Chapter 14

UNEDITED...

The following Monday, River came home from work to find her mother finishing up dinner in the kitchen. On top of the counter, was scattered ingredients for dinner and a huge bouquet of red and yellow roses.

"Who is this from?" Lucille turns to her, folds her arms, and applies an inspector's gaze.

Her daughter sets her bag down on the table. "Those are for me?" She pulls the card from in between the bouquet.

"River, I'm sorry about the other day. I should have handled myself better, the car too, but that's not the point. Anyway, I want to make it up to you. For making you faint an all. My treat, your choice."

Landen.

Seeing a smile grow on her River, Lucille's brows shoot up. She grabs some carrots in front of her and begins slicing nervously. "Who Is this guy? Where did you meet him?"

"Relax mom. It's not a guy, it's Landen."

"Landen? Why would Landen send you roses?"

"Umm..." She had to think quick. Her mother can't know what happened. "It's no big deal really. He got into a little argument with his brother in front of me. These flowers are to apologize." All true, just missing some details.

Lucille shakes her head. "Why don't I believe you?"

"After all that we have been through, I wish you would trust me more." River sticks the card back between the flowers and starts taking off her shoes.

"I trust you, I do. But please try to understand. I know better than anyone else that when you fall in love, it can make you the blindest, stupidest person." Lucille stops cutting and starts waving the sharp knife around. " I used to look at my mother with so much resentment because I didn't understand what it's like to be in love and insecure."

"Mom, I'm not you, or grandma, or Zoe, I'm me. I won't pick the wrong guy."

"I thought the same thing when I met both yours and your sister's father."

"Here we go again." River rolls her eyes. "They were both perfect gentlemen, they gave you sweet compliments and lots of attention." She does an imitation of her mother's voice.

"All I'm trying to say is sometimes they are not who they portray themselves to be. Especially in the beginning, when they are wooing you." Her mother belts out.

"I remember from the last time you told me."

"I'm afraid for you." Lucille's eyes well up. "I don't want you to ever go through what your sister and I did."

River sets her shoes down and goes to her mother's side. She sets the knife down and pulls her into a gentle hug. "I won't ever go through any of that, I promise to never accept that kind of treatment."

Sniffling and wiping away her tears, Lucille breaks the hug and turns to the boiling pot "What's the problem with those boys anyway? Why were they arguing?"

"I don't know." River picks up her shoes and goes near the front door to put them on the rack. "I think they don't understand each other." She yells out.

Ding dong! The doorbell rings. How coincidental that she was right near the door.

"I think I know who that is." She announces, but she doesn't. She thought it was going to be Landen, instead, it was his brother. Ryan stood before her wearing a dark business suit and his hands in his pockets as usual. "Hey." She greets him surprisingly. "Everything okay?"

"I'm visiting." He makes a subtle head movement toward the main house. He pauses awkwardly before asking "Are you feeling well?"

"Oh." She didn't know what to say. She knew this is brotherly love, but it was the hardest thing in the world seeing it that way when she has had romantic feelings for him, for as long as she has known him. She has to remind herself every time he was around her, that he cares for her as a sister, and is engaged. "I'm fine."

"Has it happened again?"

Her brows knitted together. "What?"

"Have you been feeling dizzy or light-headed?" He inquires.

"No." She looks away from his gaze and begins playing with her fingers. "I never said thank You; for taking care of me. So, by the way, thank you."

He was unresponsive. His eyes uncomfortably divert to the ground and then back at her.

"Would you like to come in?" She asks

"No." He clears his throat. "I just came by to check on you."

"What happened that you need to check on her? "Lucille comes from behind and questions.

"Joy." River mumbles. "Mom-"

"Step aside, I'm not speaking to you." Her mother cuts her off. "Tell me." She orders. "What happened to her?" She places her hands on her hips and gives Ryan an, I'm waiting glare.

His eyes divert to River, then back to her mother. Soft confusion is the only way to describe his features. He scratched his head and even opened his mouth subtly, but nothing came out.

"It was my fault." Landen appeared behind his brother. Out of nowhere. "I got into a little accident on the track this past weekend. She was so afraid for my life, she fainted."

"Worry lines formed on Lucille's forehead. "My poor baby." She grabs her daughter for a tight hug that didn't let up.

"I have to go." Ryan catches River's eye contact as he turns to walk back. At the same time, his brother gives him a half-smile before stepping inside and closing the door. "

Landen accepted a dinner invite and had a tasty meal with River and her mother. After over an hour of laughing and conversation, Lucille excuses herself for her favorite show in her room. She turns off most of the lights and leaves him and her daughter alone in the kitchen.

River didn't move from the table. She was finishing up her dessert, spooning ice cream into her mouth she probably shouldn't be having.

Landen stands and goes near the fridge. "Almond milk." He states enthusiastically while pulling out the container. He pours himself a glass and then takes back his seat across from her. "Yum." The corners of are eyes crinkle from a smile above the rim.

She rolls her eyes at his always goofy-ness "What are you doing here Brenner?"

"Did you like the roses?" He sets the glass down.

She glances at them sitting near her on the counter. "They're beautiful."

"You accept my apology?"

"Your apology isn't necessary. You didn't mean to crash the car."

"I could have not been driving so fast." He shrugs.

"You know, That's true." She stands up and points her spoon in the direction of the front door. "Get out of my house."

After an immensely uncoordinated silent moment, they both break out in laughter.

"No really." She contains her giggles and drops herself back down. "No apology needed."

"I still want to take you out." He leans over the table. The gaze in his eyes reaches hers, and it was his chase look, with a little bit of cocky humor. The look he has on when he's on the prowl for a girl.

She squints her lids in dumbfounded confusion. Why was he looking at her like that? Then suddenly, unexpectedly, he winks. She jumps. It was a subtle movement, almost unnoticeable.

"Where and when?" He takes her spoon from her hand and puts it into his mouth.

"Hey...." She stares with her jaw wide.

"Hurry up." He rushes her for an idea.

"Umm." She bites her lips.

Landen's eyes involuntarily zoned in on her mouth. Whoa. He became stunted. He was feeling attracted. Very attracted. He wanted to kiss her. Badly. He drops the spoon in the bowl and glances away quickly. There was no way he was feeling something real. This is not how things are supposed to go. How is it supposed to go? It suddenly dawned on him, if he goes through with his plans, then what? What would happen next? What would happen to River? And their relationship? What is he doing?

"How about bowling?" She comes up with something.

"Text me when you figure out when is good for you. I've got to run." He skyrockets out of the house.

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