Thursday, May 5, 2011

III.

“Riley,” Steven said into the voicemail for the fifth time in five minutes, “Babe, please, you need to pick up. It’s important, trust me we need to deal with this as soon as possible.”

Riley looked at her phone as she came back in the locker room from her gym class and saw her ten text messages and five voicemails from Steven.

“Hey,” she said pressing the speaker button off as Steven picked up, “What’s up?”

“You need to leave school right now and come to my house.”

“What’s wrong,” Riley asked in a panic, “Is everything okay?”

“Kind of,” Steven mumbled, “Can you please just get here? I’ll explain everything once you’re here.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Riley replied pressing the end button, “I love you.”

“I love you; too but just get here as soon as you can.”

Riley quickly took a shower and changed back into her clothes. She signed out in the mail office telling them that she had a family emergency. Speeding out of the parking lot, she put the pedal to the floor and took off towards Steven’s townhouse.

Steven tapped his cell phone impatiently off of the table. Jumping up as soon as he heard Riley coming up the steps, he grabbed her and hugged her to him.

“Babe,” Riley said, “What’s wrong?”

Steven pressed the button on his cell phone and showed her the picture of them kissing at the beach and then holding hands at the mall.

“Fans posted these online,” Steven said, “We need to lock your Facebook before it gets leaked and my agent is contacting the moderator of the forum to have the pictures deleted.”

Riley put her head in her hands as she sat down on the couch, “What if Steve sees these?”

“We’ll deal with it,” Steve said wrapping his arms around her, “I’m so sorry that I let this happen.”

“It happens to Steve all of the time,” Riley replied flashing him a small smile, “Don’t worry about it.”

“Your school isn’t going to call Steve and tell them you left early, are they?”

“They shouldn’t, but if they do, I’ll handle it.”

“I love you,” Steven smiled pecking her lips playfully.

“I love you, too,” Riley smiled hugging him.

“How about I cook you dinner tonight, are you busy?”

“Nope, I just have to finish this research paper for history class then I’ll be all yours for the rest of the night.”

“I thought you were all mine already,” Steven joked.

“Part of me is still holding out hope for Vinny,” Riley replied smirking.

“I’m pretty sure he is about to have a kid and is as good as married.”

“You sure know how to crush a girl’s dreams, don’t you Stamkos.”

“I’m not crushing anyone’s dream, you are. You got the hottest and the best looking hockey player in the NHL as your boyfriend.”

“Nun uh, Crosby plays in Pittsburgh,” Riley smirked again.

“HA HA,” Steven laughed sarcastically.

“Can I use your computer,” Riley asked, “I need to do this paper.”

“Yeah,” Steven replied, “Hold on, I’ll go grab it for you.”

Steven walked down the hall to his bedroom to get his laptop and Riley pulled her stuff out of her bag. Steven came back and sat the laptop on the dining room table, turning it on for her while she opened her notebook, “While you’re doing your homework, I’m going to run to the grocery store? Anything special you want?”

“Just make me something good for dinner, preferably something that isn’t made in the microwave.”

Steven kissed her cheek and grabbed his keys before heading out the door. The house felt empty to Riley and she immediately got to work realizing she got her homework done a lot faster with no distractions because the house was quiet and Steven was out grocery shopping. Finishing up the report that she had to do on political systems in the Middle East, she closed out of the document and smiled at Steven’s background on his computer. It was a picture that he had taken on his balcony, the first time she ever spent the night at his house.

Riley was sitting in his lap with her head on his chest and they were smiling at the camera. Steven had one arm around her waist and they felt like they were the only two people in the world. It was risky for him to even have it on his computer because he took it on the road and he roomed with Steve which was pushing the chance of being caught.

Riley finished the paper in no time and before she knew it, Steven was walking up the steps to the kitchen.

“Riley,” he called out, “Babe, help me with the bags, please?”

Riley stood up and met him in the hallway, “Jesus God, how much shit did you buy?”

“I needed groceries too so you might as well kill two birds with one stone, right,” he smirked.

“I’ll help you put them away,” Riley replied setting the bags down on the counter.

“You have homework to do.”

“I did it.”

“Already,” Steven asked, “You didn’t need my help.”

“Why would I need your help for an anatomy paper, we’ve pretty much done everything possible to help me study.”

Steven smirked, “Practice makes perfect, baby.”

