Unknown Beginning

Part 33

Riley had barely finished emptying the contents of her bag onto her desk when she whipped around at the sound of her name. There was Hayes standing in her doorway, leaning nonchalantly against the door frame.

"What are you doing here?" Riley asked breathlessly.

Looking totally unphased, Hayes replied "Hanging out with Steph."

Shock colored Riley's face "Since when do you know Steph?"

"Since last year" Hayes shrugged, "We've been friends ever since. She's actually probably one of my best friends."

"How did I not know this?" Riley couldn't wrap her head around missing such a big detail. Not only was Steph Riley's suitemate, but they also had a few classes together since Steph's major, Athletic Training, overlapped in classes with Riley's major. Riley felt she might have at least been told about this connection when she first joined the hockey team. It made sense Riley wouldn't know who Hayes was initially despite having one psych class together because Hayes had never come over to hang out with Steph while Riley was here before. In fact, if she hadn't joined the hockey team, Riley may not have ever met Hayes. Hayes was a Psychology major and although Riley was a psychology minor, the chances they'd happen to have any classes together were slim. But once Riley joined the hockey team, Riley thought Steph or Hayes should have told her of their friendship.

"Why didn't either of you tell me you were friends?" Riley admonished.

"I didn't think it mattered," Hayes replied unconcerned.

"Well it does!" Riley exclaimed.

"Why?" Hayes inquired.

"Well you hated me in the beginning so it would have been nice to know that I was living with your best friend."

Hayes took a step into the room "I didn't hate you."

Riley was leaning back with her bum half resting on her desk as she crossed her arms and retorted "Coulda fooled me."

"I didn't hate you," Hayes restated. "I was attracted to you. More attracted to you than I've ever been with anyone. And I didn't want to be. Firstly, I had a girlfriend. But even more, I didn't want to be attracted to you or like you on principle. You just came onto the team so easily. You are too good at hockey. And I knew you would displace one of our starters. I had a million petty reasons not to like you. And none of those even came close to averting my attraction and that pissed me off even more. I never hated you. I wanted to. Desperately. But I couldn't."

By the time Hayes had finished her explanation she had moved to stand in front of Riley. Riley looked up at her and slowly unwound her crossed arms to reach one hand out to hook a finger onto a belt loop at Hayes' hip while her other arm remained wrapped protectively across her stomach.

"I'm sorry I made things so hard for you" Hayes murmured as she slid one foot carefully between Riley's, inching closer. "Will you ever forgive me?"

Riley gulped, her mouth feeling dry at how close Hayes was standing now. Riley looked down at her hands still hooked at Hayes' hip and nodded. Hayes stepped forward slowly so that her knee was now between Riley's own slightly bent knees. Hayes reached to place her curled index finger under Riley's chin as she guided Riley's head up to see her face. Riley peaked up at Hayes from under her lashes while Riley's cheeks flushed faintly pink.

"I love that" Hayes whispered as she now used the back of her index finger to delicately stroke Riley's rosy cheek. Riley's lips parted slightly as her breathing stopped and she met Hayes' gaze.