Chapter 41 41

Chapter 41 41
Riley's POV

As I stood there in the garden, my heart was beating very fast inside my chest. Easton’s words kept ringing in my ears like a song I could not forget. I looked at him and felt a mix of hope and fear fighting inside me. I kept my hands by my sides because I did not know what to do with them at that moment.

Easton slowly moved toward me. His eyes looked deep into mine and wouldn't take them off. With strong hands, he pulled me gently into his arms. When my body touched his, it was warm and made my skin tingle all over.

He lowered his head and kissed me. His lips pressed into mine softly at first then the kiss grew more intense. His hands moved to my waist and pulled me even closer as if we could become one. The way his fingers pressed into my back made me realize how badly he wanted this moment.

The kiss became hotter and more intense. Easton’s tongue brushed my lips gently and I opened it widely for him. His hands slid up my sides and held me tight like he never wanted to let go. I kissed him back with the same hunger because my body wanted him too in that special way.

My heart pounded faster as the kiss went deeper. Easton made a soft sound in his throat that showed he was enjoying the moment as I do. He grabbed my hair and pulled my head closer to him. I held onto his shirt tightly because my legs had become weak from all the feelings inside me.

But all of a sudden, Easton stopped. He pulled back instantly as if something strange happened to him. His breathing was fast and heavy. His eyes looked troubled and full of things he didn't say.

“I am sorry,” he said quietly. His voice was rough and unsure. But he didn't explain why he said that. He just turned around and went back into the house.

I stood alone in the garden dumbfounded, with my fingers on my warm lips.

Why did he kiss me like that and then run away?

My mind spun with so many questions. Does he really like me or is this another game to hurt me later?

I felt my chest twisted with confusion and hurt.

“But what if he changes his attitude towards tomorrow like he always does?”

I thought to myself. My legs became shaky as I walked back inside slowly. I touched my lips again and remembered how good his kiss felt. But I kept hearing "I'm sorry" over and over in my head, which made me sad.

I went to my room and sat on the bed thinking for a long time.

The following morning was very awkward in the house. I got up early to help Lila get ready for school. I brushed her hair gently, my hands careful not to hurt her scalp. I couldn't stop thinking about the garden and Easton's kiss and no matter how hard I tried hard to push the thoughts away, they wouldn't just leave.

Lila noticed my unusual silence and looked at me with her big curious eyes. “Why are you quiet today, Riley?” she asked in her small sweet voice.

She placed her hand softly on my back while I helped her to put on her shoes. I smiled at her even though my heart was heavy.

“Nothing, I'm just thinking about many things, sweetheart,” I said gently. “Let us get you ready so you will not be late.”

Right then, Easton came down for breakfast and sat at the table. He watched us quietly with careful eyes. I ignored him completely, my hands moving fast as I packed Lila’s lunch. The silence between us was heavy like a big cloud.

Easton cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence.

“Riley, about last night in the garden…” he started in a low voice.

I shook my head and turned away from him. “Not now, Easton,” I said softly but firmly. “I need to get Lila ready and I can't afford any distraction right now.”

He kept quiet after hearing my response with his shoulders a little low.

But when I remembered his lips on mine, my cheeks became red. “Why did he pull away like that?” I asked myself inside my head as I zipped Lila’s bag. I took deep breaths to stay calm.

Lila looked between us, obviously aware that something was wrong but she said nothing.

Later that day after school, I met up with Amara. She had called me excitedly earlier asking us to meet up. We met at our favorite quiet spot near the school park full of green trees around us. When Amara saw me, she ran to me with a big bright smile on her face.

“How is Lila doing?” she asked immediately while giving me a tight hug. I hugged her back and told her Lila was much better now.

Amara pulled back and looked at my face carefully. “Good. Now let's get back to the main reason why I asked us to meet up. It's about my crush!” she exclaimed with sparkling eyes full of joy.

Amara sat down on the bench and patted the spot next to her. I sat slowly and listened.

“His name is Jordan,” she said happily. “Like I have told you before, he is in my math class and he is so smart. Yesterday he asked me to help him with homework. That's when he told me his name.”

She put her hands together like she remembered the moment. “Our hands touched and I felt the sparks again, Riley!”

I smiled for her even though my own heart felt confused. “That sounds really nice, Amara,” I said softly. “Tell me more about him.”

Amara laughed and leaned closer. “He has this funny laugh that makes me smile every time. I think he likes me too because he keeps finding reasons to talk to me after class.”

She noticed my sad face after a while. “What happened? What about you and Easton?” she asked gently while holding my hand.

I looked down at our hands and sighed. “It is complicated,” I answered quietly. “He confessed that he likes me, then he kissed me and said sorry before he walked away.”

Amara’s eyes went wide. “He confessed and kissed you?” she asked.

I nodded slowly with my cheeks feeling hot again.

We talked for a long time about Jordan and my mixed feelings. Amara gave me a big hug before we left. “You deserve someone who is sure of his feelings, Riley,” she said kindly.

I nodded but inside I still wasn't sure about everything.

At home that evening Easton tried to talk to me again. I was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner. He walked in and stood near the door watching me. His shoulders looked tense.

“Riley, can we please talk about last night in the garden?” he asked in a gentle voice.

I slowly wiped my hands on the towel and turned around to face him. My arms crossed over my chest. “I do not want to hear anything right now,” I said with a tired voice.

Easton stepped closer to me slowly with careful steps. “Please,” he said softly. “I meant what I said about liking you.”

I shook my head and looked away. “Not now, Easton,” I replied. “I am still hurt by everything that happened before.”

He stood there for a moment with sad eyes. My heart shook a little, but I stayed strong. The memory of his kiss still made my lips tingle. But the sorry and the walking away hurt more. I turned back to the dishes to hide my emotion. Easton turned around and left without saying another word.

That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I walked quietly to the living room to get some water, the house was dark and quiet.

I heard Easton’s voice coming from his room with the door slightly open. I stopped and listened carefully with my heart beating fast.

"I can't bring Cass to the family dinner, Dad," Easton said in a tense tone. I moved closer to the door quietly. “She is not… I mean, things are different now.” He paused for a long time like he was listening attentively. “No, Dad. It is not like that.”

His father’s voice was loud and angry on the other side. “You will invite Cass or there will be problems, Easton,” the man said firmly.

Easton sounded really tense. “Dad, please understand. I can no longer do this.” I stood there frozen with my hand covering my mouth.

“What is going on?” I thought to myself. My body became cold with worry.

Easton’s voice dropped. “Fine… I will think about it but I don't like this.”

I stepped back quietly but my foot made a small sound on the floor. Easton’s door opened wider suddenly.

Easton stepped out and saw me standing there. “Riley?” he called out surprisedly, his face looked pale.

“How long have you been listening?” he asked with a shaky voice while his hand held the phone tight.