by KT Fisher
“They’re a great bunch.” Riley answers, smiling at me.
We joke around for a few minutes, and Josh plays a song so we can have a little break. I notice Riley has scooted a little closer to me, and I fucking love it. I don’t say anything, because this isn’t the place and even if I did, she would probably give me a snarky comment and move away. So staying silent is the best choice. For my own selfish reasons.
When the song ends, Josh begins to quiz us on the music video and I’m glad, because this brings Liam and Caden back into the interview. I hate when we do group things, and my friends get pushed to the back. People stupidly forget that we’re a group and Caden and Liam are as much of Lunacy as I am. I know for a fucking fact, the band wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all three of us.
“The video is hot and I do love it.” Cassie adds. “But Liam, I can’t help feel so bad for you when I watch it.” She looks to Liam with a sad face.
Liam chuckles, and I know he’s secretly loving the attention Cassie is giving him. “Ah don’t feel too bad, I have enough attention in the real world.”
Cassie’s eyebrows shoot up in shock. Shit Liam, you might have already blown your chance before you even started!
“Oh really?” She asks, and I feel Riley’s body as she shakes through her silent laughter.
Liam nods his head. “Maybe you could join?”
Riley shakes her head, knowing that Liam has made an epic mistake with her best friend.
“Oh honey.” Cassie gives him a wicked grin. “I’m a once in a lifetime experience, and only I choose who is lucky enough to have me.”
Everyone looks between the two of them, sensing the thick tension that’s choking us all. Josh quickly turns things around and we get ready to perform the live version of ‘You Have To Be Mine.’ We sit in a little studio, our instruments and mics all ready for us. Riley’s voice sounds fucking beautiful in this stripped back version and my own emotion comes through. Even Riley’s eyes widen as she listens. Cassie and Josh applaud and our interview on the radio comes to an end.
When we leave, Cassie comes with us. It seems, now that we’re all going, she doesn’t want to stay around her workplace any longer. She loves her job, but that would mean she’s just too damn crazy.
“Where’s your car?” Cassie asks me, looking around the car park.
“She got a ride with Fin.” Caden answers and I don’t miss the sarcastic look he shoots Finley. God, Caden really loves to tease those closest to him. He’s a loyal friend, don’t get me wrong, but he loves to torment.
Cassie looks at me, then Finley and a slight smirk tugs at her mouth. “Your car break down or something Riles?”
“No.” I quickly answer. “He offered and I said yes.”
I won’t let them know what really happened, and that Finley tricked me into a car ride alone with him. That’s between the two of us. Cassie’s smirk widens and she gestures to her own car. “You can come back with me? Unless you have other plans.”
I look at Finley, he has his hands shoved into his pockets as he watches us. “Sure.” I accept Cassie’s offer.
“Actually.” Finley stops me. “I was going to ask if you wanted to grab something to eat?”
“Great. I’m so hungry.” Cassie answers. Damn her sarcastic nature.
Finley laughs. “I was thinking of it just being me and Riley.” He smiles. “But you’re more than welcome to tag along.”
“Well I’m in.” Liam steps forward, but Cassie steps in his way.
“Let’s leave them to it, shall we?” Cassie casts a look to me and I nod my head slightly, so she’s knows I’m grateful. Truth is, I actually want to go with Finley.
“But I’m hungry.” Liam complains. “I missed breakfast to come here.”
“Then let’s go eat.” Cassie suggests, and the three of them disappear.
Finley releases a long and heavy sigh. “I thought we wouldn’t be able to escape for a minute.”
“I trust Cassie.” I laugh, “So come on. Feed me.”
Finley’s eyes widen for a second, and I get that I’m teasing him a little there. Finley clears his throat adjusting his jeans and I bite down on my bottom lip, hiding my smile. He waves towards his car and I try to hold my grin as Finley opens the door for me. I say thanks as I sit and as soon as Finley shuts it behind me, he runs around and gets in the driver’s seat.
