Chapter 26: Riley

Riley closed his eyes.

It was the stress talking. That was it. For her sake, they needed distance

He liked Erin. He'd liked her the moment he saw the picture of her with that crooked smile. But it didn't mean they were anything special to each other.

"Melody wanted to update us when you were done. You up for that?" He curled his hands into fists to keep from smoothing her unruly curls, and instead, took a step back.

"Yeah. I'm ready for some damn answers." Erin frowned up at him and pressed a hand to her ribs.

It was better this way.

"Hurt?" he asked.

"Only when I breathe."

"Oh, then you should be fine."

"Jackass." One side of her mouth hitched up, and she chuckled.

"Where?" He glanced over his shoulder and tried his best to smother the voice telling him to hold onto her.

"I can't with you right now." Her smile slowly turned into a frown, complete with furrowed brow and an intense stare. "What's the matter? You've been weird ever since we got here."