Unknown Beginning

Part 46

The next two weeks passed in a haze for Riley. Dull and devoid of color. The team had two away games and two home games which they won but with James maintaining emotional distance, they felt meaningless.

Meanwhile, the intensity of Kenny's relationship with Tyler hadn't changed which left Riley battling persistent worry and a simultaneous lack of distractions. Sana had texted Riley on and off but even this had tapered down due to Riley's lackluster participation in the conversations. Thus Riley channeled all her energy into her school work and hockey. That is, until she returned to her dorm in preparation to head over to the bus for their Friday away game.

Uncharacteristically, Kenny was in her room instead of at Tyler's and her door was closed. Pressing her ear against the door, Riley could hear a sniffling sound. Apprehensively Riley lightly knocked on the door. When no response came, Riley cautiously opened the door and found Kenny sitting on her bed. Kenny's back was pressed to the wall behind her whereas her knees were pulled up to her chest, chin resting on her knees, arms locked together around her legs as if holding herself together.

Not waiting for Riley to ask, Kenny stated "I'm not going to the game. Can you tell Coach I'm sick?"

Riley's searching eyes saw the redness of Kenny's, "You're not sick." she stated.

Kenny sighed "Riles, can you please just do this favor?"

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I'm just not up to playing tonight."

"Kenny. If you want me to lie for you, I need to know why."

Kenny looked away and then brought her thumb to her teeth as she picked at the nail nervously. "It's nothing really. I'm just being dramatic."

"You're not being dramatic," Riley corrected. "What happened?"

"It's really not a big deal. I just accidentally saw some messages from a girl in Tyler's phone that seemed weird but Tyler explained them so it doesn't matter."

"What kind of messages?"

"I dunno, I only saw a couple. There was one of her in a bikini and one of him on a scale shirtless and only in briefs. Stuff like that."

Kenny didn't have to look at Riley to know she was pissed. Kenny could feel the shift in the air, the distrust and anger radiating off Riley. Working hard to keep her tone even, Riley asked "And what did Tyler say was the reason for those pictures?"

Kenny waved her hands frivolously as if she could clear the dark fury emanating from Riley, and said in a falsely bright voice "Oh he explained they are just friends. He said his Dad introduced them and they were talking about working out and that's why she sent her picture to show her gym progress. And he sent his picture because she didn't believe he weighed as much as he said he did. Just that kind of thing. He said he never mentioned talking to her because it wasn't a big deal and he didn't think it mattered since they're just friends."

"Uh huh." Riley grumbled, not believing a word of Tyler's excuses. "And the rest of their messages? Were they 'just friends' stuff?"

"Well I didn't see the rest really. I asked him about the pictures but didn't go through their conversations or anything." Kenny explained.

"Right." Riley replied in an icy tone.

"Listen, it's not a big deal. I was just caught off guard. I didn't realize he was talking to other people because I haven't really been talking to anyone else and have been really careful not to talk to guys especially since he gets so jealous. So I was just surprised is all."

At this point all Riley could think of was beating the shit out of Tyler but she knew that wasn't an option so she tried to reel in her anger in order to support Kenny. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she suggested "I know you're shaken but I think you should come to the games this weekend. They'll be a good distraction and give you some space to think away from Tyler. If you stay here you know you'll spend all weekend with him but I think the time away might help."

Kenny showed every sign of resisting but after a long hug from Riley and more soothing, persuasive words, Riley ultimately succeeded in convincing Kenny to go to the games. Albeit this did consist of Riley packing for Kenny and physically leading her by hand to their seats on the bus as it seemed Kenny couldn't bring herself to walk away from Tyler, however temporarily, on her own.