Saving Riley

29

Riley's POV

I was sat at The Next Steep with Michelle for lunch, she had finally made time in her schedule for me. I thought when I got this promotion it would be me struggling to find the time. I was wrong, I never realised how much of a queen bee Michelle truly was
"Okay but then what happened" She asked, I had filled her in on James and I. Let's just say she is screaming asking why we aren't together already
"Hey ladies" John said smiling coming over to us, that was strange. Could have sworn the boys were at practice now
"hey" Michelle replied with her nervous smile. She still hasn't forgiven me for letting her little secret slip but I'm sure it'll work out. It always does
"Hey, how come you aren't with the guys?" I asked smiling at him
"I came to get us all a drink. You should hear what we are working on. I think it's out best stuff yet!" John said proudly. It was clear that the boys were proud of this album but none of them will even let us know the titles let alone hear a little snippet
"I can't wait to hear it!" I replied
"Me too!" Michelle smiled
"Has James spoken to you?" John asked and I furrowed my brows
"about what?" I asked and he shrugged
"Just in general" He said making it sound like a question
"I mean yeah, we are hanging out after practice" I replied and he offered me a sympathetic smile before nodded
"Thats great" He smiled. I looked at Michelle who was just as confused at the exchange

"I'm not the only one who thought that was so strange?" Michelle asked touching my hand, I looked over my shoulder seeing that John had completely left now
"No that was. What's even stranger is i had a similar exchange with Marie last week too" I replied making Michelle furrow her brows just as much as I was
What is going on..
"Let's not let that put a damper on today though! When it is that we are both free" Michelle said with glee, little did she know I actually cancelled two classes to be able to see her
"I want to hear all about this little photo exchange again" She teased, I rolled my eyes not wanting to tell her for the 4th time 

--

James' POV

"Okay, that sounds sickkk!" Luke chimed as we finished a run through of one of the songs
"Yeah, those lyrics are killer!" Theo said joining in on the praise. John on the other hand, he's still cold with me, asks me daily if I've told Riley but I can't bring myself to do it
Imagine going through what Riley went through merely 2 months ago and then finding out about this whole Marie situation..
We've not spoken about us, what we are, what we aren't etc so I don't even know where we stand. That's the hardest part
I love her with every single inch of me but I can't bare to break her heart all over again. I saw what Beth did to her and I felt what Alfie did to me.. How do i even approach this
"You good man?" Theo asked patting my shoulder, I sighed and smiled at him
"Yeah I'm okay" I replied
The boys and I finished packing up before heading to the green room to work on some more ideas. 
We always seem to get our best ideas when we hear people messing around in the bull pen
"What if you made the lyrics similar to what you say about your international duet?" Luke suggested and I nodded with a smile
"That is great" I replied jotting it down, I looked up to see John glaring at me again
"I can't believe how great this album is going to be" Theo laughed
"A proper Jiley album for their comeback" Luke teased making me chuckle 
"you have to play it at your wedding" Theo said nudging him
Before anyone else could say anything, John stormed out
Placing my head on the table I knew I was in a situation. I know I need to tell Riley, that is the only way to fix this situation with John. But I know if I tell Riley, it'll break her heart and I could lose her for goo
How do I chose.. 

"I truly don't know what his problem is recently" Luke said going back on his phone, I sighed knowing full well if I told the boys what was going on they would be on Team John. 
"What about the chorus being something like this" Theo said playing a melody on his base
"I like it" I replied smiling
"Me too!" Luke chimed picking up his guitar and joining in
"Woah boys that sounds great" I hear Riley say, I smiled over at her
"What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at 6" I asked and she smiled and nodded
"We are. I came here to talk to Mr T actually" she said placing her hand on my shoulder
"He's in the Rose Room with Marie" I replied
Since finding out about Marie talking to Riley I've been extra cautious about her, I should never had let this happen in the first place but it did and now I need to find a way to fix it all before it blows up in my face again
"Alrightly, I will see you at 6" Riley said
"See you" I replied
"Bye rileyyyy" Theo sung making us all chuckle
We continued to work on the chorus when John finally comes back in to join us 
"Look who decided to come back" Luke teased, little did he know. This was not the time to joke
"What is up with you lately man" Luke asked leaning back on his chair. John then looked over at me and raised his eyebrows
"Have you told anyone?" John asked and I shook my head
"You're running out of time James" He warned and I didn't know what to say, I will stick stuck on the fence on what to do
"What are you talking about" Theo asked
"Ask James, he seems to be very good with his mouth lately" John said with a glare. I gasped little, I never thought I would say this but John is being a dick
"James?" Theo asked making everyone look at me
"It's nothing, don't even worry about it" I replied hoping that would cover this up
"Don't play that game James. Tell them" John continued
"Is that what you want John? You want this to blow up in my face!  You want this whole thing we have been working for the last month to mean nothing!" I called getting annoyed at how he is acting
"The only one making it mean nothing is you! You wanted to do this to prove to Riley how you felt, how breaking up was the biggest regret of you life! And then I walk in to the bull pen to your lips attached to someone else" John yelled finally snapping
"Um guys!" Luke said 
"You kissed another girl James! Whether you and Riley are together or not She deserved to know!" he yelled
"Guys" Luke said louder
"It's not fair on her" John continued
"PORCUPINE!" Theo then screamed making both John and I freeze
I slowly turned hoping that it wasn't true.. But it was..
There in the doorway of the green room, stood.. Riley