violet | j.martell (sequel)

eighteen

➜ CHAPTER 18
[ 6602 words ]

EVERYTHING WAS LOUDER WHEN RILEY WAS hungover, brighter too. the rays of sunlight were almost blinding to the man that damn near passed out in the bar because of all the alcohol he had the night before. he rubbed his eyes before he stretched his arm out towards his nightstand to reach for his ringing phone.

"who the fuck" riley groaned, squinting as he tried to read the name of the person calling him.

lauren holland...
accept | decline

"crap". the blond scrambled out of bed, answering the call with haste. he cleared his throat and brought the device to his ear, "hello? lauren?" he said

"i've been calling you"

"i just woke up. i'm sorry"

"the cops are looking for you. where are you?"

"i'm at home. i talked to my mom last night we'll settle this, bail and all. i hope. is dylan okay?"

"you tell me riles. you bashed his head into the ground twice riley. twice"

"you don't think i know that?" he uttered, rubbing his temple with his middle and pointer fingers.

"i'm sorry. it was — it was bad. and look, that was a lot. especially after what you went through, so i understand if you wanna break up, i hate that side of me too"

"i didn't even know there was that side of you"

"neither did i. i wish i didn't. i'm sorry, i'm so sorry you have no idea how sorry i am — i don't know what else there is to say."

"jaeden called me last night, i — i know where you're coming from riles. and i really appreciate that you wanted to protect me. dylan was totally out of line for saying those things. i just — i just wished you could've controlled yourself better"

"yeah, i wish i did too. but i'm gonna work on it i promise. i'll do everything, anger management, i'll serve time if i have to. i regret it so much."

"well, i mean, i don't know. i regret it in a sense that i might go to jail. but i don't regret protecting you. i'll never regret that"

there was nothing but silence on the other line. riley pressed his lips into a thin line, preparing himself for a goodbye that felt like it was a long time coming. but surprisingly, it didn't go in the way he expected it to.

"riley, i love you"

her telling him she loved him always warmed his heart. it meant a lot to him, especially seeing how hesitant she's been with him.

"and — i'm not gonna break up with you. but, i'm guessing jaeden already told you about the violet situation —"

"don't worry. i understand."

"please don't take it too personally. it's just, when i saw you yesterday, i got — the memories that came rushing back just by the look in your eye alone was terrifying"