“Very gentlemanly.” I laugh.
Finley shrugs. “I learnt from the best.”
We arrive at a little restaurant. It’s small and quite empty and because it’s a sunny day, we can get away with hiding behind our sunglasses.
“These won’t hide much.” I slide my sunglasses over my eyes and watch Finley do the same.
“You’d be surprised at what people miss when they’re not looking.” Finley answers, opening the door and I do the same.
“What do you mean?”
“When you’re not searching for a certain someone, people will most likely look straight through you and carry on.” He holds his arm out for me and we enter the restaurant together.
A waitress is busy wiping down tables, and she looks over her shoulder. “Sit wherever you like, I’ll be with you soon.”
Finley gives a gorgeous smile, and leads me to a table right at the back, shielded by is high partitions. We’re pretty much out of view from everyone.
“You did great today.” Finley comments as he slides onto the red cushioned bench opposite me.
“I have done radio before Fin.” I place my elbow on the table and rest my chin on my knuckles. Looking him right in the eye. “That wasn’t my first time.”
Finley nods. “Pretty playful today aren’t you?” I shrug my shoulders, not knowing what to say. The waitress comes over and takes our drinks order, and as soon as we’re alone again Finley leans forward on the table, and I match him. Our faces are so close together. “You know I want you Riley, so your teasing isn’t fair.”
“I’m not teasing.” I correct him, but now I feel cruel. I do know Finley wants me, and maybe I shouldn’t toy with him anymore. I can’t help but enjoy it though, playing with him like that.
“Maybe you want me too.” He muses, “but you’re too scared to admit it. I’m not. I’m honest with you Riley, and I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you.” He thinks for a second as I gather myself. “I admit, I wanted you for different reasons than I do now, but that doesn’t mean I want you any less.” He clenches his jaw as he looks me over. “I want you fucking bad, but I want to know if you’re being honest with me.”
My arm falls from the table and I lean back in my seat. “I’m just exciting to you because you haven’t slept with me yet.”
Finley doesn’t move as the waitress places our drinks on the table. “Any food?” She asks and we quickly read off what we want.
“Is that what you think?” Finley quizzes when we’re alone again.
“You’re a player, Finley.” I shoot. “If I was to be with you, I would have to be your focus. I want to be put first because I won’t be playing second again. There would be no second chances.”
“Again?” Finley asks and I swallow hard.
“What?”
“You said, ‘I won’t play second again’, what did you mean?” Finley watches me carefully, waiting for me to answer. “You can tell me anything Riley.”
I look down at my hands, wondering if it’s the right thing to tell him about TJ. “Let’s just say, I’ve had a bad history with men and I don’t want a repeat. You’re a good friend Finley, you and the guys and I would hate to lose you because you decided getting between my thighs was more important than being friends.”
It kills me to see the disappointment on his face and that shows me I care too much for him. I’m way past the friendly type of love and I’m treading far too close to lust.
“That wouldn’t happen, because I wouldn’t let you out of bed.” Finley argues. “I don’t just want you for one night, I want you for a fucking lifetime Riley.
When will you believe that?”
I breathe back my tears. “I don’t know if I ever will.”
Chapter Fourteen
My mum wants me over for another family dinner, because Rory and Noah are back. I can’t be bothered to buy any food, and I don’t want to order a takeaway, so I decide to go.
“Here he is!” My dad cheers as I enter the house. “My oldest boy!”
“I’m not a boy.” I correct.
“We listened to the interview the other day.” Grace wiggles her eyebrows.
“You and Riley sound real fucking cosy bro.” Noah nudges up to me.
Fucking hell! Every time I step into this house, I get the third degree about Riley.
“You should bring her over Fin.” My mum suggests, putting the finishing touches to the dinner. I try to steal some from one of the plates, but she slaps my hand away.
“She just wants to be friends mum.” I answer quietly, but my fucking brother is standing behind me and overhears.
Rory bursts out laughing. “Finley’s on the run around.”
