Chapter 4

Riley

I have to stay with Carl Walsh? With a man I have a crush on? With the only man that makes my heart race?

I don’t know if I should be happy right now, or better yet terrified,

I am to be with Carl Walsh for three months. What are the chances? Was this a daydream? Or was it my imaginations playing tricks on me?

I blinked, snapping out of the thoughts immediately. “Why him? He is… he is…” I stuttered

What the hell was I thinking? Just the thought of staying with Carl made my heart flutter, and now I was too stunned to say anything that make sense.

“Riley,” my mother called out, and I turned to her. “Mr. Walsh has been a part of your father’s life for years, he is trustworthy, dependable, and we wouldn’t leave you with someone we don’t trust completely.” She told me.

I parted my lips but clasped them back together again.

They don’t understand, it’s not because I don’t want to be with him, but because my heart was going to explode from being so close to him for three months.

“Mom, I am eighteen now, why can’t I just stay here alone?” I asked, almost pleading.

Honestly, I would like to keep the distance between us while trying to make him love me. Being with him means getting seen, what if he discovers my feelings before I even confessed them to him?

What if he doesn’t love me back before he discover my secret desires for him, I don’t want to push him away if I come out too strong.

I know this could be the perfect opportunity I have been waiting for in order to express my feelings for him, but what if he doesn’t take me seriously, matter of fact, this would be very embarrassing, getting watched by him, it makes it look like I am still that thirteen year old kid her has to take care of.

“You aren’t eighteen yet, Riley, you still have two weeks before you turn eighteen.” My father told me, I didn’t need him to remind me, I just know I am eighteen,

“Dad, what difference does it make, I will be eighteen in two week, so what is---“

“You are still a minor!” My mother interrupted me, I turned to see her expression hardened. “It’s not safe for you to be on your own, end of discussion.”

I parted my lips to protest, but my father squeezed my hands tenderly and I turned to him.

“I know this isn’t what you want, but it’s the best option, good thing Carl came back before this emergency occurred, he will take good care of you, and we will call you every day, you are in good hands.”

“Dad…”

“I know you are upset, Riley, but this trip is critical, we will be working on deals that could secure our future and yours as well, and we need to know you are safe while we are away.” He explained calmly.

“It won’t be so bad, sweet heart,” my mother’s voice became tender, and I looked at her “You might even enjoy spending time with Carl, he is funny and kind, and he will make sure you are comfortable.” She told me, but I knew I wasn’t going to be.

That’s if I don’t have a heart attack from staring at him all day, or breathing the same air as he does.

What about nights?

Damn, I was never prepared for any of this, it’s like a bombshell dropped on me but right now my inner goddess was screaming and leaping in joy.

Silly me.

I couldn’t even comprehend how I felt about all these arrangements, going over to Carl’s place, living with him, I knew I have strong feelings for him, I wish to see him every day, but it gave me a cold feet.

“I just don’t want to feel like a burden to Mr. Carl.” I told them.

My father chuckled. “Trust me, you won’t, I already told him about it and he is looking forward to spending time with you, beside, he could use a little youthful energy in his life.”

Carl was looking forward to it?

I exhaled sharply. “Fine, I will manage.” I said reluctantly.

I didn’t want to seem too happy even though my inside was screaming with joy, although I was anxious too.

I watched my parent breath a sign of relief. “Good, now go in and pack up your luggage, he will come pick your things tomorrow before you leave for school, you will have to go over to his place after school hours.” My mother said.

“Sure mom,” I wasn’t even allowed to protest or given few days to think about it. “I will go to my room now.” I left the living room to my bedroom.

I climbed on my bed and took deep breaths, this was going to be uncomfortable, but seem like fate was leading me close to my crush, even if he is twelve years older than I was.

I made it downstairs the next day, dressed in my school outfit, my luggage were already outside the porch, and I could hear Carl’s voice outside the house, he was talking to my father.

I tried to calm my pounding heart before pushing the front door open.

“Hey, Riley…” Carl said my name.

My breath was caught in my throat as a sudden rush of electricity coursed through my veins, I met his gaze and those friendly smiles spread through his lips again.

“Are you ready for three months of Carl’s hospitality?” He asked.

Staring at him, my mind went blank, like everything else faded into the background, and there goes that smile curled up at the corner of his lips again. I tried not to think about how shockingly magnificent the taste of his lips will be on mine.

This was going to be torture, three months of torture.

I nodded, trying my best to look away from him. I turned to my father, my breathing was hitched, I was scared that they were going to hear my thumping heart.

My father stepped close, he pulled me into his embrace. “We will be back before you even know it.” He whispered, I closed my eyes and nodded, and my mother joined the hug.

“Now, you be a good girl,” she kissed my face and leaned back, I nodded with a small smile, then she turned to Carl. “Thank you, Carl.” She said.

He shook his head. “No worries, she is in good hands.” He replied.

I waved my parents goodbye and I watched them get into their car, driving away.

“Get in, Riley. I will drive you to school.”

My thoughts were interrupted, and I turned to see him gesturing to the car after putting my luggage in the truck.

“Umm… I will take a taxi,” I quickly responded, stepping back, I can’t ride with him, not when I haven’t organize my thoughts yet.

He blinked. “Why? I can give you a ride to school before you---“

“I will see you at your place after school.” I said, hurriedly turning to leave, but he quickly caught me by the wrist and pulled me closer, I instinctively placed my hands on his chest and froze.

My eyes were large as I looked into his in shock, the touch of his hand sent shivers down my spine, making me gasped.

What was this position? Was it the moment we kiss?