Sweet Cheeks. Rucas. GMW CHOICE AWARD WINNER!

Chapter.10.Girls Like Clenched Jaws.<3

The sound of the doorbell makes me jump out of my skin. No one is home on this lovely Wednesday night, my parents went out on a date they try to do it weekly but life tends to get in the way so any chance they get they sneak out. Auggie is over at a friend's house, I'm assuming for the night seeing as it is already 8:30. So I wasn't expecting anyone home, especially not ones that don't have a key to get in. So I do the responsible thing, first I put on pants. No I wasn't wearing pants, do you wear pants when you're home alone in your room? No. I didn't think so. Secondly I look through the peep hole and I swear my eyes could have bulged out of their head. I press my hair down in an effort to not make it look like a rat's nest and open the door. "Hey Riley."

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

A pair of azure eyes meet mine, "I just wanted to talk to you for a little bit." I open the door wider and gesture for him to step inside. He could have called but, oh well he's here.

"Do you want something to drink? Water, tea, orange juice?" I offer on my way to the kitchen.

"No it's fine thanks though." I close the fridge and meander back towards the living room, "I guess I'm just worried about you?"

I fall into the oversized love seat and furrow my brows. "Worried?" I repeat, "About what?"

His dark wash jeans connect with my leather sofa and he scratches the back of his neck. "You and Lucas have gotten awfully close lately." I smile and lift my hands off my stomach in a gesture for him to continue, "I'm just worried that you're going to get hurt." Why on earth is he being so vague? "Lucas is my cousin and as I'm sure you are aware kind of a player."

I don't really know what to say to that. He's been back for 3 weeks and hasn't so much as went out on a date. He's texting me constantly or with Josh, or with me... I don't think he knows his cousin as well as he thinks. "I appreciate the concern but I've always taken care of myself Charlie. Lucas won't hurt me."

He rubs his eyes in an almost frustrated manner, "See Riley you say that but I think you forget what all he put you through."

I start to bitterly laugh, "No I remember. I remember everything about those years. I remember who was there for me too." I arch my brow indicating I'm talking about him. I can tell there's something else he wants to say but I don't pry. And then I'm like what the hell did I just say? "I'm sorry-"

"No, I deserved that." He mumbles, "I didn't say or do anything when we were younger and I regret that. I was an ass." Well I wouldn't necessarily put it in those terms, but in a way... "Missy and I have been fighting a lot lately."

Ugh, am I supposed to care? "About?"

"I was trying to get her opinion on what I should do about you and she just gets pissed."

That doesn't surprise me, "I understand you're worried but don't be. Lucas is my friend and has done nothing wrong." In fact he defended me against your meanie head girlfriend. "If you don't count the time he force fed me a fry dipped in a chocolate milkshake." I quip and sit up straighter, "Look Charlie I'm assuming if she gets pissed about you talking about me, she'd get even more mad that you are here. So I think it's best if you leave."

"Riley I'm just trying to protect you."

My hand rests on the door knob and all of a sudden tightens its grip. I hardly get angry, in fact it takes a lot for me to get angry at a specific person. At the situation, yes I get mad at the situation but I consider myself a very even tempered woman. But right now I'm mad, like fuming mad. He didn't care all those years ago, he's going behind Missy's back to help one of his friends. "Leave." I don't want to say something I'm going to regret later. I've had a crush on him for as long as I can remember, I always thought he was cute but as previously mentioned 8th grade is when the infatuation truly began.