Bound to You

Chapter 26: Mine

“And then Pete reached down into the crowd and GRABBED MY HAND.” Breanne chattered excitedly, clutching Darcy’s hand from across the table to demonstrate. “And I don’t remember anything that happened after that.” She finished sheepishly. Mackenzie giggled. “It’s true. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you speechless, Bre.” She teased. Breanne rolled her eyes. “Well it was kind of an epic moment for me. I’ve only had a crush on Pete Wentz since I was twelve.” She quickly leaned over to peck Rocky’s cheek. “No offense, babe.” She said playfully. He grimaced. “Some taken.” He muttered. Darcy sighed as she instinctively laced her arm through Ross’s. It was almost becoming second nature to her now. Leaning into him when they talked, giving him a random kiss on the cheek, holding his hand… Not that it had become any more romantic than it had when they’d first started; it still felt a lot like kissing a brother. “I’m so jealous. I haven’t seen Fall Out Boy since I was in middle school. It was one of the first concerts I ever went to.” She said wistfully. She felt Ross gently toying with a loose thread on her jean shorts. “What was the first concert you went to?” he questioned absentmindedly. He was a lot better at selling ‘Rarcy’ than she was. He always made the little things look so natural, like playing with a strand of her hair or fiddling with the bracelets on her wrist. It took her a lot more effort to remember the tiny things like that whenever they were out. She pursed her lips in thought for a moment. “Umm… Def Leppard I think. My dad took me when I was nine. I can’t remember ever going to a show before that so I’m assuming that was the first. What was yours?” Ross half smiled as he gestured for the waitress to bring the check. “I don’t even know. My dad and the guys have taken me to so many shows over the years I don’t even know if I can remember the first.” He admitted. Darcy’s eyes wandered around the table as the two other Lynch boys sitting across from her offered up their debit cards to help pay for the meal. Sean had suggested a group date with the other girlfriends, since Darcy hadn’t seen much of them since their sleepover months before. Less of a suggestion and more of acommand really; but he had posed it as a suggestion for Ross’s benefit. Darcy glanced down at her lap when she felt her phone buzz against her thigh. 'hurry home. :)' It was a text from Riker. She bit her lip to prevent the smile playing at the corners of her mouth from drawing the attention of the others at the table. 'Trying. :/' She replied. “So what are Riker and Rydel up to tonight?” Mackenzie questioned. Darcy quickly dropped her phone back onto her lap as she looked up. “Uh… Delly is probably over at Ellington’s. Riker’s at the house.” Breanne frowned. “I still hate that Riker’s always alone.” She pouted. Mackenzie nodded in agreement. “I do too. You know it must bother him a little, being the only single one in the band.” Darcy once again bit down on her lip to hide her knowing smirk. Riker was far fromalone. Every moment that she didn’t spend with Ross, she was spending with him. It had been two weeks since the kiss that had changed everything. And truthfully, it had been Darcy’s happiest two weeks since arriving in California. Being with Riker felt so natural, so right. The love she felt for him was the most real thing she’d felt in her entire life. Hiding everything from his family hadn’t been easy, especially from Rydel. But she knew it was the only way they could be together. “Mack, didn’t you mention something before about setting Riker up with your cousin? I really think you should! I mean what’s the worst that could happen?” Breanne’s voice cut through Darcy’s thoughts. Mackenzie beamed in response. “I completely forgot! I was just over at her house a few days ago actually and she was talking about how cute she thought Riker was. You know what, I’ll text her right now!” She gushed as she reached for her phone. Darcy felt heat rise in her cheeks. She quickly turned her attention back to her own phone before anyone could catch on to the cold glint that had entered her eyes. She wished they would just let go of the idea of setting Riker up with someone. Of course she knew that she shouldn’t be angry with them. They had no clue of what was going on between herself and Riker. But she just couldn’t seem to shake the jealous feelings that were stirring inside of her.

