Unknown Beginning

Part 37

Luckily for Riley, her family's festivities were in full swing when she finally arrived home. The next several days were spent happily baking cookies, decorating the tree, driving around to look at lights, and watching Christmas movies. These family traditions were even better given that Riley's mom was home for the week before Christmas since she worked as a teacher.

It wasn't until Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd), during their annual sleep-under-the-tree-in-the-living-room night, that Ben broached the topic of relationships. When they were younger, their mom (and sometimes Dad) would sleep in the living room with them but now that Ben and Riley were older, they would wake her up when she would inevitably fall asleep on the couch so that she could sleep comfortably in her own bed instead.

After both were certain their mom was out of earshot and asleep, Ben asked "So are you ever going to tell me about your secret crush or whatever it is?"

Riley, who was laying on her back in her sleep bag, pulled it up to her chin and said "I don't know what you are talking about."

Ben rolled his eyes, also on his back in a sleeping bag, and said "You're a bad liar."

"Nuh uh" Riley retorted.

"Uh huh" Ben countered.

"Fine. Why do you think I'm lying then?" Riley huffed.

"I don't think you're lying. I know you are. Just like you know when I'm lying." Ben corrected. "But maybe you're lying to yourself if you don't know."

"I'm not lying... I just don't know what there is to tell" Riley said uncertainly. Ben knew Riley well enough to give her space to process her thoughts and thus remained silent as he gazed at the ceiling.

"There's a girl at school. She's on my hockey team. At first she gave me a really hard time but apparently it's because she liked me. And well... fast forward and we've flirted and kissed and...yeah, I dunno." Riley summarized lamely.

Ben contemplated a moment before saying "You're definitely going to rewind and give me more details later but first, are you two dating?"

"No. It's complicated but she basically broke up with her girlfriend for me. And she's a captain. And her ex is an equipment manager and is friends with a lot of the girls on the team so I don't want anyone to know there is anything going on until the season is over."

"So...what? You hide your feelings and interactions until then?" Ben questioned.

"Yeah."

"And you're ok with that?" He clarified.

"Yup. I'd rather that than deal with drama in the team. Plus, I'm not looking for anything serious."

"Because of Sana?" Ben asked with a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity.

"No. Not because of Sana. And we aren't talking about her right now." Riley grumbled.

"Ok ok!" Ben said as he brought his hands up in mock surrender. "So what's the hockey girl's name?"

"Jamie" Riley answered, "but the team calls her James".

"Right so are you gonna give me the details on Jamie James now?" Ben asked.

"Just James," Riley said exasperated.

"Fine, tell me about Just James" Ben replied playfully.

"Ben!" Riley exclaimed as she rolled to hit him with a pillow.

Ben yelled "Her name is Ben?? I thought you said it was James!"

Riley was giggling now as she rolled onto her knees while still in her sleeping back to repeatedly hit Ben with a pillow. Ben was laughing too as he curled onto his side and covered his head with his hands and the sleeping bag as his muffled voice, coated in laughter exclaimed "I surrender! I surrender!"

Both overcome with belly laughs, they eventually ended up on their backs again on the floor trying to catch their breath.

When they had finally calmed down, Ben rolled in his sleeping bag to face Riley and said "Ok for real now. Start at the beginning."

Riley took one last deep breath before conceding and launching into the first time she met James.