Embrace the Moment

by Andrea Michelle

  “Riley Shaw, I love you more than anything in this world…and I’m not proposing us get married, but I want you to know that I’m promising to love you forever…to cherish the heart you’ve trusted me with. This next year is going to be so hard on us, and I believe wholeheartedly that we will make it out of this stronger and closer.” I open the box, and she gasps. She wipes a tear that falls. I pull out the silver band that I had engraved with Let it be beautiful. I grab her right hand and slide it on her ring finger. “With this ring I give you my promise to remain faithful to you, to try my hardest to be everything you need. I promise to love you and remind you all the time of it. What do you say? Do you promise to see forever for us, too?”

  She’s breathing so heavy, and tears are streaming down her face. She’s looking at her hand in mine and then she looks up at me and smiles. She throws herself at me causing me to fall back onto the grass. “Of course, I promise. I will love you, forever…as if it were ever a question, Josh.” Her lips press against mine and the world ceases to exist except for her and me and this one moment.

  The first month of school flies by pretty quickly. So much is happening all at once that I almost can’t keep up with it. I am glad for the constant distraction, because I don’t have to think about how much I am missing, Riley. It’s not just missing her, though. I miss my sister and my dad. I scheduled fourteen hours this semester, and I know juggling class work, football practice, work and calling home are going to eventually catch up with me. My one escape is the time my hands are on my guitar. The music is my moment when I’m playing on Thursday nights, or any weekend the bar chooses to have bands play.

  Practices are kicking my ass. My new coach is hardcore, and this is a whole new ballgame. Training is more intense, more vigorous, as is the time I need to dedicate to it. My every move is under a microscope since Bridges graduates this year, and there is already talk of him signing early and leaving. Just more pressure.

  By September, I’m struggling to keep up. My grades are slipping. I’m tired—very tired. I’ve missed a few phone calls with Riley. In fact, our conversations started out as every day, then every other day, and now maybe three to four times a week—not enough. My GPA is turning to shit, and coach has already warned me that I need to focus more on my studies—easier said than done. Thank the Lord for video phone calls, though, because I think I would go crazy if I didn’t get to see Riley’s face, at least, a few times each week. I just wish I could reach my hand into the screen to touch her. It’s been too long.

  Now it’s October, and I’m on the verge of losing my shit.

  “Dude, you look like death,” Collin says walking into my dorm room.

  “Shit, I know. I’m fucking tired, man.”

  He sits on my roommate’s bed. Yeah, that’s another sour topic. That guy is a douche, but at least he stays gone a lot with his girlfriend. I think I hate him for that reason alone. The silence can be sometimes deafening, but walking in on them having sex too many times is no picnic either.

  “You gotta get out more. C’mon, they are having a costume party at the Sig house for Halloween. You know bitches use this as an excuse to dress slutty, while guys like me reap all the benefits.” Love Collin to death, but he’s same ole Collin—always looking for a party and some chick to bang—part of the reason he was invited to pledge Sigma. I’ve asked him about it, considering he’s with Emily now, but he says they made an agreement, whatever that means.

  “Dude, I’ve got a long ass paper to write, and then I need to call Riley before I go into work.”

  He huffs and falls back onto the bed. “Look, man, I get it…but this is college. You’re always doing this or that. We should be having fun, Josh. C’mon. I’m sure Riley and Em are going out and shit.”

  Are they? Something about her partying without me there to protect her makes me nervous. As if on cue, my phone pings with a picture of Riley dressed in a Dark Angel costume. I send her a quick text.

  Me: DAMN PRETTY GIRL. WHOSE SOUL ARE YOU STEALING?

  Riley: *BLUSH – YOURS

  Me: HOW SO?

  I run my hand across my face. I look over at Collin and find him grinning like an idiot just as a knock on my door happens. Collin says, “You gonna get that?” with a devilish smirk.

  “Yeah. Hey, call your girl and find out where they are going. Riley just texted me in this naughty as sin costume.”

  “You’re pussy-whipped, bruh. Just open the damn door.”

