Love, Riley: Redemption Highway: Briarwood

by Leaona Luxx

  “You’ve had a rough day, I was worried.” He elbows me in the side.

  “Tell me about it,” I huff as beads of sweat roll down my neck, making me shiver in the balmy night air.

  “Besides, I promised you a long time ago, I’d never let anyone hurt you, remember?” He kicks at the ground, reminding me of the little boy from years ago.

  “I do remember, thanks. So, why such an asshole earlier?” I nudge his shoulder, giving him a wry grin.

  “Asshole, huh?” He chuckles. “Ava, you have no clue.”

  “I believe I do, Riley. I’ve known you since you were wet behind the ears,” I chide him as I stand straight, readying to leave.

  “It’s been a long time, Trouble. People change, or haven’t you noticed?” Trouble, huh? Hearing my old nickname makes me giggle to hide the sadness I feel washing over me. Shaking my head to clear it of devastation and heartache, I offer a lopsided grin.

  “Not my nickname, dude.” Twisting my mouth into a smirk, I watch him. “What I have noticed is you haven’t spoken to me in years.” And yeah, I see your fine ass.

  His eyes snap to mine, and I catch my breath. “Sorry, life has kept me busy, but I have kept up with you, Ava. Always.”

  I look away as his eyes burn into me, biting my lip on a sigh. My stomach tightens at the thought of him thinking of me. So, why am I sad about it? “I gotta go, things to do.” I pull my door open again, sliding into my seat.

  “I hear ya. But first, I need your number. You know, to keep up with you.” He catches my door, and my eyes lock on his.

  “Give me your phone.” I hold out my hand.

  “You’re not gonna give me a fake number, are you?” He eyes me skeptically.

  “Naw, I like causing trouble.” I wink at him as I add my number. “Text me.”

  “By the way, I like trouble.” He closes my door, turning as he walks away and leaves me stunned.

  I hear a vehicle start, followed by flashing headlights. He’s waiting on me to leave? Odd. Starting my car, I shift the gear into drive and press the gas.

  As I turn onto the road, I blow my horn, waving in my mirror at Riley. Slowing at the light, I see him pull out, going the opposite direction. The Walkers’ live out by Sunset Beach. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them down where I live.

  I watch as the Land Rover Defender drives from sight, it’s admiralty grey, making it close to invisible. The street lights play off the exterior as it fades into the distance. And just like that, I’m alone again. I take a deep breath, trying to ease the tightness in my shoulders.

  Crawling into bed, I think of how my life has changed. I want to be a better mom to Andi; not just for her but for me, too. Riley was right, I need to think of her first. What if she had seen me this morning? I couldn’t imagine what Brannon would’ve done.

  Tossing and turning like I do most nights, sleep comes around three in the morning. And with sleep, comes dreams.

  A noise? What’s that sound? I rouse from sleeping, leaving my bed. It’s late, and the house is dark. I jump, trembling from the noise I hear again. I’m not sure why, but it’s a frightening sound. I creep down the hall, stumbling on the rug.

  The hair on my arm stands on end as I shake. The gurgling is making me sick at my stomach. I slide against the wall, trying to not be seen by whatever is making the horrid sound. I swallow past the lump in my throat to call for my mom.

  “Momma?”

  No one answers, but the sound begins to fade. My gut twists, I’m uneasy and afraid. I hug the wall, tiptoeing as I sneak through the long expanse. A deep, guttural growl comes from behind the door. I freeze, praying it doesn’t get me.

  “No!” A roar from the room makes me quake.

  I slip past the bathroom door, and something catches my eye so I glance back; I’m startled. I see a little girl who looks like me. I search around me, hoping to talk to her. It’s then I realize the little girl is me, and it’s happening again.

  I wake with a scream, soaked in sweat and tears. Fuck. They’re still happening, I’ll sleep in the morning. I can’t go on like this. I need sleep. I need peace.

  Five years. I left home five years ago, and the first person I see is the one I’ve been running from all this time. Ava’s the girl of every teen boy’s wet dreams. Long legs holding the best ass I’ve ever seen. Curvy with hips to hold. Ample bust line with the face of an angel.

