« so american »

𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖

{ lando's version }

_

I watched as Riley chatted. She moved around the tent with ease, finding something to talk about with everyone. And every time, she looked so engaged. It was a sight to see. Completely different from the girl I met at the beginning of the summer break who looked like she was scared to even breathe wrong if it would mean messing something up. But here she was. The star in the room.

She had left behind her conversation with George to go chat with the WAGs. All of them looked excited to see each other and Riley made sure to drag Izzy in, making her feel included with whatever trouble that group was planning for all of us tonight. They always had that charm.

If they planned something, I wouldn't say no to Riley. And anywhere Riley was going, those girls would be. And their partners couldn't say no to them. Hence the fact that we would get dragged into trouble. I snorted at them all leaning closer, like it was some big secret. But my attention was diverted to the person taking the seat next to me.

"Logan."

"Lando." He nodded at me before looking back to his sister. "I figured we needed to be on at least stable terms."

"And why is that?"

He snorted. "Because you look at my sister like she hung the moon and stars."

I finally drew my attention away from her, eyebrow raised as I took in Logan's smug expression. I wanted to knock it off his face but starting a fight because he was right didn't make for a good story. And Riley would have my head. Twice. Once for messing with Logan. And another for making her do damage control.

"This isn't an interrogation, relax. I am just here to hold out an olive branch. You don't have to like me and heaven knows I won't like you. But we can at least be... civil."

"Sure. But what's your game?"

"No game. I just know that you make Riri happy and she's starting to act like herself again. I have you to thank for that. Even if I don't like it."

"Is this some fucked up version of a blessing?"

"No. God no." He scoffed. "I would rather you not make a move on my sister. But I also have no control over her life. And I would rather be in it than be pushed to the side because I couldn't figure out how to let her grow up."

I nodded and we both sat in silence for a second, watching as she leaned her head back to laugh, red hair cascading like a wildfire. I could feel a smile tugging at my lips.

"Logan. I won't hurt her. I don't want anything but the world for her."

"I know you won't do it intentionally. But this world isn't nice to girls. And she is going to learn that the hard way. I just hope you're enough of a man to stand by her when that time comes."

I thought about what he said as my eyes traveled over her and the way she seemed so at home in this world. I knew he was right. It was cruel and wrong of so many fans to act the way they did and to think there was a chance Riley had to face that made my stomach turn. But I would be there. I made that promise to myself as she met my eyes from across the room, giving me a wink.

_

I heard my door open and I closed my phone, knowing exactly who was barging into my room. But what I didn't expect was Riley to strut in with a fitted black dress and heels, looking like she was about to seduce the devil himself. I sat up quickly, taking a second to actually look at her.