Falling For my Best Friend || Grayson

twenty seven

Riley's POV

i wake up to the smell of sweet potatoes and turkey and smile. i sit on the edge of my bed and throw on a tank top and some shorts. i stand up and head into Lilly's room. she's sitting on the floor playing with some toys before i pick her up and tickle her. she squeals and giggles loud into my ear, and i laugh too. i put her back down and she looks up at me. "come on. let's go find Evan".

we run into Evan's room, but he's not in there. i take her downstairs to find mom in the kitchen, preparing for the early thanksgiving i requested. "hey mom, where's Evan?" i ask.

"he's out back" she says pointing to the door leading to the backyard. Lilly grabs onto my hand and we walk outside. i smile when i see him playing with my old soccer goal. "need some competition?" i ask, smiling and he nods. Lilly runs towards him and kicks the ball and he kicks it after her. 

we play for a while before Mom comes out, "who's hungry?" she asks smiling. they both start yelling and i laugh. they run into the house and i walk behind them. i don't know why i'm already so attached to them. i guess it's because i never got the chance to have siblings. i didn't realize how bad this is going to be when i leave. i had to leave. i had to see Grayson. 

we're all sitting at the table when Shawn says a quick prayer before we dig in. he asks me what time i planned on leaving, and i put my fork down. "um... i kind of wanted to be home by 5ish tomorrow, so uh... probably in a few hours" i say and he nods. 

"i wish i could've stayed longer, but i have to get back"

"oh no, we totally get it. you're dad's probably lonely anyways" he says and i nod, taking another bite. the rest of the time we're just talking to each other and discussing stuff. 

after we eat, i grab some plates and try to help Mom clean up, but she doesn't let me. "go pack, i got it Riley" she says and i smile a little. 

-----

i lug my bag down the stairs and frown when i see Lilly about to cry at the end of the stairs. i squat down and pull Evan and Lilly into a hug. "i'll come back soon. i promise" i whisper. i know that probably wasn't true, but you never know. maybe i'll come back for christmas or something. 

I quickly hug Shawn and pull back, "it was nice meeting you guys" i say smiling. 

"you too. we hope you visit more often" he says, grinning. i open the door and they all follow me out to my car. i toss the bag in the back seat before i stop and face my mom. i hug her for a while before i say, "i'm going to miss you mom".

"i'll miss you to Riley. i hope you know i'm very proud of you and who you have become. and i hope i can meet this boyfriend of yours soon" she says laughing. i laugh too, and get into my car. 

"just don't let him hurt you Riley" she says and i smile a little. i know he wouldn't ever hurt me. i shut my car door and start the car, waving at Lilly, Evan, and Shawn, who are standing on the porch. they all wave back and i pull out of the driveway, away from the familiar house. 

-----

i wake up in a dark hotel room at 8:16 am. i throw my stuff in my bag and get ready before checking out and hitting the road again. i should be getting back home at around 4:30 if i leave now. 

i quickly eat a granola bar that i bought at a gas station yesterday and start driving again.

-----

i smile when i see the cop car in the driveway. i pull into the garage and walk into the house with my bag. "dad?" i call throughout the house. i smile when he comes around the corner. he wraps me up in a tight hug and i laugh. it felt good. "i missed you"

"i missed you too, dad. i'm so sorry" 

"you don't need to apologize to me. something tells me you need to talk to Grayson, though" he says and i look at the floor, nodding. 

"i might unpack and rest for a while first. i'm really tired" i say, heading upstairs.

"glad you're home" he says from downstairs. 

"i'm glad i am too" i whisper to myself. i toss my bag on the floor and flop onto my bed. i sit there for a few minutes before realizing i'm not going to be able to sleep. i sigh and get up, heading back to my car.

-----

when i get to their apartment, i'm nervous. i don't know why i'm nervous, i just am. i walk up to the door and stand there for a while, staring at the door. i grab my keys, and flip through them, grabbing the key to the apartment. it unlocks with ease and the door opens, revealing Grayson and Ethan on the couch, watching tv. Grayson immediately sits up and his jaw slightly falls. Ethan pats his back and walks to his room.

i bite my cheek to keep myself from crying. he stands up and walks over to me, squeezing me tight against his chest. that's when i lost it. when the familiar scent of him hit me. when his skin touches mine.

i let my body fall onto his and i begin to cry into his chest. "i'm so sorry Grayson! i shouldn't have left and i'm just an idi-" 

"shhh" he says, rubbing my back. "i'm just glad you're home. that's all i wanted was you here with me. okay?" he asks, lifting my chin with his finger to face him. i nod and peck him on the lips. we walk over to the couch and sit down. i wipe my face and look at him.

"so, let's talk about thanksgiving" i say.

oh god guys it's 12:30 am and i have to get up at 5:30 and take the pre act. anyways, i hope you enjoyed this little change in the story :) thoughts??