Hello, It's Me.

Part 3

He couldn't believe he was actually doing this. He let Zay drag him out to Riley and Charlie's apartment for their monthly movie night. He remembered when Lucas and Riley had first suggested this to the group, now it was Riley and Charlie's thing.

"It'll be fun," Zay insisted for the tenth time. "I know it might be a bit awkward at first, but everyone wanted to see you."

They knocked on the door and Lucas was surprised to see Maya answer it. Her hair was still the same, but she had gotten a bit taller and her face had more angles to it. She smiled warmly at him and pulled him into the small, luxurious apartment. She hugged him tightly and then proceeded to do the same with Zay.

"It's been so long, Huckleberry." She grinned leading them into the spacious living room. Lucas was happy to hear the nickname she dubbed him with so long ago. "Josh is in the kitchen helping Riley with the snacks, Farkle is in the bathroom, Smackle isn't here yet and..." She paused, her smile faltering as she glanced at Lucas warily. "Well, Charlie went to rent some movies."

Lucas nodded politely, she gave her shoulder a squeeze and then her and Zay launched into an argument on who was sitting where. Farkle had stepped into the living room, his eyes finding Lucas rapidly and he quickly pulled him into a corner. Maya and Zay followed.

"Okay we don't have much time," Farkle stated glancing in the direction of the kitchen. "Josh is keeping Riley busy. Charlie will be here soon. Team meeting."

Lucas looked around confused, they all wore determined expressions on their faces.

"Lucas we know you still love Riley," Maya said. Lucas's jaw clenched and his eyes widened, but he didn't deny it. "She still loves you and if she would just admit, she'd drop Charlie. Please we need your help-"

"Need his help for what Maya?"Riley asked walking into the room with snacks and placing them on the coffee table.

As if it couldn't get more awkward for Lucas, Charlie Gardner entered the room dressed in a sophisticated polo shirt and khakis. His eyes were fixed on Lucas and then they moved towards Riley. He grinned and took her in his arms.

"Hello, my sweet," He pressed his lips passionately on hers and Lucas looked away, his heart aching painfully and he could feel a burning sensation in his eyes.

Charlie turned to Lucas with a smirk on his face as he held out his hand.

"Friar," He said in a cold tone. "Glad you can make to our wedding."

Lucas took his hand, not surprised that Charlie shook his hand firmly, as if they were competing in who had the strongest hold on the other's hand. Lucas towered over Charlie easily, but that didn't stop Charlie from standing at his full height trying to surpass Lucas. He was trying to intimidate him, show dominance in the situation but Lucas wasn't having it.

"Riley wanted me here," Lucas said nonchalantly. "I will always be here for her."

Charlie nodded, his stony eyes glaring at Lucas. They all gathered together to watch the movie and Lucas got up to get another drink, Charlie followed saying they were running low on popcorn. Riley felt uneasy having the two in the kitchen at the same time but Charlie reassured her with a kiss.

"So, Friar," Charlie said as he popped the popcorn in the microwave. "Remember Semi-Formal?"

Lucas's hand tightened on the cup of water he had in his hand. He turned to face Charlie with an intense glare.

"If you're asking me if I remember you swooping into my relationship," Lucas scowled. "Yeah, I remember."

"Of course," Charlie smiled. "Riley needed someone to sweep her off her feet not someone who nearly kissed her best friend. She needs me not you."

Lucas placed the glass on the counter and whirled around pining Charlie onto the refrigerator. Charlie gasped, bewildered but then his lips formed into a cocky smirk. Lucas's fist rose, hovering over his face.

"Go ahead do it, Friar," He taunted. "Show Riley the kind of man you are. Beating up her fiance. What will she think? I'm not surprised about who you are. Like I said nearly kissing Maya, what you did to her in high school.."

Lucas pressed his hand into Charlie's chest harder, knocking his breath away. Charlie just chuckled darkly.

"That wasn't my fault, Gardner," Lucas gritted out as quietly as he could. "You and Missy set me up. I have half a mind on going and telling Riley what exactly you two did."

"What we did?" Charlie hissed. "You slept with Missy. No one forced you."

"I was drugged," Lucas snapped. "You tore apart my relationship with her. She was already insecure that she wasn't enough for me. You broke her, if you really loved her you would have never done that."

Charlie's face softened. "I did nothing," He stated sincerely. "All I know is Missy slept with you, evidence doesn't prove you innocent, Friar. It's because I love her that I helped her break contact with you. She deserves better and you were way in over your head thinking you were good enough for her. She doesn't love you, just once in your life let her be happy."

Lucas released him and he fell to the floor. Charlie quickly got up and grabbed the popcorn as the timer went off. Lucas felt like all the life in him was drained away, he felt like an empty shell. There but not existing, numb and cold.

"Is everything okay in here?" Josh asked walking in, his narrowed eyes on Charlie as he folded his arms over his chest.

"Just dandy," Charlie muttered dumping the popcorn in a bowl and stalking off.

"Yeah, I was just leaving," Lucas tried to brush past Josh, but Josh stopped him.

"Whatever he said, don't take it to heart." Josh analyzed the fury in Lucas's eyes and his clenched fist, clenched so tightly his knuckles resembled a fish's spine, bony and white.

Lucas exhaled loudly, his emotions going haywire. "What if he's right? I was never good for her, Josh. I'm just a broken cowboy from Texas with anger issues. I broke her heart and it wasn't even my fault."

"Tell her the truth" Josh stated his voice stern. "I know that you would never intentionally hurt her. Why don't you tell her the truth? Why don't you tell her you still love her?"

"Josh," Lucas sighed. "You know why. Riley deserves someone who can make her happy and that isn't me."

"If you just tell her-"

"She loves him," Lucas stated. "I saw the way they looked at each other in high school. The way they talked. She loves him and he loves her and all I've ever done is been in the way. She's getting her happy ending and I'm not stopping it."