Love Interests

Chapter 24

Tyler's POV:

When I saw her walk into the locker room I swear to God I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. I was so heartbroken when she left and I had no idea she would come back, but I knew that if she did, everything would still feel the same.I couldn't stop the tears from coming down and it was at that moment that I realized that nobody knew she was coming home. It Took all my might to not go up and hug her, kiss her on those lips, tell her everything is alright, and bring her home with me so I could show her how much I loved her. I knew that it was better to do it in private without all of the boys, so I stood there standing and while she was living an inspiring speech, I remembered that night she left, I remember the feeling of hurt and heartbreak I had felt. What was even worse was the fact that she left a piece of her but didn't want any contact.

Flashback:

Riley decided not to come to dinner and I would be lying if I said I wasn't upset because I was ready to tell her how I truly felt about her. While Jamie and Anna were talking on the way to the restaurant I figured out then when we got home I would run into her room and pour my feelings out to her. I was going to tell her how much love her and I truly hoped she would say it back with the same passion I had felt, and it would be okay if she didn't, I just wanted to be with her. Dinner went by too slow for my liking and of course being the needy girl Jamie is, he wanted dessert and of course the rest of us wouldn't let him eat all alone so we got desserts and even brought one home for Riley. I noticed that when I said we should get Riley a dessert, Anna's face turned ashade whiter and I figured she was thinking about what happened today and I don't blame her. We got home an hour later and Anna was in tears and I had no idea why. I left Jamie and Anna downstairs and went to Riley's room. After knocking and hearing no noise I opened the door and to my surprise there was no Riley in the bed. Instead I walked in and noticed of few of the dresses I got her that I loved on her, 500 dollars, and a note written in her sloppy handwriting. I could already feel the tears coming down my face and I slammed the door shut and tore open the envelope hoping and praying that it wasn't a breakup letter. Before reading the letter, I thought about what happened that day and realized that she was feeling fine and during dinner she fled and maybe if Jamie didn't order stupid dessert we would have been home to stop her. I then opened the letter and after every word I swear my heart broke every single word she had written.

Segsy,

I Want to start off telling you how much I love you. This may be a surprise to you and I want you to know this is not your fault at all. I left to protect you. You may not understand it yet but I promise that it was the best thing to do. I left you a few of your favorite stuff to show you how much I love you. I want to ask 2 things from you and if you can do these I promise you won't feel too bad. 1 please don't ask Anna where I am, that would defeat the whole plan of keeping you safe. She knows where I am and I will keep her updated on me and how I'm doing. 2I ask that we not keep in touch at all. I love you and I hope you know that but I can't bear to have the pain of leaving you behind and the thought of hurting you more. I'm not that special and I promise that you will find someone much better than me. I hope that when I come back I will see you making someone better than me happy like you've made me happy. I love you and goodbye.

Love always,

Riley

P.S. don't look for the sweatshirts I couldn't bear to leave them behind, knowing I could have lost all of you forever. I will always love you. I also left 500 dollars for you to buy that new video game you wanted. Think of it as an early birthday present.

No she can't be gone, I threw my phone to the ground and slid into the covers and fell asleep with her pillows and her scent surrounding me.

I spent the next 2 months in her bed until her scent finally disappeared from her bed. I then decided that alcohol was a much better friend and spent the remaining 2 months getting hammered every night with her face in my mind telling me that I should stop or I will die soon. Seeing her was like a dream come true for me. I guess I was more zoned out than I thought because I noticed that Riley was in the middle of a group hug and one by one the boys began to leave to give us time together. I saw her start her way towards me and barely heard Lindy tell me I had 20 minutes with her before the game started and I needed to be on the ice. I gave him a nod telling him I understood, I looked at Riley tears coming down my face and as soon as she was close enough to me, I did the one thing I thought I would never be able to do ever again, I kissed her.