My mum is frowning. “But, you two seemed so close in the interview. She must like you.”
“Why are you so upset mum?” Asks Haiden, looking at our mum in confusion.
“I’m not upset.” My mum makes herself busy, obviously trying to hide from me. “I just think she’s perfect for him, that’s all.”
Noah raises his eyebrows at me, and dad is shaking his head laughing. The fuckers.
I take a seat at the table, and ignore them all. I want to prove myself to Riley, because as weird as it is, I want her and nobody else. That’s never fucking happened to me. From the second I saw her I knew I was in trouble. I know she wants to be friends, but I don’t think I can settle for that because I need more from her. She let something slip when we went for something to eat the other day, after the interview and I know some fucker has hurt her badly. Now he’s ruined my fucking chances of being with her, but I won’t give up. She has to know I haven’t been with anyone since I met her. That in itself is a miracle. Women throw themselves at me daily, and I usually take advantage. Of course I will! I’m a red blooded man. The craziest thing is, I don’t see anyone else but Riley. She’s taken over my life! My heart thumps when I realise that’s what she was asking of me, she wants a man who is only interested in her and that’s how I feel. She’s taken over my fucking life, but not in a bad way. No, I fucking love it but I can’t go on like this forever. I need to have her with me.
“Have you asked Riley out on a date?” Haiden asks me.
“We’ve been out for dinners.” I nod.
“But did you tell her it was a date?” She asks, tilting her head to the side. I shake my head, no I didn’t think I needed to. I probably would have scared her off. Haiden smirks, like she’s all smart and shit. “Then that’s where you’re going wrong.”
Her plate is placed in front of her, and she digs in. Forgetting all about me.
“She’s lying.” Grace adds a couple of minutes later and I look at her. She’s not looking at me as she continues. “Anyone can see she likes you.”
I shake my head, adamant they’re all wrong. “She won’t trust anybody.”
“Oh yeah, I nearly forgot.” Grace grimaces.
I immediately stop eating. “What?”
“You don’t know about her ex?” Grace exclaims and everyone else in the room has stopped what they were doing to listen in. “Have you not Googled her?”
I look around the table. “Pictures, yeah.”
My brothers, and even my dad laugh. Rory and Noah nod in approval but my mum and sisters don’t look very pleased at all. In fact, Grace looks pissed. Dad is the first to stop laughing and when Haiden crosses her arms and glares at Noah and Rory, they eventually stop. At this, I smile.
“Finley.” Grace sighs, grabbing my attention. “Do you not know anything about TJ?”
“TJ?” I growl, not liking him already. Even if this guy didn’t hurt Riley as much as he obviously has, he’s been with Riley and a huge amount a possessiveness surges forward.
“You really don’t know.” Grace sits back in her seat, shock written all over her face.
“Of course I don’t fucking know.” I explode.
“Finley!” My mum shouts, her eyes cutting across to Haiden.
“Mum.” Haiden groans. “I can listen to swearing.”
“TJ sold Riley out.” Grace continues softly. “She thought they were madly in love, and he was with her on her rise in the music industry. Riley took him to all the parties, premieres and shared the lifestyle with him. She thought he was loyal and loving, but he turned out to be the total opposite.”
“What did he do?” My Dad asks on my behalf. My eyes are looking down at the table, I’m not interested in the delicious dinner in front of me and my fists are clenched into a ball. Dad can obviously see I’m pissed, and I’m grateful he has asked my question.
“I don’t know exactly, only Riley can answer that but I do know that girls started to come out and say TJ had cheated on Riley, and at first she stuck by him but when one girl turned into ten, she saw him for what he really was.” Grace sighs heavily. “When he finished with her, he sold stories about her and he made his money.”
“Where is he now?” I grind out, and there’s a moment of silence before Noah answers.
“Probably not a good idea bro.”
“Really?” I ask. “Because I think it’s the best idea I ever had.”
