Lie To Me

Sarah’s P.O.V.

Luke and Ry are coming home tonight so I made sure to set up a party at their house.
“Emma! Have you seen the streamers?” I called.
“I’m putting some up in the living room, right now.”
“I’ll need them in the kitchen when you’re done.”
“You got it.” she replied.
Cal came up to me, “So the pool area is completely ready for the epic party that is to happen.”
“Sometimes I question if you speak english.” i joked.
“Every now and then.” he smiled. “Hey, do you think it’d be a good time to make it official with Em?” he whispered.
Excitement overwhelmed me, “Yes!” I exclaimed.
“Shhhh!”
“Yes, what?” Emma came in.
“I was just saying ‘Yes!’ to the idea of the studio getting decorated as well.”
“Really? Why?” Emma looked confused.
“Just a prank on Luke.” Cal shrugged.
“Oh fun! Let’s do it.” Emma jumped.
“Cal, do you mind finishing up here? We’ll go to the studio, and if you see Ash, send him down.”
Calum nodded taking a roll of streamers.
“What’s all the fuss?” Crystal smiled as she bumped into us. “They’ve only been gone a couple days.”
“I just really miss Riley, and I think Luke was going to make it official again.”
“Really?” Crystal questioned, “I am so out of the loop.”
“On what?” Michael asked.
“Luke may have made it official again.” Crystal replied.
“Oh yeah! I got some vague broken up texts about it, so you could be right.”
“Mikey! Could you help me?” Cal called.
“That’s my que.”
“We’re gonna go decorate the studio.” I spoke, Crystal looked confused, “Em, I’ll meet you down there?”
“Deal.” she replied.
“Why?” Crystal asked once Emma was down the stairs.
“Cal wants to make it official tonight and she almost overheard us, so now we’re playing it off that we had some stupid prank planned on Luke.” I whispered.
“Got it.” she smiled, before casually walking over to the boys.
Where is Ashton?

Riley’s P.O.V.

I laid on our bed one more time, taking in the northern lights. “I don’t want to leave.” I sighed.
“Me neither.” Luke breathed.
I had my head on his chest as we lay under the covers completely exposed. I traced his abs with my fingertips. His body was like a drug to me, I never got enough. Luke kissed the top of my head, and I turned to look at him. I kissed him softly, before staring up again.
“Luke.”
“Riley.” he chuckled.
“Do you want to be with me?”
“With every fiber of my being.”
“Then why haven’t you asked?”
“I just need some time after everything. I want to be sure.”
I was taken back, “So you aren’t sure?”
“That’s not what I mean, I just mean I want to know we’re both truly over everything.”
“Oh.” I sunk.
“Ry.”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Coming here with me. Being completely honest. Loving me after everything.”
I smiled, “Thank you, for doing the same. Are you still mad about it?”
“I’m hurting. I don’t really know how I’m going to act okay around Ashton, but I’m not mad.”
I held him close and he tightened his grip. Before I knew it we were asleep.
--
The next morning we were back on the jet, set to arrive home later in the evening.
“I just got a text saying Sarah wants to throw us a party for getting back together.” I spoke.
Luke giggled, “She’ll throw a party for anything won’t she?”
“She will. She’s gonna be heartbroken.”
“I think she’ll be okay.” Luke sighed, I could tell he was frustrated that I wouldn’t let it go. I questioned what happened to the Luke that was practically tearing down my engagement to Hunter to be with me, yet us having infidelities stopped him. Oh god, Hunter and Brittany. Ugh. I slumped down in my seat and played on my phone. Why did this vacation have to end?

Sarah’s P.O.V.

“We should hurry. I just got a text from Luke that they’re on their way.” I let Emma know.
“I just have to grab one more thing from upstairs and we’ll be done.” she smiled.
I nodded and began drapping the soundboard with streamers. I bumped something and I think the last recording began playing. I Don’t Know? Luke hasn’t sung that since writing it the first time he and Riley really fought. Luke stopped strumming his guitar.
“Riley.”
“Luke.”
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to hear the song I haven’t heard in years.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t come out on my account. I know what singing does for you.”
“Are you sure? We could talk more.”
“I think we’re talked out...”
My mind wandered as I listened in. Did they fight? Are they not coming back together? What happened?
“Sar?” Ashton’s voice rang.
“Babe! Listen to this. I think Luke and Ry had a fight. Do you think they aren’t getting back together?”
Ashton listened intently, “It sounds like Vapor. I swear it’s the only song he remembers when we’re not on tour.”
“Wait, he’s stopping again.”
“You’re still everything I want Riley.”
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Luke.”
“Hey. I mean it. We’ll really be okay.”
“What about you and Ashton? He’ll hate me if he ever finds out. And I’ll hate myself more than I already do if it tears you guys apart.”
“It won’t. I promise, and it won’t tear you and Sarah apart either. I promise.”
The recording stopped.
“What would tear everyone apart?” I asked with my stomach in a knot.
“I have no idea what they’re talking about.” he coward.
“Ashton Fletcher, don’t you dare lie to me.”
“Guys! They just pulled in, hurry!” Emma called from the top of the stairs.
I couldn’t even look at Ashton anymore, I ran up the stairs as my mind raced.

