My Last(45)

“She’s doing better. She won’t go back to school till next week so she is going a little stir crazy. But she is getting all caught up on Pretty Little Liars so that’s keeping her mind off of how bored she is.” Eddie’s voice filled with love as he spoke of his daughter.

“I don’t even know what Pretty Little Liars is.” Riley said flatly.

“Man, I wish I didn’t.” Eddie sighed.

They laughed and Riley promised to get Chelle back to Harper’s Crossing safe and sound.

He hung up and felt a knot forming in his gut. He hadn’t realized it until right now, but the fact that Eddie was still clearly not okay with anything happening between him and Chelle made him feel like a low life for where his mind had gone since seeing her again. Riley knew that Eddie wasn’t just being an ass. He had seen a lot of Riley at his worst, and Eddie knew Riley’s views on commitment. Riley was the very last person that a loving big brother should want his baby sister to get involved with!

But, damn. Even with this new knot that had taken residence in his stomach, he still wanted Chelle…bad. He wasn’t even sure how he had actually managed to keep his hands off of her up until this point. But with every smile, every ‘innocent’ brush, every look that told him she wanted him as much as he wanted her...God. It was getting harder and harder- both figuratively and literally.

Realistically, he only had a few more days - a week, tops - with her in San Francisco. Once they were home, keeping his distance would be easier.

That realization should have made him feel relieved. Instead, the thought of not spending his days with her just made him feel sad and empty.

Oh, well. It wasn’t like sad or empty were new feelings for him. He had felt a hole in his life since his mom left when he was eight, and it only got bigger when she had died when he was twelve.

But his issues were not Chelle’s problem. She had enough to deal with without him coming into her life and creating drama and problems.

He needed to keep his hands, his mouth, and every other body part to himself. Not just because of Eddie, and how much Riley owed him. But also for Chelle. Because no matter how strong and significant their connection felt to him, he knew that Eddie was right. She deserved better. So much better.

She deserved forever.



--- ~ ---



Chelle was trying really hard not to feel self-conscious as they made their way up the short path to Riley’s friend’s townhouse, but if she were honest, she knew that she wasn’t doing a great job in that department. As soon as Chelle had come out of the room, excited and ready to go, she sensed something had changed between her and Riley.

It wasn’t anything too obvious. It’s not like he was being mean to her. He was being as nice as he always was. Thoughtful, even. He had reminded her to bring her keys (which she probably would have remembered). He had made sure that she brought a jacket (which she absolutely would have forgotten). He had complimented her on her dress.

But, still. It wasn’t the same. He just said, “You look really nice,” in a tone that was almost without inflection. He hadn’t even met her eyes when he said it.

She briefly wondered if he were acting that way because he had noticed that she had taken off her engagement ring, since (as far as she could tell) that was the only thing that had changed. But no...that would be silly. Why would he care?

She felt like a complete and total idiot for having it on as long as she had, but he probably hadn’t even noticed it.

Unless...could he sense her growing attachment to him, and the absence of the ring symbolized that? Shit. That would be embarrassing.

Regardless of the cause, there was definitely a distance between them. It was like he had put up a wall that she was not allowed to pass. He also seemed…sad. She was trying not to read too much into it, but she just couldn’t help it. It was as if he were an entirely different person.

Okay, she thought, that's it. I'm clearly a fifth wheel here, and I don't need to be where I'm not wanted. It's not doing me any good, and it'll interfere with Riley's ability to have fun with his friends. This isn't good for anybody.

She was just about to make up an excuse about why she suddenly needed to head home, and tell him that he should stay and catch up with his friend, when the front door of the townhouse flung open. She was momentarily paralyzed by what she saw. It was like David Beckham and Johnny Depp had a love child. The man standing before her was beautiful.

“Sloan, man good to see you!” The man (whom she assumed was Tommy) pulled Riley into a hug. “It’s been too long, bro.”

Riley nodded as he slapped the man on the back, “Yeah, it has, Baxter.”