The Bet

Chapter 54

James's POV

I drove to Riley's house to get her, and now we're driving back. I keep bugging her, trying to get her to tell me what was so important, but she keeps telling me to wait till we get to my house.

"Riley!" I whine.

"No." She sighs. I look at her with worry. She keeps looking down, fidgeting with her hands. I could tell by her tone on the phone that something was wrong.

"Riley, babe, you're starting to worry me." I tell her. She stays silent.

~~~~~

I lead Riley in the house and quickly up to my room so my parents wouldn't see us. I sit her down on the bed.

"Talk." I say, standing I front of her.

"My sister goes back Friday." She tells me.

"Um, okay? But what does that have to do with you?" I question.

"And, she asked me to come with her. To live." She looks up at me slowly. I lean against the window ledge in an attempt to steady myself.

"So, you're leaving?" I ask, trying to choke back what feels like tears.

"Well, I never said that." She says. "But I'm considering it."

"I'll support whatever your choice is." I manage to say.

"Thank you." She says quietly. I sit down on the bed next to her, taking her hands in mine.

"But, is there anything I can do to make you stay?" I ask. She sighs.

"I don't know." She whispers. I let go of her hands and stand up again. I lean against the window ledge again, looking out the window. I feel Riley come closer to me, wrapping her arms around me from behind.

"I don't want to leave you." She whispers in my ear.

~~~~~

Riley's POV

James's family were already sat at the dining room table, so when James walked in with me at his side, all heads turned my way. But this time, I needed to be confident.

"Hello." I say sweetly.

"We didn't expect you to be joining us this evening Riley." James's mother speaks firmly.

"I wasn't planning on it either. More of a last minute thing." I tell her, my head held high. I notice a girl sitting at the table as well, probably in her twenties.

"Riley, this is my sister Jessica." James tells me.

"I'm guessing this is Riley." Jessica speaks kindly.

"Yes, that would me." I reply, sweet as sugar.

"Sit down Riles." James says, pulling out the chair for me.

"Thank you." I speak softly, sitting down.

"Riles? That's cute." Jessica giggles. I notice her mother shoot her a look.

"So Riley, you seemed to do a better job of serving me today. Well done." Mrs Kennedy says, her words coming out bitter.

"Thank you." I respond confidently.

"Serving?" Jessica inquires.

"I work at the cafe." I tell her before her mother can, trying to sound stronger.

"Oh, that's different." She says. I nod, smiling at Mrs Kennedy, who's scowling at me back.