Ashton’s P.O.V.

I thought I was going to vomit or punch a wall. It made me sick to think after everything Riley still wanted Luke. I cared so deeply for her, but it will always be him. I saw the hurt in Sarah’s beautiful green eyes as she walked away from me. How do I tell her?

Riley’s P.O.V.

“Ready?” I asked.
“As I’ll ever be.” he sighed, but took my hand and held on tight.
We were walking up to the door when Brittany stopped us, “Are you guys having a party? Can we come?” she begged.
“Honey,” Hunter began, I cringed, “I don’t think we should.”
“Aw, baby, please.”
Hunter gave me a look; I turned to Luke.
“Uh sure, but it’s sort of a surprise party, so could you come over in like 10 minutes? When we’ve gotten over the ‘shock’.” Luke asked.
“Sure thing.” Hunter replied.
I could feel the vomit rising in my throat. I hadn’t seen him since the club, and now his secretary is his boo. Now they’d be in Luke’s house surrounded by all my friends in the middle of the Ashton situation.
Luke and I stepped inside.
“Surprise!” Everyone yelled.
“Wow!” We gasped, but they bought it. The house was covered in streamers and there was a buffet of food in the kitchen.
“There’s more by the pool too!” Cal exclaimed.
“What’s all this for?” I asked.
“Aren’t you guys back together?” Sar asked.
Luke and I kind of just gave eachother a look.
“Oh c’mon! Don’t tell me it’s already over again!” Michael yelled.
“No, no.” Luke began, “We’re just not rushing.”
“So it’s a welcome home party! And a welcome to your life with us again, Riley, party!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, “So where’s the alcohol?”
I wandered away from Luke and over to Sarah.
“I missed you!” I exclaimed, but she didn’t budge her poor mood. “What’s up with you?”
She just glared at me. “Sar, the silent treatment only works after and argument, and you haven’t given me one.”
She scoffed and pulled me to another room.

Luke’s P.O.V.

“Mate! We need to talk.” Ashton called.
“What’s up?” I asked, walking into the front room with hesitation. Anger surged my body.
“What was the fight about in the studio?” he asked, something was wrong.
“What fight?”
“Between you and Riley. You recorded vapor, and the end of a fight. Sarah heard it all.”
“Shit.” I growled.
“What was it?”
“Just back off. I have to tell Riley.”
Ashton put his hand to my chest to stop me, “Luke.”

Riley’s P.O.V.

“What was the fight about in the studio before you left?”
“What?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“Luke recorded a few songs, then you fought, and you brought up Ashton and I.”
“It was nothing.” I shrugged.
“Don’t be a shitty friend now, Riley. Tell me.”
Before I could answer Emma came over, “Pooooool time!” she grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.
I felt sick to my stomach, and it didn’t help that Hunter and Brittany were going to walk in any second. I stepped back inside, met by Ashton.
“Ash, what’s up?” I was startled.
“Did you tell Luke?”
“Ashton...”
“Riley, it’s going to destroy her.”
“It was destroying me, not being honest with Luke. I feel bad enough, let it go.”
“Let what go?” Sarah asked, “What aren’t you guys telling me?”
“Sar, we were just--”
“Ashton, don’t. Riley already tried to say it was nothing. Clearly it’s something. Do we need to hear the tape again?” she scowled.
Before we could say anything, Hunter and Brittany burst in.
“Hi everyone!” she exclaimed.
“Hi Brittany.” We all groaned.
“Where’s the party?” Hunter asked.
“Everyone is at the pool.” Luke replied, and they walked away.
“Can we get back to this?” Sarah scolded.
“Who’s gonna tell her?” Luke snapped.
“Why don’t you!” Sarah snapped.
Ashton and I looked at eachother with guilt, knowing Luke was about to expose all of our dirty laundry. Sarah’s eyes filled with tears as she looked to Luke for the answer.
Luke took a deep breath and try to keep composer. “Two and a half years ago Ashton and Riley slept together. Once, but they did...” Luke trailed off seeing the emotion is Sarah’s face.
“So... You.. And you..” she tried catching her breath, “Riley, how could you? You knew I liked him. You’re my best friend.”
“Sar...” I choked up.
“Sarah, we weren’t together. It happened one time years ago.” Ashton pleaded.
“Guys!” Cal interrupted, “I’m gonna ask Emma! C’mon!”
I put my head down in shame and walked towards to the pool with everyone else. We got outside and Calum ran over to Emma.
“I have a really important question for you.” Calum exclaimed. He must be nervous, ‘cause he’s out of breath.
“What’s wrong?” Emma questioned, we all laughed.
“Will you-- uh-- be-- uh-” he scratched the back of his head.
“Spit it out Cal!” We all yelled.
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Oh my god yes!” Emma exclaimed before tackling him into the pool. Everyone cheered.
“Well at least there’s one happy couple.” I spoke to myself.
“Trouble in paradise already?” Hunter asked.
My blood boiled.
“Guys... Where’s Sarah?” Ashton asked.

Notes