‹ Prequel: Is He for Me?
He Has My Heart
Chapter Twenty Seven: Run-ins
Rileys POV
17 missed calls, 21 text messages and half a pack of cigarettes later, I picked up Ashleys 18th phone call.
"Hello?" I finally answered.
"Well it's about fucking time! Why weren't you answering me?! I get fucking Kimber calling me, saying to call you cause something happened!" Ashley said annoyed.
"Kimber called you?!"
"Yes! What the hell happened?" He demanded.
"Look, she hired stripper and he happened to be my ex from college. So that was not a welcome run-in. That and I'm freaking out! Everyone keeps saying that they can't believe you're going to settle down! I'm sorry, but... I-I don't know how much longer I can deal with this!" I was going into panic mode.
"Okay, Riles, please calm down. You're over reacting. I promise you that I'm ready for this. Ignore everyone please! You know it doesn't matter what they say" he said pleadingly.
"Ash... I don't know anymore. I-I love you, but this is getting to be too much" I said surprised at my own words.
"Riles, you don't mean that. Just go to bed. You're over thinking this. You know I love you and would never do anything to hurt you."
"Ashley... " What was I meant to say? That I didn't want to be with him? Cause that wasn't true.
"Riles, I can understand how you're feeling, but you're worrying about nothing. Just get some rest, you'll have a better mind set tomorrow" he said sounding hopeful.
"I suppose... Might help if I'm not drunk" I said looking at the empty glass I left here earlier.
"Riles, just get some rest. Text me tomorrow?"
"Okay, night Ash. I love you" I said longingly.
"I love you too doll" he said then hung up.
I stared at my phone for a moment longer then pulled out one more cigarette. I felt bad lighting it, but it was helping.
I took its last drag and went back inside to climb back into bed. My anxiety had been numbed, so sleep was possible. I was praying that I would forget everything tomorrow.
Ashleys POV
I hung up the phone and couldn't help feeling worried. Our conversation didn't calm me whatsoever. When Riley got anxious it would haunt her.
I tried my best to push the thoughts from my mind and rejoin the guys.
"Hey, is everything alright?" CC asked as I plopped down next to him.
"Riley is driving me crazy. Kimber called before saying something happened and now Riley is freaking out" I said annoyed.
"Ash, everything is going to be fine. I'm sure she's just stressed out. The wedding is so soon, its not like shes gonna change her mind..." He said trailing off. "You think she's gonna change her mind?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know. She said that everyone doesn't believe that I want to settle down and she can't take it. What am I suppose to do? Stop her from talking to her friends? I get it's hard to believe, but I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to" I said believing every word.
CC nodded, giving me a small smile. "You're right man. Hopefully she'll see that she's just over thinking it and can deal with it till the wedding."
"I hope you're right" I said downing the rest of my drink.
Rileys POV
I woke up the next day to a pounding hangover. No doubt its from the amount of tequila and the half a pack of smokes that my body isn't use to.
Despite it being 11:30 no one was up yet. Today we were getting massages and our nails done. All girly things, but I really needed a drink.
I slipped on a casual dress and headed for the bar downstairs.
I walked through the restaurant looking down at my phone. I thought I'd better text Ashley and let him know that I'll be okay.
I sent the text and mindlessly sat down on one of the bar stools. I knew someone was standing close by so I ordered my drink not looking up from my phone.
"Can I have a whiskey on the rocks?" I said scrolling through my Facebook news feed.
I saw the drink being placed in front of me, but my thoughts were interrupted when the barman spoke.
"Catelyn?" Said an annoyingly familiar voice.
I looked up and saw Thomas staring back at me.
"What the fuck, Thomas? I thought you were a stripper?" Irritation leaking from my tone.
"I am. I'm the house stripper, but I can't do just that" he said in a calmly.
"Why is it as soon as things are starting to go right again, something pops up and make me miserable?" I said almost to myself.
"Look, I didn't mean what I said last night. I was really thrown back from seeing you. I'm sorry" he said looking completely genuine.
My eyes narrowed on him. "I'm sure. Tom, I really don't need this right now" I said gesturing to our little reunion. "I'm under a lot of stress. I'm getting married tomorrow and everyone is psyching me out. And now I've run into you! I just want this weekend to be over already so I can just be with Ashley" I said skulling my whiskey and shaking it for a refill.
"Catel-" he started to say.
"Don't call me that! It's Riley!" I shrieked.
"Sorry, Riley, it can't be that bad. Just ignore them. It's not a big deal. How long have you been with Ashley?"
"About a year and a half, but we've known each other longer. We were always close" I said with a small smile.
"I still can't believe that you're actually with Ashley from BVB! Remember how obsessed you were with them?" He said handing me another drink.
I laughed at what I was like all those years ago. "Yeah, I remember. I just got the honour of meeting them and it turned into something more" I said shrugging.
"I suppose thats lucky. If I may, when did you move to LA?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"After I graduated. Needed a fresh start."
