265

265
  Chapter 265
  Riley Burke 
  ~•~
  As soon as my dad handed me a new phone, I found my friend's phone number and called them immediately. It was already noon and on the weekend, so I was confused about why none of them answered their phones. 
  I mean, those girls were literally always with their phones. I really wanted to speak to them, but I guess I had to wait until later to try calling them again. 
  Maybe they were busy with something. 
  I spent most of my time inside my room and I was getting bored. Normally, my mother didn’t like it when l took my food upstairs but this time, she brought the food to my room by herself. 
  I hadn’t gotten any reason to go downstairs. 
  I needed a change of environment, so I decided to freshen up and head downstairs. I was pretty sure Rowan and Jason were playing video games in the living room. 
  After spending about thirty minutes in the bathroom, I dressed up in my comfortable sweatshirt and shorts before making my way downstairs. 
  “Hey,” Jason said as soon as he heard me come down the stairs. His eyes were glued on the television and he didn’t turn around to look at me. 
  “Riley, how are you doing?” Rowan asked. 
  “How do you guys know it’s Riley?” I asked, sitting down in their middle. 
  Rowan let out a soft chuckle. “We just know.” 
  I rolled my eyes at them even if they weren’t looking at me. “I’m bored, can I play?” I asked, letting out a deep sigh. 
  Rowan and Jason burst into laughter. 
  “You don’t know how to play. Read a book or something.” 
  I wasn’t surprised by Rowan’s response. That was what he always said whenever I asked to play. But he only allowed me when Jason wasn’t around and he needed someone to play with. 
  “I don’t blame you, Rowan. I’m only here because my friends aren’t answering their phones.” I replied, glaring at him. 
  “But they are on their way here.” Jason clasped his hands over his mouth after telling me. “I’m sorry, it was meant to be a surprise.” 
  “You’ve taken the tattletale title from Riley.” Rowan teased him and we all laughed. “Just act surprised when they arrive,” Rowan added. 
  I was still trying to understand what was happening. 
  “So my friends aren’t picking up because they are on their way to surprise me?” I asked and my brothers nodded in unison. 
  I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling. 
  That was so thoughtful of them. I couldn’t help but wonder who came up with the idea. I missed them so much and I couldn’t wait to see them.
  “Don’t forget to act surprised, please.” Jason pleaded with a hint of guilt in his voice. He was feeling bad for ruining the surprise. 
  I laughed. “Sure, I’ll act surprised.” I was bubbling with excitement but I tried my best to contain my emotions. “Are they almost here?” I asked.
  Rowan shrugged his shoulders as he leaned into the couch. “Maybe, I have no idea. They should be close.”
  My friends had never been to my house and I was excited to have them over. It was just sad that it was something negative that made them come over. 
  Anyway, I was still excited to have them around. 
  I watched as Rowan and Jason played their games as I waited for my friends to arrive. A few minutes later, I heard the doorbell ringing. 
  Without hesitation, I jumped up from the couch and went to answer the door. I tried my best to hide the disappointment in my face when I saw who was at the door. 
  I was happy to see her but I expected to see my friends instead. 
  “Come here, Riley.” Amanda pulled me into a tight hug. I could tell from her expression that she was so relieved and happy to see me. “I’m glad that you are okay.” She whispered in my ear. 
  “Thank you.” I expressed my gratitude. “I’m sorry if I made you worry about me.” 
  Amanda scoffed. “You don’t have to apologize, Riley.” She assured me. “It’s only normal for me to get worried when my favorite niece gets missing.” 
  “Uhmm, I think I’m your only niece,” I replied, making the both of us laugh. 
  “But for real, I’m happy to see you.” She added as she broke the hug. 
  I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m happy to see you too.” 
  Amanda and I talked about the situation for a while before she finally headed upstairs to meet my mother. After she left, I closed the door and went back to sit with the boys. 
  “The next time you hear the doorbell ringing, you’ll sit here and I’ll answer the door instead,” Jason said as I settled down on the couch. 
  My brows knitted into a frown. “Why?” I asked, staring at him. 
  “You’ll ruin the surprise if you answer the door.” He replied. “You have to sit here and pretend like you know nothing about it.” 
  “Okay, Captain!” 
  Rowan, who had been quiet, finally spoke. “Is your friend, Harper, still in love with me?” He asked, raising a brow at me. 
  “Don’t flatter yourself, Rowan. She was never in love with you.” I rolled my eyes at him and arched a brow. “Don’t bother her when she comes either,” I warned. 
  Rowan scoffed. “Why won’t anyone be in love with this?” He pointed at himself. “You’re just jealous.” He added and I couldn’t help but laugh at him. 
  “Oh please!” I said as I stood up from the couch. “Call me when they arrive.” 
  I made my way back to my room because I didn’t want to listen to Rowan while he bragged about how attractive he looked. 
  I mean, I didn’t even understand what girls saw in him. 
  It was their constant desperation for his attention that made him so cocky. 
  When I got back to my room, I decided to lay on my bed for a while before my friends arrived.