Chapter 28

Easton's POV

I stood there with my hand still holding Blake’s wrist tightly. My fingers pressed his hand so hard that I could feel his pulse.

“Get your hands off her right now,” I said again. My voice came out low and dangerous. Blake looked at me with a smirk that only made my anger burn hotter.

Blake slowly took his hand off of her. He did not look scared at all. He rubbed his wrist where I held him before and took a step back.

“Why are you so mad, Easton?” he asked calmly. His eyes stayed on mine without blinking.

“You don’t own Riley. She can choose who she wants to be with.”

I stepped closer to him. My chest rose and fell as I tried to keep my breathing in check.

“Just stay away from her,” I warned. My words came out sharp.

“She doesn't need you messing with her head right now.”

Blake laughed quietly under his breath. He shook his head slowly like he felt sorry for me.

“Are you finally admitting you like her?” Blake asked. His voice sounded almost happy.

“That is why you are acting this way, right? You are jealous because I said what you cannot say.” My face got hot. My hands clenched into fists at my sides. The words hit me harder than I expected them to.

“I do not like her,” I strongly denied. Even though I spoke with a firm voice, I felt weak inside.

“Like I always say, she is just a babysitter for my sister and my colleague in class. That is all.” Even as I said the words, they felt wrong in my mouth. Blake shook his head again. His eyes showed he did not believe me at all.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Blake replied softly. “But we both know the truth. You have been watching her since she moved into your house. The way you look at her when you think no one is watching.”

I wanted to punch him right there. My body was hot and ready to fight. Riley, who already noticed the tension, she hurriedly stood between us. She looked worried. Her eyes moved from me to Blake and back again.

“Both of you should stop it,” Riley said quietly. Her voice sounded tired. “I am not a prize for you to fight over.”

I looked at her and my anger softened with something I didn't want to admit. I turned away from her quickly before I said something I would regret later.

“Just stay away from her, Blake,” I said one last time. My voice stayed cold as I walked off.

The walk home felt longer than usual. I decided that morning not to go to school with my car. My mind kept going over Blake’s words again and again.

When I finally got home, I heard soft laughter coming from the living room. I stopped at the door and watched quietly without making any sound. Riley sat on the floor with Lila. They were working on Lila's homework together. Riley pointed at the paper and smiled softly

“See? If you add these numbers together, you will get the right answer,” Riley said gently. Her voice sounded patient and kind.

Lila clapped her hands and laughed happily. “You make it so easy, Riley!” Lila praised.

I stayed in the doorway and watched them. Something warm moved slowly in my chest.

After watching them to my satisfaction, I walked into the room slowly and sat on the couch. Riley looked up at me for a second. Her smile faded a little but she did not say anything mean.

Lila noticed my arrival and ran over to me immediately. “East! Riley is helping me with my math homework. She is really smart!” Lila said excitedly.

I smiled at my sister and ruffled her hair gently.

“That is good,” I said softly. But my eyes kept going back to Riley. She looked tired but peaceful while helping Lila. My heart started to beat a little faster. The more I looked at her, the more I realized how much she had changed since she came to our house. She seemed stronger and brighter every day.

Later that night, I could not sleep well. I kept thinking about Riley and Blake's relationship. What if Riley eventually falls for him? My heart aches at the thought of them being together, deep down I don't want that to happen.

The next day at school, I saw Riley walking alone toward the school garden. She walked slowly and kept her head down. I walked behind her a few steps and she didn't even notice. My feet moved quietly on the path. I stayed far enough so she would not see me.

I kept my eyes on her back the whole time. She looked small but she walked with her head high even though everything was hard for her. When she got to the garden, Cass was already there waiting for her. Cass stepped out from behind some bushes with a mean smile on her face.

“You think you’ve won by making the school authority punish me?” Cass whispered. The sound of her voice was sharp and scary. She moved closer to Riley slowly. “Watch me destroy you.”

Before Riley could react, Cass grabbed her arm and held it tight. Her nails dug into Riley’s skin.

“You took Easton away from me,” she said with hatred in her eyes. “Now I am going to take everything from you.”

Riley tried to pull away but Cass held on stronger. Unable to take it anymore, I stepped out from my hiding

spot, my heart pounding hard as I shouted,

“Let her go right now, Cass!”