Discovering Riley

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Adam’s POV

When I saw Josh and Derek loading suitcases into a car, I didn’t pay any mind. But it was only when I saw Riley with them is when I started to make my way over to them.

“Guys, let me help.” Riley whined. “At least a little.”

“No, you stay right over there while we do it. We’re the men here.” Derek teased.

She smiled. “Fine. I…” She paused when her eyes caught mine and widened. The boys caught onto her hesitation and looked up.

“When we’re you guys going to tell me you were leaving?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

“We’re going to Massachutes to see a friend of Riley’s.” Derek told me calmly.

For some weird reason, they all looked scared of me. Even Riley. The look on her face said more than enough. We hadn’t spoken for almost three months, but she never seemed scared of me like the other two did. Not until now.

I frowned, having the urge to grab her and pull her into my arms. She had no reason to be afraid of me. I wouldn’t hurt her. “Riley…” I murmured absentmindedly.

Josh stepped forward then and grabbed my arm. He hauled me back a few feet so we were out of earshot, but my eyes were still on Riley’s. “What are you doing?”

I finally pulled my eyes to his. “I want to talk to Riley.”

“You’re not talking to Riley.” He growled at me. “You don’t deserve to even look at her.”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to argue with him. Actually, that’s the last thing I want to do. I don’t want to get Riley more scared of me then she already is. “Listen, I—“

“No, you listen.” He cut me off. “Where were you when Riley needed protection, huh? Almost every day there were Shadows after us. After her.”

My eyes widened. Shadows have been here? “I would’ve felt them if they came.”

“Well, you didn’t.” Josh snarled. “Unlike you, we actually care about her. So do us all a favor and leave.”

“I do care about her.”

“Then you should care that she’ll feel safer if you leave her alone.” He said in finality before walking back towards Riley and Derek.

I watched as Derek slipped into the driver’s seat and Josh guide Riley to the back seat of the car. She didn’t even spare a glance at me.

Then they were gone.

Riley’s POV

“Maybe I should have talked to him?” I suggested as I played with my fingers in my lap. Adam didn’t look angry or anything. Plus, I wanted to talk to him. I knew he’d never hurt me, but Josh and Derek didn’t.

“That’s the last thing you’ll ever do, Riley.” Josh told me, keeping his eyes forward.

I slouched in my seat and chewed at my bottom lip. I didn’t like seeing Adam upset. And at me for the most part. I wanted to apologize to him. I’ve actually been feeling kind of empty without him for the last two months.

Derek and Josh said I lost my memories, but deep inside, I have feelings for Adam that I can’t understand. At first they were just thoughts when I first met him. But since that confrontation with Daniel, I feel like those feelings have gone a little out of control.

I haven’t really showed it, but I haven’t been doing well without Adam. It felt like the farther away I was from him, the weirder I felt. Maybe Mr. Morris will help me with it. Plus, I miss Mr. Morris more than anything.