Chapter Nine: Drive home
RILEY'S POV
Oh God, Riley.
Could this get any more embarrassing?
I had just admitted to a boy—alone in his room, in the middle of the night—that I was hungry.
Why did I even say that?
Yes, I was hungry, but that didn't mean my mouth had to betray me like that.
Xander lifted his head from the desk and looked at me for a brief second before standing up. Without a word, he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Great.
I'd just chased a boy out of his own room because of my stupid stomach.
I collapsed onto the bed and shut my eyes, groaning silently.
Soft.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. I sat up so fast my heart jumped.
"I wasn't lying on your bed," I blurted.
"I don't care, Rachel. Take it."
I blinked. In his hand was a plate of spaghetti and meatballs.
Food?
A smile slipped onto my face before I could stop it.
"Thanks," I said softly, taking the plate from him.
"I don't care," he muttered more to himself, returning to the desk.
He always said that—I don't care.
"I love the food," I said, trying to lighten the mood as I ate.
"Table manners, Rachel."
"Why do you like calling me Rachel?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
"You're—" I coughed suddenly, my chest tightening. I quickly covered my mouth.
Xander looked up, concern flashing across his face before he stood and walked out again.
The coughing came harder this time—once, twice, again.
The door opened and he rushed back in, holding a glass of water. He handed it to me, and I grabbed it, drinking fast—too fast.
Somewhere in the rush, my hand latched onto his.
Not his wrist.
His hand.
When I realized it, I froze.
I looked up at him. He was staring at our hands too.
I pulled away immediately. "I'm sorry," I said quickly.
He didn't respond.
I finished eating in silence, careful not to speak again. When I stood, I murmured,
"Thank you," unsure if he heard me.
He did.
He took the plate from my hands and left the room without another word.
I sighed and sat back on the bed.
I think he's ignoring me.
XANDER'S POV
I dropped the plates in the kitchen, my hand still tingling where hers had held it.
I couldn't stop thinking about the way she'd looked —scare and, desperate.
I returned upstairs and opened the door, only to find her already asleep on my bed.
I sighed, grabbed my shirt, and headed to the guest room instead.
RILEY'S POV
I woke up with a yawn, blinking around the room.
Xander's room.
I'd fallen asleep again.
Great.
I went into his bathroom which was quite beautiful, rinsed my mouth, washed my face, and fixed my hair as best as I could.
Then I called my mom and told her I was at the Silvers'. She sounded relieved—and mentioned they'd already informed her.
My stomach twisted as I walked downstairs.
Everyone was there.
Including Mr. James and Natalie.
Right. Sunday.
"Hey, Riley dear. How are you?" Natalie asked, noticing me first.
"I'm fine, I just—"
I glanced at Xander, silently asking for help. He looked at me briefly, then back at his coffee.
"Never mind," Natalie smiled. "Come join us for breakfast."
"I—I—"
"She's leaving," Xander said suddenly, standing up and setting his mug down.
"Oh? Are you dropping her off, dear?" Natalie asked.
He didn't answer. He just walked out.
I followed him awkwardly. Outside, I whispered, "Thanks."
He nodded.
The drive was quiet. After I gave him my address, I asked softly, "Why did you ignore your mom?"
Silence.
"That doesn't concern you," he said finally, his voice low. "Understood?"
I nodded, staring out the window.
It hurt more than I expected.
When we arrived, I got out. "Thanks," I murmured, not looking at him.
A moment later, he drove away.
I walked inside to find Mom on the couch with her laptop. She stood up immediately and hugged me tight.
"You should have told me you were sleeping over," she said. "I was worried sick."
"I didn't plan to," I said softly.
She pulled back, smirking. "By the way, I saw who dropped you."
"Mom," I groaned. "Nothing's going on."
She laughed as I headed upstairs, trying not to think about the quiet car ride—or how much Xander's reply affected me.