“You’re a freak.”

“You love it though,” he laughed, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she replied giving him a kiss but the tender moment between them was quickly interrupted when Steven’s phone rang.

Steven reached into his pocket and sighed when he looked at the caller id, “It’s Steve, this can’t be good.”

“Just answer it.”

“Hello!”

“Dude, seriously, you’re dating my sister behind my back.”

Riley felt a lump in her throat when she saw Steven’s face lose color, “I’m not dating Riley, come on man, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“There’s pictures of you two together at a restaurant, clearly something is going on.”

Steven laughed, “Steve, I tutor her. We are both young, we get hungry and we go out to eat. We pay for our own, I’m not with Riley.”

“Sorry, I overreacted, you’re right I didn’t think about it like that but let me get one thing clear, touch her, I kill you.”

“You’re a dick,” Steven laughed, “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Riley’s going to a party later on tonight with Ashley and I don’t know the people they’re going with and I know Riley had it bad for the one punk a couple of years ago, so do you want to help me spy on her?”

Steven looked at Riley and smiled, “Sure thing, I’ll be over later.”

“We’re having poker night afterwards, Bugsy and the boys are coming over.”

“Alright, I’ll be over,” Steven replied, “See you tonight.”

Riley was done with the groceries when Steven walked into the kitchen and sat down at the counter staring at her, “What are you looking at?”

Steven figured it’d be best if he didn’t raise the issue about the party and just put on a fake smile which faltered because when he was around Riley, he was genuinely happy.

“I love you,” he smiled quickly forgetting everything right away.

“I love you too.”

“Your brother threatened to kill me.”

“I kind of figured that, don’t worry, when we tell him or if he finds out, he won’t do anything. He loves us both too much.”

“I better make you dinner so you can get home before he comes to hunt us both down.”

Riley laughed and reached into the refrigerator and grabbed the chocolate milk on the shelf, “Want some?”

“I don’t remember you asking if you could have some,” Steven smirked before going around the counter so he could start dinner.

“This dinner sucks no sex for a month.”

“Good thing I bought frozen lasagna, can’t mess that up.”

“Cheater.”

They both finished dinner and Riley left telling him she loved him and would call him later. Steven finished cleaning up the kitchen before he took a shower before heading over to Steve’s house to go spy on Riley.

“Have you talked to Riley at all today,” Steve asked Steven as they got in the car at Steve’s house.

“She came over earlier,” Steven replied honestly before lying, “She needed help with this trigonometry assignment that she put off until the last minute.”

“Did she say anything about the party?”

“She didn’t say anything, I had made the frozen lasagna that I bought earlier while grocery shopping and we ate while I helped her do her homework then she left.”

“I don’t know what the hell has gotten into her lately but something just doesn’t seem right about her. She’s completely different, it’s like she’s hiding something.”

“She wouldn’t hide something from you, you’re her brother. You’re the only family member she has here and you two may not be the closest brother and sister there is but she loves you.”

“I guess you’re right,” Steve said and Steven sighed in relief as the lies slipped right off his tongue like turpentine.

They sat across the street from the house where the party was and saw the ever popular red cups in everyone’s hands.

“There’s booze,” Steve sighed slamming his fist off the steering wheel, “Never pinned my sister for a drinker.”

“She’s not,” Steven replied knowingly but Steve didn’t know that, “Ashley drinks but Riley doesn’t.”

“My sister turned you into one of her girlfriends, oh Jesus God I can’t even look at you the same way.”

Steven laughed, “Fuck you dude.”

They both were watching the house when they saw Riley come on the porch followed by Ashley and a guy with brown hair who looked like he was wearing his little sister’s jeans.

“That’s Jackson, the kid she had a crush on,” Steve said pointing to the boy who had his arm around Riley. Steven felt his fist clench and his jaw tighten but they eased when Riley shrugged him off.

“I got a bad feeling about this kid and this party, go get her.”

“I was way ahead of you,” Steven said opening the car door and crossing the street.

“What the hell is Stamkos doing here,” Ashley mumbled to Riley who looked at Steven crossing the lawn.

Riley glared at her boyfriend as he stepped on the porch, “Riley, say goodbye, it’s time to go.”

“Steven, what are you doing?”

“Who is this,” Jackson asked.

“This is my brother’s friend,” Riley said keeping her and Steven’s cover, “Apparently he’s an asshole like my brother.”