  I open the door with my eyes cast down. “Someone say pussy?” I hear Emily’s voice. My eyes are stuck as they leisurely travel up. I’m met with black heels with silver spikes, black skintight leather pants on the legs I imagine in all kinds of ways.

  “Holy shit,” I mutter as my eyes make it to the guitar navel ring, further up to a black leather corset tied with red satin strings, and just shit... I can’t breathe. Her tits are on display, and my hands itch to touch them. Black angel wings, long wavy curls with red streaks around the face of my dark angel. My angel is a vixen. Her blue/green eyes are even more perfect, more beautiful than I remember. Fuck! She is breathtaking. My dick agrees. That black halo on her head doesn’t match the outfit on the girl I love.

  “Damn,” I breathe. She’s standing in my dorm room, and I have no words but damn? I had no idea she was coming. I’m on the verge of coming just by staring at her.

  “Oh, my God, quit eye fucking my friend. Where’s my boyfriend?” Em says walking into the room in a Jessica Rabbit outfit. “Hey, baby.” Emily says in this sugary sweet voice, quickly followed by a moan as he obviously claims her mouth.

  “Are you happy to see me?” Riley asks, biting her lip nervously.

  “Happy? Are you fucking kidding me? I’m ecstatic. I’ve missed you so much.” And without another word, I take her mouth hungrily. She moans, and just hell, I want to bury myself so deep in her and forget everything.

  She puts her hands on my chest, and grips my shirt at the same time my hands reach down to cup her ass. I don’t even realize it, but I’ve pushed her out into the hall, and have her pressed against the wall by my door.

  Whistles erupt and someone yells, “Getcha some,” from across the hall.

  Riley pushes me back giggling and touching her lips like she always does when we kiss. I press my forehead to hers and whisper, “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  She smiles softly and runs her hands through my hair. I lift my head to look at her, to make sure she is real.

  “It was Em’s idea really. I can’t take the credit. She wanted to surprise Collin. She said he needs a reminder fuck, or something like that, but then she slipped up and told him we were coming. So, it became your surprise. I wasn’t passing up an opportunity to see you. Besides, I have so much to talk to you about.”

  I trail my finger along the skin exposed on her stomach. A soft whimper escapes her throat. “I’ve missed you.” She breathes the words almost like a moan. Oh, it’s been too long.

  Just before I lean into her to taste more, Collin and Em come walking out.

  “Let’s do this,” Em says smacking me on the ass.

  What the...? Riley just rolls her eyes and the four of us together again head to Collin’s house for a party.

  Collin’s house here is party central just like it was back home—only change is a lot more guys and a lot more girls. It should be interesting with Emily here.

  We walk in, and right away I spot trouble dressed in a naughty maid costume with a naughty smile plastered on her face. Carly, one of the Chi O chicks and a random hook up of Collin’s, begins to head in our direction as soon as she sees him, not even missing a step when she clearly notices Emily’s hand in his. Carly is cute, but Collin’s eyes tonight are all over Em.

  “Hey, Collin,” Carly slurs as she places a hand on his arm. He looks away from Em. The asshole actually has the balls to look Carly up and down with a smirk.

  Emily glances to Riley, “Like I said, reminder fuck, it’s time to crack the whip.” She smi
les and pushes up her breast. She reaches up, grabs Collin by the chin, and turns his lust filled eyes back to hers. “We agreed, right?” He nods his head and then she kisses him, and it’s not just any kiss. It’s the kind of kiss that claims him. Carly’s face falters, and then she looks to me, but I shake my head and kiss Riley’s cheek, so she walks away disappointed.

  Em whispers something in Riley’s ear, and then she and Collin walk away together. Go figure. The dick pulls me here with his girlfriend, and within minutes is bringing her to his room. I debate on asking Riley to leave with me, but then she says, “Wanna play?”

  I quirk an eyebrow, “You wanna play King’s cup?”

  She shrugs, “Why not?” She pulls my hand to follow to the table.

  “Holy shit, if it isn’t, Parker. Welcome to civilization.” Sean, one of my teammates announces. We fist bump.