"So what do you do out here?"
"I own a bar. I'm currently renovating" he didn't need to know that it burnt down.
"Really? I read online that it was burnt to the ground" he said smugly.
I laughed sarcastically. "You've done your research. I suppose its easy since I'm connected to Ashley Purdy. Well I better head back upstairs. You seem to know my life story. I'm sure my friends are awake by now" I said getting up from the stool.
"Cate- Riley" he said correcting himself before I did. "Was good to see you. Good luck with everything" he said smiling at me.
"Thanks. You too" I smiled back.
Ashleys POV
I woke to the sound of my message tone. I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. Looks like I didn't make it to my bedroom and passed out on the couch. I was still wearing my jeans and felt the bulge of my phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was from Riley.
Hey Ash, I'm sorry about last night. You know me well enough to know that my anxiety can get the better of me. I love you.
Relief flooded over me when I read that text. There was going to be a wedding. I was seriously worried that she was going to call it off.
My worries were pushed aside when I smelt fresh coffee. Someone was in my house.
I regrettably got off the couch and followed the smell to the kitchen. My head was spinning as stumbled down the hall. My head started to hurt more when I saw Kina standing in my kitchen. Looks like Riley wasn't the only one who was running into exs.
"What the fuck are you doing here?!" I almost yelled at her.
"Oh I'm sorry. I only dragged your drunk ass home instead of in the gutter" she said bitterly.
"You should of left me in the gutter. Now get out!" I said harshly.
"Come on Ashy. Don't be like that" she said trying to seduce me. Again. I had the sudden realisation that what if she did seduce me?
"We didn't do anything last night did we?" I asked panic in my tone.
"You were too drunk. You collapsed on the couch and that was it."
"Oh thank God!" I said putting my head in my hands.
"Don't have to sound so relived. Where's Riley?"
"Hotel. We're getting married tomorrow."
"Well, you're not officially off the market" she said rubbing my arm.
I grabbed her arm and glared at her. She smiled as I dragged her down the hall, but her smiled faded as we passed the staircase.
"Where are we going?" Her expression turning confused.
"Not we. You" I said opening the front door. "Bye Kina."
She looked outraged. "You're kicking me out? Just like that?!"
"Yep" I said closing the door in her face.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck" I said to myself. "Nothing happened. She just took me home. Thats it" I muttered. I really didn't want to tell Riley. She was already under so much stress, but I couldn't not tell her.
I was distracted momentarily when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my jeans and looked at the caller I.D.
It was Riley.
17 missed calls, 21 text messages and half a pack of cigarettes later, I picked up Ashleys 18th phone call.
"Hello?" I finally answered.
"Well it's about fucking time! Why weren't you answering me?! I get fucking Kimber calling me, saying to call you cause something happened!" Ashley said annoyed.
"Kimber called you?!"
"Yes! What the hell happened?" He demanded.
"Look, she hired stripper and he happened to be my ex from college. So that was not a welcome run-in. That and I'm freaking out! Everyone keeps saying that they can't believe you're going to settle down! I'm sorry, but... I-I don't know how much longer I can deal with this!" I was going into panic mode.
"Okay, Riles, please calm down. You're over reacting. I promise you that I'm ready for this. Ignore everyone please! You know it doesn't matter what they say" he said pleadingly.
"Ash... I don't know anymore. I-I love you, but this is getting to be too much" I said surprised at my own words.
"Riles, you don't mean that. Just go to bed. You're over thinking this. You know I love you and would never do anything to hurt you."
"Ashley... " What was I meant to say? That I didn't want to be with him? Cause that wasn't true.
"Riles, I can understand how you're feeling, but you're worrying about nothing. Just get some rest, you'll have a better mind set tomorrow" he said sounding hopeful.
"I suppose... Might help if I'm not drunk" I said looking at the empty glass I left here earlier.
"Riles, just get some rest. Text me tomorrow?"
"Okay, night Ash. I love you" I said longingly.
"I love you too doll" he said then hung up.
I stared at my phone for a moment longer then pulled out one more cigarette. I felt bad lighting it, but it was helping.
I took its last drag and went back inside to climb back into bed. My anxiety had been numbed, so sleep was possible. I was praying that I would forget everything tomorrow.
Ashleys POV
I hung up the phone and couldn't help feeling worried. Our conversation didn't calm me whatsoever. When Riley got anxious it would haunt her.
I tried my best to push the thoughts from my mind and rejoin the guys.
"Hey, is everything alright?" CC asked as I plopped down next to him.
"Riley is driving me crazy. Kimber called before saying something happened and now Riley is freaking out" I said annoyed.
"Ash, everything is going to be fine. I'm sure she's just stressed out. The wedding is so soon, its not like shes gonna change her mind..." He said trailing off. "You think she's gonna change her mind?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know. She said that everyone doesn't believe that I want to settle down and she can't take it. What am I suppose to do? Stop her from talking to her friends? I get it's hard to believe, but I wouldn't have done it if I didn't want to" I said believing every word.
