Chapter Twenty Seven

I decided to open the messages when I made it home that night. I had actually had a good time but I couldn't stop wondering what they said. I decided to start with Claudette.

Claudette Swanson: Hey Riley! I tried calling you but I didn't get an answer. I really need to talk to you.

Claudette Swanson: Wow. So now you're in a relationship with him? I'm not going to lie, it hurts a lot but I hope we can still be friends.

Claudette Swanson: Riley?

Claudette Swanson: What the hell, Riley? You ran away? Trev is going crazy trying to figure out where your hometown is. Apparently your dad won't tell him...

Claudette Swanson: I hope you're okay...

Matthew Banes: Hey, I tried calling. I see you made your decision. It's probably for the best anyway. I'm happy for you, Riley.

Matthew Banes: Where are you? I haven't seen you around for a few days...

Matthew Banes: Girl. Trevor is going insane. Please just let me know that you're okay.

Matthew Banes: Well, I guess it's safe to say you're fine.

Trevor Lyles: Babe. Babe. Please answer your phone.

Trevor Lyles: I swear to you that I did not know Riley.

Trevor Lyles: Just come to my house until you figure out your next move.

Trevor Lyles: Riley...baby...

Trevor Lyles: Where the fuck are you? Will you at least let me know you're safe? I mean FUCK.

Trevor Lyles: Your dad said he got word that you went back home. The fucker won't tell me where that is though. He said something about giving you space. I will find you, Riley. Don't you dare think for one second that this is over. Not even close. You're mine. You always will be.

Trevor Lyles: WHO THE FUCK IS HE? THAT IS IT. FUCK SPACE.

I roll my eyes. He's got to let go eventually, right? I decide to check my notifications and I drop my phone. Trevor has tagged me in a photo every day since I have been gone. One of me sleeping on his chest. One of me in my helmet. And one of us kissing on the beach.

I keep scrolling through my notifications and see where Dawson tagged me in the picture of us making faces. I smile. It's cute. But then I see where Trev liked it. That's odd. Maybe he had a change of heart.

I accept Tracy's friend request and turn my lamp off. It had been a long day and I was beat. I was ready for sleep to take me.

Just as I began to doze off my phone alerted me that I was receiving a call through messenger. I picked it up. Trevor. I took a deep breath. The least I could do was talk to him.

"Hello?" Heavy breathing.

"Hey, Peaches. What cha doing?" Okay.

"I was about to go to sleep. What are you doing?" He lets out a dry laugh.

"Thinking about you. It's hard to sleep not knowing where you are."

"Trev, it's for the best. And we moved way too fast. I don't think either of us were actually ready for that." He laughs again.

"Ready or not, Riley it happened. And as far as I'm concerned you're still my girl. So when are you coming back?" I roll my eyes at his stubbornness.

"I'm not, Trevor. Thank you for everything and I'm sorry I up and left the way that I did but what choice did I have? I mean, really. My dad isn't my dad and my mother wants nothing to do with me." He gets quiet for a moment.

"My dad is divorcing her, you know? I called and told him everything that night. He said that isn't the woman he fell in love with." Now it was my turn for a long pause.

"I am so sorry, Trevor. I know what she was to you. This is all my fault."

"Riley, it was all fake to her, don't you see? Pretty young nanny works for a lonely millionaire. Gets close to his child. Marries into the lifestyle she had always wanted. Fuck that bitch, baby. You're the only person I really need in my life. You're a light in a very dark world. My light. Please come home, baby girl."

I feel the tears begin to surface. "Trevor, I can't. I can't go back there. This is my chance to finally just be me and start fresh. I can finally just be young. And I feel like I've cause you enough pain. You deserve so much better."

"So you aren't coming back? That's it, then?"

"I'm not coming back, Trev. I hope one day we can maybe be friends."

"Goodnight, baby."

He hangs up before I can respond. That hurt. A lot. I feel as though my chest is on fire. I hug my pillow and I just cry. I finally let it all out. Everything. Trevor. My dad. My lack of a mother. Everything.

I don't remember falling asleep but Nanny definitely isn't late when she wakes me. "Up, girl! Go get in the shower. I got you up a little early so I could help you get ready."

I don't have the energy to respond so I just do what she says. When I come out of the bathroom I notice she has my clothes laid out on the bed. They're new, with the tags still on them.

