oooooooooRiley
When I hopped out of the truck, my stomach sank to my knees. I was back, and it was the first time talking to my parents since I stormed out of the house. I’d never done anything like this, and I wasn’t sure how they’d react. I’d always been the obedient daughter. My brother was the challenging child.
“Here goes nothing.” I sighed as I made my way up to the front door. Caleb was following me with my bag.
“Just remember they love you and you scared them.” His voice was quiet as I fumbled for my keys. Dad insisted that the door stay locked even out here in the middle of nowhere. I guess it was all the city living growing up.
The door creaked when it opened, and I heard my mom in the kitchen. “Wes? Is that you?” she called before she appeared, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Hey, Mom.” I stood there staring as I rocked on my heels.
“Riley.” She gasped as tears sprung to her eyes. “I’m so happy you’re home.” She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around me. Just being in her arms made me feel better. It had been a long time since I’d let her hold me like this.
“Me too.” I started to cry. I was so worried they’d be mad at me that I never thought too much about how scared they must have been.
When she released me, I watched over her shoulder as my dad came in from what must have been a brutal workout. Sweat poured off of him, and his hair was soaked. We locked eyes and I saw something that I’d never seen before. He cried. His shoulders started to shake, and tears streamed from his eyes. He sniffed before wiping at one with the back of his hand.
“I’m glad you’re back.” He choked the words out before reaching for a glass of water.
“I’m so sorry, Daddy.” The words broke as they passed my lips. I knew I’d hurt him, and I’ve never seen him so broken before. “I’m so, so sorry.” I rushed forward, wrapping my arms around his middle. It didn’t matter that he stunk or was covered in sweat. He was my dad and I’d done one of the worst things I could think of. I’d questioned his feelings about me.
“I know you are.” He wrapped his arms around me. I pulled back and looked up at his face. “I’ve always loved you, Riley. I loved you before you were born. The day I took your mom to the hospital was one of the scariest and happiest moments of my life. You changed me. You made me a dad, and I’ve always thought of you as mine. Just because we don’t share DNA, it doesn’t mean I’m not your dad.” A single tear fell, and I watched it trickle down his cheek, and hang from his jaw. “There’s nothing you can do that will ever make me stop. Do you understand that?”
I nodded. “I love you too.” I smiled as my own eyes began to tear up. It was in that moment that Easton came thundering down the steps.
“You’re back!” He sounded shocked.
“I’m back.” I nodded as I pulled out of my dad’s arms.
“So,” he looked from our mom to our dad, “what are you going to do to her?” His lips pulled into a grin because he was excited about the fact that I’d be punished for running away.
“I think Riley learned a lesson all on her own.” Mom’s eyes went from mine to Dad’s.
“What?” Easton gasped. “She runs away with her boyfriend and doesn’t get in trouble, but I go to the beach and get grounded for a week?” He crossed his arms over his chest and stomped his foot.
“Your brother took a day trip without telling anyone,” Dad grumbled. “I had to take the day off to find him. He was at the beach with a bunch of older kids.”
“They’re my friends.” He pouted. “This isn’t fair.”
“Riley’s older than you. When you’re her age, you can go off with your friends.” Mom shook her head at Easton. It didn’t surprise me that he did this. It was just like him to use a moment of weakness to do something for himself. “We need to know where you are at all times.” She sighed as she turned her gaze back to me.
“Well, I’ll let you guys get settled.” Caleb’s voice came from behind us. I’d almost forgotten that he was there.
I rushed over to him. “Thanks… for everything.” I pushed up on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” I whispered. I knew that I needed to spend the evening at home. My parents deserved that much.
“Eww.” Easton made a gagging noise from somewhere behind us.
“Ignore him.” I rolled my eyes.
“I can’t believe she’s not in trouble.” He stomped his feet as he moved toward the couch and flopped down.
“We’ve already discussed this, E,” Mom warned. “You’re too young to be going off and us not knowing where.”
“Guess I should have had someone reporting back too, huh?” He shot daggers at my parents and as the words hit my ears, my body went stiff.
“Report back?” My brow furrowed. “What’s he talking about?” I looked up at Caleb and watched his face pale.
“It’s just…” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he refused to make eye contact.
“Your boyfriend called here every day,” Easton snarled as a look of satisfaction washed over his face. He was mad at me and this was his way of getting back at me. “Mom knew where you were.” He nodded. “So did Dad.”
“You ratted me out?” I blinked in disbelief as I backed away from him. “You promised! You promised me you’d never lie. You said you never broke promises!”