CC nodded, giving me a small smile. "You're right man. Hopefully she'll see that she's just over thinking it and can deal with it till the wedding."
"I hope you're right" I said downing the rest of my drink.
Rileys POV
I woke up the next day to a pounding hangover. No doubt its from the amount of tequila and the half a pack of smokes that my body isn't use to.
Despite it being 11:30 no one was up yet. Today we were getting massages and our nails done. All girly things, but I really needed a drink.
I slipped on a casual dress and headed for the bar downstairs.
I walked through the restaurant looking down at my phone. I thought I'd better text Ashley and let him know that I'll be okay.
I sent the text and mindlessly sat down on one of the bar stools. I knew someone was standing close by so I ordered my drink not looking up from my phone.
"Can I have a whiskey on the rocks?" I said scrolling through my Facebook news feed.
I saw the drink being placed in front of me, but my thoughts were interrupted when the barman spoke.
"Catelyn?" Said an annoyingly familiar voice.
I looked up and saw Thomas staring back at me.
"What the fuck, Thomas? I thought you were a stripper?" Irritation leaking from my tone.
"I am. I'm the house stripper, but I can't do just that" he said in a calmly.
"Why is it as soon as things are starting to go right again, something pops up and make me miserable?" I said almost to myself.
"Look, I didn't mean what I said last night. I was really thrown back from seeing you. I'm sorry" he said looking completely genuine.
My eyes narrowed on him. "I'm sure. Tom, I really don't need this right now" I said gesturing to our little reunion. "I'm under a lot of stress. I'm getting married tomorrow and everyone is psyching me out. And now I've run into you! I just want this weekend to be over already so I can just be with Ashley" I said skulling my whiskey and shaking it for a refill.
"Catel-" he started to say.
"Don't call me that! It's Riley!" I shrieked.
"Sorry, Riley, it can't be that bad. Just ignore them. It's not a big deal. How long have you been with Ashley?"
"About a year and a half, but we've known each other longer. We were always close" I said with a small smile.
"I still can't believe that you're actually with Ashley from BVB! Remember how obsessed you were with them?" He said handing me another drink.
I laughed at what I was like all those years ago. "Yeah, I remember. I just got the honour of meeting them and it turned into something more" I said shrugging.
"I suppose thats lucky. If I may, when did you move to LA?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"After I graduated. Needed a fresh start."
"So what do you do out here?"
"I own a bar. I'm currently renovating" he didn't need to know that it burnt down.
"Really? I read online that it was burnt to the ground" he said smugly.
I laughed sarcastically. "You've done your research. I suppose its easy since I'm connected to Ashley Purdy. Well I better head back upstairs. You seem to know my life story. I'm sure my friends are awake by now" I said getting up from the stool.
"Cate- Riley" he said correcting himself before I did. "Was good to see you. Good luck with everything" he said smiling at me.
"Thanks. You too" I smiled back.
Ashleys POV
I woke to the sound of my message tone. I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. Looks like I didn't make it to my bedroom and passed out on the couch. I was still wearing my jeans and felt the bulge of my phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw it was from Riley.
Hey Ash, I'm sorry about last night. You know me well enough to know that my anxiety can get the better of me. I love you.
Relief flooded over me when I read that text. There was going to be a wedding. I was seriously worried that she was going to call it off.
My worries were pushed aside when I smelt fresh coffee. Someone was in my house.
I regrettably got off the couch and followed the smell to the kitchen. My head was spinning as stumbled down the hall. My head started to hurt more when I saw Kina standing in my kitchen. Looks like Riley wasn't the only one who was running into exs.
"What the fuck are you doing here?!" I almost yelled at her.
"Oh I'm sorry. I only dragged your drunk ass home instead of in the gutter" she said bitterly.
"You should of left me in the gutter. Now get out!" I said harshly.
"Come on Ashy. Don't be like that" she said trying to seduce me. Again. I had the sudden realisation that what if she did seduce me?
"We didn't do anything last night did we?" I asked panic in my tone.
"You were too drunk. You collapsed on the couch and that was it."
"Oh thank God!" I said putting my head in my hands.
"Don't have to sound so relived. Where's Riley?"
"Hotel. We're getting married tomorrow."
"Well, you're not officially off the market" she said rubbing my arm.
I grabbed her arm and glared at her. She smiled as I dragged her down the hall, but her smiled faded as we passed the staircase.
"Where are we going?" Her expression turning confused.
"Not we. You" I said opening the front door. "Bye Kina."
She looked outraged. "You're kicking me out? Just like that?!"
"Yep" I said closing the door in her face.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck" I said to myself. "Nothing happened. She just took me home. Thats it" I muttered. I really didn't want to tell Riley. She was already under so much stress, but I couldn't not tell her.
I was distracted momentarily when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my jeans and looked at the caller I.D.
It was Riley.