Unknown Beginning

Part 19

When Kenny finally reached Riley and took her seat next to her she nervously bit her nails before saying "Riles, I can explain."

"Great." Riley responded flatly. "I'd love to hear it."

"It's not what you think" Kenny started

"Really?" Riley replied, disbelieving, "So that's not the guy from the party who tried to take advantage of you when you were super drunk and then was aggressive and called me a bitch when I stopped him?"

"No it's not like that. He was drunk too. I swear he's really sweet and kind normally."

"Oh right. I forgot they say people have a personality change when drunk and it doesn't reflect who they really are at all" Riley replied facetiously.

"C'mon Riley. It was one time and he was having a bad night. He's been going through a hard time, ok?"

Unconvinced, Riley stated "Fine. What's so great about him then? What has he done that shows he's 'kind and sweet'?"

"Well he alway opens doors for me like when we go places or when I get in his car. And he tells me how beautiful and special I am all the time. He makes me feel like he's lucky to have me." Kenny explained, her features soft as she thought of him.

Still skeptical, Riley stated "Go on."

"Ok well you know how I said he's been going through a hard time?"

Riley nodded in reply so Kenny continued "His parents are going through a divorce because his dad cheated on his mom and now they have to sell their house he grew up in. AND he was with this girl since middle school and they broke up at the start of the summer. So basically he's lost everything all at once."

"Sure. That does suck." Riley conceded, tone still guarded. "Why did he and his girlfriend break up?"

"Well he said it was a long time coming and that he should have done it years ago but didn't because he didn't want to hurt her. But he said she never really understood him and he couldn't talk to her about stuff so all of that combined made him decide to end it. He says it's different with me though. He says he can talk to me about stuff and that I get him. I think it helps that I just got out of a long distance four-year relationship with that guy I dated from high school, Derek, who was two years older than me. And you know how I told you my ex would lie and I always felt insecure and stuff? Well Tyler and I tell each other everything so I feel like I can really trust him."

Riley could tell Kenny wanted her approval but what she was hearing wasn't reassuring her. Maybe Kenny saw that on Rileys' face because she went on "I know you got a bad impression of him at that party but I swear that's never happened again. Any time we go out he takes care of me completely. Especially the two times I got really drunk. Like maybe-had-alcohol-poisoning type of drunk. The first time happened shortly after we met and Riley, he was so good to me. He took me back to his place, he lives off campus in one of the houses on the beach, and he held my hair while I threw up. I even remember he put his arm across the toilet so I could rest my forehead on it cuz I was too drunk to hold my head up. Then he made sure I had water and helped me change into comfy clothes. He even tried to turn away when I was changing but I told him I didn't care and needed his help. And that first night he didn't even sleep in the bed with me. He slept on the couch and would come in to check on me. He really does love me, Riley. I promise."

"Loves you?" Riley questioned, brow furrowed. "You've only known each other, what? Not even a month?"

"Yeah but it's true. I can tell he does. And he told me. And he writes me poems and meets me after class and just... he really cares about me" Kenny explained earnestly.

Riley worked to keep her voice neutral "Do you love him?"

Kenny hesitated "I'm not sure. Sometimes I think I do. But I told him I didn't want to be in a relationship yet because I want to work on myself and get my confidence back after feeling so insecure in my last relationship. He said he understood because he planned to be single for a while too. But we've both said I love you to each other. I could tell he would have said it sooner but he waited until about a month after we first met and then I felt like I had to say it back. So I did."

Riley contemplated her response, not wanting to push Kenny away, "That sounds...complicated."

"It kind of is. We both have stuff to work on but it feels like we can do that together" Kenny said optimistically.

Treading carefully, Riley asked "And you guys are...doing stuff? Like...hooking up, right? And you're being safe and he treats you well?"

"Yeah he's great" Kenny blushed "He really likes to make sure I get off and sometimes that's even all he does even if I offer to do the same for him. And he always compliments me and makes sure I feel good in every way."

"Ok...I guess that's good." Riley wasn't sure what to say. "It sounds like he makes you happy."

"He does. Promise" Kenny replied, grinning.

"Ok then. As long as you're happy..." Riley's voice trailed off but she reached to hold Kenny's hand with a tight squeeze. Kenny returned the squeeze then rested her head against Riley's shoulder feeling relieved.