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I toss my head back in laughter. “I can do that,” I assure her. I give them another wave before rushing out of the room and back to the elevators.
I’m going to get my girl.
I’m a creeper. Well, not really, but I feel like I am. I’ve been sitting down the street from Riley’s house in my rental car for two hours. I just couldn’t bring myself to knock on the door and have this conversation with all our friends hanging around. Luckily, the rental makes me inconspicuous, and none of them know that it’s me.
Finally, Brett leaves. He’s the last of them to go. By my calculations, there are only three people left in that house: Raven, my girl, and her son. I can’t keep sitting here like a lovesick fool forever. I need to make a play. I’m not going to win her over sitting in my car and staking out her house.
When I turn the key, the engine roars to life. Looking over my shoulder, I pull out onto the street and make the short distance, maybe five hundred feet to her driveway. I park in front of the garage. I don’t see Raven’s car, but I know she’s in there. I didn’t see her leave, and if I know my best friend, she’s smothering her sister and her new baby nephew with love.
I’m envious of her.
Grabbing my keys, I push open the door and make my way to the front porch. Memories of the last time I was here filter through my mind. I was so desperate to see her. To talk to her. To hold her. I regret walking away. I should have parked my ass on this porch until she decided to come out here and talk to me.
I raise my hand to knock but stop before I can follow through. What if the baby or even Riley is sleeping? Instead, I pull my phone out of my pocket and send Riley a message.
Me: I’m on your front porch.
Me: Can we talk?
I wait for what feels like hours, but according to my phone, it’s only been one solitary minute before her reply comes through.
Riley: I’m exhausted, Hudson. Another time?
Me: Please, Riles.
I hold my breath when I see the little bubbles appear and disappear three times before her reply comes through.
Riley: Fine. If you want to do this now, I’ll be right out.
Me: Thank you.
Fuck. She seems pissed, but she has no right to be. She’s the one who snuck out on me that night. I’m the one who should be pissed. We spent a night together that was the best of my existence, only for her to jump right into bed with someone else.
I begin to pace, preparing myself for battle, when I hear the handle on the door turning. I stop pacing and look up. Riley is standing there watching me intently. Her hair is piled up on her head, and I can see the exhaustion in her features. The fight in me deflates, and all I want to do is take care of her.
“Riles,” I whisper.
She steps out onto the porch, moves to one of the rocking chairs, and takes a seat. “You got me out here, Fleming, so talk.” She crosses her arms over her chest, and I’m not sure if it’s to ward off the chill in the air for early April or if it’s a defense mechanism. Maybe a little of both, if I had to guess.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, taking a small step toward her.
“Like I just gave birth.”
“How is he?”
“Like you care.” She rolls her eyes.
“Of course, I care. He’s a part of you, Riles.”
“So that’s what you’re going with?” she asks.
“What do you mean?” I’m confused as hell.
“Nothing. What did you want to talk about, Hudson?”
Here goes nothing. “Us.”
She studies me for a long damn time, longer than it took her to reply to my text message. “There is no us,” she says softly.
“I want there to be.”
“I’m a single mom,” she spits. “I have to think about my son.”
“I know that.”
“Right.” She laughs humorlessly. “Are we done here?”
“Riley.” I take another step but stop when she moves to stand and winces in pain. That’s all I need to see before my feet close the distance between us, and I help her stand. “What can I do?”
“Nothing, Hudson. I’ve got this.”
“You don’t have to do this on your own,” I tell her.
She rolls those beautiful green eyes. “I have my sister and our friends. I’m not alone.”
“You have me, Riles.”
“Yeah, at one time I thought so too.” Slowly, she moves around me and pulls open the door. “Goodbye, Hudson.” She doesn’t bother to look at me before she enters the house and softly closes the door.
I stand stunned. I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out, but never did I expect this. I didn’t expect her to be mad and aloof. That’s the best way I can describe what just happened. I want to beat my fist against the door and demand she talk to me. However, I know the baby is inside and probably exhausted, and she is as well. I’ll leave it alone for tonight, but this is the last fucking time I walk away from her without her knowing what she means to me.