That fucking little shit has hurt Riley so badly. She may be a smart ass, but she’s the sweetest person I have ever met, not including my sisters and mother of course, but I would never dream of hurting her. TJ fucked her over and I think he deserves a little visit.
“Come on Fin.” My dad stands from the table and waits for me.
“Go with your father.” My mum orders, and I stand, looking at my dad and feeling a rage so powerful swirl inside. I have never felt like this before.
Dad tilts his head in the direction of the garden, and I follow behind him. I told you it’s either the kitchen or the garden.
We sit at one of the tables outside, the furthest away from the patio doors and he leans forward, elbows on his knees. “You care for Riley.”
“Of course I do.”
He nods. “Don’t bother with the dickhead that hurt her,” I’m about to argue but he holds his hand up, silencing me. “Ok, let’s say you track him down and beat the shit out of him, what do you think Riley would think about that?”
I’m about to say she would be thankful, but I shake my head and answer honestly. “She’d be pissed.”
Dad nods again. “Look, the best thing you could do, in my opinion, is go to Riley. Talk to her and let her bring you in. If she can do that, then you two have a shot. I see you two together, you like each other and as much as you want her, she feels like she’s alone and can’t trust anyone, especially you.”
“Why?” I ask. “She knows how I feel.”
“She probably feels the same, and is worried you will hurt her the way TJ did.”
“But, I won’t.” I insist.
“I know that, but women think differently sometimes. Look at your mum and me, and how she kept you two hidden from me.” His words make complete fucking sense. I see it now. After he’s explained it that way, in the fucked up version of my own story with my parents, I have an understanding of how Riley’s mind works.
I suddenly stand, knowing what I need to do.
“Finley,” My dad stands, his hand on my shoulder. “Just be careful with her.”
But he doesn’t realise how much I care for her, Riley is the most precious thing to me and I would never want to hurt her. I return to the kitchen, everyone is talking again and I appreciate that they don’t stop when I sit back in my seat. Grace flashes me a smile and I dig into my plate of food. Now that my anger is controlled, I can eat again. I join in with my family but in the back of my mind I’m planning how I will turn up at Riley’s place and let her
know exactly what I now know and that I am not her ex. I intend to treat her like a fucking Queen and this time, I won’t take no for an answer.
Chapter Fifteen
As soon as I leave my parents, I send Riley a text and wait in my car for a reply. I can only sit still for two minutes, until I give up and decide to drive to her apartment. When I park, I still haven’t received a reply, so I enter the code to her and Cassie’s floor which Riley let me have, and wait impatiently. Thought of getting my hands on Riley’s ex fill my head, and I fucking wish I could strangle the fucker for what he did. As soon as the door slides open, I quickly walk towards their door and knock. I don’t hear anything, and I wait a little longer but my patience is running thin tonight. After what I now know, I’m desperate to see Riley and hear it from her. I want her to know I’m nothing like her ex. Yeah I’ve slept with a lot of women, but I wouldn’t cheat on anyone, especially Riley.
I knock again. “Alright, calm down.” I hear from the other side of the door, but it’s not Riley’s voice.
Cassie opens the door, and looks a little shocked to see me standing in front of her.
“Is Riley here?” I quickly ask.
“No.” She shakes her head. “She’s visiting her mum, why? What’s wrong?”
Why didn’t I know that? “When will she be back?” I look down at my phone and see Riley is finally texting me back.
“Not until the end of the week, what’s wrong Finley?” Cassie looks concerned. “You wanna come in?”
I step inside, and walk around the living area. After closing the door, Cassie joins me but takes a seat on the sofa, watching me. “You wanna sit?”
I shake my head. “I need to talk to her.”
“Why don’t you call her?”
“No, this has to be done face to face.” I argue.
Cassie’s look darkens. “Have you fucked up?”
I pause, surprised by how pissed off she sounds and my phone alerts a text. It’s Riley, and she just tells me what Cassie just has. That she’s staying with her mum for a few days and will be back on Friday.
