Played By Riggs

28

I had seven missed calls from Tina and one text that read 'URGENT!'

When I managed to get some signal, I excused myself from Tyler and left him in the car whilst I tried to call her back. She answered immediately. "Where the hell are you?"

"Just finished my driving lesson. Why? What's so urgent?"

"Paparazzo, that's what. They managed to snap a picture of you meeting Tyler at the café and then stood by his car. The pics don't look suspicious but what they've headlined it sure does. I wanted to give you a heads up before James heard."

"Shit," I grumbled. "What's the headline?"

"Rigsby spotted with her new flame."

"Shit."

"Yeah," she sighed through the phone. "I'd go find him and explain."

"But I can't... not without ruining the surprise."

"Then he's going to think the worst."

I grumbled once more. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll catch you later."

I made my way back over towards the car and my distress must have been obvious because Tyler raised his eyebrows. "Is everything alright?"

"Uh, I'm not sure yet. The paps managed to get a picture of us," I said dryly. I quickly pulled the article up on my phone and winced. "Here," I said. "Apparently you're my new flame."

Tyler shook his head. "I see. This won't sit well with your real flame, will it?"

"Nope," I said. "This is meant to be a surprise for him, by the way. His birthday is approaching and I was going to pick him up and drive him... it sounds silly but..." I trailed off with a shrug. "He would be so proud of me and shocked. I guess now none of that matters, huh?"

"Not necessarily," Tyler said. "I bet he understands they twist things. He trusts you, right?"

"Yeah." Although, with how the last headline went, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. "Would you mind driving me to his apartment? I'd call my driver, but it makes sense to ask you."

"Of course," he said. "And Kelsey, if you need me to say anything, I don't mind."

I gave a curt nod. "Hopefully it won't come to that, but thanks."

Hopefully.

I thanked Tyler as he dropped me off and then walked up towards James' door, knocking lightly. No answer. His car was gone. The light off. Exhaling, I took a seat on his step and waited.

For a whole hour.

He didn't notice me at first, but when he did his gaze softened. I took that as a good sign. Until his eyes hardened and I felt his hesitation hit me like a slap in the face.

"It's not what it looks like," I said, standing up and brushing my hands off on my jeans.

"Original," he smiled sadly. "How long you been sat there?"

"Doesn't matter," I said, following him inside. "Can we talk?"

He opened his fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. "Who is he?"

"No one important."

"No one important?"

"He's a... friend. I know I'm making it seem like I'm hiding something, but..."

"You are hiding something, though. Aren't you? First he's no one important, now he's a friend." He finished the bottle of water and threw it in the bin. "I'm a little jealous, Kels, not gonna lie. I don't want to be that guy who says you can't have male friends..." he paused, shook his head. "So just tell me the truth."