Forever Lost

Chapter 23

"Tyler needed her to accept the present but he wasn't sure how she would react. He knew it was pushing it when she threw the box away. It was hard for him, he needed to support her but he couldn't. It was a huge step for her if she accepted the gift it was another tie to get back to herself. She had to choose to come back, accept the pain and choose to move on. He had to grip the couch to stop himself from getting up to comfort her.
"She's got this, he said to himself. He had faith that she could do it. She had to accept herself for her flaws. He knew how hard it was for her but he knew she could do it. She looked at him and her eyes bored into him. You got this baby, he said to her silently. And she did it. He was proud of her. Her parents present had her in a mess too. She grasped his leg for support. No one could get suspicious of that, right? Who knew that dress would be his weakness?" he grins at me.
"She removed her hand from his leg and he missed her touch instantly. She stopped in front of him taunting her delectable backside. There's something I need to do, she said. What? This is news, where is she going? We would go with her. He didn't want her going anywhere alone. She was so frustrating. He trusted her, he just didn't trust others around her. As soon as that front door closed he started fretting."
I stroke his cheek, "That's too cute, who would have known? I just thought you were angry and didn't get your own way when I did something stupid."
"No baby, I was anxious every time you left. Now, I don't know if you'll want to hear this but. . . I'm going to tell you anyway. I don't want secrets between us, this is why I'm telling you my side." I frown but nod. "He should have gone with her, he thought. I think I judged her too harshly, Hayden said. I should have known my girl wouldn't fly off the rails without good cause, he sighed. Honey, we all missed it. Let's just be thankful our daughter is strong. If she wasn't she could be worse off, Abigail said.
"I treated him like a son. Does she really think I wouldn't have believed her if she told me? I don't know whether I would have killed him first or locked him up for life. Maybe death was too kind for him. He deserves to suffer, he said deep in thought. We all got sucked in Honey, I think he loved her in his own way. Why go to all that trouble if he didn't, Abigail said.
"Wait! Hayden growled. Hayden shook his head, No! he gasped."
"Do I want to hear this?" I whisper. I can feel from him that this is the news I might not want to hear.
"I'd rather you didn't know but that's because of who I am. Do you want me to carry on or not?" I sigh and nod. "He asked me for permission to marry her and I said yes. If she didn't have that accident she'd be married to that psycho." I sit up covering myself with the covers. No! I shake my head and tears fall from my face. "Baby, it's okay, it didn't happen."
"But it could have! He wouldn't have given me a choice! I would have done it to please him. I would have been stuck!"
"For a while baby, I would have saved you," he insists.
"You wouldn't have known me. I wouldn't have gone to Duke!"
"But I'd still be Tyler's best friend because he would have gone. I would have come here and met my Angel. Our paths would have crossed and I would have seen the pain you were in. I would have, baby. I would have overpowered him as I did in this life." I relax a little, "Now can you stop covering my body? I like to see all of you," I smirk and let the covers fall and we lay back down.
"When she was gone he admired the teddy. He thought it was cute in an odd way. She was worrying him via text. What did she need to do to find herself? To him, she couldn't be any to closer to the real Riley. Change? Change how? She didn't need to change, he loved her for who she was. He went to his room where her scent was strongest. He was a lovesick fool who always wanted her around. Tyler walked into his room. You alright bro? Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I guess I'm just reeling in her confessions. How are you doing? I mean, I care about her but she's so much more to you guys. I haven't known her long, he said. Debatable, he thought. He needed to keep up the act. My parents are pretty cut up about it. I guess I'm glad she's returning to who she was. I guess I have you to thank for that, I don't know what you did or why she's responded to you. You tolerate each other at best, Tyler said. If only he knew, he thought. They played xbox for a couple of hours.
"He was too anxious and went to grab a drink. Why are you so jittery today? Tyler demanded. The front door opened and we walked into the hallway. They thought she was drunk, she didn't sound drunk and when she turned around she didn't look drunk. He didn't believe she would drink. When she removed her hood his mouth fell open. Even if I change she said. This was her in all her glory. This was the real Riley, he didn't think she could look any more beautiful but she proved him wrong. Another instant hard on.
"Her hair made her really glow. Her black hair always looked too dark for her skin. She looked more like an Angel now than when he first saw her. She fled again? Why? He blinked taking his eyes off his beautiful lost soul and looked at her family. They were all staring. I don't know what to say, Abigail said. What does this mean, Hayden said. I just got used to her black hair, Tyler shrugged. I'll go sort out your moody sister, he groaned. So dramatic, so she changed her hair, big deal."
