Page 116 of What Are the Chances
I waited for a follow-up comment or an explanation, but Riley fell silent.
“Did you call me just to tell me that?”
“No, I–”
I had zero patience left with this awkwardness between us. “You what, Riley?”
“I, ugh, can’t drive,” she finished.
“Do you need me to come and get you?”
“No,” she hastily backtracked. “That’s way too far for you to drive this late and–”
“You called me, Dover,” I reminded her. “Why?”
There had to be a reason. And despite whether the conversation was alcohol fuelled or not, she’d still called.
“Because I want to see you,” she softly said.
Well, that sure as hell did something to my chest.
I slipped out of bed. “Text me the address. I’m on my way.”
*
Levi glanced up when I walked down the stairs fully dressed. Grace was asleep across his lap, Tripp was sitting on the ground in front of them, and Ryan and Lana were at far ends of the opposite couch. So long as they stayed that way there shouldn’t be a problem.
“I’m going to pick Riley up from an Allentown party.”
Levi’s look of surprise was fair. He glossed over Grace asleep in his lap before gesturing to Tripp and Ryan.
“Do you need us to come with you?”
I thought for a moment. Walking alone into an Allentown party probably wasn’t the best call. Particularly if their entire hockey team was there. But I also didn’t think I was walking into a trap. Riley wasn’t the drama type. She wouldn’t pull anything like that.
Besides, I also didn’t consider Tanner and me to be adversaries anymore. If he was serious about the Bobcats, there’s no way he’d let something happen at one of his parties.
“All good. I’ll be back later.”
Maybe. I assumed. But who knew?
*
I made the drive in less than an hour. I was eager to see Riley and get her away from enemy territory.
I was forced to slow down when I turned onto the street of the party. Cars were parked on both sides, making it a tight fit for my truck. It was a big party by the looks. Even with my own radio on, I could make out the music clearly.
I spotted Riley standing on the sidewalk before I had a chance to call her. She was talking to Tanner and Parker, an overnight bag at her feet. When I rolled to a stop in the middle of the road she hugged them both goodbye then jogged to my truck before I could even unclick my seatbelt.
Throwing open the passenger door, she placed her bag on the floor then climbed in.
“Hey. Thanks for coming to get me.”
I studied her. I’d expected her to be drunk, but she seemed relatively sober.
“Is that your car parked in the drive?” I checked.
It was boxed in by half-a-dozen other cars.
