18 Days ➳ Riley McDonough/ Before You Exit Fanfic

21.

March 22nd // 14th day

B R A I D E N

Riley was more than hesitant to hand Jade over to me for the day and I guess I couldn't blame him for that, but the details were insignificant anyway. The only thing that mattered was that he eventually let her go with me without much of a fight. She could turn him to jelly with just one smile and seeing how they looked at each other after they exchanged a hug tore me up inside, but watching them kiss was what broke me.

"You ready?" I choked out, mustering a smile, as she left Riley's side to join me and she nodded her head in reply, but before I could even take one step forward, Riley grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards him and the look in his eyes was enough to kill.

"Don't you dare try anything," he growled into my ear, making sure Jade didn't hear him. "I swear if anything happens to her, I'm going to make sure you regret it. Do you understand?"

I gulped, then nodded in reply before he hit me hard on the back then followed it with a couple gentle pats and it took all the strength in me not to cough due to the blow. Once I regained my composure, I simply smiled at him and he smiled back and for a moment I thought I saw something familiar. I thought I saw the tiniest fragment of the friend I once had before we both let a girl come between us. Then, just as fast as it had crossed his features, it was gone with no trace that it had even been there in the first place.

"Come on, Jade," I said, placing a hand on the small of her back as I kept my eyes on Riley. His muscles tensed almost instantly when he saw the contact and he looked as if he was going to throw a punch, but I knew he wouldn't. He wouldn't dare pull something like that in front of Jade.

We walked down the driveway, towards where my car was parked and I quickly pressed the button on my keys to unlock the doors as a loud chirp echoed through the still air. Jade practically skipped her way to the passenger's side while I opened the door for her and helped her in, allowing me to hold her hand for the briefest of moments, but it was enough for me.

The drive was quiet aside from the random album that Jade had put on playing softly from the car speakers. Every once in a while, I would just glance her way as she absentmindedly tapped her pinky finger to the rhythm of whatever song came through and how she would sit up and instantly get excited when she spotted someone walking their dog on the sidewalk, a brilliant smile spreading across her face and I could feel myself falling harder and deeper for the pretty girl in the passenger's seat of my car. Then, I'd catch a glimpse of the diamond resting upon her ring finger and my whole world would come crashing back down on me, leaving me stranded amongst the debris of my own emotions. It hurt so much more than any other pain I'd ever experienced, but another pain was going to replace this one in just a few days time. The pain of a much greater form of loss, but I chose not to dwell on it too much. Instead, forcing myself to focus back on the road in front of me, erasing any depressing thoughts from my mind.

After driving around for quite a decent amount of time, we had finally arrived at where I wanted to take her and I gave myself a triumphant pat on the back once I witnessed her reaction to seeing the place.

"You took me to an amusement park!?" she squealed excitedly, jumping up and down like a little girl, and I simply crossed my arms and nodded in reply as I allowed my eyes to scan all the rides set up in front of us. "Oh my God! I haven't been to one since I was a little. This is so exciting!"

Without a warning she grabbed my hand and tugged me along with all her might, marveling at everything around her and for a minute, she really did look like a little girl and a smile absentmindedly played on my lips as I watched such blissful innocence unfold right in front of me.