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I can feel Riley’s eyes on me questioningly, and I see their eyes on her. I put my hand around her shoulders and pull her closer to me. “Guys, this is Riley, my girlfriend.” I kiss the top of her head. “And this is a few of the guys. That’s Sean, Chad and the one with his tongue preoccupied is Tristan.” I skip over all the scantily clad dressed girls around the table.

  “Nice to meet you,” she says, in a sweet voice with a shy smile.

  I hold back a growl at Sean’s eyes not leaving her cleavage. I bite my tongue when one of the girls who I probably should know, but can’t remember her name says, “Awww Joshua, she’s so cute.”

  Riley laughs, but it’s not her ‘I find that funny laugh.’ It’s the bitchcraft laugh. The one where she smiles and laughs sweetly—too sweetly, and inside she is cussing you out like a sailor. I look down at her to gauge her reaction. She’s grinning and staring at the girl across the table that is staring at me. I guess I should have warned her that I have a few fans, between football and playing at the bar—some girls have crushes—definitely one sided. My heart is with the angel next to me, the one’s whose fiery eyes are telling that chick to go-to-hell.

  “Cute? Bitch you crazy. My girl here is fucking schmexy as sin,” Emily says walking over, bold as ever and wearing a very satisfied grin. That was fast. It makes me laugh.

  Tristan comes up for air and pushes aside the girl he was just kissing. His eyes darken as he takes in Emily first, and then he bites his lip when he looks over to Riley. Love him on the field. However in the game of life, he is a dick. Collin growls, and I give a warning glare across the table.

  “So, are we playing?” Riley asks, completely oblivious to the fact that she and her best friend are being visually undressed.

  Tristan smirks, obviously ignoring the fact that the two he’s eye fucking are taken. “Ya wanna play, sweetheart?” he asks in a flirtatious tone and then winks.

  Riley snorts a laugh. “Does that usually work for you?” she asks grinning.

  He shakes his head as the guys at the table laugh. Sean holds his fist out for her to bump. “Ha. Josh your girl is cute as hell. I like you, angel.” She lifts a brow and looks to me. I just grin, and she bumps fist with Sean.

  After several rounds of cards, and the game definitely not in her favor, my girl is a little tipsy. I lean into her ear to whisper. “I need to go into work for a few hours. I didn’t know you were coming, otherwise, I would have taken tonight off.”

  She turns her head and her lips almost brush mine. She smiles. “I’ll go change. Can I come with you? I need to talk to you about something.”

  I nod and wonder about what? “Where were you staying tonight?” I grab her elbow before she walks away.

  “Well, here with Em. Unless—,”

  I shake my head and cut her off. “With me. You’re staying with me.” She just smiles and nods her head, grabbing Em’s hand on the way to the back.

  I was standing there having a conversation when I notice Riley’s phone on the table in front of me. She left it sitting there, and the screen lights up with a text that has me seeing red. I pick it up and read the text. “What the fuck?” I say, showing the text to Collin. “What the fuck is this?”

  Dean: MISSED SEEING U 2NIGHT. WHERE R U?

  Collin reads it. His eyes widen as he averts his eyes from mine. My eyes narrow as I notice he doesn’t look surprised one bit by this text. I tilt my head in question, and he rolls his neck. “You knew,” I state.

  “It’s not the way that looks. You need to talk to her about it,” he says, finally meeting my eyes.

  I clear my throat. “Talk to her about what exactly?” I feel the weight of those words squeeze the air out of my lungs.

  He doesn’t even get to answer, because Emily and Riley walk up dressed in different clothes. Riley is standing there in the same heels with the studs, a white frayed miniskirt and a black top that hangs off her shoulder. Damn. It’s been months since I’ve seen her. For a moment, as I take in her appearance I forget why I’m pissed—for just a moment.

  My eyes harden and she tilts her head. That soft smile she had is now a frown. I hold out her phone for her. “You have a text. It lit up your screen with an interesting piece of information.”

  She looks confused and grabs her phone. Sliding her fingers along her screen, she curses and hands her phone to Emily, who also curses. She looks up to me, walking up close, but I’m already backing away from her. She’s seeing Dean again, while I’m here missing her. “It’s not what you think,” she says.

  “You don’t know what I’m thinking,” I snap back.

