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Feeling all too exposed by this topic of conversation, I focus back on Riley as he continues to work, his arm muscles rippling when I ask, “How is it looking?”
“One more twist and… done.” We both step back, admiring the handiwork. “I’ll go turn on the water and we’ll see how it goes.” He runs back outside without a word and comes back two minutes later with a cocky grin, telling me, “Try it now.”
Carefully, I turn the faucet and water streams out like it’s supposed to. I squeal with excitement, grateful for one less thing to worry about and Riley’s help that I don't think before I jump into his arms. “Oh my God, thank you so much!”
I feel Riley’s body stiffen in surprise at my attack before his arms come to wrap around me, slow and careful.
As soon as his arms close around me, the warmth of them relaxes every muscle in my body. I realise I could get used to this and that is why I pull back, adjusting my shirt and wet hair as he gives me a tense smile. “Anytime.”
We stand in a drenched kitchen, uncertainty filling the air, but before either of us can talk, the distant sound of knocking sounds through to the kitchen.
I furrow my brow before I remember how I had ordered a pizza as everyone was getting ready to leave, not exactly having the food to cook but a few dollars leftover.
I excuse myself, leaving Riley in the kitchen before answering the door and seeing a pimple-faced kid holding a box of pizza in his hands and a bored look on his face.
I greet him with a tight smile, paying him before taking the box and closing the door in his face.
When I come back to the kitchen, Riley has thrown on a hoodie I didn’t see him bring in, holding his wet shirt over the sink, ringing it out.
“Sorry about your shirt,” I say, coming around the island and placing the box on the only dry spot. I’ll clean this all up after.
Riley shrugs. “It’s just water.”
He eyes me, tucking his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. Usually, I would just say thank you, bye. Hell, I probably would have fucked him if he were anyone else and if this situation was different, but instead, I ask, “Um, I have pizza if you want any?”
He cocks his head, eyeing the pizza box, then me. “I won’t be intruding?”
“You just fixed the plumbing, and the light, so it’s the least I could do.”
One side of his mouth turns up. “Who am I to say no?”
The kitchen is filledwith sounds of water still dripping from the counter and groans of satisfaction from biting into a slice of fresh pepperoni pizza.
I didn’t realise how hungry I was until the smell of the rich tomato sauce touched my nose, taking over my senses. I get so lost in it that I don’t even realise Riley has spoken until I notice him looking at me expectantly. I blink. “What?”
He smiles, amused. “So no school, huh?”
I roll my eyes, bracing myself for an argument where I defend my actions and my choices. “If you’re gonna start like everyone else-”
“Not starting anything, just curious,” he says, raising his hands in surrender for a moment before dropping them to his sides.
“About?”
“What you’re gonna do next,” he replies, picking up another slice of pizza and taking a giant bite as I consider what has been plaguing me since finding out about my parents’ will.
I eye the pizza before me, shrugging. “I don’t know. I’m still figuring it out. Maybe get a job. I applied for a few places yesterday, but I haven’t heard back yet.”
He nods. “Give them time. You’ve been through a lot, so I think you’re entitled to some time.”
I laugh humourlessly. “Unfortunately, time isn’t something I have.”
“Maybe something will come up, something will surprise you.”
I highly doubt it.
CHAPTER 13
RILEY
