Chapter 7 Riley
SEVEN
RILEY
“Is this how it feels to be pregnant?” Rowan pats his stomach. “I can’t believe I ate that entire lobster and steak dish.”
I walk out into the cool night air, and it wakes me up from my food coma. Just a little bit.
“Are we gonna grab a beer at the brewery?” August points at Rowan.
Rowan, Ellie, and August want to keep the night going. Sitting that close to August, with our knees touching, the food waiting thing he did for me… I think I’m going to call it a night. I need to be by myself and drown out all these thoughts running through my head.
And I really need to unbutton my pants.
“I’m gonna get going,” I tell them.
“Aw, really? Come on. Just one drink.” Ellie holds my hand, pouting at me. That move may work with Rowan, but it doesn’t work with me.
“I’ve had a crazy day. I just wanna go home and lie down.”
“Are you sure?” she asks.
August stands behind his sister and next to Rowan. He pushes his hair back, only for a small strand to fall near his temple. Something shines under the collar of his shirt, and I glance away before he catches me staring.
“Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow at the bakery.”
“Boooo,” Rowan shouts with his hands cupped around his mouth.
“Okay, fine.” Ellie points at me. “But text me when you get home.”
“I can take you home,” August says.
Ellie whips around and cocks an eyebrow at her brother. I step in so she doesn’t start asking questions, making the entire situation awkward.
“I’m good.” I tuck my hands in my pockets, hiding them from the cold air.
He pulls his keys from his coat pocket. “It’s not a big deal. I can meet up with them after.”
Ellie looks at me. “Take him up on his offer. I don’t like the idea of you walking home.”
I hold my phone up. “I was gonna request a car.”
“Okay, well, now you can save money and take the offer from August. Don’t be stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn.”
August snorts, and I glare at him.
“She’s right,” August says, striding toward me. “Stop being stubborn. I parked around the block.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, trying to get him to change his mind.
“Yes.” He nods.
“Are you positive?”
“Go,” Ellie shouts when she and Rowan turn, going in the opposite direction.
“I’ll see you guys soon,” August gently rests his hand on my neck to guide me to his car.
I lean my head on the car window while August drives me home. It’s been a quiet ride, and although we haven’t said anything to each other, there’s no uncomfortable tension. It’s the kind of silence that you can sit in and not feel forced to have a conversation.
Stars light up the night sky, and I can almost see the craters on the moon with how bright it is. I love nights like these. It’s sort of serene, and although I would never admit this aloud, I’m enjoying spending it with August next to me.
My eyes start to drift shut when I feel my butt vibrating. Three buzzes in a row indicate that it’s Mom. How sad that I’ve had to create a specific sound to indicate it's her? I should probably change that, considering it makes my blood pressure shoot up each time.
My parents’ divorce is dredging up past struggles I’ve dealt with. And those struggles led me to August. My safe space. Now, all I think about is the last day we were together before I pushed him away.
Those words that have haunted me for eleven years.
“I want you more than just a friend, Riley.”
“Who is it?” August asks.
I let out a tired sigh. “My mom.”
“You gonna answer it?”
I stare at the lit-up screen. There’s no photo of Mom, just her name scrolling across the screen.
“If I don’t answer it now, she’ll just call again,” I mumble before answering. “Hey mom.”
“Hi, sweetie.” Mom’s voice is chipper. “How’s my favorite daughter doing?”
August gives me a sympathetic smile because that’s all he can give me. I could suggest he throw my phone in the ocean for me. If I do it, I’ll feel guilty until I get a new one.
“I’m fine. What’s up?”
“Have you talked to your father lately?”
My head tips back in annoyance because, of course, that’s why she’s calling. Sometimes I wish she’d call just to talk to me about anything else. I’m not sure why I keep expecting that from her when I know it’s not going to happen.
“A little bit,” I mutter.
“Has he said anything about the boat? I haven’t heard from his lawyer.”
I clench my teeth. “I haven’t heard anything about it. I don’t talk to him about this stuff.”
“Tell him that he can keep the boat. But I want half of his 401k.”
“Mom.” My tone is exasperated. “Isn’t that what your lawyers are for?”
She clicks her tongue. “Of course it’s their job. I just thought that maybe you would hear from him sooner than I’d hear from my lawyer. I know he wants to keep it.”
“Fine. I’ll ask him, but don’t expect me to get anything out of him.”
The sound of shuffling comes from the other end of the line. Then heavy footsteps and doors opening and closing.
“Mom, what are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready for a date.”
I sit up straighter. “What do you mean you’re going on a date?”
We’re at a stoplight when August looks at me and mouths, date? I shrug and shake my head.
“I met this handsome gentleman after leaving the lawyer’s office. I didn’t see a ring on his finger after he asked me out to dinner. I’m single now. I can do what I want.”
“Do you think that’s smart? Can you, like, get in trouble for that or something? Doesn’t it look bad?”
August nods, smothering a laugh.
“It’s just for fun. Anyway, can you talk to your father about the boat?”
“Mom, I shouldn’t—”
“Honey, I need to go. Let me know what he says. Love you, bye.”
Before I can say bye, she hangs up the phone. When I look at the screen, all I see is my reflection.
“Love you too, I guess.”
“She’s going on a date?” August wastes no time asking the question. “Who with?”
“Some random guy she met after meeting with her lawyer. She’s insane.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I mean, how dumb can someone be to go on a date while you’re in the middle of a divorce? It’s like she has no shame.”
“She doesn’t.”
I sit back in the seat and cross my arms.
“Need me to do anything to cheer you up?”
I could go for some ice cream, but I know I shouldn’t stay any longer with August alone. I’m afraid of what can come of it if I linger around him.
“No, it’s okay. I just need to go home and get some sleep. I can feel a headache starting to form on top of my head.” I massage my temples, hoping to ease the pain coming my way.
“I’m sorry.” August takes a right turn onto my block before pulling up to my apartment that sits above the town's coffee shop, Sip-Sip-Hurray.
“Don’t be. It’s the same shit I always deal with. I’ve become numb to it.”
“Doesn’t mean you should put up with it.” August rubs his eye, hitting his glasses.
“I know. I’ve already gotten a lecture from Hailey. I don’t need another one.” I pick up my bag from the ground and open the car door. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime. You sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”
“Not unless you wanna give me a lobotomy." I close the door, grin, and turn toward my front door. “Night, August.”