Turn Up The Heat

Chapter 18 - Blake

I'm so wrapped up in Riley that we only pull apart when we hear glass shatter. There in the entryway to the kitchen is Scott and Lendze. Scott has the hugest grin on his face, while Lendze's mouth hangs open.

"I fucking knew it!" Lendze says after she breaks out of her stupor. I see the panic look on Riley's face.

"Lendze" Riley pleads but she just waves her off. "This is huge you guys." She looks around the room and her eyes land on Scott. "You knew didn't you." She smacks him on the arm. He shrugs his shoulders, "kind of obvious with lover boy over here always had his eyes on Ry."

"You guys" Riley gets everyone's attention. "Sam is going to kill us." Lendze comes over to hug her. "Only if you keep it from her."

Just then Chase and Sam walk into the kitchen. "What is everyone doing in here?" Sam says as she looks around.

"Blake and I kissed." Riley blurts then gasps as she covers her mouth. Sam smiles at her, "okay can we get back to having some fun?" She grabs the bottle of wine and walks out. Riley sighs in relief and everyone starts walking out.

I grab Riley by the waist and bring her towards me. " That wasn't so bad was it? " I kiss her forehead.

"I guess not." She says as she blushes.

I kiss her on the lips and couldn't be happier in this moment.

"Will you stop making out and get in here and join us!" Sam yells from the living room. Riley blushes hard as I laugh. She buries her head into my chest. I couldn't be happier than I am in this moment.

It's been six months since we were content and happy. I wish I can go back to that moment, because right now I am at my wits end. There have been some really great days but bad days like this, I just don't know what to do.

"Ry what is this?" I see some pills laying on her dresser. She snatches them off the dresser and puts them in a pill bottle. "They help me sleep." I run a hand through my hair. Right now I just want to pull my hair out. I know she didn't get them from her doctor. "Wildfire I really think you should talk to someone about your nightmares." She whirls around and glares at me. "I don't need a shrink telling me anything I don't already know!"

I sit down on her bed and run my hand on the back of my neck. "I don't know how to help anymore. You won't talk about it and the pills do not help. This is not you Ry."

"Maybe you don't fucking know me!"

"I know you Ry."

"Just stop Blake! It's not like we are married or you're even my boyfriend." I have been trying to control my anger but she just hit the biggest nerve ever. I stand up and stalk over towards her. "Not like I haven't tried!" I yell back at her. "God knows I have tried but you just brush it off. Right now I'm just someone you want when you can't deal with shit!"

I hate this, I never thought we would get to this. I love this girl, I haven't said it out loud but she knows... doesn't she?

"That's not true" her lip quivers and now I feel like shit yet again. Every time we have argued I feel like I'm the asshole even though I just want to help.

"It is Ry and I said I will always be here for you but this hot and cold is draining me." I sigh in defeat.

"If I'm such a burden get out." She points to the door. No matter what she has never kicked me out. I go over to bring her to me but she pushes me away.

"GET OUT!"

I don't say another word I just walk out slamming the door behind me. I hear her crying and even though I want to comfort her I know she doesn't want me to.

Happy birthday to fucking me.

I climb in my car and drive off. Once I get home Sam runs into my arms. "Happy Birthday Blake!"

I really don't feel like celebrating.

"Thanks Sam." I walk past her and go to my room. I go to shut the door but Sam stops me.

"What is going on Blake?"

"I don't know." I answer honestly.

"Is it Ry?"

"Ya I found pills in her room and she says it's to help her sleep."

"Maybe it is."

"I wish" I sit on my bed and run my hands through my hair.

"Blake you need to take care of yourself. I love Ry but you guys are not even officially together."

That right there hurts. The truth fucking sucks to hear. Sam sits down next to me and hugs me. "Now that you are no longer in high school, what are you going to do?"

"I haven't really thought about it." She pats me on the back, "well you better think about it. Mom's not going to support your sorry ass for much longer." I chuckle as she bumps her shoulder to mine.

"Thanks Sam, I love you."

"I love you too bro."

With that she leaves and I lay back on my bed. My phone buzzes and I see a text from Riley.

I'm sorry Blake can you come back over.

I don't even bother responding. Maybe Sam is right, I need to think about what I am going to do next. My phone buzzes again and it's Chase.

Birthday boy get your ass over here! There is a party going on here in your honor or did you forget about that?

Shit! With everything going on I forgot.

I'm on my way!

I change and grab my keys. "I'll see you later Sam. Heading over to Chase's." She runs out of her room smiling. "Go have some fun. I'm going to head over Ry's and hopefully talk some since into her stubborn ass."

"Good luck, if you need me let me know." She waves off my suggestion. "Don't worry Blake have fun and don't worry about anything." I give her a half smile and kiss her forehead. But that's the problem I always worry when it comes to her and Ry. The thing that hurts more than anything is that Riley didn't remember my birthday.

Maybe it's time to give up on the hope that there will be something more between us.