I slap his pecs again, gently. I'd roll my eyes but it seems stupid, "Hey," I whine.
"Act remember, baby. Thanks, mate, I don't know what to say to her right now, Tyler said. He walked up the stairs and the door was locked again. He understood why but didn't mean he accepted her locking him out. When she let him in she was hiding again. His stomach always got butterflies when he saw her face. He always looked forward to the next time he saw her. If he could stay by her side all the time then he'd be the happiest man alive.
"She was made to be in his arms. A couple of hours apart killed him. How was he to cope when they went back to Duke? He played with her hair, he actually loved it. It felt like his birthday not hers. She gave herself to him, He made sweet love to her and now she looked even more beautiful."
"You're soppy," I mutter but I'm touched.
"For you baby, no one else, I love you," he kisses my nose. "All night together? Hmm, maybe he wouldn't let her sleep at all. He could never get enough of her. She was trying to comfort him yet it only made his need to fuck her even stronger. He needed a bit more distance before he did fuck her. She was so cute and adorable and what's more, she was his! He thinks Tyler was more smitten from the gift than she was.
"He could feel her anxiety growing in the car. She wasn't normally that bad in a car. Ow, Sis, Tyler groaned. He's a wuss, he should have tried being in his shoes this morning when she was gripping his leg. Did she trust his driving? He thought that she hadn't been in his car enough to know."
"When they arrived she started climbing over his lap to get out. Did she not know how much of a turn on that was? She knew the little minx. He followed them in as he normally does. Watching her backside as he went. He wanted to roll his eyes at the redhead. Flynn, Tyler's best friend, he said to introduce himself. And Riley's boyfriend he said to himself."
I gasp, "Really? That's interesting."
"Yeah, so your jealousy was not needed, although it was cute," I smile. "The girl continued to look into his eyes and he was getting bored, there was nothing there. Not like his Angel's, he could read hers so clearly. She had a thousand things to say with her eyes and she encaptures him with them.
"He glared at the redhead when she said fat. She was never fat! The girl was flirting but he was frustrated, it wasn't going to help him with the Angel. Her hands skimmed his abs as she checked the harness," I tense as he tells this part of the story. "He used to love it when people did that and now it was a huge turn off. His Angel was the only one who could ignite him now." I sigh with relief and he carries on.
"When Tyler asked him to help his sister into the harness he did not need to be asked twice. She was in a bad mood already. Always so stubborn her mood swings gave him whiplash. She was drinking over his dead body. Drinking could cause death for her and he couldn't risk that. She died he died. He saw it was a jealousy thing, it was cute. How many times did he have to make love to her to make her finally see she's all he wanted.
"The harness was porn to him if only she was naked. He needed to experiment with handcuffs or something," he grins at me and I match his grin. "He didn't think he could wait until that night to claim her again. So the redhead was her friend and he cheated on Riley for her? He didn't get it at all. What was there to explain? She didn't think about her friend when she fucked a psycho. I'm used to being let down. Story of my life, she said.
"Fuck no, he thought. He wouldn't let her down. He knew her faith and trust had been blown to a million pieces. He had to go after her. His legs were shaking as he climbed higher after her. He wouldn't say he was afraid of heights but it didn't come naturally to him. She made it look easy but it wasn't. He sighed with relief when he reached her. His hands were shaking as he attached to the tree. He really would follow her anywhere.
"The snobby girl from the fair was nothing. The girl who stood before him was his own personal Angel, why would anyone not see her for who she was? She was his everything and he was going to do his damn hardest to make her see what he did. He kept her hidden for too long. Tyler would have to accept it because she was his life now. He needed to tell Tyler for her sake even if it meant losing him. He held her to him away from the edge. He had to protect her in all ways.
"He made a remark about her being a drama queen for show and she slapped him so hard. He didn't think she knew how hard she hit sometimes. He rubbed his arm to get some feeling back."
I frown, "I thought you did it to be playful," I whisper.
"Hardly baby, it hurt," he laughs it off. "Why would anyone cheat on your sister? She may frustrate me but I don't understand, he said to Tyler. Me neither. You know, he really did act as though he loved her. He was good at acting that's for sure, Tyler said. No wonder she kept saying he was good at acting, except his feelings were 100% real. His Angel was going down the zip wire and she looked free and happy. The redhead was making his Angel angry and he was too far away.
