98 - Drugged at a party - Part 2
A few days after breaking up with Ross, you got a text from Riker, asking if you could talk. So you were meeting him at the park. You honestly had no idea what he wanted to talk about. You were assuming it was about the party. Maybe he had questions and wanted more details on what happened since he can't remember.
You walk to the park and see Riker sitting at a picnic table. So you sit down across from him.
"Hey," you say, sitting down.
"Hey," he says, sounding sort of nervous.
"So what did you want to talk about? Please don't tell me Ross sent you here to ask me to unblock his number."
"No, it's not that. I guess I was just wondering... like why did you make sure that girl at the party didn't take me upstairs? I mean, we barely know each other."
"Because you looked like you might be drunk and out of it and I didn't want her to take advantage of you like that."
"I guess I'm just saying... You didn't have to. But you did. So thank you. Seriously. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't do something."
"You're welcome. Yeah, I mean, you're Ross's brother. So I didn't want something bad to happen to you."
"Seriously. Thanks. Um... Ross can't believe you broke up with him."
"If he thought talking to some big Hollywood guys was more important than his own brother being drugged... He's got his priorities mixed up. And I don't want to date him if that's how he's going to act. What if that had happened to me?"
Riker nods, agreeing with you.
"I know this might be kind of a weird question... But I figured maybe I'd ask anyway... Um... Do you think maybe... you'd want to hang out sometime?"
"Yeah, sure," you say, smiling.
"Ok, cool."
A few days later...
Riker invited you over his house to have a movie night, so you were heading over there now. You were slightly nervous about seeing Ross. You haven't talked to him since you broke up with him. He tried to talk to you, but you didn't want to hear it and blocked his number. So you were worried he was going to try to say something or yell at you or something.
When you get to his front door, you knock, nervous that Ross would be the one to answer it. But it wasn't. It was Riker.
"Hey! Come in," he says, holding the door open for you.
You follow him inside to the living room and you both sit down on the couch. He hands you a bowl of popcorn and starts the movie.
You're only half paying attention because you're busy wondering what Ross is doing tonight or if he's even home right now.
Riker gently puts his arm around you.
"Is this ok?" He asks, quietly.
"Yeah," you say, moving closer to him.
Later...
The movie ends, so Riker turns the lights on, but comes and sits next to you on the couch again. He puts his arm back around you too.
"What did you think of the movie?" Riker asks.
"It was good," you say.
"I liked it too. So... Would you maybe want to do this again sometime?" He asks.
"Yeah. I'd love to," you say, smiling.
You hear footsteps and then see Ross. He stops and crosses his arms, staring at both of you.
"You won't even talk to me but you're on a date with my brother!?" He practically yells.
"Don't yell at her like that," Riker says.
"Riker, this doesn't have to do with you, so stay out of it!" Ross yells.
"Yes it does, because I was drugged, and you didn't care!" Riker yells.
You hear more footsteps and then Mark comes into the room.
"I want you upstairs. She blocked your number because she doesn't want to talk to you. I wouldn't want to talk to you either if I was her," Mark says, giving Ross a look.
Ross leaves and goes upstairs and Mark leaves too.
"I know you're probably mad at Ross," Riker says.
"You'd be correct."
"Don't let it get to you, ok? What he did was awful, but guys are dumb. I know because Rydel always calls me out on dumb stuff. I guess sometimes we just don't use our brains. But I promise I would never do something as dumb as that."
"Thanks."
"Can I walk you home?"
"Yeah."
You and Riker start walking back to your house. It's dark out, so you're sort of walking super close to him. Your hands touch slightly as you walk since you're so close to each other. And then Riker gently takes your hand in his and holds it tight.
You walk back to your house in silence. But it was a comfortable silence.
You walk up to your porch with Riker.
"Thanks for walking me home," you say.
"Yeah, of course. I'm really glad we got to hang out tonight. And maybe we can do it again...?"
"Sure. Just let me know when you're free."
Riker still has your hand in his. He pulls you slightly closer and you both just sort of stare into each others eyes for a few seconds. And then Riker closes the gap between you and kisses you sweetly.
"Sorry. I just-"
"Don't be sorry," you say, pulling him into another kiss.
You can feel him smiling into it.
"Could I ask you something?" Riker asks.
"Sure."
"Do you think maybe you'd want to be my girlfriend?"
"Yeah," you say, smiling.
Riker pulls you into a gentle hug.
"I'll text you," he says after he pulls away.
"Ok. Goodnight, Riker."
"Goodnight," he says, smiling.
You go inside and head to your bedroom. Tonight was so perfect.
