Bad Boy's Game

9. The Bad Boy has a Secret

I slowly drag myself up to Riley's door step, not wanting to talk about any of my shitty family problems. I barely want to talk to Riley at all, let alone confide in him as if we were actually friends.

Though I guess I do have to give him credit for taking me in the other night. Game or no game, it was nice.

I ring the doorbell, and moments later the sound of barking fills my ears, bringing a smile to my face. If there's one thing I like about coming here, it's definitely that cute ass dog.

The door swings open and I am face to face with Riley. I give him an awkward tight lipped smile which he immediately returns before opening the door wider.

I step in and go right to the jumpy ball of excitement next to him.

"Hi Elsie! How's it going girl?!" I say, getting on my knees and smothering her with love and talking in a baby voice. I'm satisfied when I see her tail wagging frantically, hitting Riley's leg each time.

I love this dog.

I look back up at Riley, "is your mom home?"

He shakes his head. "She works till 5, but she made me ask you to stay for dinner." He said casually. I simply nod my head. I love her and if her dinners are anything like her breakfasts, I know I'll be in heaven.

Plus, not being home is a bonus.

I stand up and follow Riley up to his room. It's once again clean, and I have a suspicion that he's not the one who actually cleans it.

He motions for me to sit on his bed, and I oblige hesitantly. He carefully takes a seat next to me, as if walking on broken eggshells.

He takes a deep breath, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He looks at me intently with very concerned looking eyes.  "So, are you going to tell me why you ran out of your house completely broken the other night?"

There it is.

"It's honestly not a big deal, and I was kinda hoping you were never going to bring it up." I say, looking down at my hands, though I can still feel his eyes on me.

"I wasn't going to force you to talk about it the night it happened, but I was there, I saw the look of complete terror on your face Samantha. If it's serious, you need to tell someone." He reasons, and he's right.

I was terrified, I am terrified of that man, of everything that happened and that could happen if he stays. But is telling Riley the best option? That would mean going deep into my haunted past and I can't afford to show that much vulnerability to him.

I shake my head and try to pull off a smile, refusing to let tears well up in my eyes. "No really, it was just a petty argument with my mom, that's all. I'm so over dramatic sometimes." I say with a laugh, looking him in the eye for good measure.

I realize it was a mistake to do that when he instantly sits up straight. "You're lying."

"No I'm not?" I say nervously.

"I may not know much, but I do know when someone is lying. And you, Samantha, are lying to me." He says sternly, looking me in the eyes.

I suddenly feel transparent. The feeling is an uncomfortable one.

"Fine," he says, shifting to look at me. "Then can we at least talk about the party?"

No we cannot. Because once again that would take me on a deep journey into my past.

"The guy was a sleaze. Nothing more to it." I say nonchalantly.

"Okay, but it wasn't that that puzzled me." He begins. "Any other girl in that situation would fight with whatever she had or scream or... something! When I came in,  you were just, still. Like you were just ready to get it over with."

He paused for a long time, as if unsure whether or not to say his next statement.

If you thought you were walking on eggshells before, oh boy that's nothing compared to right now.

"As if it was routine, something you were.. used to." He finishes.

I stand up. "Okay you know what?! I've had enough of your hypotheses that are not only incorrect but that are beginning to get under my skin."

He looks startles but just nods.

I shake my head, trying to change the subject. My eyes land on his guitar in the corner. I go over to it.

"You know what, how bout you play me something?" I say a lot calmer now.

Suddenly his whole demeanour changes. He clenches his jaw and turns cold. "I don't play." He says icily.

Yikes.

I try to brush it off, keeping it light. "Oh, well, I took a few lessons back in grade 10. Maybe I could play a little-"

Just as I am about to reach for it, in an instant a large hand is wrapped tightly around my wrist, yanking it backwards.

Panic engulfs me and I quickly raise my other hand over my head as if to protect myself. 

"Don't. Touch it." He growls, not releasing my hand.

"Please stop." I begin, fear in my wobbly voice. "You're hurting me." I whisper.

Instantly guilt sweeps through his eyes and he releases his grip on my wrist. I cradle it with my other hand, watching it turn from white to red to blue.

He puts his hands through his hair frantically, mumbling apologies. I am simply shocked.

"I think I should go." I whisper.  And without turning back, I run out of the house as fast as I can.

I don't know what it is, but something about that guitar is a huge reminder of his past.

Because if anyone knows what being haunted by the past looks like, it's me.

And he was haunted as hell just looking at that thing.

This bad boy has a deep dark secret, and I'm not sure if I ever want to find out.

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A/N

Hey beautifuls! Sorry this took so long to update, I was swamped with homework and exams, but I'm a little less busy now so hopefully the updates will be more frequent!

Also if you want a cover done for a book of your own, don't forget to check out my covers book!

What do you think Riley's beef was with that guitar?

Let me know what you think! Don't be a silent reader!

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