Lucas had gotten him for his twelfth birthday, and he'd been one of the things he'd missed most about Texas when he'd moved away. Benny was a sweet horse, but he could be difficult to work with. Once the horse decided he didn't like you, there was no swaying him, as one of his grandfather's old stable hands had learned the hard way while Lucas was in New York. But he'd taken to Riley right away the last time she'd been here.

"Hi Benny," she cooed as she got closer and gently stroked his mane. "Hi pretty boy."

The horse turned his head towards her hand, a surefire sign that he was happy to see her. Lucas watched as Riley lovingly fed him the biggest carrot of the bunch and talked to him sweetly. He knew he was staring, but he couldn't seem to stop, and Riley was so engrossed in the horse that she didn't even notice. It was only when one of the other horses grunted that he broke out of his thoughts.

"So… do you want to ride him" he watched as the nerves flashed across her face.

"You know I'm not cut out for that" she said, referring to the one horseback riding lesson she took as a child where she'd fallen off the horse. As much as she loved horses, she was terrified of actually riding one.

"Sure you are. And that horse wasn't Benny. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"I know…but still."

Lucas opened the gate and gently eased Benny out, turning to look back at Riley. "I won't let anything happen to you, Riles. I promise."

She felt her heart flutter at his words, and found herself agreeing before she even realized.

Lucas led the two out on the pasture and careful helped Riley onto the horse.

"And you'll hold his reins the whole time?" she asked again.

"Yes Riles. Try to relax okay" he angled them out onto the grass, keeping a leisurely pace.

"I'm so glad your family is inside," she said after a few minutes, once she'd adjusted to the movement of Benny, "this is so embarrassing. I bet your little cousin could ride faster than me" She laughed lightly.

"You know my family loves you," he paused, "but you're right. Claire could ride circles around you." He laughed, thinking of his playful five-year-old cousin.

"Is she coming today? I remember all the pictures you used to show me of her, I'd love to meet her!"

"Yeah, I think mom invited Aunt Sherry and Uncle Rick."

They'd made their way around the field one time, and were nearing the stables again.

"I should probably get off," she said.

"Are you sure you don't want to go a bit faster? Benny can sense your nerves so he's keeping it slow, but I can tell he'd love to take you on a proper ride."

She hesitated for a moment… "What if I fell or he started going too fast. I wouldn't know how to stop him."

"He won't."

"He might" she shrugged, unable to quell her nerves. But she also wanted to experience the wind whipping through her hair as Benny picked up speed.

Maybe it was the fact that they were so far away from New York and all her worries, or the exhaustion of the travel day to get there, but Riley found herself asking something she never would have otherwise. "Maybe…maybe you could ride him with me…so you could take control?" She felt stupid as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Of course Lucas wouldn't want to do that. Did people even do that?

"For sure," he said as he grabbed a nearby mounting block, getting onto Benny with practiced ease. "Benny's probably the only horse here that wouldn't mind," he smiled to put her more at ease before he settled in front of her and took the reins again.

Lucas could smell the shampoo wafting forward from the slight breeze, and he was all too aware of how close she was to him, pressing into his back ever so slightly. He felt his heart pound at having her so close, and had to keep reminding himself that she saw him as a friend, a brother.

Riley clammed up as Lucas got onto the horse, only then realizing how close he would be. She had no idea of what to do with her arms, putting them awkwardly on her thighs until Lucas reached behind and pulled them up around his stomach. "You could fall right off if you don't hold on."

"Can we please not talk about falling right now?" she said nervously and felt him laugh quietly.

Riley felt Lucas's toned stomach through the cotton of his t-shirt and she sat up straighter, trying to put a little distance between them, afraid that he'd be able to tell how her heartbeat had quickened and that she had butterflies in her stomach from being so close to him. She could smell the scent of his after shave. Riley closed her eyes for a moment, reminding herself that he was just her friend, that she had called him her brother all those years ago, that that was all he saw her as.

He kicked off and Benny broke into an easy trot. The sudden movement surprised Riley and she found herself leaning into Lucas, so she was completely up against his back again, and tightening her grip around his torso. He could feel how tense she was.

"I've got you, Riles. I promise."

He felt her relax after a few moments and turned to look at her over his shoulder. Her eyes were closed and he couldn't help but notice how her hair was blowing gently in the breeze.

She looked beautiful, and God this felt so…right.

Riley closed her eyes after a moment, when they had settled into a comfortable pace, relishing in the air beating against her face. She could feel Lucas's strong frame in front of her as he slowly eased Benny into a faster trot. Neither of them said anything and she found it so easy to get lost in that moment. It just felt so…right.

Lucas led them around a few more times before leading them back to the stable. He dismounted and helped Riley off the horse before he led Benny back to the stall, giving her a moment to compose herself and catch her breath.

"Lucas…thank you." She whispered, pulling him in to a hug when he returned.

"Anytime, Riles" he said, as they made their way back up to the house.

They went into their respective rooms at the top of the staircase, agreeing that Riley could have the shower first. Lucas closed the door behind him and groaned. He didn't know how he would ever get over Riley Matthews when even the slightest touch from her sent an electric current through him.

He had learned the hard way that distancing himself from her didn't help. He'd have to figure it out a solution, and fast.

Lucas took longer than he might have normally in the shower, trying to push a certain brunette from his mind. He loved having her here with him, and how their relationship seemed to be improving again finally, but he'd forgotten how difficult it could be to spend time alone with Riley, trying to suppress the urge to blurt his feelings out for her.

When he finally finished, he came downstairs to find Riley in the kitchen, in that same adorable yellow sundress, tossing a salad while his mom stirred something on the stove, both of them laughing heartily. "What's so funny?"

