Begin Again ; Riley Green

10

Sophie's POV

Once the game is over, I make my way through the crowds and towards the dugouts, promising my mom and Karen that we would meet them at my parent's house and that I would try to convince Chase to tag along too.

As I approach the dugout, I see Chase and Riley off to the side talking. Well, more like Chase is talking and Riley is just listening to what he has to say.

"Good game you two" I say, approaching the two of them.

"Thanks pretty girl. Are our parents on the way to yours?" Riley asks.

I give him a nod, "they left before I came down here. I was also told that Chase must come along with us. Mom and Karen insist" I respond.

"I should probably just head home. I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon" Chase tells me.

"Just come by and see them for a bit. Mom and dad missed seeing you around so often" I plea, hoping that I can convince him to stay for a little while. 

Maybe if I can get him on my side with this Riley situation, it'll help me when I go to talk to Ryan about it. If things go well of course. 

Chase sighs, "only for a little bit" 

I give Chase a smile, before looking back at Riley.

"I'm going to ride over there with Chase, but I'll see you there" I tell Riley.

Riley gives me an understanding nod, before kissing the top of my head.

"I still have a little bit to do here, but I'll be heading that way shortly" Riley responds.

Chase and I ride towards my parents' house in complete silence, neither one of us knowing what to say, or how to approach the topic.

"How long?" Chase asks, finally breaking the silence.

"Not long. This is the first time I've seen him since he ended up at the shop, and no we aren't together or anything. Just kind of testing the waters" I respond.

Chase gives me a nod, "I wish you would have said something sooner. I'm not mad, just confused. I understand why you wouldn't go and tell Ryan this, but I thought the two of us were closer than that. You know you don't have to hide things from me" Chase says.

"We are closer than that, and I was planning on telling you, after this weekend of course. I wanted to see how things would go between the two of us before I said anything. I wanted to be sure before I even thought about bringing it up" I tell him. 

Chase parks in my parents' driveway, before turning to look at me, a small smile on his face.

"You're family Soph. If you're happy, I am, and I'll always be on your side, no matter what" Chase tells me.

"Thank you for that Chase" I respond. 

Riley's POV

After a long, awkward evening with Chase, Sophie, and our parents, I find myself sitting out on Sophie's back porch needing a few minutes of quiet. 

"Have a few minutes to talk?" I hear coming from behind me. 

Turning around, I see Chase walking out of the house, a beer in each hand. 

"What's up?" I ask. 

Chase hands me one of the beers, before leaning against the railing nearby. 

"What are you doing with Sophie?" he asks, bluntly.

"Well, I'm hoping that she'll let me back in her life if I'm being honest, I'm working my way up to that, but we will see" I respond. 

"If you're expecting her to drop everything and become a trophy wife for you, or even just a tour wife for you, you're sorely mistaken. Sophie loves the place she's in now. Her job, her friends, her house, she's happy. You need to think long and hard about if you're willing to make sacrifices for her before you try dragging her further into this. If you're not willing to make sacrifices for her, than you're better off finding someone who will" he tells me. 

"I would never ask her to give anything up for me, especially her job, friends, or her life. I made a mistake years ago taking off without saying anything, and I'm lucky I even got the chance to talk to her again, let alone have her in my life again. If she doesn't want Nashville, then I'll move. If she doesn't want to go on tour with me because of the NASCAR schedule, then I'll plan around it. Hell, if she doesn't want anyone to know about our relationship, then I'll do my damnedest to keep it as private as I can. I would do just about anything for her" I say. 

Chase gives me a nod, "I hope you mean that, because if you really do, you're going to need all of the help you can get when it comes to our friends so me being on your side would be a blessing to you. They already don't trust you, or like you for that matter. You're already walking a thin line Green, don't fuck it up" he tells me, before turning around to walk back into the house.

As he's walking in, Sophie's walking out, a smile on her face as she passes Chase.

Chase whispers in her ear, before kissing the top of her head and walking inside.

"Everything okay out here?" Sophie asks. 

I give her a smile, placing my hands on her hips as she steps in front of me.

"He just wanted to talk pretty girl, nothing to worry about" I respond.

"Whatever you say" she says, leaning her head on my chest.

Wrapping my arms around her waist, I kiss the top of her head, before resting my chin on her head.

"Are you happy?" I ask her. 

Sophie lets out a sigh, nuzzling her head into my chest. "So unbelievably happy, you have no idea" she responds. 

"You planning on giving me a real chance now?" I ask.

"Mhm. just don't screw it up this time, that's all I ask" she says.