Chapter Twenty

RILEY

I was pacing in my room, unsure of what to do next.

Lucy wasn’t answering my calls, and my worry was growing with each unanswered ring.

With a heavy sigh, I collapsed onto my bed. Just then, my phone buzzed in my hand.

Lucy

I’m so sorry, Ri.

Lucy

Will explain everything tomorrow.

“What does that even mean?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head. At least she wasn’t in any immediate danger.

I let out a long sigh, setting my phone on the nightstand. Exhaustion washed over me, and I fell asleep almost instantly.

***

“Where were you last night, Lu? I was scared out of my mind,” I snapped as soon as I climbed into her car the next morning.

“I’m really sorry, Ri. I should’ve told you, but I didn’t know it was going to happen, and when Andrew asked, I panicked and I—” She stopped, her eyes welling up with tears.

~What the hell is happening with her?~

“Lu, what happened?” I asked, my voice filled with concern.

“I messed up big time, and I feel awful. I’m such a terrible person.” She started crying, and I just stared at her, completely lost.

“Hey, it’s okay. Whatever it is, I’m sure you had your reasons. I’m here for you, Lu,” I said, trying to comfort her. I pulled her into a hug.

She cried into my shoulder. I tried not to jump to conclusions, but it was hard. She was scaring me.

“You’re going to hate me if I tell you,” she sniffled, pulling away from me.

“When have I ever judged you? I’m your best friend, Lu. You can tell me anything,” I reassured her, looking her straight in the eyes.

She wiped her tears away. “Theodore is back.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Theodore Phillips? Your childhood friend? I thought he was in school in LA,” I asked, just to be sure.

Theodore was the son of one of Lucy’s family friends. The last I knew, he had moved away for college and they had lost touch.

They were inseparable until eighth grade, but I wasn’t sure what had happened between them.

Lucy always avoided the topic, and I never pushed.

“Yes. He’s in town for his sister Hannah's wedding,” she mumbled, avoiding my gaze. I stayed quiet, letting her continue.

“He kissed me last week at our family dinner and I—I kind of kissed him back, Ri. I don’t know why I did it.”

She shook her head. “I mean, I had a little crush on him when we were kids, but then we had this stupid fight and we stopped talking to each other.”

She paused, and I took her hand, letting her know that I wasn’t going to judge her.

“Then he left for college, and I thought I’d moved on, until last week when I saw him at our family dinner. I don’t know what happened. All those old feelings came rushing back.”

She sniffled. “I know I should have pushed him away. God, I’ve felt so guilty all week. I was finally going to tell Andrew last night.”

“You didn’t tell him, did you?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

She shook her head.

“I was on my way to his house last night, but then I got a text from Theo saying that he wanted to meet me and apologize for the kiss and everything.”

She wiped her eyes. “I should have kept going and ignored the text, but I made the mistake of stopping by his house. He did apologize, and we agreed to stay friends, but just when I was about to leave, we kissed again.”

She paused. “Then I immediately panicked and ran out of his house.” She wiped her tears, and I squeezed her hand gently.

“I couldn’t face Andrew after that, so I told him that you and I were having a sleepover. I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t, Ri. The worst part was, I didn’t want to stop it.”

She hung her head. “I wanted to kiss him more. What is wrong with me?”

She started crying harder. I felt so bad for her. Clearly, she still had feelings for Theo, but I also felt bad for Andrew. He was such a good guy.

“Hey, it’s okay, Lu. Yes, it was wrong, and you need to tell Andrew, but don’t beat yourself up. You’re only human.” I brushed her hair out of her face.

“I cheated on Andrew. He doesn’t deserve this, Ri. He loves me so much. God, why did I kiss him? I’m such a horrible person.”

She covered her face with her hands and continued to cry.

“Don’t say that. You’re a lot better than a lot of people I know.” I wiped her tears away.

“Do you love Andrew?” I asked her. I wasn’t sure if she was going to break up with him or ask for his forgiveness.

“I don’t know, Ri. I thought I did, but if I do, I wouldn’t feel this way with Theo, right? It was so different when I kissed him. Fuck, I hate myself for feeling that way.”

I could understand how she felt.

“Well, the heart wants what it wants, after all. You should tell Andrew today, and if you feel something more for Theo, then break it off with him,” I said firmly.

She nodded in understanding. “Do you hate me?”

“Of course not. I understand you, and the fact that you feel sorry and guilty for your actions says a lot. I know you’re not the type to do this kind of stuff.”

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “If your feelings were strong enough to make you kiss him, I can only imagine how much he affects you.”

Her cheeks turned a deep, rosy red. “Oh God, he’s just so damn hot. You wouldn’t believe it, Ri. I never thought he was this sexy and charming when we were kids.” She let out a sigh of defeat.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “So, what’s next? Are you going to date him? Did he say he likes you?”

“No, Ri. That’s the problem. We’ve kissed twice, and both times it was totally unexpected. One minute we’re arguing, and the next—~wham~! We’re kissing.”

She shook her head, looking frustrated. “It’s so damn confusing. All I know is that I can’t string Andrew along when I’m sure my feelings for him aren’t strong enough.”

“Seems fair to me.” I nodded, giving her a supportive smile.

Lucy started the car and we hit the road. “Thanks for getting it. I love you so much, Ri.”

“Of course. I’m here for you, always, Lu.” I grinned at her and she raised an eyebrow.

“Enough about my love life. How was your date?” she asked, a mischievous grin on her face. Now it was my turn to blush.

“Well, where do I start…” I chuckled and filled her in on everything, including the Ferris wheel ride.

Her jaw dropped as she pulled into the school parking lot.

“Oh my God! Riley Adams, you had your first orgasm last night. I’m so damn proud of you!” she squealed.

My eyes widened in shock; I looked around to see if anyone had overheard us.

“Keep it down.”

“This is fantastic, babe. Tristan knows how to make a girl happy.”

I pouted, my mind wandering to how many girls he’d been with before me. I knew it was his past, and I should focus on the present, but I couldn’t help myself.

I was curious, and a small part of me was insecure and jealous.

“There’s your hot boyfriend,” Lucy interrupted my thoughts.

“Huh? What?”

“Over there. And that’s Amanda Parker. They were sort of a thing before she moved and transferred to another school. What’s she doing here?”

I couldn’t process what Lucy was saying as my eyes locked on Tristan. He was leaning against his car, looking irresistible in a black t-shirt and dark jeans.

He was surrounded by his friends, and Amanda was clearly trying to get his attention. She was really pretty, with olive skin and long, dirty-blond hair.

I was relieved that he wasn’t paying her any attention, but she kept touching his chest in a flirty way and it was getting under my skin.

She was wearing a really short skirt and a low-cut top that left very little to the imagination.

~Damn her!~

“How do you know everyone at school?” I asked Lucy.

“You should pay attention sometimes instead of living in your own world, babe,” she teased. I shot her a glare.

“She’d better back off him right now,” I muttered angrily, grabbing my bag from the back seat.

I quickly said goodbye to Lucy before storming out of the car and heading their way.