Page 39 of Dangerous Love

“I can’t get Seth out of my head. What I should have done for him while I still could. Then, there’s work… I’m behind on everything, and I’m just not in the mood to perform at the restaurant. I just need time, Sienna.”

I nodded, words stuck in my throat. I could accept all those reasons. They were as valid as anything else, and they made sense. And yet, my gut sent me a thousand warnings, telling me there was more. He just wouldn’t come out with it. “You think that taking things slower might help?”

“Yes. I’m not ready for anyone to know we’re together.” He took a sip of his water. “I think it might be safer…”

“Safer?” That was an odd choice of words. I waited for him to elaborate, however, he didn’t. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, the vein above his neck jackhammering under his skin.

“I mean, less complicated. I can’t be bothered answering questions while all of this is going on. Give me a couple of months, Sienna. That’s all I’m asking.”

I puffed a breath. “A couple of months before you admit to the world we’re together?”

“Yes. Just until everything settles.”

“What are you afraid of, Riley?”

He hardened as he stabbed the app with his selections. When both of our orders were keyed in, he sent the list off, the app once again displaying a massive smiley face on the screen. “I got the banana medley. Hopefully, it’s nice.”

I shook my head. Nothing was going right with this conversation, but everything was pointing towards Riley keeping me at arm’s length. “I’m not stupid, Ri. I’m here for you, okay?”

As if all his muscles collapsed at the same time, he softened against the back of his chair, exhaustion lining his features. “I know, baby girl. I promise I’ll fix all this.”

What is there to fix?

A few minutes later, the waitress brought our food to the table. Massive plates of pancakes with all the trimmings waited for us while I sipped on my milkshake. Across from me, Riley tried his pineapple smoothie, before he motioned to the men’s room. “I better wash my hands. I’ll be two minutes.”

I smiled as he stepped through the restaurant, leaving me alone to process my thoughts. As if the universe mocked me, his phone pinged over and over until sweat dripped down my back, my fingers tapping my thigh as they fought an imaginary force pulling them towards the noise. Like a rubber band finally snapped, I gave in to the morbid curiosity. Hands shaking, I reached inside Riley’s jacket and retrieved the device.

My fingers trembled as I keyed in the pin he’d had for the last five years: one-six-one-one. The day he’d become a Williams. I waited for the messages to load. Then, with my heart galloping in my chest, I rushed through them until three unread texts from Trey flashed on the screen. I opened them, guilt drilling through me.

I just have to know.I gasped as I shoved the phone back before Riley caught me invading his privacy like a jealous lover.

Trey: Did you get home all right after last night’s party?

Trey: Come over tonight if you want to celebrate our new beginning.

Trey: If you hear from Dad, let me know. I expect him to keep tabs on his prodigal.

I ran my hands over my face as nausea hit me in full force, the remnant of my milkshake suddenly tasting sour. This was so much worse than him not wanting to be with me. Riley was back in Cooper’s gang.

CHAPTER20

Riley

The basketball bounced against the backboard and rolled all the way to the other end of the court. Two teenagers threw daggers at each other in a staring contest that lasted way longer than their usual standoffs. When their voices grew louder, I sighed and pushed myself off the bench. “Guys,” I yelled. “Enough.”

The two boys ignored me, their mouths frothing at the seams. Nathan, a couple of years older than Cyril, pushed him with one hand. When the younger boy’s eyes grew wide, I rushed ahead until I was standing between them. “What’s wrong with you two? Where’s your sportsmanship?” When neither of them spoke, I continued. “Nathan, dude. You’re older and bigger than him. Surely, that computes to something in that brain of yours, right?”

The teen sent me a side glance, then took a step back. “I’m over his whining and carrying on. He’s constantly threatening to dob on us for God knows what…”

Cyril clenched his fists. “And I’m over you making fun of me and not letting me play like everybody else.”

On the inside, I just wanted to slap them both and leave them be. On the outside, I took a breath and dropped my shoulders. One hand on one of their biceps each, I forced a smile on my face. Truth be told, it wasn’t their fault I was in a shitty mood. I still had a job to do, and that job was to teach them resilience skills. Starting with managing conflict on a basketball court.

“I can tell you’re both pissed. But raising your voices, or worse…” I tightened my hand around Nathan’s arm. “…won’t get you anywhere. We’re all friends here. We’re all here for the same reason. So, right now, let’s start over.” I turned towards the older boy. “Nathan?”

The kid puffed a hard breath and dropped his eyes to his silver Converses. When a few seconds passed by, he lifted his gaze and extended his hand towards the boy across from him. “Sorry, dude. I should have spoken to you about stuff rather than let it build up like that.”

Cyril’s lip wobbled. “I’m sorry too. I just really wanna play basketball. I should have asked and shut my mouth about the rest.”

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