Steven wanted to argue but he was in no mood because he’d say something he’d regret and possibly lose her and blow their cover at the same time, “Riley, please? Steve has a bad feeling about this whole party and we’ll take both you and Ashley home, just don’t make me drag you out of here.”

Riley glared and slammed her cup down on the porch, “I’m not a baby.”

Steven followed behind Riley and Ashley and he turned around and glared at Jackson who had a smirk on his face. Steven just wanted to wipe the smirk right off of the punk’s face but he couldn’t bring himself to be territorial over Riley.

Riley and Ashley both got in the car slamming the doors behind them, “Break the door, I take your car,” Steve said through the rearview mirror and Riley rolled her eyes.

“Replace it with a Barbie jeep since you and Stamkismyass want to treat me like a four year old.”

Ashley didn’t say anything and Steven wanted to reach behind the seat and grab Riley and kiss her but he knew better right now. They dropped Ashley off at her house before heading home where Riley took off up the steps and slammed the door of her room behind her.

“Steve, what the hell did you two jackasses do?”

“We followed her and she had a cup in her hand but I don’t know if she was drinking or not. I needed to get her out of there before something bad happened, something didn’t sit right with me and so Steven and I went to go get her.”

“I need to use the bathroom, I’ll be right back,” Steven lied and he walked up the stairs opening the door to Riley’s room.

“Go away,” Riley said face down on the pillow not bothering to look to see who it was.

“Riley,” Steven began before walking over to the bed.

“Leave me alone, Steven.”

“I know we shouldn’t have followed you but I was mad at you for lying to me and Steve had a bad feeling about the party, I only did it because I love you. Who the hell was that Jackson guy?”

“He’s a friend, I had a crush on him two years ago and he was there tonight. He moved to Orlando and was in town. I swear to God, Steven, it’s been you for the past year and a half that I’ve had eyes on.”

“Baby,” he said sitting down on the bed and pulling her into his lap. Riley straddled him and put her forehead to his, “I love you so much and I’m sorry you’re mad at both Steve and I but we did it to keep you safe. I was mad at you for lying then I saw his arm around you and something in me snapped.”

“You don’t have to worry about me wanting anybody else, I want you Steven,” Riley whispered pressing her lips to his. Steven ran his hands under her skirt and had his hands on her ass.

Maria was downstairs trying to rub Steve’s back reassuringly that he did the right thing but he suddenly felt guilty since Riley was mad at him, “I’ll go talk to her,” she said standing up and going upstairs. She heard giggling coming from Riley’s room and she noticed the bathroom door was open and Steven was nowhere in sight.

She was about to walk into Riley’s room when she saw Steven and Riley were making out on the bed and Steven’s white button up shirt was now open and Riley was running her hands up and down his chest. Steven had his hands under Riley’s shirts and Riley let out a moan as Steven attacked her neck.

Maria quickly shut the door and went downstairs where she found Steve sitting at the dining room table with Ryan Malone and Dominic Moore, “Did you talk to her,” he asked.

“She said she’ll talk later and she needs some time to cool off,” Maria lied not wanting to out her boyfriend’s sister.

Steven came down a short time later and the guys were making fun of him for blowing up the toilet with his massive “man shit” as they called it. Maria laughed to herself when she saw the hickey on Steven’s chest and his hair was in disarray. It was clear that he and Riley had a quickie upstairs.

Steven walked into the kitchen to get food and smiled at Maria who tried not to laugh.

“Where’s the salsa,” he asked.

“It’s in the refrigerator, you corruptive little pervert,” Maria blurted and quickly laughed.

Steven turned around and looked at her like she had three heads before he asked where the spoons were, “I’m sure you like to spoon,” she mumbled and Steven blushed thinking she was hitting on him.

“I’m not hitting on you, Stamkos,” she said laughing, “I have a math problem for you to solve.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The square root of Riley’s tongue plus S squared equals what?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I saw you making out with Riley and you two practically dry humping each other. Next time you two want to fool around make sure the door is locked and shut because it just may be Steve that walks in next time.”

“You’re not going to tell him, are you,” Steven asked.

“I’m not saying anything to him, I think you and Riley are cute together. How long has this been going on?”

“Almost two months,” Steven admitted.

“Aww,” Maria cooed, “Young love is so cute.”

