103. Confused

103. Confused
103. Confused
- Natalie -
I knew something was wrong the moment I heard Officer’s harsh voice. They don’t ask you to step out of the vehicle unless they plan to arrest you. Or maybe it was a routine I didn’t know about.
Jacob cooperated.
One more police car approached us within a minute. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. I got out of the car unsure but didn’t go near Jacob. I knew the officer would react harshly to it. He was being aggressive for no reason.
It was like he knew something I didn’t. It made me scared. I don’t even remember what happened next. Two more officers approached us. Jacob demanded to know what was happening.
All he said was, “You cannot arrest me without telling me what is happening!”
“I am not required to tell you anything!” the officer hissed at him. ”But I will tell you anyway… You fucking assaulted that girl, didn’t you! You were last seen with her!”
He said and slammed Jacob on the ground. I freeze in my spot, unable to process what he just said.
…. …. ….
It’s been three weeks. And that day still haunts me. What we figured out afterwards was even harder to process. Riley was dropped at her house in wee hours that morning, in blood-soaked clothes. Unconscious.
They acquitted Jacob. The obvious evidence pointed out he wasn’t even in the city. Riley confirmed Jacob had nothing to do with her going missing. But they are not trusting Riley. Everyone thinks she is probably still in shock. They are right to have doubts. She said she wasn’t sexually assaulted, but the rape kit suggested otherwise. My heart aches every time I think about it.
I take a turn in bed and Jacob hugs me from behind.
“You okay?“ He asks. we often slip into each other’s rooms these days. I mostly prefer his room. It’s hard to sleep alone.
“No.. I am anxious.“ I have to see Riley today. “It feels too much pressure.“
Her family is expecting her to open up to me and tell me something that will make sense in her abduction. She has given a statement, but they think she is hiding something or is afraid.
West is on the run and the kit sample matched his DNA. He had given his blood sample for a drug test in school. I cried for hours the day I heard the news. I still find it hard to process. How could he do this?
I thought he cared about her. Did he only want to possess her?
“Be there as a friend. No matter what others say,” Jacob says after a while, “Don’t pressure her to say something she doesn’t want to confess yet.“
….
After a few hours, I reach her place. She smiles when I walk into her room. It looks like someone has stolen her light and her smile looks forced.
“Hey..” she says, probably dreading my presence.
“Hey.. how are you feeling now?” I ask her. I am not sure what I am supposed to ask or talk about after everything that has happened.
She stays quiet for a moment, then says, “Confused.”
.
– Three weeks ago –
- West -
.
When I reach home, I stiffen to realize someone is inside. Alfred is usually out at this time and doesn’t come back until late at night. I open the door carefully and see Riley sitting by the kitchen counter doing her schoolwork.
She still has the keys.
“You are late,” she says.
I blink at her. She turns and raises her brow, expecting an answer from me. It makes me smile.
“I didn’t want to come back to an empty house.” I admit. That damn call from Spain has messed up my head today. I am not sure how I am feeling exactly.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as I notice a cake box, some flowers and a tiny gift sitting on the counter next to her bag. Considering the way she snapped at me in the parking lot, I am sure it’s not for me.
“Bought these for Mom’s birthday… “ She says then asks after a pause, “Do you remember who else’s birthday it is today?”
I sigh. She is here to pick up a fight.
That day when she saw the pics… She was too shocked to even argue. She heard me when I told her we were fooling around and I wasn’t serious about Natalie.
She shook her head in disbelief and said, “That’s a cruel thing to say, just cruel...”
Then she never talked to me. Not willingly.
“I know it’s her birthday… But I am not in the mood, Riley.” I say quietly and place my bag on the sofa, then slump onto it.
“Why are you here? Didn’t your pretend boyfriend leave you at home?” I ask.
I am happy to see her, though. It makes me feel guilty. Why do I mock people I care about? It’s a vicious pattern I follow again and again.
“Mom will reach home at seven. I have plenty of time.”
To fight?
“Did you come here alone?“ I ask when I realize there is no way Jacob would have dropped her here. He barely tolerates me at practice.
“Don’t throw a tantrum, West!” She says.
”Nobody followed me if that’s your concern... Your warnings are making me paranoid... Sometimes a simple walk turns into a nightmare.” She breathes out in frustration.
I make everyone miserable. I think to myself ruefully. Mom was miserable too. At least she sounded happy with her new family. In her new perfect life.
“I am going to take a bath.” I tell her and get up to walk into my room.
I am feeling frustrated right now. Caleb was right. I need to loosen up. Fuck someone. Riley being alone with me isn’t helping my head. My cock twitches when I realize Riley is following me to my room.
I am feeling a poor restraint right now and I want to grab her.
“You shouldn’t be here Riley,” I tell her.
“I want to know something…” she says, “I will leave after that.”
I turn and look at her. She seems damn serious about her talk today. I remove my t-shirt in silence, waiting for her to talk.
Her eyes linger on my chest, then she looks away and says, “I need to know… the truth.. to process everything… “
“Why today?” I ask. She never asked me anything in the last two months.
She is quiet for a moment, then says, “Jacob went to patch up with her today.”
Is she here for a patch up too?
I wish she was.
“I hope it works out for them.” I say truthfully. Natalie was right. I tormented her way too much.
“What do you want to know?” I ask as I unbutton my jeans to remove it.
“Why did you leave her? Tell me the truth… “ Riley asks, “I remember now.. Everything.. and I feel stupid for not realizing she was-“ She shakes her head, then goes quiet.
“It doesn’t matter. I just feel responsible. I wish I hadn’t come into your life. It would have saved her some misery.” Tears slip out of her eyes as she confesses.
I sigh heavily. She is feeling guilty even when she is not at fault. I walk near her to comfort her.
She moves away and laughs, “No way…”
I frown.
“No way,” she repeats, her eyes flickering to my semi-hard bulge.
I smile ruefully. “Temptations are hard to tame. aren't they?”
Who knows it better than me?
I have never been the one with control.
Yes, I used her and moved on to Riley with no thought. It was all about temptation. I was fond of her, but I didn’t give much thought when I decided to leave her.
Her safety was a concern. But there were ways to keep her safe and separate from my mess. I managed it for Riley. Didn’t I?
“Answer me first,” she says, tearing her gaze away from my body.
Answer me first…
It sounds like a promise.
Probably I am not the only one who wants her. Maybe she wants me back. Maybe it's not one sided.
“There is no point discussing it. I know I did her wrong... You were not at fault, Riley.” I say and take a step towards her.
This time, she doesn’t resist.