Three's a crowd

52

Riley barely moved as his dad and Luke explained every piece of information about Averleighs kidnapping and how Riley's biological father had almost killed her. I knew he was struggling. He was comfortable with the idea that his father and mom were a bad fit for each other and that he died. The rest of this was completely new and I could see the shock and pain all over his face.

I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, to let him know I was here for him. He squeezed it back as I listened intently as Averleigh began talking.

"I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner. I thought he would stay away. We didn't want you to think badly of Chris, I'm sorry your father. He wasn't always bad, and at the time you were all too young to understand." She explained.

"Mom it's fine. I remember enough to remember that he yelled a lot, and not just at you. He was never a real dad to us. I'm sorry you had to go through all that, but I'm glad you found dad. He's more of a man than my father would ever be!" Riley replied casually.

I could tell he was trying to bottle it all in, act as if none of it mattered. It worked on his parents and Luke, but not me. I knew him better than anyone and I could feel the slight tremor in his hand as he spoke.

Once his parents left, Luke went upstairs to help Allie and we made our way to our room. I wasn't going to pressure him or ask him anything about it. The roles had reversed again and it was my turn to be strong for his emotions.

I laid back against the pillows on the bed as he sat beside me. When he laid down and put his head on my stomach I rand my hands through his hair over and over as the faintest sniffling noises came from his body.

I shifted my body down so that we were face to face and gently brushed my thumb over his cheek, catching the tears that had slipped from his eyes.

"You know I love you and I'm here for whatever you need right?" I said quietly.

"I know, can you just lay with me for tonight? I really don't feel like talking right now." He almost whispered.

"Of course." I smiled letting him rest his head on my chest as he cried until he went to sleep.

I hated seeing him this way. It angered me that someone as loyal and kind hearted as him, was even around someone like his father, let alone related to them. That wasn't the only thing I was angry about though. I hated how even beyond the grave his father was still hurting him.

Riley could say whatever he wanted or act like he didn't care, but I knew that no matter what had happened or what his father had done, there would always be a part of him that Riley loved — whether he wanted to admit it or not.

I let myself sleep after I was sure that Riley was asleep. I held him tightly until the weight on my eyes was too much to fight anymore. Thankfully sleep was a friend to both of us, because it would be needed to get through all the emotions he would have in the morning once the weight of everything settled in.

Surprisingly Riley was already up and dressed when I finally climbed out of bed. I walked down to the kitchen where he was standing with Luke cooking breakfast.

"Morning." I smiled wrapping my arms around Riley's waist from behind.

"Morning." He smiled, " I have to go to my parents today and talk to my mom with uncle Luke, are you going to be good for today?" He asked.

"Yeah I'll be fine." I replied half heartedly. "I can call Ava and see if she wants to hangout."

"Okay. I don't know how long it's going to take but I'll call you when we leave." He said as he set some eggs and bacon on a plate and put it down on the table.