  And a wild streak as long as a country mile. Meaner than hell but a heart of glass. After all this time, she gets a rise outta me. Ava looks damn good, even better than when she was eighteen and driving me crazy. Many of my nights were spent dreaming of her.

  She’s still the same wild child she always was; girl ain’t nothing but trouble. To be honest, I’d do time to get into that kind of trouble. Not sure what that says about me. The minute I laid eyes on her fine, round ass, I knew it was Ava. She’s beautiful, a beautiful disaster.

  I can’t believe the same ole feelings came roaring back; the ache in my chest matched the one in my pants. It probably wasn’t such a good idea to act like her dad. Jealousy with her has always been my worst fault, but she makes me crazy.

  She also makes me want to kiss the hell outta her.

  I watch her drive away, and a sudden pang in the pit of my stomach reminds me of why I left. It’s nothing like the one in my chest, battling for the win. Nothing’s changed after all these years, not even my heart.

  Driving toward home, my thoughts stray to Ava. She was my first crush, prettiest thing I’d ever seen. She was also my first love, even my first kiss. Although, I don’t think she ever figured that one out. Well, she doesn’t know about it either.

  My brother, Walker, had a co-ed party for his sixteenth birthday. Ava and Brannon weren’t dating at the time, so she showed up. When it was her turn for ‘seven minutes in heaven’, Walker set me up. I kissed that girl until her toes curled.

  I was twelve, a little taller and filled out than most my age. She never knew, and it supplied me with years of happy time material. Hell, I even told her then that I love her, but I only mouthed it while we were kissing.

  Turning on the road leading to my parents’ home, I see my mom has balloons tied to every fence post this side of the Mississippi. She’s excited I’m home for a while, no matter how long. I guess it just depends on Ava, if I can handle being here without having her.

  The one thing I’m happy about coming home early is I can get an idea of the party she has planned. I park in my usual spot and walk around to the back. To my shock, there’s no party decorations. As I walk toward the back door, I’m tackled to the ground.

  Walker.

  “Asshole.” I flip him off, scrambling to wrestle him down.

  “Keep talking shit, you little fucker.” Walker grabs my leg, but not before I can get him in a headlock.

  “Who’s the shit talker now?” I kick him, trying to free my leg.

  “Fuck off, asshole!” Walker yells.

  When the door opens, I know what’s coming before it’s said. “Walker Ian Pennington! Get off that baby, right now,” our mother shouts.

  I flip Walker over so I can speak to our mom. “Hi, Mom. Walker jumped me,” I say as I flash her my boyish smile.

  “Welcome home, my sweet boy.” Momma smiles until Walker catches me off guard and pins me beneath him. She shoots daggers at him with her hand propped on her hip as she stomps her foot. “Walker, last warning. Let that baby up, right now.” We grapple at each other, grunting and groaning for the upper hand. “I’m going to get your father,” Mom says as she walks back in the house.

  “‘Let the baby up, Walker.’ The baby’s right, little prick,” Walker mumbles as he frees my leg.

  “Jealous much?” I kick at him again.

  He shakes his head at me as he offers his hand. “Welcome home, baby brother.” He helps me up, pulling me into a bear hug. Walker’s an asshole, but he’s working on it.

  “Thanks, man.” I join him on the deck. “What’s up around here
?”

  His mouth twists to the side when he narrows his eyes at me. “Can’t even make it twenty-four hours at home without asking, huh?”

  “I ran into her already.” I shrug.

  “Yeah? How she look?” He elbows me.

  “Hotter than hell and still lethal.” I drop my head thinking about Ava.

  “She’s single.” He side eyes me. “You should talk to her. And by talk, I mean, tell her.”

  “It’ll never happen.” I sigh. “Maybe.”

  “Alright, you got lucky. Dad refused to let Mom throw you a party.” He stands to walk through the door. “Until seven tonight.”

  “Fuck.” I can’t believe she did it again. “Mom!”

  “I’m thankful Mom didn’t go full-blown party tonight.” I pause. “More grateful that we are.”

  “I’m thankful you’re driving. I’m hoping Candy’s here tonight so she can give me a ride,” Walker says.

  “Don’t you mean a ride home?” I glance at him.

  “You heard me.” He smiles wide.

  “Where we goin’?” I ask, shaking my head.

