How We Found Us | ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Five

My eyes couldn't leave the little red light above the door. It was as much blinding as it was daunting. Part of me wanted to get up and run, to crawl home with my tail between my legs. Riley sitting beside me, holding my hand, wasn't going to allow it. In twenty minutes he'd stopped me from leaving three times. This was something I had to do and he knew it. My meltdown at his brothers place had sealed my fate. Not only did they destroy my fake ID, but they wouldn't let me near a drop of alcohol until I spoke to someone. Riley didn't tell Georgie or Cassie what had happened, I asked him not to, but he said that eventually I'd have to. He'd let me decide when, but until then he'd always be with me for as long as I felt I needed him.

I squeezed his hand. When the red light went off, I held my breath. It felt like an eternity passed before the door opened and the last patient exited, wiping her eyes with a tissue. Moments later, the doctor opened the door again and looked at the file in her hands.

"Chloe Rossen?" she asked, looking at me. I nodded. "Are you ready?"

"No," I whispered.

Riley released my hand and stood up with me.

"Want me to go in with you?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, this is something I should do alone. Thanks for making sure I didn't chicken out coming here."

"Of course. I'll be out here waiting when you're done."

I turned away from him and made it half way to the doctor before I turned back. Riley gave me a smile and a nod. I ran back to him with the intention of kissing his cheek. Instead, I hit more of the corner of his lip then cheek. Riley didn't react, he didn't have time to. Much like his kiss to me on New Years, it was done too quickly for rational thought to process. I pushed away from him and spun back to the doctor.

The doctor smiled and placed a hand on my back, guiding me into her office. When the door closed behind us, and the doctor turned on her red light, I suddenly became frightened by what I might say. Or better yet, what I wouldn't say.