Your Greatest Mistake

Chapter Fifteen

Riley's POV

My bags were on the porch with a note. My mother decided that I was a lost cause. She no longer wanted to claim me as her own. And now I was wandering the streets alone. I didn't want to bother Niall with my problems. I had to be very careful with him. I never wanted to see him be in that kind of pain. I know he's my boyfriend, but I don't know if he should be. Don't get me wrong, I love him with all of my heart. But, I love him enough to know that I am no good for him.

"Riley!" Niall shouted.

I turned around to see him standing down the block. He jogged over to me and looked at my bags.

"I've been calling you and looking for you for an hour." He said.

"Oh." I mumbled.

"Why do you have so many bags?" He asked.

"Because my mom kicked me out." I said.

He gave me and hug and sighed.

"Love, you know that I live alone. You could stay with me." He said.

Live with Niall? Oh boy.

"Um, sure. Okay." I said.

"Let's go to my apartment, you're shivering." He said.

He took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. Then he took my bags from my hands and carried them for me. His place wasn't very far. We went in and he put my stuff in.

"It's two bedroom so you can take the other bedroom." He said.

He walked me to the room and gave me some time to settle in. He offered to make dinner, but I told him I wasn't hungry. He took me into the living room and cuddled next to me. He wrapped his arm around me and covered us with a blanket. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, he nudged me.

"What's wrong? You've been quiet." He said.

"Thinking." I muttered.

"About?" He asked.

"How much better off you would be with someone else." I said.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"I was the reason you almost stopped breathing." I whispered.

"Riley." He started.

"No, I just feel like I'm one of the worst things that has ever happened to you. You almost stopped breathing." I said.

"It wasn't your fault." He muttered.

"It was so scary. Scarier than what I was trying to do. Looking down at the racing water didn't scare me. Looking over at you, seeing you crumple to the ground, that scared me." I told him.

"Love, it's okay." He said.

"Everybody always leans on you, Niall. You're the strong one. It's not fair that you have to deal with me." I said.

"Don't you understand? Being away from you is one of the hardest things that has ever happened to me. Hurting you was even worse. Seeing you standing on that bridge. That was horrifying. I don't know what I would have done without you. I would have probably jumped right after you. I love you more than life itself." He said to me.

"I'm sorry for scaring you." I said.

"You always seem to be apologizing. Stop that." He said.

"Sorry." I muttered.

He sighed and kissed my forehead. Living together? This was the start of a whole new chapter.