56 I really have no clue
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
I really have no clue
RILEY
I slowed to a stop, my hands resting behind my head as I exhaled deeply. A few moments later Brooklyn and Marnie came up behind me, their breaths as haggard as mine.
“Jesus Riley,” Marnie breathily said. “Are you on performance drugs or something? That was insane.”
Was it? It felt like a normal pace. Checking my watch, I noticed I had just clocked my best time for a seven-mile run. I’d beaten it by almost two minutes, which was huge. Usually Marnie and Brooklyn gave me a run for my money given they were on Allentown’s track and field team. I guess I hadn’t noticed them lagging, or more or less me pulling ahead.
Marnie rested her hands on her hips. “Spill. What the hell is going on?”
Stupid psych major.
While we worked through our stretches, I disclosed all the details of my clusterfuck situation, starting from the scary movie night all the way through to last night. I left nothing out.
Marnie and Brooklyn patiently listened. It felt freeing sharing it all. I’d been forced to fess up to Parker last night too. The tears were my giveaway. She’d quietly listened, though I could tell she was distracted by something because she’d continuously checked her phone. Maybe she was bummed that my dramatic exit meant she’d had to bail on Ryan. I didn’t blame her. I’d not only cockblocked myself last night, but her too. I was a shitty friend.
She’d driven to Allentown with me to celebrate Tanner’s birthday. I’d left her at his house so I could burn off steam with Marnie and Brooklyn. We’d offered for Parker to join our run, but the answer had been hell no . I doubt she even owned a pair of running shoes. She liked the outdoors in more of a camping and hiking and feel the earth kind of way.
Tanner hadn’t been home when we arrived or left, which unnerved me. I was unsure what type of reaction to expect from him. He still hadn’t responded to my text from last night.
“What are you going to do?” Brooklyn asked, stretching her quads and pulling me back to issue number one – Will Caufield.
“I really have no clue.”
One part of me wanted to run into Will’s arms, while the other wanted to run the other way. Graduation was four months away. That meant our expiration was in four months. What was the point in setting myself up for that type of heartbreak?
“As your friend, my instinct is telling you not to go there again,” Marnie said. “Your breakup crushed you last time, and from what I hear, you have the same concerns now that you did back then.”
“Playing Devil’s advocate,” Brooklyn refuted. “Maybe this is proof that you don’t have to worry about those concerns. I mean, three years on and everything is still there. All the feelings. All the chemistry. Isn’t that worth the risk?”
Marnie rested against the fence. “If it’s all still there, then why did they breakup to begin with? And let’s not forget Will cheated on her.”
My instinct was to jump in and defend Will, but Brooklyn did it for me.
“He made a mistake because he was crushed the girl he loved didn’t show up for one of the most important moments of his life.”
“Because her mum was–”
“I know,” Brooklyn interjected. “But he didn’t know that at the time. Think about it, how would Lucas feel if he got drafted and you didn’t even acknowledge it?”
Ouch. When Brooklyn put it that way, I sounded like the worst person in the world.
“He’d be devastated,” Marnie admitted.
“Which would leave anyone second guessing everything,” Brooklyn finished. “I’m not justifying Will’s mistake, but I can understand it.”
I kept quiet. Talking to Marnie and Brooklyn about this was perfect. They were doing a great job of working through the pros and cons.
“And maybe they needed to breakup,” Brooklyn went on. “Maybe the last three years were exactly what they needed to realise this is the real thing.”
Marnie softened. “He did always look at Riley like she was God’s gift to this earth.”
Brooklyn chuckled mischievously. “And he is fucking hot. ”
Feeling lighter, I finally spoke up. “How would Edge feel about that comment, Brooklyn?”
Brooklyn brushed me off. “Like he could deny it. I’ll bet even your brother would admit Will Caufield is gorgeous.”
Laughing, I reached down and picked up my water bottle. Speaking of Tanner, we ought to get back. The sun was starting to set and we still needed to get ready before his party started.
The walk back to Tanner and Lucas’s house was only a short way from the park we’d run around. Tanner’s car was in the drive when we returned.
Opening the front door, Lucas greeted us enthusiastically with a tray of shots lined up. “Ready to ruin all the work from that run?”
While Marnie and Brooklyn jumped at the idea, I shook my head. I wanted to find my brother first. Before there was alcohol clouding my judgement, we needed to clear the air.
“Where’s Tanner?” I asked.
“In his room I think,” Lucas answered.
I headed for the stairs and then walked straight to Tanner’s room. Knocking quickly, I shoved open the door.
“Tanner we need to–” I screamed, jumping back dramatically. “What the hell?”
My brother wasn’t alone. He was currently very naked and wrapped around my best friend, who had also apparently misplaced all her clothes.
Footsteps pounded on the stairs and a moment later Lucas, Marnie and Brooklyn appeared behind me.
“What’s wrong, Riley?” Brooklyn shrieked. “We heard you scream and – oh fuck.”
“Get out,” Tanner snapped. “All of you!”
I’m not sure who kicked into gear first, but a hand wrapped around my arm and yanked me out of my brother’s bedroom.