"Was she trying to piss his Angel off walking after her? Hurry up, Bro, she's going to kill her in a minute, Tyler urged. He was at the top of the line, push me bro, he said and Tyler laughed. He literally couldn't get down without help."
I laugh, "That's cute, you really would have followed me anywhere then, wouldn't you?"
"Baby, I will always follow you anywhere even now. Even when I was with Scarlett, I still would have followed you." Why though? "As he went down the wire he noticed how beautiful of a view it was but it was blurred by his light. His Angel was leading the way, she was the brightest light around. He fell when he got to the floor. How did she make it look so easy? When she pushed the girl over Tyler said, You get Evie, I'll get Riley. Good luck with that, Bro he thought.
"He was too busy watching his Angel to pay attention the redhead. It was my fault. She's not the same as she used to be. I guess I was trying to reach my best friend but she's not in there, she said. He glared at her, she was in there. She's hurting, she will never be the same, Evelyn. We need to accept that, all we can do is help her to get to the person she wants to be. We can't hold her back because she is trying so hard. She's in excruciating pain, the more we hold her back the more she will suffer, he said."
"You said that?" I sniff. He really did love me back then.
"Of course, baby, I knew who you were, who you were trying to be. She can fuck off if she tried stopping you from shining." I smile, "I guess you're right, you give great advice, she said. No, he thought, he just knows his Angel better than he knew himself. How could she say she should grab the bottle and save them from the bother? She needed to stop using her life as a weapon. He knew she regretted her words but she still said them.
"She was so fit climbing up the net. There was too much distance between them for her to listen to him. She was his own little spider monkey, he thought. To see her take the harder option he was on edge. Why must she always take the hard route? She always had to be so stubborn. She surprised him when she sat down waiting for him. Now all he had to do was get through the obstacle to get to her. That one was really hard.
"Luckily she was waiting for him because it was spurring him on to get to her. He'd never give up trying to get to her. When he reached her He stroked her cheek and it calmed his anxiety. When she said she would start world war three if it was him he smiled. There was no risk of that! She was adorable. Exhaust him in other ways? Riley Blake! She could seduce him in the simplest of ways. He had all sorts of dirty thoughts going on after that comment.
"He followed her into the tunnel, maybe he would take her in that position later. She went down the zip wire and he wondered if he should wait for Tyler to catch up to push him down again. The things he did for this girl. When Tyler came down, he had no excuse for his actions this time. Luckily she did although he didn't like that it was at his expense. His little spider monkey was at it again on the agility course.
"It was easier for him to keep up with her now. He could sleep for a week, did she ever tire? He loved that she could sleep soundly with him and vice versa. She seemed happy about it too. She jumped on Tyler's back and he hated it. He wished she could freely do that with him. Did she just say. . . she loved him? Man, they were so cute together. Such a tease pushing her perfect tits in his face. She was a bit crap at the wall so he had to push her backside up."
He grins recalling the memory, "Hey, I hate that wall!"
"I didn't, got to freely touch your backside in public," he chuckles. "I think we should wait for my parents, Tyler said. He was happy, he didn't want to leave his Angel behind who was deep in thought on the wall. She nearly fell off the wall helping her Mom up the wall and he was on his feet so fast. She was going to give him a heart attack one of these days. She was so fast running up the hill and she didn't tire. She was a machine.
"She cheated jumping on his back. Her touch was driving him insane. She knew how to use his weaknesses against him. He was shattered when he reached the top. The view on the cliff was something else. He'd like to see it in summer and winter. He loved winter. He was right though, it may have been beautiful up there but not as beautiful as the girl next to him. He stared at her beautiful face and she smiled as if she could sense him looking at her.
"Going down? Hell, he thought he was done with zip wires. He didn't want to leave his Angel up there alone. He always said he would not fuck a virgin but she was different, he wished she was then she would be all his in every way. It was her favourite place and it was now his too. He wanted her to see his pin, he had to hide them from Tyler but he had nothing to hide from her. Everything was said by touch again.
"He shut his eyes and pictured her beautiful face as he rushed to the ground. He'd follow her anywhere but he didn't think he could do this again. Tyler asked him to remove her overalls. Her breathing hitched, yes he was enjoying it too. If only they were alone. Did Abigail know about them? He was so exhausted when he was in the car but he couldn't sleep with his angel panicking next to him.
