Page 87 of Rival Summer

"Thank you," I said, glancing at the intimidating hotel, feeling out of place in such luxury.

"No worries, sir. I'll be back bright and early tomorrow to pick you up for your day," he assured me.

"See you then."

The comfort of the hotel bed was heaven compared to the stiff, small airplane seat. I was ready to get to bed early and let my body sink into the mattress.

Just as I lay down, my phone started to vibrate and I glanced at the screen. Reese's name flashed in bold letters. It had to be a mistake—I wondered if it could have been a butt-dial.

"Hello?" I answered, rougher than I’d intended.

"Hey," Reese's tone was casual, but there was something underneath it—something more serious.

"What's up?" The question came out hesitant.

"Can you talk for a sec?" he asked.

"I guess." My voice still carried an edge.

"I'm not calling to talk about us," he started cautiously. "I'm calling to talk about Chandler."

The mention of her name made me tense, every muscle coiling like a spring. I sat up straighter in my bed, the sheets pooling around my waist. "What about her?"

The silence between us stretched, and I could tell he was measuring his next words. My throat tightened as I waited.

"Relax," Reese said, finally. "It's about you and her."

I shifted on the bed, resting my elbows on my knees waiting for him to continue.

"Ditch the stupid meeting and take her to the ball," he continued, his words creating a mental picture of Chandler in her dress, her eyes searching through the crowd for someone to dance with. I would have killed to be the one to save her in that moment, no matter where we stood.

The ball was the next day. The thought of her going alone, or not going at all, twisted something inside me. I couldn’t even imagine thinking about her going with someone else. I didn’t even have to see her to know she’d be the most beautiful one there. I should've been the one taking her. Instead I was gone, covered in sheets way too soft for the harsh reality that I might have lost her.

"She’s not going because she wants to be there with you." He seemed genuine which caught me off guard. But I still couldn’t trust him and he didn’t understand how big this meeting was for me. I wasn’t like him—no one handed me opportunities.

"What is this?" I snapped, my pulse quickening with the rush of adrenaline. "Another plan you and your dad have to sabotage me again?"

The accusation hung in the air, and silence followed—a heavy, expectant pause. I waited for whatever sharp remark he was about to toss back at me.

But instead of anger, there was only the exhale of a sigh before he spoke. "Despite what you might think, my dad and I are not the same person," he said, pausing before continuing."You were right about him—he was keeping shit from me. And I… I should have been more open to hearing you out."

He had thoroughly shocked me with that response, and I let out a breath, the tension in my shoulders easing ever so slightly.

"Thank you," I said softly, feeling a genuine shift between us for the first time. "I shouldn’t have blamed you for anything he’s done—I know you’re not him."

"Riley," Reese said smugly, "If you're about to apologize and say you love me, I might actually puke."

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Not a chance," I shot back, grateful for the brief break from all the seriousness.

"Anyway," he continued, letting out a sigh, "there will be more chances and other opportunities. Who knows how many chances you’ll get with Chandler? So find a way to get back before the ball."

I closed my eyes, the weight of his words settling around me.

"It’s not that simple," I explained, knowing I wouldn’t be able to make that happen.

"You’ll find a way," Reese said, and I could almost see him rolling his eyes. "Don’t be stupid. Just get back here and get the girl."

"Never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth," I said with a small chuckle betraying my amazement.

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