Shockingly I like the outfit. Definitely doesn't look like an older woman picked them out. It's a white blouse that falls off the shoulders and high waisted skinnies. She even added a cute pair of black ankle boots with a modest heel. I quickly put them on and am happy they fit.

As I make my way down the hallway I hear her call to me from her room. She points at the seat in front of her vanity and I oblige. "Do you like the clothes? You don't have to lie to me. I just got excited about having someone to shop for." I smile gently at her.

"I love them. You did a great job, thank you. I can pay you back for them." She lightly shoves my head.

"Don't be silly, girl. It was more a favor to me than to you, trust me." I smile again as she brushes the knots out of my hair. "How about we curl this beautiful mane today?" I nod excitedly. "Bless your heart. I know it had to be tough growing up without a woman around. You have me now, kid. And I ain't going anywhere." Shit. Tear alert. "Awh, now none of that, you're going to have me crying as well sugar and I've already done my makeup!" I laugh.

"Thank you, Nanny. Thank you so much. I don't even remember anyone else even brushing my hair. Much less fixing it for me." She shakes her head and smiles.

After she finishes with the perfect curls she moves on to makeup. By the time she is completely done, I don't even recognize myself. The girl in the mirror looks stunning. She's beautiful and glowing. You would even think she was happy. Was I beginning to be truly happy? I really hoped so.

"Follow me to the diner for breakfast, honey. I need to prep for the morning rush and you aren't going to school on an empty stomach." I smile and nod at her. I run to my room and grab my book bag and we head out.

I wasn't used to seeing the diner empty. It was kind of creepy. "Would you like some help?" Of course she refused so I just sat down at the bar where she had placed my coffee and orange juice. Oh, how I could get used to this.

"So, how did it go with Dawson? He's such a sweet young man! And handsome too." She winks at me and I laugh.

"He's nice. It went really good. I'm a little scared of moving too fast though." She sets a waffle and a bowl of cheese grits in front of me.

"Honey, I want you to listen and listen good. At sixty eight years old the only regret I have in my life is not moving fast enough. Not taking all of the chances I could have. Life is too short to hesitate. One second you have your whole life ahead of you and then you blink. You're old, widowed, and have nothing left but memories. And I don't care how many memories you make- you're going to wish you had made more. Live in this moment, Riley. Right here and right now. Don't you dare live for tomorrow." I stare at her.

She hit me with perhaps the most real thing I had ever heard. She didn't sugar coat anything or lecture me about my future, and you know what? I think she's right. So I just nod my head and begin stuffing my face. She laughs and gets back to work.

Before I know it locals come rushing in and the diner is full once again. I look over to see who had occupied the seat beside me and smile when I see Dawson's handsome face.

"Good morning, beautiful. Fancy seeing you here." I laugh and he winks. Live in the moment, Riley. You got this.

"You come here often or were you hoping to bump into someone special?" Nanny chooses that moment to lay out a plate of French toast and bacon in front of him.

"Sorry, Riles. He's here to see me this time. He's never late and his order never changes. Dependable, that one." She winks at me before sashaying off. I laugh.

"While I would never miss a meal by Nanny, I was definitely hoping you would be here." He runs a finger across my my thigh and leans in.

Moment, Riley, moment.

"Last night was incredible." He whispered this in my ear and I shivered. He smirks knowingly at me. "But I won't embarrass you by claiming those lips in front of everyone." I sigh in relief.

I feel a little bold so I grab his chin and gently caress it. I lean in. So does he. "See you at school, handsome." I hop up and practically make a run for it. I hear Nanny chuckle.

I was playing it cool for once in my life,dang it. "Riley, wait!" I smile and turn around. Dawson looks confused. Nanny looks like a sly fox.

"It's Saturday." My mouth drops. Nanny throws her hands up.

"Now listen, honey-" I start moving towards her.

"You got me up before the rooster crows on a damn SATURDAY? You curled my hair and dolled me up before sunrise- ON A SATURDAY? Nanny you've known me long enough to know I like my sleep!" Dawson starts laughing.

"Well sugar I knew the only way to get you moving this morning was to trick you! And look who you just happened to run into? Now the two of you have the entire day ahead of you!" Dawson laughs. Again.

"Nanny I would personally like to thank you for your deception. I guess that means I have your permission to take her away for the day?" He winks at her.

"Well at least someone is grateful." She has the audacity to let out a little huff. "Just be careful with my baby, Dawson. But make sure she has fun." He grabs my hand.

"Our baby is in good hands, Nanny. See you later!"