Chapter 4 004

Easton's POV

I quickly put my phone in my pocket, the screen still glowing with Cass's message that made my stomach turn.

I turned to Riley and said sharply, "Don't worry about what you saw, just stay out of my sight.” I made sure my voice was hard so she wouldn't see through me.

She stared at me in the dark flashlight beam, her eyes wide like she wanted to ask more, but I turned away quickly before she could.

"And stay out of my way tomorrow," I added, my voice low, before I grabbed Lila from her arms carefully so our hands didn't touch again. I carried my sister back to bed while the storm kept raging outside.

The next morning came too fast, the sun broke through my blinds like it wanted to burn me alive. I rolled out of bed, my head pounding from not getting enough sleep. I couldn't shake the thought of Riley staying here and seeing every messy part of my life now.

Disgust hit me hard, she didn't belong here in my space, close enough to hear my real thoughts or see me without the quarterback mask. But Lila needed her, Mom needed help, so I had to put up with it, even if it meant making this house a living hell for Riley to get her to leave quickly.

Down in the kitchen, I quickly poured a cup of hot, black coffee, and waited until Riley came in juggling Lila's backpack and her own bag.

"Morning," she greeted quietly, her eyes on Lila instead of me, like I was invisible. To gain her attention, I deliberately walked up to her and splashed my coffee mug on her, causing a dark stain to spread quickly on her shirt.

"Oops, didn't see you there," I said with a smirk.

Riley's face turned red as she looked down at the wet shirt, but she didn't yell.

“Really? Grow up, Easton," she said softly, wiping the shirt with a towel while Lila pulled her hand and said, "Riley, let's go, it's time for school!"

I watched them leave, Lila chattering happily, and Riley's back straight like she refused to break. My chest tightened as I watched her walk out, but I told myself it was just irritation, nothing more.

At school, the cafeteria was very loud as usual, trays clanging and students yelling at each other. I sat with my team, picking at my fries. Cass walked over to Riley's table across the room, her cheer skirt flapping.

"So you're really living at Easton's house now?" Cass said loud enough for half the room to hear, pushing Riley's tray that the milk spilled everywhere.

"You think you can steal my spot? She leaned in close and whispered, "Dream on, big girl.”

"I'm just taking care of his little sister. Nothing else," Riley said calmly as she slowly wiped the milk off. But her voice shook a little at the end.

As I sat there and watched, my fork stopped moving halfway to my mouth. I felt guilty, and it hurt like badly tackled football. Blake stood nearby with some guys and smiled as usual. But when Riley bent down to clean up, he gave her a quick almost sorry look before turning away. That change in his eyes made me wonder if he was still enjoying the show as much as he used to.

Cass smiled at me expecting me to join in, but I just looked down at my plate and felt sick to my stomach.

Later that day, practice went on, the coach yelling drills until my legs burned, but my mind kept going back to Riley in my house, seeing things I had never shown anyone.

Unable to concentrate on my training, I left school early and went home, sweating and mad at myself. Entering the house, I heard laughter coming from the living room. It was Lila's high giggle mixed with Riley's soft voice. They sat on the floor with Lila's tablet, Riley showing her some coding game where blocks could be used to build towers of different colors.

"See? Drag this one here and it makes the cat jump!" Riley said excitedly, her face lit up with happiness for the first time she arrived here.

Lila clapped and said, "You're the best teacher ever!"

As I watched them, my chest was heavy. I dropped my bag loudly on the floor to break the moment and walked in like I owned the place, ironically which I did.

"What's this kiddie stuff?" I said roughly, grabbing water from the fridge.

Riley looked up, her smile fading away quickly.

"Just helping Lila with her homework," she answered, standing up slowly.

Lila ran to hug my legs, "East! Riley made the cat fly. Want to see?"

"Later, squirt. Now go wash up for dinner," I told her as I ruffled her hair.

She ran off, leaving Riley and me alone in the kitchen.

Riley started pulling veggies from the fridge for dinner, not looking at me.

"I can handle the cooking if you want to shower," she said politely, but her shoulders stayed stiff. I leaned on the counter closely, my arms crossed.

"You think you fit here now? Playing house games with my sister?" My words came out sharper than I meant, already getting angry from seeing her so easy with Lila.

She turned back to me, knife in hand, her eyes flashing. "I'm here for the job, Easton, not to take anything from you."

We stood a few inches apart, our breaths mixing together in the small space. I wasn't sure if her face was red from the fight or the heat. I couldn't tell.

“You'll quit soon enough," I said, stepping closer that our shoes almost touched. "This place isn't for you."

Riley didn't back down, her eyes locked on mine. "Try harder, then. I'm not running yet," she answered quietly but strongly.

That was the first time she really stood her ground. The air became thick and I forgot for a second why I didn't want her here.

In the middle of the moment, Lila called down from upstairs, "Dinner soon?” Riley turned back to the cutting board, her hands calm now.

She picked up the knife again, her shoulders relaxing a little as she began to slice the carrots. My heart was still pounding from the closeness we had earlier, but I told myself it was just anger.

I grabbed my water bottle and began to walk out of the kitchen, needing some space to breathe.

Before I could get to the kitchen door, her phone rang on the table behind me, the screen lighting up in the room. Riley stopped cutting the carrots, the knife lingering in the air, and reached for her phone slowly like it was going to bite her.

She read the message, her eyes widening, color draining from her face in an instant.

She turned around quickly, staring straight at me, her face filled with anger.

"Easton," she said, her voice low and shaking but calm enough to cut me. She held up the phone so I could see the words:

“'Quit the job or everyone finds out your mom's secret hospital lie. You have until tomorrow.” The mess

age read.

"Who sent this? Did you do this?” Riley questioned, her eyes red with anger.