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“There’s no telling what Chad said to them about our breakup.”
“Why does it matter?”
Riley shrugged. “I care for Mr. and Mrs. Nolan. They’re very kind people, and we got along so well. If Chad painted me as the villain in this story to them, then I know it would be even more upsetting.”
“They know the truth more than likely because they know their son’s tendencies. All parents do of their children. The Nolans have probably never openly admitted it because they didn’t want any conflict with Chad.”
“You’re probably right.”
After Riley’s entrée and mine arrived, she picked at hers while I cleaned my plate. Chad stole a few more glances at us during that time, but his parents never did.
Riley and I were returning to my truck in the parking lot when someone behind us hollered, “I have something to say to you.” We turned around to see Chad walking up.
“You’re about to make another big mistake,” I told him, holding my arm across the front of Riley to shield her.
“I just wanted to congratulate you, Rhys. You got my girl. You stole her away from me.”
I laughed. “I didn’t steal Riley. She’s always been mine, and you know it. When she was with you, she was always thinking about me. She dreamed about me, too.” I pointed at Chad and smacked my gums. “Do you still watch the video that you took of her while she was asleep in your bed and dreaming about having sex with me?”
Chad looked like he was about to blow his top, and I was ready for him to do it. But then he cut his dark eyes over at Riley.
“Do you really think you’re going to stay happy with him?” he asked her, nodding at me.
“This conversation isn’t happening, Chad.”
“You left him and Cypress Hills behind for a reason, so think long and hard about that. If you need me for anything, you have my number. And by the way, my mom and dad asked me to tell you hello from them, and they miss you.”
Chad gave me a go-to-hell look, turned around, and walked off, heading back to Razzoo’s. I continued watching him until he’d made it inside.
“Are you okay,” I asked Riley.
She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. I’m so sorry about all of this, Rhys.”
“Once again, Chad should be the one apologizing. Not you.”
“What he said about me staying happy with you and all—”
I held up my hand to cut her off. “I’m not worried about it. Chad doesn’t know you like I do, and he damn sure doesn’t know me.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Riley glanced over at Black Betty. “Would you mind if we just rode around for a little while? I’m not ready to go back to my duplex.”
“I wouldn’t mind a bit.”
“It’ll help me decompress.”
“Before we leave, I want to ask you something. What would you have done without me tonight?”
“You mean, how would I have handled Chad alone?”
“Yes.”
“Stayed firm about not talking to him. He probably would’ve kept pushing me to do it, and I would’ve walked off.”
“I can picture him grabbing you by the arm, spinning you back around to face him, and then demanding you to talk to him,” I said.
“If he were to ever touch me again in an abusive way, then he’s going to jail.”
“You’d press charges against him?”
