Chapter 30 30

Chapter 30 30

Riley's POV

Easton appeared at the door. His eyes moved from my face down to the lyrics paper in my hands. He didn't move for a second.

“What are you doing with those?” Easton asked. His voice sounded low and scary. He stepped into the sitting room slowly, his shoulders looked tight. He kept his hands by his sides as if he didn't trust them. I stood up from the couch quickly, even though my legs were weak, I kept the papers close to my chest.

“I found them in the drawer when I was cleaning,” I responded, my voice came out soft at first. “Are these your songs, Easton?”

He walked closer to me. His blue eyes looked angry but there was something soft and afraid behind them too. His jaw tightened hard.

“Put them back right now, Riley,” he commanded. His voice wavered a little even though he tried to sound strong. I looked down at the papers one more time, I couldn't get the words about the girl who made the house feel warm out of my head.

“Am I the girl in these songs?” I asked quietly. I looked straight at him and did not look away. “Am I your muse, Easton? The one who makes the house feel warm?”

Easton’s face changed. He looked weak for a moment, he looked away for a moment and then back at me. He ran his hand through his hair.

“You are being delusional,” he replied almost immediately, his voice sounding rough. “Those are just stupid words I wrote when I'm alone. They do not mean anything about you.”

I shook my head slowly. I did not believe him. My hands held the papers tightly like my life depended on it.

“I do not think I am overthinking,” I argued, my voice becoming stronger. “The words sound like me, Easton. The girl who came as your enemy but now feels like home. That is me, right?”

Easton took a deep breath. His body looked worked up now. His shoulders rose and fell like he was fighting hard inside himself.

“Stop it, Riley,” he cautioned, his voice getting louder. “Just stop pressuring me about my personal stuff and focus on your new found love with Blake instead.”

His words made it clear that he was jealous. I could hear it in the way his voice dropped. His eyes looked hurt even though he tried to hide it behind anger.

Easton won't just stop accusing me for what was not true and I was tired of repeating the same thing over and over again. My chest was heavy with everything I had held inside and I couldn't take it anymore so I lost it right then

“I am sick and tired of denying your stupid accusations, Easton,” I snapped, my voice calm but firm. “Believe whatever you want about me and Blake. I wish you luck too with whatever you are feeling.”

Easton’s mood changed immediately, his eyes became darker and his anger grew stronger.

He stepped closer to me. One step. Then another. I moved back as he continued walking towards me until my legs hit the chair and I sat down suddenly.

Without hesitation, Easton lowered his head toward me. His face came very close to mine, our noses almost touching.

I could feel his warm breath on my skin. My heart beat so fast I thought it would jump out of my chest.

For a long moment everything went still. His eyes looked deep into mine and something hot and strong passed between us. His hand came up slowly like he wanted to touch my cheek, the air thickened with heat.

Then he pulled away like he just realized his actions. He stood up straight and stepped back as if I had burned him, his breathing was heavy and uneven.

“You have no idea of what you are doing to me,” he said in a low, rough voice. “And one day you will understand.”

He turned around and walked out of the sitting room. As he walked away, his steps were loud and clear on the floor.

I remained sitting on the chair trying to catch my breath. My hands still shook as I held onto the papers, the room felt too quiet now.

I closed my eyes for a second and tried to calm my racing heart. Everything felt too sudden and rushed at the same time.

While I was still trying to calm myself, a soft giggle came from upstairs catching me off guard.

I opened my eyes and looked up, it was Lila peeking from behind the railing. She had a big smile on her small face. When she saw that I had seen her, she giggled again and started coming down the stairs slowly.

Lila walked up to me and held my hand gently. Her small fingers were warm on my hand.

“Believe it or not, I can see sparks between you guys,” she said softly. Her voice sounded sweet and honest.

“My brother looks at you the same way he looks at ice cream Riley, like he really wants it but is scared to take it.”

Lila squeezed my hand a little tighter. She looked up at me with big hopeful eyes.

“So… are you going to be my sister one day, Riley?” she asked quietly.

Her words hung in the air as I sat there frozen, my heart still racing from everything that just happened with Easton.