"Strip, Abigail demanded. He did not want to see Tyler's hot Mom in her underwear. It was weird. He was comfortable once he was alone with his Angel. She looked hot in his top but why? He'd protect her where he could but he couldn't always in public. He wanted so bad to shower with her but they both knew they couldn't. She left him in the hallway. He had to wait before he went up in fear he'd barge in the shower with her.
"He went to his room and led on the bed. It was torture knowing she was in the shower. He rolled over and hugged his Riley scented pillow. Why was he so horny all the time with her? He just wanted to kick the door down and join her in the shower, he didn't even care about the sex, he just needed to be with her," I laugh softly. He's cute, "He looked at the photos of them at the lake. She was breathtakingly beautiful and he felt the luckiest man alive that she wanted him. As soon as he heard the bathroom door open her got up and went for a shower.
"The water burned him, he wished she'd stop doing that. The bathroom smelled of her new lavender scent but he missed her old scent. He finished his shower and went to his room and Tyler was in smart clothes sat on his chair. We are going out for early dinner. Mom asked me to give you a shirt because all you own is tops and hoodies. She said jeans will do, Tyler said.
"What was wrong with what I wear and own? he asked. Nothing, in my opinion, but Mom wants you to look smart, Tyler said. He rolled his eyes as he looked at the shirt. He could handle that. Where are we going? he asked. Our hotel, Blake's charm Hotel, Tyler said. He rolled his eys, Yeah, I know I was against it. It was Mom's idea. It's in her honour. Just as though there are others in our honour, Tyler said.
"Really? he said. Well, Riley didn't choose her name. My parents did because she refused it. So they called it the Lee Hotel. I called mine Touch Tyler's Hotel. He burst out laughing. Hey, they come far and wide to come to my hotel, Tyler joked. Oh, I'm sure they do and I'm sure it has nothing to with the hotel, they both laughed. Why did Riley refuse? he asked. I told you she's not like other girls. You don't just get the hotel in your honour. It is your hotel, the profit and all. She has a bank account with millions in but she hasn't touched it, Tyler said.
"He could see her point of view, money isn't everything. Tyler left his room and he got dressed. He laid on his bed but he was restless. He left his room and met Abigail coming out of the Angel's room. Oh, hey Honey, you look handsome, she said. Thanks, you look smokin' hot, he replied. She blushed, she was one hot Mom, Tyler must get a lot of comments from his friends."
"Could you stop saying she's hot? I don't like it," I sulk.
"I thought you wanted to hear my side?" he doesn't seem angry though. He's calm for once.
"I do," I pout.
"She actually let me in her room. She looks absolutely beautiful in the dress I got her, she smiled slyly. In hindsight, I think she was taunting me on purpose." He laughs, "He couldn't just walk past her room now without inspecting the dress. He walked straight in without knocking glad the door wasn't locked. He locked the door creating their little bubble. When he looked at her his mouth fell open. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"He didn't think he could let anyone else see his girl in that dress. He needed to lock her in there and never let her out. Too dark on the makeup but that was minor details. The dress made her dazzling blue eyes stand out. She bewitched him, her legs in those heels looked fucking hot. He didn't know how he would leave the room let alone not fuck her in public. Fuck, he said. He couldn't look away from his Angel.
"He had nothing on her. No one had. He was using all his self control. How was he going to wait until later? He needed to stop tasting her skin but he couldn't. He was actually thankful Tyler called and broke their spell because he knew he couldn't. His Angel was overpowering him. He was anxious with her in heels but they definitely suited her. They were seducing him with every step she made. They all stared at her. Stunning, isn't she? he thought. The coat was too big on her, how much weight did she lose exactly?
"The way she hid her bare legs in the car made him smirk, she wasn't hiding from him later. It was dark, no one could see so he thought fuck it. He slid his hand in hers and she relaxed. He was so glad she waited for him to get out of the car this time it would have been torture. Everyone was literally staring at his girl and he couldn't claim her as his and it really fucked him off. He scowled at them all instead.
"Fucking Mason at her birthday meal. Should she not decide who was there? She wasn't going to eat at her own birthday meal. He growled when the waiter offered her seat next to Mason. Mason literally drooled at his girl. He hoped she wasn't too miserable at her birthday meal. He promised no other guy would touch her when he was around and he was failing. Mason openly stared at he bare legs but luckily she noticed and pulled her dress down or he would not be so calm.
