Page 24 of A Brilliant Spring

The door clicks again, and Rhys pops his head out of the door, looking drained and scared. He’s buckling up his belt as he shimmies himself around Riley. His eyes are avoiding mine, his shoulders are slumped, and his mussed black hair matches Riley’s. For fuck’s sake. He pushes past me, grabs his coat, and whispers a goodbye before disappearing out our front door.

“Seriously, ’Lissa? You really had to do that?”

“You’re fucking right I did. Especially before you made another mistake.” Riley’s face reddens as she grits her teeth; her jaw pulses.

“Who the fuck are you to tell me about mistakes? Who let Brandt fucking slip through her fingers because she couldn’t own up to her feelings? Huh? Who always keeps people at arm’s length so she doesn’t get hurt? At least I try. At least I give myself a chance to find something I’m looking for. Sure, maybe I was about to make a mistake. But that’s my choice to make! Fuck, Elissa. And you know the worst thing? You didn’t even let me explain anything before throwing Rhys out. It should surprise me, but it doesn’t.”

My heart aches as I stand here, letting my best friend yell at me. But there’s nothing I can do or want to do. She’s right. Everything she said. When she finally finishes her rant, her face and eyes are red, she’s got tears streaming down her face, and her hands are balled into tight fists. I raise my hands in surrender and hang my head.

“I…I’m sorry, Riles. I didn’t mean to spin out like that. He just gets under my skin. He uses you and then throws you away like garbage when he’s finished with you. I just didn’t want to see you hurting again after another hookup. Especially now that you’re pregnant. You don’t need all that extra stress.”

My eyes plead with hers, begging for her forgiveness. Her arms cross, locking into position like she’s bracing herself for impact, but a moment later, she drops her arms. She lets them fall to her sides, her fingers wiggling nervously. She looks away, and the hair that’s not all tangled swishes in her face. After a few more seconds, her shoulders fall, curling inward, as she wraps her hands around her small belly bump. Another long sigh slips from her lips and her eyes meet mine. She gives me a weak smirk and I rush forward and pull her in for a hug.

“I’m sorry, Riles. I’m just protective of you. You and little Kiwi, now.” My hands slide down her arms and I lock our fingers together as I wait for her response. Her eyes glimmer with sadness and happiness, two conflicting emotions, and I don’t know which one I’ve caused. Probably both. Fuck.

“I know, ’Liss,” she says, her voice a weak, wobbly whisper. She clears her throat, rolls her shoulders back, and nudges her head toward the living room. I kick off my shoes, my feet squishing as they land on the tile, and Riley giggles, tugging me along until we both plop onto the couch. The moisture from my wet pants seeps into the couch, I groan, hoping that it doesn’t make the couch smell like mildew.

“Look, Riles. Let’s do this in a minute. Let me change first, pretty please.” She playfully rolls her eyes and sticks out her tongue. I hop off the couch and make a quick exit to my room. I peel off my clothes, letting them slide to the floor in a puddle, and unclasp my drenched bra and hang it over the door to the en suite washroom to dry out. Digging through my dresser, I find a ratty, oversized sweater and a pair of cozy black leggings and put them on. I cross the room over to my bed and crouch to the floor to reach under my bed and find my slippers. My feet push into the soft, fuzzy slippers and I feel immensely warmer. I pad back to the living room and Riley has laid down a towel on the couch from where my ass left some water.

“So…” Riley starts. Her eyes shift as she chews on the inside of her cheek.

“So.” I confirm. She wriggles in her spot and releases a heavy breath.

“I don’t want to hear what you think. I know what you’re thinking, but I love him. I can’t help it.”

My lips tighten into a thin line.

“I know you do, but I just don’t want to see you hurt when he freaks out and leaves again. Who knows? He might freak out when the baby is born and disappear on you, leaving you to raise it alone, anyway. I think you just need to be careful, and tread lightly. I just don’t want to see you hurt. You know I always have your back and am here for whatever you need.” Her posture and face soften. Her hand slides off her lap and into mine, grasping my hand.

“I know you do, E. I love ya.”

“Love you too, Riles.”

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Riley

After Elissa and I talked out our heated argument about Rhys, I retreated to my room. It’s not that I’m mad at her or anything, but I felt she was a little hostile about the whole situation. Yes, I know Rhys and I were in my bedroom, but we weren’t doing anything but laying there and talking. His hand was gently grazing my shoulder as we laid facing each other, his soft fingertips tickling my skin. It was honestly quite nice for a change. For a moment, it felt like the days when we were in love and happy. A sharp pang rips through my chest at the thought.

I sink into my bed, letting Elissa’s comments during our fight ping back and forth in my mind. I slide my phone out of the side pocket of my black leggings and tap out a quick message to Rhys.

Me: Hey, sorry about E. She’s been a bit overprotective since I got pregnant. It was nice hanging like that again.

A few moments later, Rhys replies.

Rhys: *Thumbs-up emoji*

Huh…that’s rather weird. No. Don’t do that. Do not read too much into one tiny emoji response.

Easier said than done.

•••

Four days go by, and I can’t blame this sinking feeling in my gut on the baby. Nope. Rhys hasn’t reached out at all except for that one thumbs-up. I’m a bundle of nerves and anxiety; a live wire that’s wriggling around on the ground, sparking at every little jostle.

“Morning,” Elissa says as she walks into the kitchen behind me. I jump about a foot in the air, and my heart is racing as I spin around to face her.

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