  “Depends.” He stares at me as I side eye him. “If she’s bartending tonight.”

  “I don’t think so,” I say as we come to a stoplight.

  “Okay, let’s go to The Club,” Walker says.

  “Where is she?” I grind my teeth for asking.

  “The Club, bartending,” Walker snickers.

  “Fuck you.” I punch him in the arm when the light turns green.

  I drive straight to The Club and sure enough, Ava’s here. She’s like a magnetic draw for me, she’s my weakness. Always has been. Always will be. I can’t explain it, I’ve tried. For eighteen years, she’s been the love of my life.

  She just doesn’t know it.

  Settling into a booth while Walker goes to the bar, I keep my attention zoned in on Ava.

  “Riley, you’re a grown ass man, go talk to her,” Walker interrupts as he sets a beer in front of me.

  I don’t take my eyes off her, I can’t. “I will.” He glares at me with a pointed look. “I will, I just… need time.”

  He rolls his eyes. “I don’t get it. You’re good looking, like your brother. Intelligent, well until it comes to her. Money to burn. Women who would drop at your feet. You’ve got the world by the balls and when you see her, you plaster on the same stupid face you’ve made for eighteen damn years. Man the fuck up!”

  “Fuck off.” I take a drink. “I’m going.”

  “You going over to speak to or tell her? Hell, just grab her and kiss the hell outta her,” Walker boasts.

  “Ain’t that Candy over there?” I point to the brunette.

  A wicked grin springs on his face. “Yes, it is. Go get into some trouble.” He shoves me up from the booth.

  “If I’m lucky!” I smirk as I head in the direction of my destiny. Now, if I can muster the strength to do it.

  I meander the path of bodies to the bar, greeting old friends as I do. “Well, hell. Look who came home! How you been, Riley?” Dax is an old friend and an arch nemesis. Yeah, he brings new meaning to ‘frienemy’.

  “Hey, how are you? Heard you’re the local law now.” I give a fake smile and a firm shake.

  “Protect and serve.” He nods. “Gonna try to serve this Philly in just a bit.” He gestures in the direction of a blonde.

  That’s when I make my biggest mistake. Dax follows my line of sight to the bar where Ava’s being harassed by a customer. I knew better than to allow him to see my interest in her, let alone my love.

  “Sounds like a plan, man. We’ll catch up later.” I throw my head back as I glance in his direction. He’s studying the bar and my girl.

  “Let’s do that, Riley,” he says flippantly, bringing a grimace to my face.

  I’ll worry about him later, right now I have bigger fish to fry. Ava’s busy with an asshole jerking her chain. I try to be patient, but lose my cool when he tries to kiss her. Snatching him up by the collar, I show his ass to the door.

  I spend the next few hours watching over her. To my disliking, her manager acts friendlier than need be. I can already tell this motherfucker doesn’t play well with others. He bumps her, rubs against her, even whispers in her ear. She cringes every time he does something.

  Walker rides Candy home, and I’m free to wait on Ava. Happy that I do because the creepy asshole is lurking in the shadows. I watch Ava drive off in my rearview mirror, my heart still with her. I’ve been all over the world the last few years, but she still owns me.

  I get to work early on Sunday. I’d prefer not to go back to Steve’s office again. Today’s an easy day; no drunken jerks, just your ordinary everyday ones. Lunch crowd is small but after one, it gets busy. I’m glad I have tomorrow off.

  “Miss. Miss,” Mrs. Covington calls out.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I answer, hurrying to her table.

  “Another mimosa, please. I’m waiting for my husband to come off the greens.” She hands me the glass without looking at me; the other ladies don’t acknowledge me either.

  “Right away. Anyone else?” I scan the table but get no response. Okay, then. Turning toward the bar, a group of men walks through the door. I can’t help but smile when I see him.

  “Mornin’, T.” Riley winks with a grin. I gasp when an unusual pang twists my stomach.

  “Good morning. Please be seated, and I’ll be right back.” I touch him on the arm as I pass, then casually make my way to the bar to refill Mrs. Covington’s mimosa. Delivering her drink, I inhale a steady breath and walk over to Riley’s table.

  He’s joined by several other men and women, all in uniform. “Hey, was there a convention no one told me about?”

