19 The cheating ex
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The cheating ex
RILEY
I was going to run myself into the ground. Usually I stuck to one run per day, but ever since having my Will-drought broken I’d been doubling up. Majoring in physical therapy, I knew this wasn’t good for my body. But neither was spending unchaperoned time with Will Caufield. So here we were.
When my house came into view, I pushed a little deeper, bypassing an expensive looking truck parked a few houses down. Something about it was familiar. I’d probably seen a similar rich kid on campus driving one.
Most Phil-U students liked surrounding themselves with other college houses, where there was always activity and partying. My street was the opposite of that, which had been perfect in mum’s final days. Not that there had been many. There hadn’t been long between her diagnosis and last breath. I guess she’d had symptoms for longer than she admitted. By the time she did something about them, it was too late.
Once reaching my drive, I slowed, resting my hands on my head as I paced back and forth. Music continued to play through my headphones as I worked through a series of stretches. I took my time, taking care of my muscles so they were prepared to take me on another run tomorrow. I’d no doubt need the clear-headed reprieve.
By the time I was finishing up, the sun had well and truly faded, leaving the street in a dull haze. My mum’s childhood warning of staying outside after dark rang through, even though she was no longer here to chastise me for being out this late, so I called it and headed inside .
“I’m back,” I called out to Parker, slamming the door behind me.
Stepping into the kitchen, my eyes landed on her first. They then quickly zeroed in on Ryan Murphy next, who was leaning against the fridge. And then they found Will fucking Caufield.
Had I fallen and hit my head? What the hell was he doing in my kitchen?
He was dressed in dark jeans, a black hoodie and a backwards Phil-U cap. He was perfectly put together. Unlike me. Even without looking in the mirror, I knew I was a sweaty mess. My cheeks were likely red from not only exercise but the cool air, and my four-day-old hair was wet from a combination of sweat and oil.
Ryan smiled knowingly, showing off his perfectly straight and shiny teeth.
I hurriedly untied my sweater from my waist and pulled it over my head, suddenly feeling very self-conscious in nothing but a training bra and running shorts.
Parker was aiming for casual attire, but I knew she would have carefully thought through her outfit. Fleecy cargo pants, a tight singlet, and a cardigan which was currently hanging off one shoulder, showing the perfect amount of skin.
“Hey,” she beamed. “This is Ryan and his friend Will.”
“Yeah.” My voice came out short. “I know them.”
Parker’s dark eyebrows pulled together. “Did you meet them Saturday night or...” She trailed off, waiting for someone to fill in the blanks.
By the time Parker and I became friends, I’d made it clear I thought all athletes were conceited assholes. She was clearly at a loss as to how we were connected. I guess honesty was the best policy here. She was going to get the truth out of me one way or another. This saved her interrogation after Ryan and Will left, which was hopefully A-freaking-SAP.
I pointed at Will. “The ex.”
Parker’s jaw dropped open. “The cheating ex?”
Ryan snickered. “Savage.”
I noticed Will flinch from where he leant against the counter. I don’t know what he was playing at. He’d been to this house countless times in the past. Was he trying to ambush me about Saturday night? If so, he could’ve brought it up when I had him practically shirtless this morning.
“You guys make yourselves comfortable,” Parker said. “Riley and I will be back in a sec.”
She grabbed my wrist and dragged me up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Usually she distanced herself from me when I returned sweaty from a run. I guess she was too eager to get the tea. After closing my bedroom door behind us, she rounded on me.
“ That’s your ex?”
“Aha. ”
“All six-foot-four of him?”
“Mmhmm.”
Her eyes glistened as appreciation dawned on her face. “Jesus, Riley. He’s fucking delicious.”
I groaned. “I know.”
Parker’s reaction to Will was the same as every other girl on campus. Having your boyfriend constantly hit on was taxing. I’d always done my best to ignore it, especially given Will never gave other girls or puck bunnies the time of day. When we were together, I’d known that I was the only girl he wanted to be with.
Until I guess I wasn’t.
To this day, I didn’t know who the girl was that I’d walked in on him with. Truth be told, it didn’t matter. It wasn’t her fault. She owed me nothing.
Parker dreamily sighed. “Like, the definition of fuckable.”
I raised one eyebrow. “You still team Ryan there?”
“Yes. Totally. In fact.” She sobered. “Riley, I... I really like him.”
I dropped my gaze to the ground as all hopes of this being a short-term fling shattered. Then I instantly felt like a bad friend. Parker was clearly into Ryan, and here I was crossing everything in the hope of them growing bored of each other.
“I suggested Ryan bring a friend to watch a movie because I didn’t want it to seem like I was inviting him around to, you know, sleep together.” Parker grimaced, fiddling with her earrings. There was clearly a bit more. “And I may have mentioned I had an extremely attractive roommate.”
I grumbled. Of course she had. Parker’s ammo had always been to play matchmaker. You’d think after almost three years of failed attempts she’d have given up. Apparently not.
It was humbling discovering Will was prepared to seduce the hot roommate tonight. An ache formed in my chest imagining the many times he’d been the wingman for Ryan. And Levi. And Tripp. How many hot roommates had there been since me?
“I’m so sorry, Riley. I wouldn’t have suggested that if I knew your ex was one of Ryan’s best friends.” Parker stepped forward, placing a hand on each of my shoulders. “You never told me me you dated a hockey player.”
She sounded hurt, like I’d kept a big secret from her. I suppose I had, but I didn’t see it that way. I trusted her, I just hadn’t wanted to recall my failed relationship. Bringing it up was like talking around a mouthful of shattered glass. Though between this and the PT visits, that was sure as hell shot to the ground now.
Parker smiled sadly. “He did some damage, huh?”
I scoffed. “Just a little bit. ”
If I made a big deal about Will being here, it would basically end Ryan and Parker’s non-date before it began. Will clearly had no aversions to coming over. He could have bailed when he pulled up to my house, then again when he stood on the doorstep, and then finally before I came back from my run. But he hadn’t. He’d stayed.
I took a calming breath. Parker had always come through for me. I needed to come through for her.
I gritted my teeth. “What movie are we watching?”
Parker ignored my trepidation. She jumped up and down, squealing excitedly.
“You’re the best, Riley. I love you.” She pulled me in for a quick hug before scrunching up her nose. “But you also stink.”
I lifted one arm in the air. She was right. I reeked.
“I’ll have a shower and meet you downstairs.”
She shot me a warning glare. “Don’t take too long.”
I wasn’t making any promises.