Bad Boy's Game

12. "It's a Long Story"

I just stare at my hands blankly, unable to answer but not wanting him to see me cry. Why am I here? What was I thinking? As if coming here to this place would somehow make things better?

"I really don't know, I was just driving around and kinda just came here I guess," I say as calmly as I possibly can.

In the corner of my eye, I can see him smirking. "Can't get enough of me can you?" he says in an arrogant manner that makes me want to punch him. But I don't. Instead, completely broken and unable to compose myself, I put my face in my hands, let out another sob and just mutter, "can you please just leave me alone?"

There's a long silence from Riley as I just sit there crying quietly, not really caring what he or anyone thinks anymore. I'm broken, just let me be broken.

There is still nothing from Riley, he just stands there outside my car watching me fall apart. I don't know what I expected, comfort maybe, some kind words or even a 'that sucks mate'. But then again, he's not my boyfriend, not really. Hell, he's not even my friend. He doesn't owe me anything, he doesn't have to care. And he doesn't.

That is why I'm so shocked when I hear the passenger door open and he slides in next to me. Another moment passes, and his large hand is rubbing soothing circles on my back. Neither of us say anything, we just sit there in silence (apart from my soft crying that is starting to subside) for what seems like hours.

I finally calm down enough to look up at him and smile weakly. He returns it with a tight lipped concerned smile that looked a little more like a grimace.

"I'm sorry for all this," I mutter, mostly to myself, though I know he is listening intently. "I feel like half the time we're together I'm all shattered and wounded to a point where you have to console me, and that's not fair to you."

He simply nods, knowing I'm right. He's not really my boyfriend, he doesn't have to be there for me through the thick of it, however, time and time again he ends up being my rock. And he doesn't have the slightest clue what's going on or what I've been through.

Riley lets out a deep sigh. "Honestly, after the way I treated you the past few days, I kinda feel like I owe it to you. Now, are we going to sit in your car for another twenty minutes, which is fine if you so choose, or are you going to come in and let me help you? Either way, I'm not leaving you alone."

I'm a little surprised by his words. Sure, he doesn't actually care and is only being so kind cause he feels guilty, but it's a very kind, caring gesture nonetheless.

"Let's get out of here," I say after shifting in my seat and feeling the tingling sensation course through my bottom, "my butt is numb," I say after with a slight laugh, trying to keep the mood light to avoid breaking down again.

He gives me a super questioning look, eyebrows raised, before shaking his head and chuckling to himself.  "And on that note, we go inside. Come on, monkey."

He gets out of the car and I follow suit, walking around it to catch up with him.

As we are walking, he slips his hand into mine. I look up at him questioningly, even though somewhere deep in the depths of my stomach, a single butterfly is fluttering around.

"Gotta keep it real, we're still in the middle of a game babe." He says with a flashy smirk, and suddenly I want to murder that damn butterfly. That's exactly what he wants and the last thing I need, butterflies.

We continue to walk hand in hand all the way into his bedroom. This time, however, I am a little more cautious after the events that unfolded the last time I was in this room. I glance down at my slightly bruised wrist.

He seems to notice and awkwardly rubs the back of his neck. "God, Sam... I-"

"It's fine." I say quickly, brushing his almost-apology away and cutting him off. I let go of his hand and go and sit on his bed, taking in the scent of his pillows.

By how comfortable I looked, you'd never be able to guess we just started talking mere days ago.

"I just, you just.. fuck I'm bad at this." He stammers before finally gathering his thoughts. "What happened?"

There is is ladies and gents. That's the magical question, the one I've been dreading.

I laugh a fake laugh. "Oh just, the Ella thing has really got me and after the thing with you and the guitar I just, it was... overwhelming?" I say with as much realness as I could muster.

In one swift motion, Riley is sitting next to me, one arm around my shoulders and the other hand on my thigh. My breath hitches and I flinch at his touch, the memories and trauma from the past few hours fresh in my head. He notices this and quickly takes his hands off of me as if he had touched something way too hot.

Instead he just draws little circles on my hand with his finger, a simple gesture that I shouldn't think anything of, but that one little butterfly inside me must have thought it was something of significance considering he brought a friend too.

"Sam, I know that's not true. You're a tough girl. There's something you're not telling me. Something big is going on. It must be. Otherwise you wouldn't be so.." he pauses as if unsure of what word to use.

"Broken.." he finally finishes.

He looks into my eyes with sadness and hurt and worry, none of which I can tell if they're real or not. It compels me nonetheless. It makes me want to open up to him completely, tell him everything.

I may not be able to trust him, but at this point I have already lost a best friend, gotten into a horrible bet, got my father back, and everything is a mess. I just need someone to confide in, no matter the consequences.

"You'd never think of me the same." I tell him truthfully.

He moves a strand of hair out of my face. "Who says that's a bad thing? I want to know you Sam. Good and bad."

I don't know what to do. I have never felt so conflicted.

A million thoughts race through my head as I decide what, and how much of what, I should tell him.

Finally I come to a final decision and look up at him. And before I know it words are coming out of my mouth like word vomit.

"It's a long story."

And so I begin.

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Hi friends. I just realized I had this chapter all written and I didn't even freaking post it. I'm actually so mad!!

Oh well, here it is! Hopefully I can get another one up soon, especially since it's spring break for me next week :)

I am LOVING the love this book is getting! Please keep it up because you guys are the reason I'm writing this at this point :)

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Love you all and thank you so much for your patience and support!!

- Liv :)