Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-four

RILEY

I dragged myself to Tristan’s front door and rang the bell. No one answered. I tried again, and even called him, but still nothing. Just as I was about to give up and leave, the door creaked open, revealing a worn-out Tristan.

His eyes were dull, his hair a mess—still sexy, though—and all I wanted to do was wrap him in a hug.

“Tristan…what’s going on?” I asked, stepping forward to enter the house. But he blocked my way and shut the door behind him.

“You need to go, Adams. We’re done.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I froze, staring at him in disbelief. I fought back tears and took a deep breath.

~I’m stronger than this.~

“What are you talking about?” I asked, blinking back tears.

“Just go, Riley.” He turned away from me, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“But why? What did I do, Tristan? I came straight from school to see you. I need to talk to you about what happened yesterday. Amanda—”

“Enough, Riley. Whatever she said is true. This was all a plan to sleep with you, and it always has been,” he blurted out.

His words made me recoil. I stumbled back a step.

“I don’t believe you, Tristan. Stop messing around. This is serious,” I whispered, my voice shaky. He didn’t turn to face me.

“Tristan, look at me. Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll leave. I’ll never bother you again.”

I tried to make him face me, but he didn’t move. I let the tears fall. I couldn’t hold them back anymore. The pain was too much.

“I’ve been messing with you, Riley, and now I’m done. Just go,” he said, finally turning to face me.

His face was void of emotion.

~No way! He can’t be the same guy who was so sweet to me.~

~This can’t be fucking real.~

“Why?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Because you were a challenge, and everyone said I couldn’t get you to sleep with me. I wanted to prove them wrong,” he said, not meeting my eyes.

I slapped him. He closed his eyes and stood still, not reacting. I wanted to hit him again.

Hearing it from his own mouth…no matter his reasons for saying these things, he knew it would hurt me.

It was devastating. I felt like I’d been sucker-punched.

“So everything was a lie?” I asked one last time, hoping he’d laugh, pull me into his arms, and tell me it was all a stupid joke.

But all he did was nod slightly, his gaze fixed on the ground. I wiped my tears and rubbed my nose with my sleeve.

“Well, then you won, Tristan. I slept with you, not because you turned me on, but because I love you. Yeah, I said it, finally,” I said, my voice hoarse.

I gave him a weak smile. He looked up at me, his face showing an emotion I couldn’t recognize, and I continued, “Correction, ‘loved you’. Goodbye, asshole.”

With that, I walked away from him, heading for the road. I didn’t know what to do, so I just kept walking, with no destination in mind.

I pulled my hoodie over my head and crossed my arms over my chest, crying silently.

People on the street gave me strange looks, but I ignored them.

Eventually, I started to run.

After a while, my lungs started to burn, and I stopped in a deserted area. There was nothing around except a few trees and an old cottage in the distance.

I sat down under a tree and pulled my knees up to my chest.

Everything hurt, inside and out. I felt like I was dying. I had no idea it would hurt this much.

I cried uncontrollably, hoping no one would hear me. Nothing made sense anymore. I felt so lost and stupid.

I should have known better. It had been too good to be true. I hated Tristan so much now and never wanted to see his face again.

After a while, I noticed it was getting dark. Then I remembered I was late for work.

I texted my boss to say I was sick, then ordered an Uber to take me home, since I had no fucking clue where I was.

~Thank God for technology.~

***

“You’re home early. Did your shift end?” My dad asked as soon as I walked in.

I closed my eyes. Now I had to dodge his questions and get to my room.

“I didn’t go to work. I’m not feeling well,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze as I headed for the stairs.

“Have you been skipping school, sweetheart?”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around slowly.

“What do you mean?” I asked, swallowing hard.

“I got a call from your school. They said you skipped classes after lunch today. They also said it’s not the first time,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

I sighed. “Like I said, I’m not feeling well, Dad. Let it go.” I started up the stairs again, but he cleared his throat behind me.

“Riley Adams, get over here!” he bellowed. I groaned in frustration, but walked over to the couch.

“Sit down.”

“Dad, I’m really tired.”

“I’m not. Sit down,” he said firmly. I sank down onto the couch.

“What’s happening here? This isn’t like you. And don’t even try to tell me it’s not about that handsome guy,” he said, his face etched with worry.

“Whatever it was, it’s done now, Dad. You can chill out. I’m okay,” I responded, feeling the tears threatening to spill again.

“Riley, sweetheart, come here.” He drew me into a hug and I broke down, crying into his chest.

“I should’ve listened to you, Dad. This is all my fault. I was so naive, so foolish,” I confessed through my tears. He just kept rubbing my back, not saying a word.

After a while, I managed to pull myself together and I stepped back from him. He gently wiped my tears away and I gave him a small smile.

“You really love him, don’t you?” he asked.

I nodded, wiping my face.

“I won’t ask you what happened, but let me tell you this—first loves always hurt, sweetheart. You’ll feel happiness and pain in equal measure, and that never really fades, but you’ll get through it. Trust me, it’ll only make you stronger.”

He kissed my forehead, and then we just sat there, holding each other in silence.

“I want to leave this town, Dad,” I said after a while. He sat up straight, looking at me with surprise.

“But your school and your job are here, honey. That’s a big step. Never make decisions when you’re upset.”

“My finals are next week, and once they’re over, it’s just college applications and stuff. I can go to college anywhere, right?”

I looked at him, pleading. “And I can find another job, Dad. I don’t want to stay here anymore, please. I’m begging you.”

He thought for a moment.

“Hmm…well, we could move in with my mom in Phoenix. I could find a job there, but are you sure? What about Lucy? Does she know?”

“No, but I’ll tell her we broke up because we’re moving, or she’d definitely go after him.”

“What makes you think I won’t go after him?” he joked.

“Because he’s not worth it.”

“That’s right. Always remember that. No guy is worth crying over. I’ll give you till next week to decide. If you still feel the same, we can move to Phoenix,” he promised, kissing the top of my head.

“Are you okay with that? This is a big change for you, too,” I asked him. I felt guilty for dragging him into my emotional mess.

“Are you kidding? I love Phoenix, and your grandma would be over the moon if I told her we’re moving in with her.” He smiled at me, and I managed a weak smile back.

“Okay then. Goodnight, Dad. I’m gonna go get some sleep,” I said, standing up from the couch and heading upstairs.

“No more tears. Remember, he’s not worth your tears, sweetheart,” he called after me. I shook my head, smiling faintly.

When I got upstairs, I closed my door, collapsed onto my bed, and promptly ignored his advice.

~To hell with first love!~

~To hell with love in general!~