Run For Your Life (Book Two)

Chapter Ten

            “Are you hungry?” Mom asked. I had just gotten home from the hospital and mom was devoting all her free time to me. “I’m fine, mom.” I said. I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. “Do you want anything to drink or to read?” Mom asked. “Do you want to talk about anything?” “Mom, go take a shower and go out with dad. I’ll take care of him.” Riley said, walking downstairs. “Are you sure?” Mom asked. Riley nodded. “I took care of him in the hospital, I can do it now too.” Riley said. “Plus, I have Toby to help and Tayler and the guys are all on speed dial if I need any more help.” Mom sighed. “Alright.” She said. She kissed my head and then walked slowly up the stairs.

            “Thanks” I said. “She was suffocating me.” Riley nodded and sat down next to me. I know mom is just trying to be a good mom and take care of me, but I’m always twenty years old, I can take care of myself. I took my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through twitter. My timeline was boring and my mentions were filled with get well wishes, both from fans and from some friends. I closed twitter when another notification popped up. “Mentioned by @CodySimpson @BYEconnor Hey mate, heard you were in the hospital. Get well soon!” I smiled a bit and locked my phone; placing it on the couch next to me I turned and looked at Riley. He was looking down at his phone, he was smiling but something seemed to be bugging him.

            “Hey Riley” I said. “Hmm.” Riley said, not looking up from his phone. “Are you okay?” “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked. “I don’t know” I said. “You just look like something is bothering you.” Riley shook his head. “I’m fine, Con.” He said. “Are you sure?” I asked. Riley nodded. I stared at the muted TV. The house was quiet, something it hadn’t been in a while. Someone was almost always here; whether it was Emily or Cassy or one of the guys or family; the house always seemed to be busy. I heard the faint strumming of a guitar coming from upstairs, Toby must be practicing. I leaned my head against the back of the couch and listened to the strumming. A few minutes later it stopped and Toby joined Riley and me downstairs. “How are you?” Toby asked.

            “I’m fine.” I said. I lied. I wasn’t fine. As a matter of fact, I was far from fine. I miss Nicole and I hate her father for doing what he did to her and her mother. I hate her father for tearing her family apart and I hate her brother for treating her like he did and for possibly ratting her out. I hate that I don’t know where she is and I hate how mom is babying me. My head hurts and my heart hurts and I feel sick; like I could hurl at any given moment. Mom came back downstairs and kissed each of us on our heads. “Be good, take care of each other and Connor” she paused. “Be careful.” I groaned and she left, locking the door behind her. “Can I unmute the TV?” Toby asked. “I don’t care.” I told him. He picked up the remote and unmuted the TV, but turned the volume down a lot.

            He put on Netflix and started an episode of How I Met Your Mother. I got up and went into the kitchen. I got a glass down from the cabinet and filled it up with water. I grabbed my pain medication off the counter and poured two of the brownish tablets into my hands. I stuck one in my mouth and drank some water and swallowed it then repeated that for the second one. “Are you hungry?” I asked. “Who?” Riley asked. “Both of you” I said. “Do you want a sandwich?” “I’m fine.” Riley said. “If you’re making one, then I’ll take one.” Toby said. I walked over to the fridge and took out the ingredients to make a sandwich. I made Toby’s and took it to him and then went back to the kitchen to make mine.

            Wendy run away with me, I know it sounds crazy don’t you see what you do to me. I froze. That was Nicole’s ringtone. We set that for when each other called because that was the song we were listening to when I thought about her working at Disney World. I ran into the living room but the music had already stopped. I checked my phone but I had no notification of a missed call. “Sorry… that was mine” Riley said. “That’s my text notification.” I frowned and started to head back to the kitchen. I started to clean up the mess I had made from making Toby’s sandwich. I wasn’t so hungry anymore. I put everything away and went back into the living room. I sat down on the couch and stared numbly at the TV.

            A little while later Riley placed his hand on my shoulder. “Connor” Riley said. I kept staring straight ahead. “Connor” Riley said again. “I’m sorry about earlier. I forgot that was her ringtone.” He said. I didn’t say anything. “Connor, please look at me. I have to tell you something important.” Riley said. I blinked. “Fine, just look at this.” Riley placed his phone on my lap and got up and walked away. I looked down at it and read what was on the screen.

Hey Riley, I’m just texting to say happy birthday. I wish I could call but I wasn’t able to… So… Happy Birthday! You’re finally legal! Congrats. I hope you have had an amazing day. Tell Connor I love him, please. Remind him that I love him more than anything. Let him know that I don’t hate him. I haven’t called or texted because I’m trying to protect him… it’s really complicated… I’m sorry about all this too… I didn’t mean to screw up everyone’s lives. I hope none of you hate me for this. If you do then… then I’ll just find a new place to live once I get away from my dad again. If I ever get away again… Anyways, I hope you had a good birthday. Tell Connor I love him.

            “Nicole’s okay.” I said. “She’s alive.” “What?” Toby asked. “Nicole” I said. “She’s alive, she’s okay. She texted Riley to say happy birthday. She said she loves me and can't text me to protect me, but she’s okay.” Toby half smiled and I realized what I just said. “Shit!” I cried. “It’s Riley’s birthday!” How could I forget Riley’s birthday? His eighteenth birthday! I’m such a bad brother. I got up and went to find Riley. I found him in the den, quietly playing a John Mayer song on his guitar. “Riley” I said. He looked up at me. “I’m sorry…” I said. “I’m sorry I’ve been so self-involved lately, I just miss Nicole and… well there really isn’t any good excuse for how I’ve been acting. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bad brother lately.” Riley shrugged. “Don’t worry about it, man.” He said. “No, really” I said. “I’ve been a bad brother and a bad friend and I really am sorry.” “It’s okay. I forgive you.” Riley said, he sounded slightly mad.

            I started to walk away but stopped, remembering the real reason I had gone to find Riley. Riley stood up and started to walk away but I stopped him. I held out his phone and he took it and began to walk away again. “Riley, wait.” I said. He looked over at me and sighed. “What, Connor? What do you want this time?” he said. “Happy Birthday” I said. “I’m sorry I forgot…” Riley smiled and walked forward and gave me a hug. “It’s alright, Connor. You’ve been stressed lately. I understand.” Riley said. I smiled and hugged my brother back. “I love you, bro.” Riley said. I smiled. “Love you too, Ri.” Riley walked out of the den and I couldn’t help but smile. Even when life is completely against me, I know I can always count on Riley and that’d be enough to make anyone happy.