Lie To Me

“What are you doing here?” I asked Luke.
“I needed to think.”
“About?”
“The one who came here, running, probably doesn’t want to hear.”
I chuckled, “Sit.” I smiled.
“Gladly.”
“Hunter and I got into a fight because he ‘doesn’t know me’ anymore.”
“Oof.”
“Oh yeah, and you’re too handsy.” I laughed. Luke burst into laughter as well.
“Yeah, well. If he only knew.” Luke sighed.
“He’d have a heart attack.”
“Think you’ll tell him?”
“I think I have to. Don’t you?”
“Not if you’re happy. You can choose to be with him you know... You’d be choosing wrong but.” he laughed, I playfully shoved him almost off the rock.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“I was scared.”
“Of me?”
He chuckled, “Of losing you, Ry.”
“Oh god! That’s another thing! He’s so upset you all call me Ry.”
“Why?” he smiled.
“Well.. I may or may have cried every time he called me that.”
“Jesus Riley.”
“I know. It was pretty bad.”
“It meant that much to you?”
“You guys meant that much to me. It would never be the same from anyone else.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?” I asked.
“Cheating on you. Making you cheat on Hunter. He is a really nice guy.”
“He is... He isn’t-- You didn’t make me do anything.”
“I don’t want to ruin your life any further.”
“Luke, you’ve never ruined my life. Complicated it, yes, ruined, no.”
He smiled, “I’ll back off and forget everything if that’s what you want.”
Not in the slightest, Luke Hemmings.
“Why did you come out here? You never told me.”
“I had a feeling you’d be here.”
“Ah, always trying to save the damsel in distress.”
“It’s a specialty.” he smiled. “So when are you going back?”
“Am I going back?” I smiled.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Want to go on one of our late night drives?”
“Love yo-- to.” he replied, taking my hand. “My car is right over here.”
I smiled and followed his lead.
***
Shortly we were at the top of our favorite mountain.The stars were brightest up here and the city was a golden sea of lights.
“Still as breathtaking as when we were teenagers.” Luke let out.
“No kidding. So relaxing.”
“Do you remember the time we came up here with Panda Express and just ate out on the rocks.”
“And the creepy group of stoners came up behind us and offered for us to get high with them, so we did.” I finished his memory.
“I thought we were going to die driving down all the winding turns.”
“I wasn’t the one driving and I thought we were going to die!”
“Then we stopped for more food at the bottom.”
“Oh yeah! That little mexican food place. So filling.”
“The only thing open at 2am.” he laughed.
“Hey earlier did you say you lo--”
“No. I did not.” he stopped me.
“Right.” I replied. We sat in silence.
“But if I did..”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you.. Uh- you know.”
I chuckled, “You didn’t say it. Neither did I.”
“Riley.”
“Luke.”
We turned to eachother and leaned our foreheads together. My heart raced. I wanted so badly to kiss Luke, but I had this gut feeling I would get caught. Not that I couldn’t have been caught before, but I couldn’t bring myself any closer.
“We should go.” I blurted.
“I guess so.” he replied, pulling away. “One more late night trip to Denny’s for shakes?”
“You buyin’, Hemmo?”
“For you? Always.”
I smiled, walking back to the car with him.
****
*The next morning*
I woke up in Luke’s bed. “Oh no.”
“Don’t worry, I slept.. Well next to you, but nothing happened.”
“What would’ve happened if someone came in?”
“Maybe they’d all know.”
“Luke.”
“Riley.”
The doorbell rang.
“If that’s your fiance, what should I tell him?”
“Distract him. I’ll sneak out back and hop the fence.”
“Dangerous.” he joked, heading for the stairs.
I quickly bolted downstairs behind him, then out his back door. We both glanced at eachother once more.
I jumped the fence with a breeze and made my way through my front door. I could see Hunter at Luke’s.
“What the hell are you doing?”
I jumped. “Sarah.”
“Your mother is here too. You had us worried sick. You didn’t... You know.”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Riley Ann!”
“Coming mom!” I yelled.
“You had us worried sick.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Jones. I gave her the third degree.”
“Good.”
“What are you doing here, Ma?”
“Well, I wanted to take you to lunch and maybe some cake tastings. You know, I think you should move up the wedding.”
“What? Why?”
“Riley?” Hunter called. “Where were you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Mom, why should I move it up?”
“You and Hunter really love each other and I wouldn’t want him to get away too.” she smiled, but I could tell there was more.
“Your mother just wants what we want.” Hunter butt in.
“I’m sorry. Yesterday you said you didn’t know me anymore and we spent a week apart. I don’t think we know what we want anymore.”
“Riley.” Sarah tried to stop me.
“Riley, let’s get out of the house.” Mom spoke.
Sarah, mom and I all took a stroll to the cafe around the corner.
“Sarah, be a dear and order for us?” Mom spoke, s\Sarah did.
“You have moments until she is back. Telling me what’s going on. I got a phone call today that Hunter has plans to move everything up. Are you pregnant.”
“No! I-- I--”
Before I could get my sentence out Luke walked in.
“Luke!” Mom called.
“Mrs. Jones! So good to see you again.”
“I had no idea you were back in town.”
“Riley likes some surprises.” he smiled. They had a short conversation before she turned back to me.
“I get it now.” she smiled, taking my hand.
I half-smiled, “You always know.”
“Don’t do anything you don’t want to do Riley. Forever is a long time.”
I nodded.
We spent the day out.
“How about you girls come over for dinner tomorrow. Sarah bring Ashton, I’ve missed him.”
“Of course.” Sarah smiled.
“If any of the other boys want to join bring them. And Riley, if things get better, bring Hunter? Your father would enjoy it as well.”
“Sure thing mom. Thanks again for today.” I hugged her tightly.
“Anything for my baby.” she squeezed.
We dropped her off and drove home.
“Are you ready to face him?” Sarah asked.
“Not in the slightest.” I replied, sinking into the seat.

Notes