Page 63 of Pretty Obsessed

I tipped my head, considering what he’d asked. "You want to see me again? Be with me again?”

"Yes, I know we both have a lot going on, but I don't want this to be it. I feel like you're one of the only people I can talk to. I know it wasn’t supposed to be more but I want to be friends, Emory.”

I smiled, the compliment felt good—genuine. I got why he only offered friendship. With his lifestyle, offering anything more would be a disservice to both of us. I'd been cheated on by ex-hole and it was enough for a lifetime.

"We are friends, River. I'll come. We'll figure it out."

"We'll make it work. I'll have a ticket waiting for you the minute you're done. Wherever we are." He closed the space between us, and I welcomed him into my arms.

I pressed into him, wishing I could take away at least some of this. "Can I do anything?" I tried again, trying to ride the fine line between being a nag and being helpful. I didn't want to only make myself feel better, and that was a real possibility, so I'd have to watch how much I pushed.

"Finish your book quickly and come see me?"

"Really?" I couldn't comprehend that's what he wanted.

“Truly, Emory. I'll feel better knowing I have that to look forward to."

"I promise, but promise me you'll call Will if…if you need anything." What else could I say? Anything more felt like an intrusion. Or trying to force myself into his privacy.

"I will." He pressed his forehead to mine, and it felt like the worst type of goodbye. Like there may be nothing more, and we both knew it.

I put both hands on his chest, wanting to grab and hold on, but I didn't. I had to be an adult and he didn't need the weight of anything else. Instead, I curled my fingers into his shirt.

"Thank you for these last few days."

He cupped both sides of my face. "It was a great pleasure to get to know you better, Emory."

My chest clenched. It felt too much like I'd never see him again. "The pleasure was mine." Why did I sound like such a formal idiot?

A knock sounded at the door, breaking our moment. He jumped back and got to the rest of his packing. Not that he'd brought much but I was sure it was to give himself something to look busy.

Probably for the better so I didn't have a chance to get emotional and show more of my ass than I needed to. I wanted this to be a bright spot for him. My cabin with a rockstar. I'd probably look back on it fondly when I was old. No one would believe me.

"I'll get it."

He gave Will a wave and slung his backpack on his shoulder.

"You not riding down with us?" Will asked when River put his coat on and I didn't move to do the same.

"No," we said at the same time.

We exchanged a look and then I went on. "No, I need to get work done, and he's got to catch a plane. No need for you to bring me back up here."

Will glanced between us like he didn't quite believe either one of us. "Sure thing. Ready?" he asked River.

"Yep." River turned towards me but didn't move.

I didn't know how to do this either. But I crossed the room and pulled him into another hug. Nothing that would start rumors. Not that I thought Will would breathe a word of this to anyone, but I didn't want to make River feel like I wouldn't keep his secrets.

He pressed into me, then was gone. I watched them ride away through the window and then turned to the cabin. It felt so empty all of a sudden. As silent as a church. All the life my father and then River had brought to it gone.

My once sanctuary turned graveyard.

Time dragged, and no matter how long I stared at my laptop no words came. My mind wouldn't leave him.

Thirteen

River Wade

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