Page 32 of The Riley Effect

I try to keep my tone neutral-because having one anxiety attack today over Westvale’s most notorious playboy is enough for me- before lying to Jalen about what’s really bothering me. “I’m just realizing how grateful I am to normally be driving these two home instead of being inches away from being roped into a threesome.”

If I was being honest about my feelings, I would have told him, I know you are new to this whole actually pursuing a girl thing, but to be all over me at the bar and ask me over for after hours and then not to talk to me once we get in the cab is really fucking confusing.

Jalen’s laugh cuts through tension, making the atmosphere in the car lighter.

Once he catches his breath, he turns in his seat, and his deep blue eyes lock on mine. “They really will just make out anywhere. Do you think they’ll always be like this?”

“I hope not,” he says sarcastically. “If they are, their kids will always have a listening ear in me to complain about their parent’s inappropriate PDA.” We continue to share Indy and Marcus’ PDA stories like they aren’t in the car with us.

“It’s nice that they are still so into each other. My parents have been together for over twenty years, and I still catch them stealing kisses. I used to think it was embarrassing to have parents who were always holding hands, but now I realize how lucky I am to know what unconditional love looks like.”

Unconditional love, what a beautiful concept. I think in another lifetime, I could believe in something so selfless, but when selfish acts scar your childhood, unconditional love is a fleeting concept.

“I guess you’re right. Aren’t you just full of surprises tonight, Mr. Holloway?”

I promised my sister that I wouldn’t let the past control my future, this year and tonight has shown me how far I have come. Despite a few hiccups, my time with Jalen has been the highlight of my semester. But I can’t get rid of this nagging need to remind myself that this needs to stay casual. Vet school and ball need to be my top priorities.

I’m deep in thought when I feel a rush of autumn air wrap around me. It takes looking out the front windshield to realize that we are back at Jalen’s place. I grab my purse that I tucked into the pocket behind the passenger seat, and when I turn to get out of the car, I’m greeted with Jalen’s signature smile. The one I’m drawn to as much as I am the stars in this small town’s sky.

“Are you ready to go inside? It sounds like Aaron and Byron started the party without us.”

The beat of the song being played inside the house catches my attention, and so do two really hot guys, who I assume are some of Jalen’s teammates.

Jalen wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in so I’m the only one who can hear him when he says, “If I ever catch you looking at one of my teammates like that again…”

I pinch his side before he can finish that nonsensical sentence.

“Oww, I was just kidding.” He rubs his hip dramatically, trying to alleviate some of the sting.

My sneakers crunch on the light frost that is covering the driveway but I make sure I stay tucked into Jalen’s side. Liking this jealous version of him much more than the straight faced, silent Jalen I got during the majority of the car ride home.

“What should we do about these two,” I ask, pointing to Marcus and Indy. The couple has no clue that we are sitting in the boys’ driveway.

“Don’t worry, Dave and I have it taken care of.”

“Who’s Da…”

Our cab driver lays on the horn.

The plan works like a charm. Indy finally pulls herself away from Marcus. It takes a second, but when she realizes where we are, she takes Marcus’s hand and drags him out of the car. Her eyes are fixed on Jalen while Marcus gathers himself. He’s still very drunk and is now very confused. While Marcus tries to pay for the already paid for car ride, Indy storms off without muttering a single word.

“We won’t see them again tonight,” I tell Jalen as we watch Indy drag Marcus by his shirt to the front door.

“No, but that was worth it.” He hands the cab driver an extra tip. “Thanks Dave, that was worth every penny.” This lighthearted man is so far from the aggressive forward I see on the ice. He intrigues me, and that is dangerous.

The next time I look at my phone, I’m in disbelief. It’s four in the morning, and after hours is just starting to wind down. I decide to clean up a little before calling a cab to take me home. Jalen is trying to force the stragglers out when I trip over a loose gaming controller and bump into the coffee table. All the half-empty glasses shift forward, spilling their remnants all over Aaron and the girl he brought home from the bar.

“I..I…I’m so sorry. I would say I’m not normally this clumsy, but that’s a lie.”

I hand the roll of paper towels I’m holding to the beautiful brunette. I hear a huff escape Aaron’s lips as he gets up from the couch, guiding the girl to the bathroom.

“Don’t worry about it. He won’t remember this in the morning.” The lack of concern in Jalen’s voice should becomforting, but my anxiety is telling me that Aaron is going to hate me forever.

Jalen wraps his arms around me, and I rest my chin on his chest so I can look him in the eyes.

“I’ve really just made a fool of myself all night, haven’t I?” I quickly realize I don’t want to talk about my feelings, so I change the subject. “I’m going to call a cab, but I’ll come back in the morning to clean up if you need the help.”

“You are not getting in a cab alone at four in the morning, and I can’t drive you home, considering how much I’ve had to drink.”

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