Page 62 of Foul & Fake
“But I love you,” I manage to croak out through the emotions, rubbing my chest to ease the pain.
It isn’t fair of me, but I need her to hear those words at least once.
“Mmhm, which is why you’re going to ask me out again. For real this time.”
“Please don’t do this,” I beg, reaching out to touch her hand, but I stop midway as what she said hits me. “What?”
She grins, closing the distance until she’s standing right in front of me, but doesn’t touch me. “You’re an idiot and kind of an asshole, but I have delusions that you’ll get better. Most of what we’ve done to each other — or threatened to do — has beenbecause of the lie. So fuck the lie. Make it real. Ask me out again, Elias. Right now.”
Holy shit, she means it. She’s actually giving me a second chance — no, arealchance, and I know there won’t be another. This is it. “Will you marry me?”
Wait, that’s not right. Goddamnit, I fucked it.
“Elias.”
Okay. I got this. Breathe.
“Riley, will you be my girlfriend?”
She looks me up and down, her grin growing wider. “No.”
Thank god — did she say no?
She’s smiling.
Am I having a fucking stroke today? Is any of this real?
To be sure I don’t ruin this once again, I step far out of my comfort zone and drop to my knees right there, khaki slacks be damned. “There are so many things I can do from this position, but I’ll start with begging if I have to. I’m sorry for everything I did and will probably do in the future, but I give you my word you won’t regret it. I’ll love you every single second you’re mine, but I need you to take this leap with me, cupcake. Will you please be my girlfriend? For real this time?”
Still smiling, her hands cup my face. “Yes, you idiot. Yes.”
I get to my feet and lift her up in one go, my lips crashing to hers as I spin us around so I can press her against the door. “I thought I was going to throw up,” I admit a little breathless, then repeat something I told her the last time I held her. “You fuck me up.”
“I love you too,” she whispers back, lips finding mine again.
I let our tongues dance for a while as our longing for each other turns to desire, and then I force myself to break the kiss. “Say it again.”
She meets my eyes as she shakes her head gently. “I love you. You’re insane and potentially a little dangerous, but I love you.I’ve felt more alive in the last few months than I have in my entire life.”
“Me too,” I admit. “I’m fucking crazy about you, baby.”
“So then invite me in, soccer boy. I want to meet your dad.”
“He wants to meet you too.” She blinks at me in surprise, and I kiss the holy hell out of her again. “I’d carry you in there like this, but I’ll get hard. I’m just not done touching you yet.”
Riley melts against me and holds me close, proving this is real. We had our secrets but it’s all out there now, the power balance has tilted in her favor, and I’ll keep my promise to make it all up to her for as long as she’ll let me.
This is only the beginning.
Chapter 26
Anywhere But There
RILEY
My heart is full again as I step inside Elias’ house. I shouldn’t be surprised, but there are four people crowding around the entrance with wide eyes and bated breath when we walk in. I recognize Maci and Juliana, which means the younger guy is probably Juliana’s new man and the older guy is definitely Eli’s dad. They have the same eyes.
“Hi,” I say awkwardly, but with a genuine smile. “I’m Riley.”
