With or without you

Chapter 60

Tess's POV

"What happened with Austin Tess?" She asked. I should've known she was about to find out what happened as soon as she got on her phone. She's never on her phone with me. When Charlotte called I had a feeling, but a part of me was hoping that she wouldn't find out. It's not even a big deal, he's mad. He has every right to be, but the conversation is sticking in my head and I don't know how to make it all stop.

"You cannot shut me out right now Tess. What happened?" I wanted to laugh at the irony.

"Nothing Rye, I promise it's fine. It'll blow over, I need to get over it."

"Tess please. It was obviously something. You're not okay." I looked down at the food I'd been pushing around.

"I ran into Austin after I left your car." Her eyes were locked onto me.

"He was mad, and he has every right to be." I saw her tensing up.

"Look Rye it's not a big deal, he's hurt that I broke up with him and then five minutes later I'm dating you." Her jaw clenched for half a second before she returned her face back to neutral.

"What did he say to you that made you shut down?" I looked down at my food again.

"He said fuck me for using him and making him look like a jackass while I used him as a cover for you." My voice trailed off at the end of my sentence, I felt a tear fall. Riley stood up and stared at me. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. For a second it looked like she was ready to run out of here to find him, but instead she closed her eyes and came over to me. She wrapped her arms around me.

"Fuck that guy." Is all she said. Behind Riley I heard the door open and in walked Lauren.

"What the hell did you do now Riley?" Lauren asked as she walked up to me. I felt Riley's hands tighten around me.

"She didn't do anything Lauren." I heard myself speak. I felt something in Riley shift.

"Then what's wrong?"

"It was a long day." Instead of going to her room like normal Lauren sat down at the table with us. Abruptly Riley started gathering her things.

"I better head home. I've got some homework I need to do." She smiled at me as she started for the door. Her tone was warm, friendly, rehearsed. I stood and caught her before she got to the door.

"Rye, what just happened." I couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Tess, don't worry about Austin okay? He's upset, and like you said, he has a right to be, but you can't let what he said in anger bring you down. Okay?" Her hand made its way to my cheek.

"Yeah."

"I've got to go, but I'll text you when I'm home."

"Riley." I stopped her before she was completely out the door.

"Are you okay?" She didn't answer, she kissed my lips and let them linger for a bit then kissed my forehead and walked out the door.

I made my way back to the kitchen where Lauren was eating the rest of my food. I didn't mind much, it's not like I was going to eat it anyways. Once I'd sat down Lauren looked up at me and gave me a questioning look.

"How was the rest of your day?" She asked.

"What is with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you being so chatty and like, interested in me." She shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe you're not as bad as you seem."