"Could Mason not see how uncomfortable she was? Mason hadn't noticed how hot she was with blonde hair and he thought, That's probably because she won't touch your ass with blonde hair. Mason put his hand on his girl's leg and he had to grip tighter to his chair. He was glad when she pushed Mason away. When he asked Hayden to take his girl out he growled. Over his dead body. She would be in his bed not Mason's! Tyler was never going to accept them. He would never hurt her on purpose, he knew that. She was his light, she guides him from the darkness. He only nodded as he saw his point. He always told himself he was worse than all his friends. He'd hurt Tyler more times than he could count when he was seeing red.
"Hayden asked him to go after his daughter if only he knew what he was to her. He understood her lashing out her parents pushed her too fast too soon. He knew he wasn't her friend, she was his world. He wanted to be her friend, her boyfriend, her lover anything and everything that could connect him to this girl. She started to pant and he'd hardly touched her. Maybe she knew where it was going. He needed to get some condoms, he said. He couldn't make a habit out of it as we don't truly know. And yet, you saw him do it anyway. He couldn't think clearly around her, he couldn't resist her.
"He never saw himself as a fuck them in a bathroom type but he needed her and she needed him. She needed him to guide her through life. She was right, she was his and he was so glad she finally admitted it. Okay, here goes, he thought. His secret weapon, he had to get her to eat. She always took the hard way. She whimpered, he hated it too but she was stubborn. It was tormenting him as much it was for her. He was becoming too reckless and risky with this girl.
"He always felt better after sex with his girl. Most beautiful girl in that room, he said. What he really wanted to say was most beautiful girl in the world. He loved her hair, it really made her skin glow. Mason put his hand on her leg again and he was going to knock him out. He sipped on the champagne, he didn't like it but he needed to calm his rage. He was talking to Evelyn about Blowing rock. He would have killed to grow up in a town like that. He just hated that everyone had either fucked his girl or seen that sex tape.
"Evelyn started to play with her hair and he rolled his eyes. His Angel was so defensive and he couldn't even touch her leg to calm her. She picked up a chip and shoved it into her mouth. She was seducing him five minutes after sex. When Mason cupped her face he thought he better not be doing what he thought he was going to do. He had to grip the table to restrain himself, he was going to kill him. She moved her chair away from him creating distance.
"As he went to take her out the room her eyes widened as she looked at him. What could he do? He wanted to kill Mason but what could he do without exposing them? He was however ready to blow their cover to keep her safe. Honey, will you go after them? Get them to return to the table, Abigail said. He thought she was talking to Tyler so when he knew she was talking to him he was keen to go. Yeah, son, can you teach her some manners too, Hayden asked.
"Yep! he growled. He was so fucking angry and he was so glad they gave him the excuse he needed. He scanned reception and he couldn't find her. He hoped Mason didn't take her outside it was cold but he checked anyway. She returned from the darkness alone. She looked annoyed and upset. She pushed her dress down, the hell! She relaxed when she saw him but what the hell happened? He was furious. She was freezing when he took her hand. He hugged her, he had to get his scent back on her body. She was so cold.
"She was easing her anger, it had never happened before. She took his hand and he snatched it away. He didn't want to hurt her, he knew how angry his was."
"You wouldn't have hurt me, I know you. All you do was try protect me," I defend.
"I have hurt you, you know nothing. I see red, I want to be good for you but I lose control," I don't believe that. "She took my hand again and he let her keep it. Her touch was soothing. He needed to calm the fuck down. He shut his eyes focusing on her. Her breathing, her touch, her scent. He opened his eyes when he had better control. He was seeing red, he wouldn't have anyone force themselves on her. Not again. He couldn't hear or see anything other than Mason.
"Flynn, pack it, Tyler said as he dragged him outside. What is going on? He demanded. He forced himself on your sister! I can't let that go! It's lucky she can handle herself these days or he wouldn't still be breathing, he yelled. What did she do, Tyler smirked. This isn't funny man, he growled but Tyler just kept smirking. Well, I guess it is kind funny, she kicked him in the balls. Tyler laughed and he eventually joined him. Tyler patted his shoulder, Thanks for protecting her man, Tyler said. I owe you big, I'd have done the same. Let's go back inside, Tyler said.
"He sat down and looked at Riley's red eyes. She really couldn't cry, could she? He smirked, Hayden, to Mr Blake, he's a pussy he thought. Sir? what a pansy!"
"Hey, you haven't directly been in the wrath of his anger, so you wouldn't know."
He raises his eyebrow, "That you know of," he presses.
I gasp, "What? When?"