Three Steps Back

31

James 

"El I think you're being a little dramatic" I hear Riley say as she walked into the dorm with Eldon in tow. Both Hunter and West were already in here staring at me like I was a crazy person
"nah he's not Riles" West said making me snap back into reality looking at the four of them

"What's going on?" I asked making the boys roll their their eyes leaving the room, meaning it was only Riley and I left
"You okay?" She asked coming and sitting next to me, I nodded wrapping an arm around her 
"why wouldn't I be?" I smiled earning a raised brow from Riley

"the boys have it in their head that you've been pretty spacey all day" She asked placing her hand on my knee
"And from the looks of your expression right now, I think they may have been right" She mumbled

"What's going on?" She asked

I sighed knowing that I couldn't just ignore this, knowing that Riley wasn't about to let this go
"Piper's showcase is a couple days" I said making Riley nod
"I know, I'm performing one number with her remember?" she laughed
"I know, it's just" I sighed, Riley looked at me a little confused before taking her hands into mine

"what's going on?" she repeats 

"Do you remember what I told you about my real Dad in first year?" I asked earning a small nod
"I guess you can gather as to why our relationship is the rockiest then" I continued as Riley continued to nod

"He and Pipes have had nothing but a good relationship, mainly because mum and dad being apart is all she's ever known. So when he found out about her coming here" I started
"He's coming to the showcase isn't he?" Riley softly asked causing me to turn to her 

The moment I met her eyes, she softened my complete anxious state about the entire situation
"He's already here" I whispered leaning against her slightly 
"Okay? that's alright, we can manage this" Riley continued but I shook my head head
"Riley, he wants me to meet him for dinner tonight with Piper" I warned her making her smile subtly 

"What's so wrong with that? I'll come too" She offered, I widened my eyes slightly at her

"you would?" I whispered making her giggle lightly 
"Of course I would James, I mean after all isn't it about time I met your Dad?" She teased with a wink that also wasn't quite a wink 

--

I don't think Riley even knows what she's gotten herself into this evening, my dad is not the nicest person to be around and especially not if you are his own son
He knows where I stand after what he did to mum 
And he knows I would never forget that 

"Ooooo Look at you Riley!" Hunter whistled the moment Riley walked in, Hunter earnt nothing more then an eyeroll with his comment but for the first time, Hunter was not wrong 

I turned around to see Riley stood there dressed up and she looked beautiful
"Are you ready to go?" She asked holding out her hand, I sighed nodding knowing this was the best I was going to get

The pair of us started to walk out of the building only to see Piper already stood there with the gentlemen who claims to be my father 

"Riley!" Piper squealed pulling her into a hug only making Riley smile
"I didn't realise you were bringing company son" Dad said making my stomach churn at the mere sound of the pet name 

Riley was obviously the one to notice this as she intertwined our hands before turning to address my father
"It's lovely to meet you sir, I'm Riley" She said offering him her hand 
Dad looked at her up and down giving her a long look before turning to look at me

"It's lovely to meet you darling but please call me Andrew" Dad said shaking Riley's hand before giving her a small smile 

Tonight was going to be a long night..