He couldn't help but notice Riley blush and his mom winking at her, "now that is none of your business" she said, turning back to the stove. Lucas smiled at Riley, who beamed back at him. He hadn't been exaggerating earlier, his family had always loved her. Riley had always been welcome at the Friars' when they lived back in New York. He went out to join his dad by the barbecue.

Riley laughed as Claire showed her another picture of her ballet class on her mother's phone. In this one she was hugging another little brunette girl, both in matching pink tutus. The girl had taken to her immediately and they had been sitting on the sofa together for the better part of an hour. "This is Jenna Kyle. She's my best friend in the whoooole world."

"You two remind me of me and my best friend, Maya. We've been friends since we were around this age too."

"Really?" Claire's eyes went wide.

"Yeah. You'd never catch her in a tutu though," Riley laughed, pulling out her phone to show the little girl a picture of her and Maya.

Lucas watched from across the room, trying to focus on what one of his cousins was saying about his high school football team, but finding his attention drifting towards the sofa every few moments. It was clear that Claire absolutely adored Riley, and they feeling appeared to be mutual. Lucas couldn't help but think of how seamlessly Riley fit in with all of his friends and family. She had moved around the room with ease, getting to know everyone.

"This one's my favourite!" Claire said, flipping through her mom's camera roll knowingly until she landed on the photo she was looking for. It was one of her and Lucas, "Lukey always gives me piggy backs if I ask really nicely".

Riley laughed as she stared down at the picture, Claire had a huge smile on her face as she clung to Lucas's neck, and he was laughing as he looked towards the camera himself.

"Are you and Lukey boyfriend and girlfriend?" Claire asked, puncturing Riley's thoughts.

"Umm… no. We're just friends. Really good friends." Riley said, smiling halfheartedly at the girl. Was she so bad at hiding her feelings that even a five-year-old could pick up on them?

"Hey Claire Bear! You're not bothering Riley are you?" Neither of them had noticed Lucas come up until he had spoken.

"No!" Claire said with the indignation of a small child, "we were just talking. We're friends now, right Riley?"

"Right" Riley said, smiling down at the girl.

"Well your Mom's looking for you, she said something about chocolate cake." Lucas said, watching the excitement colour his cousin's eyes. She ran off, not giving either of them a backwards glance.

"I guess I can't compare with chocolate cake" Riley laughed as Lucas sat down in the spot Claire had just vacated.

"How are you doing? I didn't realize my mom would invite so many people"

"No, this is great! It's so nice seeing how you grew up. I've gotten to learn a lot more about Texas Lucas." She said playfully.

He groaned, "Oh God, what have you heard?"

"Oh it's all good things, don't worry!" she pushed her knee into his playfully.

"Lucas Friar! I've been looking all over for you!" They both jumped slightly at the new voice, even though she hadn't spoken very loudly.

"Oh, hey Sheila" Lucas got up to give the blonde a quick hug before putting his hands in his pockets awkwardly.

"Riles, this is Sheila Johnson. We went to school together before I moved. Sheila, this is Riley Matthews, one of my best friends in New York."

Riley got up to shake the woman's hand. She seemed a lot taller in person, Riley noted. Not that she had pored through Sheila's Facebook page extensively, or anything.

In all honesty, Riley had spent hours on both Lucas and Sheila's page in the past year, wondering if the two were dating. Lucas rarely posted anything to Facebook, but Sheila had tagged him in a few pictures here and there. They were usually with a group of friends though.

"So nice to finally meet the infamous Riley!" Sheila's Texas drawl drew Riley out of her thoughts "Lucas talks about you all the time."

"Really?" She couldn't keep the surprise from her voice, she turned to notice a small blush creep across Lucas's cheeks.

"Oh sure, he's full of the greatest stories about all his friends in New York!"

Right. Stories about all of them, of course. She didn't know what she had been expecting.

"Oh right. Well we've missed having him up there." Riley smiled

"We missed him out here! I can't believe you're stealing him away again" Shelia laughed and took a sip of her lemonade, unaware of the awkward tinge that had filled the air. It was Riley's turn to blush.

"Umm… did your mom come?" Lucas asked, looking for something to say to fill the gap in conversation.

"Yeah, Ma went looking for Cindy, she brought her 'famous' potato salad" Sheila laughed again, putting air quotes around the word famous "its from the deli" she added in a stage whisper to Riley, who smiled politely.

"Hey Sheila, we'll catch up with you later, okay? I promised Riles I would show her my horses" Lucas said easily, as if they hadn't just done that this afternoon. Before he could overthink it, he grabbed her hand, sending a thrill through both of them, and led her out the front door.

Lucas dropped her hand when they were on the empty front porch, sitting down on the porch swing. "Sorry about that… Sheila can be…a lot sometimes."

"She's nice. But thank you. I could use a breather."

"Sorry about the crowd. I should've known my mom would invite half the town."

"That's okay" Riley laughed, "I would expect no less from Cindy. It's been so nice catching up with her again, my mom really misses her in the city."

"My family is so happy you're here. They love you."

"Well that's because I'm so lovable" Riley said, flipping her hair and giving Lucas her best diva look.

He burst out laughing, which made her break into laughter too.

"You are though, Riles." He said after they'd both sobered up "I hope you know that."

She looked up into his earnest eyes and nodded, because she couldn't quite get the sting of Charlie's betrayal out of her mind yet, despite everything.

Lucas caught the look in her eye, and pulled her into a side hug as they continued to sit on the porch swing. It felt so natural, and he could honestly imagine himself sitting with her like that forever.

I don't ride horses, so bear with me if I got anything wrong. More of Texas to come – Thanks for reading!