**

“Darcy, I’ll be upstairs!” Ross called as he made his way towards the staircase. Darcy absentmindedly nodded, though she knew he couldn’t see her response. The date had ended almost immediately after dinner; she’d faked a stomachache to get out of going to a movie with the others. Breanne & Rocky and Ryland & Mackenzie had gone on without them, at Ross’s insistence. She stepped into the kitchen and gruffly threw open the fridge door. She hated the jealousy that she could feel bubbling within. It was completely unlike her; she usually had better control over her emotions. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the sound of footsteps approaching from behind her. She jumped slightly when a pair of muscled arms wrapped around her waist. “Hey.” Riker said quietly in her ear. She felt his lips lightly peck her cheek. “Hey.” She returned half-heartedly. Riker immediately gripped her shoulders and whirled her around to face him. “What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly. She quickly shook her head. “Nothing. Just a long night.” She lied. Riker shook his head. “You still think you can pull one over on me? Darce, I know you. You usually look tired after a…date, but tonight it’s different. You look almost…” he trailed off uncertainly. Darcy eyed him curiously. “I look…?” she prompted. Riker smiled sheepishly. “You kind of look pissed.” He finished. Darcy scowled as she slammed the refrigerator door shut. “I’m not pissed.” She muttered. She stomped past him and slammed a carton of icecream down onto the marble countertop. He pressed his lips together as he watched her roughly throw open cabinet doors in search of a bowl. “Right… Definitely not upset.” He said sarcastically. She eyed him disdainfully as she laid a blue porcelain bowl next to the icecream container. “I’m not upset. I just think people need to learn to keep their noses in their own freaking business.” She muttered. Riker crossed the room hesitantly and hopped up onto a stool across the counter from where she stood. “What happened?” he questioned. Darcy shook her head as she began spooning icecream into the patterned China bowl. “Breanne and Mack won’t shut up about setting you up on a date.” She said gruffly. Riker jumped when she slammed her hand down onto the countertop. “I mean what even makes them think you want to be set up with someone? Maybe you’re happy being single! Theoretically of course. Obviously you’re not single.” She huffed. Riker half-smiled, clearly amused by her rant. “Babe, does it even matter? It’s not like they can force me to go out on a date. I can always tell them no.”  Darcy pursed her lips. “You could always tell them you’re gay.” She mused aloud. Riker’s eyebrows furrowed together. “I really don’t understand why it’s bothering you so much…” He trailed off, a knowing smirk suddenly crossing his features. “Unless you’re jealous.” He said teasingly. Darcy dropped her spoon back onto the counter as she gave Riker a scornful look. “Really? Jealousy? That’s what you’re going with?” she asked dryly. Riker continued to smile smugly at her. “Am I wrong?” he challenged. Darcy groaned as she returned the icecream container to the fridge. “Fine! Yes, I’m jealous. Of course I’m jealous.” She kept her back to him as she slowly closed the door. “You’re mine.” She finished quietly. She heard chair legs gently scrape against the floor as Riker pushed himself away from the countertop. Once again his arms found their way around her waist. “Yes, I am yours.” He said quietly, his lips lightly brushing against her ear. “And no one is going to change that. Not Mackenzie. Not Breanne. Not my brother. No one.” He finished firmly. Darcy sighed contentedly as he gently pressed a kiss to her neck. “Your brother, huh? Sounds like I’m not the only one with jealousy issues.” She said teasingly. She could feel Riker’s laugh vibrate against her skin as he continued trailing his lips up and down her neck. “You don’t want to open that one up tonight.” He whispered as he pressed one final kiss to her temple. “By the way, your icecream is melting.” He said knowingly as he disentangled his arms from her waist. Darcy smiled half-heartedly as she followed him back towards the high-topped counter. He was hers, just the same as she was his. But he was wrong about one thing…there was someone who could take that away from them. Could take everything away from them. She could only pray that day would never come.