Chapter Twenty Nine

By the time I made it home that night I was on cloud nine. Dawson was a dream. There was nothing scary or rushed about being with him, it just felt natural. Was it possible though, that it was too good to be true? I felt my phone buzz and looked down. It was a text from Dawson.

Dawson: Thank you for allowing me to waste your time today. It was definitely an amazing day.

Me: You could never waste my time. If anything it would be the other way around. I loved everything about today, Dawson. Thank you and thank you for listening without judgement.

Dawson: I know it sounds crazy and even cheesy, but I'm falling hard for you, Riley. You're unlike anyone I've ever met.

I grin. Hard. It was cheesy, ooey gooey cheesy, but I didn't mind.

Me: Then call me cheesy as well because I feel the same way. Goodnight, Dawson.

Dawson: You've got me grinning like a jackass eating briars over here, girl. Goodnight, gorgeous.

I smiled and laid my phone down. I get up off of my bed and head to the shower. I smile as I smell the sweet aroma of the soap and just soak in the memories that were made today. For once, I didn't feel like an alien in this world. It was a good feeling.

When I make my way back to bed I pick my phone up and see I have a message from Trevor.

Trevor Lyles: Riley. Please. Please don't erase us. Please don't give someone else your heart. Or your smile. Or your laughter. I know it's selfish, but I want those things to be mine. Only mine. I keep seeing this dude tag you in pictures and memes and I'm not even mad at him because I get what he sees in you. I'm just sad. I feel like my heart has been burned from the inside out and I'm just left with a dark, painful cavity in my chest. I know this is selfish of me to ask of you but honestly it was pretty damn selfish of you to just leave me behind and move on like we never happened, so please Riley, please wait for me. I won't be much longer. See you soon, Peaches.

I'm stunned by the words he wrote. My chest aches from the guilt of just leaving him like that. But I had to. I didn't have a choice. I don't believe he knew anything about Elizabeth being my mother anymore. I was just so hurt at the time. But Trevor and I are far too different. I'm slow and steady whereas he's fast and furious. He deserved more and I needed...less. I roll over onto my side and count back from a hundred until I finally drift off to sleep.

To my delight I open my eyes on my own the next morning. I feel pretty good about this until I see the sun is up and notice the clock on my nightstand reads 11:30.

I jump up, nearly tripping. Something must be wrong with Nanny. She never sleeps in. Oh my goodness, how could I have slept so long? I run out of the bedroom and into Nanny's only to find it empty. I fart down the stairs shouting for her, but she is nowhere to be seen. Without a hesitation I grab my keys and head towards the diner worried that her car might have broken down somewhere.

I make it all of the way to the diner and let out a sigh of relief when I see her car in it's usual spot. I rush in and nearly jump over the counter to hug her when I see her behind it.

Her face looks shocked. "Riley, what on earth girl?" She grabs my face and feels my forehead as if searching for a temperature.

"Why didn't you wake me? I thought something was wrong or that something had happened to you!" I watch as realization crosses her face. She moves from around the counter to stand directly in front of me.

"Baby girl, I figured you could use a day of rest! I am fine. See?" She holds her hands up and spins around in a complete circle. "Good as new. But honey, where are your clothes?" At that I hear a familiar chuckle and turn around. Dawson and what I presume to be his family are sitting in a corner booth smiling curiously at me. Then I decide to look down.

Damn it, damn it Riley! I am mortified to discover that I am still in my penguin pajamas. These dern things are cursed.

"Hey, Riles. Looking good today, babe." I feel my face turn hot and watch in sheer panic as Dawson's mother swats him playfully. Then I practically run out of the diner.

I open Black Beauty's doors and manage to jump halfway in before I feel a set of hands on my waist, lifting me up and away from the truck. "If you weren't ready to meet the folks yet all you had to was say so. You didn't have to run away." I look down at the ground as he sets me on my feet in front of them.

"I would rather not meet them for the first time in my penguin pajamas, please and thank you." Keeping my head down, I turn back towards the truck. Dawson steps up behind me so that we're chest to back. He reaches around me and grabs my chin, pulling my face up and towards him.

"Sweetheart, you could be wearing a paper sack and I would still be happy showing you off." I meet his eyes just in time to catch his lips. It's a sweet, slow, lingering kiss that only leaves me wanting more.

"If I let you go home and change will you come back and meet my parents properly? They're awfully curious at this point." I smile. I don't know if I'm actually ready for that or not but I agree to keep from hurting his feelings.

"I won't be long." He hits me with a dazzling smile and kisses my forehead before letting me go. I hop in the truck and smile all the way home.

What does one wear when meeting the parents for the first time? Something comfortable I hope. I'm already awkward enough, I don't need to add constant fidgeter to my profile.

I smile when I see the black Johnny Cash tee shirt Nanny had bought for me. I grab it, a pair of skinnies, and my cowgirl boots. I hurry and brush my hair out, brush my teeth, and throw on some lip gloss. This would just have to do. I really hoped they approved of me.

Twenty minutes later I find myself sitting between Dawson and his little mom. She was so sweet and welcoming. I don't know how to act. "So, Riley. You are all Dawson has been talking about the past couple of days." I blush and she winks at me. "I see why. You're a doll. Which you have been since you were a little girl." I look over at Dawson and he's just grinning. He doesn't seem embarrassed at all. "Now, Dawson is my only boy and the youngest of four. All of my other kids have flown the coop. So I'm going to have to warn you away from hurting him." At that, Dawson's dad chuckles.

"Easy, Mary-Ann. They're just kids, you're acting as if they're to be married." Dawson smirks. "We might be." I gasp and smack his chest. Before I can talk we're interrupted by a rather furious sounding voice. I freeze.

"I think the fuck not." I look up and meet those intense blue eyes. Trevor.