  She sighs and reaches a hand out to touch me, but I step further away. I get outside, but she is right there calling my name. “Josh, stop. Let me explain. You have it all wrong.”

  I turn, and she almost runs right into me. “Go for it. Explain how he is missing seeing you tonight.”

  “Dammit, Josh. Listen to her. You need to hear her out,” Emily pipes in with Collin nodding his head beside her.

  I didn’t even know they followed us out. “Explain,” I gesture my hand toward Riley to go for it. “Evidently, everyone already knows something I don’t.”

  She begins wringing her hands and chomping on her lip. She’s nervous. She should be. “I’m not seeing him, Josh. I never even text him back. He’s been...he...well, we—,”

  “FUCK! Just say it.”

  “He’s working at Dark Days with me. Well, not with me, but there. I was supposed to come in tonight. That’s what he means. I ignore him all the time, Josh. I never text him back. I’m not seeing him at all. I promise.”

  “He’s working with you now, while you’re dressed in that barely there outfit?”

  “Yes.”

  “Since when?” She tenses and looks to Emily.

  “SINCE WHEN?”

  “Since August,” she whispers.

  “You have got to be fucking with me right now, Riley. Are you telling me your ex-boyfriend, who is obviously not done with you, has been working with you for two months, and you never told me?” I run my hands through my hair, and then I turn to Collin, who is standing there so quiet. “And you knew this, didn’t you?”

  “Fuck, Josh. I knew you would be pissed. I told her to tell you,” he explains.

  “And why didn’t you?” I ask her.

  She looks at Emily, and I notice a tear fall down her cheek. She meets my eyes, and there is a lot hidden in her gaze. “Because, I didn’t want to lose you. Dean won’t leave me alone, and I knew if I told you everything that is happening, that you would be mad. I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t want you to see things that weren’t there. I didn’t mean to lie to you about it. I’m handling it.”

  “Handling what?”

  She chokes on a sob and wraps her hand around her waist like she needs it there to hold herself together. She covers her mouth with her hand. Emily is there in a second, holding her up. She doesn’t continue.

  “I don’t have time for this shit. I need to get to work. When you figure out what the hell it is that you need to tell me, I’ll be at the bar. See ya.” I wal
k away from her.

  My heart wanted to comfort her—make her feel better, but my mind didn’t know what to believe. None of this made sense to me.

  I can hear Collin on the phone yelling at someone, and I hear Emily telling Riley to go after me. She doesn’t, and I don’t stop.

  The entire walk to work, I replay the past few months, and how the distance between Riley and I was changing us. I replay Dean’s comments to me before I left. I knew he had every intention of making a play for her while I was gone. I didn’t know what to believe when it came to her. Her reasoning behind not telling me didn’t add up.

  I’m at the bar with Natalie one of my co-workers. “You okay?” she asks with her hand on my chest.

  “No. I’m not in the mood to talk right now, Nat. K?” I start my shift and begin keeping myself busy.

  I feel her enter before I actually see her. Riley sits at the bar, but I don’t acknowledge her, not even when I feel her eyes on me. Chris walks to her to get her order. She shakes her head, which surprises me. Natalie looks to her and then to me. “That her?”

  I look away from Riley and to Natalie. “Huh?”

  “Your girlfriend?”

  “Yeah, that’s her.”

  “Interesting,” she mutters popping the cap off a beer and handing it to someone.

  “Interesting?” I question leaning against the bar.

  She bites her lip. Natalie’s cute. A little taller than Riley, long, blonde, straight hair, with big brown eyes—they make her unique. She and I have become friends over the past few weeks, even though I know she would like to be more.

  “I figured you were either gay, or happily in a relationship to constantly say no to your many offers here. I don’t get told no often, and as many numbers as you get, I just assumed…but as I see you standing here, and not even looking at her, I wonder...”

  She moves to stand in front of me and touches my shoulder. “Wonder what?” I ask, glancing to Riley. She looks pissed. Good. I’m tired of always being the one that feels the pain as I watch her with someone. How’s it feel when it’s you, I think?

  Natalie turns my cheek back to her, and I smile. “I wonder if you’re happy.”