One Night ✔

28. No Interruptions

"Riley" Lucas whispers, moving a strand of hair out of my face as he kneels down in front of me. My eyes flutter open and he smiles. "Morning baby."

I hum, hugging my pillow as I stare wearily into his emerald eyes. "Morning. Are you leaving?" I murmur confusedly. He laughs, nodding his head.

"Today is my first day at work so" he trails off, kissing the top of my head. "I'm dropping Av off on my way so get some rest. I'll see you when I get home tonight."

"Mkay" I reply, closing my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too baby" he agrees before I drift back off to sleep.

~ 🌌 ~

Around noon I finally roll out of bed and decide to do some house cleaning to kill time until the rest of my family got home.

I change into a pair of yoga pants and a thin, baby pink camisole, tying my hair up into a bun and head to the cleaning closet. I pull out the vacuum and plug it in before I start cleaning the carpet in our living room but before I can make it down the hallway to our bedrooms the doorbell rings.

I groan, unplugging the vacuum and heading towards the front door. I wasn't expecting anyone and after the surprise visits from my parents this week the idea of another unexpected visitor wasn't exactly exciting.

I pull open the door and my eyebrows furrow together when I find Josh on the other side. "Um hey Uncle Josh."

"Hey niece. Can we talk?"

"Of course" I reply, moving out of the way to let him in. "Is everything alright?" I ask while Maya's secret bubbles inside me.

"Maya told me that she explained what's been going on with us."

"Um yea she did" I confirm. "I hope you're not upset with her-."

"What? Of course I'm not upset with her though I know she thinks I am" he adds thoughtfully, running his fingers through his hair as he starts pacing my floor. "I just don't know what to do anymore to show her that I love her and that I don't blame her for what happened in California."

"You could tell her" I suggest and he laughs.

"I have. Multiple times. She's just so stubborn" he complains making me chuckle. Maya being stubborn was the understatement of the century; there was no amount of convincing that could ever change her mind on anything.

"And lately I can't help but think that there's something else going on too." My heart drops. I knew Josh wasn't as oblivious as Maya thought. "She's been distant and I don't think it's the guilt that's causing it."

My heart starts pounding hard in my chest. "I'm sure it's nothing" I insist, shrugging in nonchalance. "She's just having a hard time right n-."

"Is she seeing someone else?" he interrupts, stopping dead in his tracks and staring back at me. "Because I know that she'd tell you and I-I can't lose her Riles. Please tell me this is all in my head."

I offer him a sympathetic smile, walking towards him and placing my hands on his shoulders. "She's not cheating. Maya would never, ever do that" I assure him and I know I should keep my mouth shut but he is my uncle. "But" I continue, "there is something she's keeping from you."

His eyes widen. "W-what is it?"

I shake my head. "You have to talk to Maya. I've said too much already."

"But Riles-."

"Talk to her" I insist, stepping away from him. "I promise it'll all make sense when you do."