  “No. I told them I was coming to get you. This is my backup,” Riley says as he jerks his thumb over his shoulder.

  “Ha, ha, ha. You undercover?” Cocking an eyebrow, I look at his clothes.

  “I can’t tell you.” He winks.

  “Or… you’d have to kill me?” I widen my eyes, pretending to be in fear.

  “I think we could find something better to do that wouldn’t result in death.” His eyes burn a path down my body as a tingle races up my spine. “Or maybe it would.”

  “Oh, okay.” My face flushes. “What’ll it be, RIP?” I ask jokingly.

  “RIP? Now, there’s a story.” A tall, dark-haired, well-built man joins Riley’s table. His blue eyes piercing as he watches me.

  “Nothing to tell, Dax. Move on.” Riley stares a hole through the guy.

  “Well, I think there is, or she could just tell me her name.” He smirks as he raises an eyebrow. Either the temperature is rising or Dax is hot.

  “I’m thinking… no,” Riley says sternly as he cuts his eyes at Dax.

  “Hi, I’m Ava.” Stretching my hand across the table, he takes it, rubbing his thumb in a circle before releasing it.

  “It’s great to meet you, Ava. Good choice for lunch.” Dax elbows Riley. Riley cuts him a pointed look before turning his attention back on me.

  “Ava, I’ll have the special with sweet tea,” Riley says in a clipped tone, making me shift my eyes to him. The small flicker of fury that burns in his gaze tells me that he doesn’t appreciate Dax’s attempt at flirting. But why should it matter to Riley who flirts with me? Everyone in this damn town knows me; they know my past, my secrets, and that I’m pure trash.

  “Okay. Will that be all?” I smile at him, trying to lighten his suddenly broody mood.

  “I’ll have the same, Ava,” Dax replies with a quick wink, and I can’t deny this man could bring a woman to her knees with those piercing baby blues and that cocky-ass grin. I try to keep my attention on each customer at their table as they place their orders, though the heated looks I feel from Dax and Riley’s direction leaves me confused and slightly embarrassed. What the actual hell?

  “Alright, let me help put your order in, and I’ll be back with your drinks.” Flashing my prized smile at them, I turn on my
heel and make my way to the bar.

  After taking a few more orders, I grab a tray and drinks, working my way back to Riley’s table. “Gentlemen, your food will be out shortly,” I say as I set their glasses down.

  “Great,” Dax says as he takes the drink in his hand, yet he doesn’t take his eyes off me.

  “Thanks, Ava,” Riley responds.

  “Now, for that nickname,” Dax says with a chuckle, cutting a mischievous smirk at Riley.

  “Riley and I grew up together. It’s what I called him way back.” I smile at Riley as he watches me. “It’s his initials, Riley Ivan Pennington.”

  “Oh, well that explains it. Although, not much a good nickname. Know what I mean?” Dax quips. It dawns on me what it may also stand for.

  “Oh, shit.” I cover my mouth as Steve glares at me from the entrance. “I’m sorry, Riley. I wasn’t thinking. I, ah, need to get your food. Excuse me.” I make a beeline into the kitchen knowing at some point Steve’s gonna have something to say about my slip up.

  “Here ya go, guys. Hope you enjoy.” I grin as I set their plates down.

  “Can you join us?” Dax asks.

  “I’m sorry, no. I’m on duty,” I reply.

  “I’ll make it up to you sometime, deal?” He winks at me again. My eyes shift to Riley and back as I adjust my apron.

  “Sure, sounds great.” That’s not gonna happen anytime soon. Just as I turn to walk away, a nice-looking man with salt and pepper hair and ice blue eyes joins them.

  “Oh, can I help you?” I smile, and he returns it.

  “I’ll have what they’re having. Thank you.” I nod and run off to place the order.

  After delivering the rest of the food, I work the room to make sure my customers are taken care of. I have a short shift today, so I begin my end of shift prep and watch the cash register. Dax keeps looking at me, smiling and nodding. He must not know who I am or he wouldn’t.

  As they rise from their table, Dax walks toward me. He’s so hot, I may melt. Turning my back to him, I try to act uninterested. Why am I trying? As soon as Riley fills him in, he’ll be gone. Men like him don’t want a girl like me.