Three Steps Back

32

Riley

"So tell me about yourself Riley. Seeing as I've heard nothing" Andrew asked as we sat at dinner, the one comment alone was enough to make James instantly tense up, I placed my hand gently on the top of his thigh making him sigh as he intertwined our hands 

"There isn't much to know, I come from a small town, I have an older brother and an older sister. We all have our small talents and yeah" I said offering him a smile
"And your parents? What do they do?" He questioned
"My Dad works as an accountant" I answered making Andrew nod
"And your mother?" he questioned making not only James, but also Piper look up and shake their heads in his direction

"she past away a year ago" I answered making him raise a brow 
"I'm sorry to hear that. I had no-" he started before I shook my hear offering him another smile 
"It's alright" I answered 

Andrew turned to James offering him a small smile before nodding
"Looks like you've got a good one here son" Andrew said making James look down at me with a soft smile on his lips but before he could say anything, Piper joined in the praise

"You should see James when Riley isn't around like when they leave each other over summer. He's like a lost little puppy" Piper teased making me laugh a little 

"He's not that bad" I said rolling my eyes as James glared at his little sister
"And I'm sure you'll be exactly the same when you have to leave that boy toy of yours" James said wrapping a protective arm around making me roll my eyes
"Are you coming back with us this summer Riley?" Piper questioned
"I don't know what I'm doing just yet. James will be off with the Band and someone has to shop for furniture" I teased making James roll his eyes

"Furniture?" Andrew questioned earning all of our attention
"Yeah. Riley and I are moving in together next year" James said dryly to his father

"Is that not a little too soon?" He queried
"No, we'll be going into our Fourth year and considering we've been together practically the entire time" James grumbled making me take his hand in mine yet again in the attempt to calm him down 

"Practically?" Andrew questioned
"Why can't you just accept it. Why do you even care" James said rising to his feet leaving the table
I sighed watching as he slowly made his way out of the restaurant. I turned to Piper who had a small pout on his lips
"I'll go" She whispered but I shook my head placing my hand on top of hers

"I've got him sweetie" I said making her nod before I turned to follow James out of the building   

--

I got outside to see James stood with his hands gripping the railing, his back to the building and his eyes closed. I can't blame him for his built up anger towards his father. But it isn't going to help his situation right now

As I got closer to James, I wrapped both of my arms around his torso placing my head against him back earning a sigh as he placed his hands on top of mine momentarily before James turned around to completely engulf me into his arms 

"He's just so" James groaned, I nodded into his chest before pulling away to look at him, James' usual olive skin was tainted to the redness of his anger while his eyes remained closed in the attempt to calm himself down

"Look at me" I whispered and slowly but surely, he did just that. Revealing his dark brown eyes looking at me as if to ask for some sort of help

"You've got this" I said cupping his cheek, the moment my hand made contact with his skin, he leant into it a little more before softly closing his eyes again
"I know that you two don't have the stable relationship you would want from your father and I'm proud that you are trying for Piper's sake" I continued 

"We can either go back in there and try again or we can call it an evening and head back to the dorms" I added making James look over at me
"Just say the word" I whispered 

"Don't leave me alone with him" He whispered placing his forehead against mine
"hey, I'm not going anywhere" I smiled placing my lips against his closing any gap between us