Chapter Thirty

When I looked into those intense green eyes, the world froze around me. The only sound I heard was our ragged breathing.

What was he doing here? Even though I knew why. Me. What a mess this was going to be. I took a deep breath and faced the people around me.

Dawson's dad just slurped his coffee and pulled the newspaper he had been reading even further up in front of his face. Dawson's mother was staring at me with a suspicious glare and Dawson was staring at Trevor.

I looked back to Trevor and broke the intimidating silence. "What are you doing here, Trevor?" He looked a little hurt by my question but, hello this was crazy. His entire life was back in California. I looked back at Dawson.

"Dawson, I am so sorry. I know meeting your parents meant a lot to you." He nods his head. "Let me see what's going on and I will call you later, okay?" He looks at me with an unreadable face and shakes his head, refusing to move so I can exit the booth.

"No. Because I know if I let you leave with him, I'll probably lose you. And I can't do that again, Riley." His words stung at my heart but he didn't stop there. "If I let you out of this booth and you leave with him, Riley, I'm done. I can't share you. It's all or nothing with me." Treavor reaches for my wrist.

"She was never yours to share in the first place, man. Now make this easy and just move. I did not just fly over six hours for some boy-next-door to get in my way." Dawson still doesn't move. "I will drag you out of that fucking booth. Move." Dawson's mother throws her hands up in exasperation.

"Dawson, just let the girl go. Trust me when I say that this one just isn't worth it." Trevor's eyes snap to the older woman's face. "What? Don't look at me like that. I'm sure she's great, just not at the expense of breaking my son's heart." Dawson still doesn't move. So his dad speaks up.

"Alright son, we're heading home. This seems like something you probably don't want your parents to witness." His wife looks appalled. "Now no racket from you, honey. Trevor is eighteen years old and can hold his own. We raised a good one. Now let's go." I watch her mouth open and then firmly shuts as she shakes her head and follows her husband out of the diner.

"Now follow your parents' act and leave. I've got to talk to my girl. Peaches?" I give Trevor a look that hopefully tells him to chill. He sighs. "The things I do for you, girl. I'm outside in some kind of gold sedan. That's all they had at the airport. You have three minutes."

I nod my head, thankful he's given me a moment alone with Dawson. Even though it's a brief moment, it means a lot coming from him.

I look at Dawson, who won't meet my eyes. "Riley. The first time I bring a girl to meet my parents her big city boyfriend rolls in to take her away." He shakes his head. "I told you he wouldn't give you up without a fight. I also told you I wouldn't either. I'm sorry for getting in my feelings a few minutes ago. You could leave with him over and over again and I would still be here for you. I'm not trying to downplay the dude or anything because he obviously does care about you, but Riley you know that whatever the two of you have going on is going to end in heartbreak, right?"

I don't say anything because deep down I know he is right. A flame as strong and bright as the one between Trevor and I can only last for so long before it burns itself out. I knew that, I did. But it doesn't change anything.

"I know, Dawson. I don't even know what's going on or why he's here though. It could be something to do with Nicholas, I mean I've got to at least see what's up. His whole life is in California and for him to just show up here? Something has to be wrong." Dawson nods his head.

"His world didn't make since until you became a part of it, Riley. And it went dark when you left it. I'm not going to tell you what to do or try and dictate you in anyway, your life should be made up of your own decisions, just know I'm only ever a phone call away."

My heart aches so bad. Dawson was such a good guy and I hurt him. I should have known better. I should have known that Trevor wouldn't just let me go. And I should have known that the moment I set eyes on Trevor again, all of the intense feelings that had developed between us would still be there, stronger than ever. It didn't mean I was ready to start again with Trevor though. I still didn't have a clue as to what I would do.

"You are the most genuine person I know, Dawson. I am so sorry.' I feel a tear slide down my face and he reaches over to wipe it off. "I don't know what is going to happen when I walk out of that door but I do know I'm not ready to say goodbye to you."

I kiss his cheek before standing up. I look out of the window just in time to see Trevor look away. Great. I had probably hurt him too. You're just on a roll lately, Riley. Dawson meets my eyes. I head to the diner doors.

"I'll be here, beautiful. Always." I nod my head and walk out of the doors. As sad as I was to be walking away from Dawson, I couldn't block out the relief and excitement at seeing Trevor again. He holds open the car door for me and I silently get in.

Once he gets the car moving he looks over at me. "That was four minutes." I shake my head. "I'm just playing, Riles. I'm just happy you came with me. I've missed you so much." He takes my hand and I squeeze his.

"I missed you too, Trevor. But this doesn't mean we're getting back together or whatever. This just means you mean a lot to me and I need to check your brain for signs of insanity. Why the hell would you come so far me? Your entire life is in Los Angeles, Trevor. This is insane." He looks at me with such an unguarded face that I nearly forget to breathe.

"My whole world is wherever you are, Riley Brinks. The only thing I will never do for you is stay away from you." I gasp and stare at his handsome face. How I had missed that face. I honestly never thought that I would see it again. And now that I have, I wasn't so sure I was willing to let it go again. Dawson's face flashed across my mind. Damn it.

"But Trevor, what about school? Your dad? Your racing?" He laughed and brought my hand up to his face to kiss it. "It isn't funny, Trevor. We're still kids. I can't let you throw your future away for me." He laughs again. I take my hand back.

"I love how you care about me, Princess. But the truth is I had enough credits to graduate last year. I just didn't want to walk without my friends so I hung around for some A.P courses. I also looked into it, I can finish them online. I'm good, baby. Just relax for now, we can talk about everything later. I just want to enjoy this beautiful Sunday with you. I can see why you love it, it's gorgeous." I nod my head in awe.

This man will never cease to amaze me. He is always two steps ahead and always comes with a plan. I didn't know what my future held, I just knew I hoped it held us together. He placed his hand on my thigh and I just relaxed into his touch. He was mine. And I was his. Nothing could tear us apart.