“Shut up, seriously, you’re scaring me,” he laughed.

“I’m going to go talk to Riley about what happened with Steve, I promise I won’t say anything to him about you and her. It’s my secret as long as it’s yours.”

“Thanks!”

“No problem, pervert.”

Riley was sitting on her bed watching TV when Maria came into her room and shut the door, “You and Stamkos, huh?”

“Who told you?”

“I saw you two playing tonsil hockey then he came downstairs with a hickey on his chest and his hair in complete disarray and I figured it out and he admitted it. Don’t worry, I’m not telling your brother. Do you love him?”

“Yeah, I do,” Riley said smiling, “He makes me happy and he’s always doing little things for me like cooking me dinner and taking me for a walk on the beach.”

“Steve does the same thing,” Maria gushed, “I love him too.”

“You make my brother happy. He’s the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time.”

Riley and Maria laughed while having their “girl talk” when Steve walked in, “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“No, we were just talking,” Maria said standing up from the bed and winking at Riley, “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“I’m sorry,” Steve and Riley said in unison and they both started laughed.

“I shouldn’t have spied on you,” Steve said sitting on the bed and hugging her, “I just worry about you.”

“I know and I overreacted, I’m sorry,” Riley replied hugging him tighter.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Steve,” she smiled giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Mom’s coming next week.”

“Is she,” Riley asked, “I can’t wait to see her.”

“She’s coming back for the Eastern Conference finals.”

“It’ll be good to have her around.”

“Maybe she’ll find you a nice boyfriend while she’s here and not a douche bag who is wearing his sister’s pants.”

“I don’t need a boyfriend when I have my big brother in my life to keep me safe.”

“Suck up,” Steve joked, “Seriously, when you get a boyfriend, he better treat you right.”

Riley slapped his arm and Steve sat on her tickling her and they fell into a moment they hadn’t had since they were little. Each brother and sister moment made them feel guilty and Riley thought to herself if Steve only knew the truth, would things be the same. Life sucks especially when you’re Riley Downie.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

II.

The next morning, Steven tried to roll over in bed but he got a mouth full of brown hair and he felt weight on his right side. Steven smiled as the Riley’s phone rang again for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning.

“Riley,” he said brushing her hair to the side, “Babe, wake up and answer the phone for your brother.”

“Let him think I’m at school,” Riley said curling into Steven’s side. Steven kissed her forehead and ran his fingers through her hair. Steven was laying in bed with the sheet around his waist. Riley had her arm around his waist and her head on his chest.

“Your brother called last night and I really think you need to answer the phone. He called Ashley’s house and her mom said that you weren’t there.”

“What the fuck?”

“I think you need to call him,” Steven replied handing her the phone from the nightstand.

Riley hit Steve’s speed dial number and the phone rang twice and he answered, “Riley, oh thank God you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” she replied, “I woke up late and I’m on my way to school.”

“Forget school, spend the day with me.”

“Steve, are you serious?”

“I know I’m your brother and your guardian and I’m not supposed to encourage you to skip school but come on, you need a break and we haven’t spent time together in a while.”

“Who the hell are you and what have you done with my fucking psychotic brother?”

Steven laughed and Riley hit him with a pillow, “Shut up,” she hissed covering the speaker so Steve didn’t hear her.

“Riley, are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m here,” she replied, “Where did you want to go?”

“I don’t know, what about the beach then we’ll go to dinner or lunch or something? It’ll be like old times.”

Riley couldn’t help but wipe the tear away that had fallen from her eye. Her and Steve stayed at each other’s throats and would argue all the time. They hadn’t been civil with each other since they were kids. Riley was shocked when Steve told her mom that she could come live with him in Tampa when he was traded because Riley always thought Steve hated her.

“Okay,” she choked out, “I’ll be home in half an hour.”

“Okay great,” Steve said, “I’ll be waiting.”

“Bye Steve.”

Riley hung up the phone and looked at Steven with a questioning look, “What’s wrong,” he asked sitting up and kissing her shoulder.

“My brother wants to spend the day together.”

“Is he dying or something?”

Riley sighed and shuddered closing her eyes slightly irritated with Steven, “Shit, babe, I’m sorry.”

Steven had forgotten death was a sensitive subject with Riley since her and Steve’s dad died when they were small children.

“You know I hate to even think about any more members of my family dying.”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Steven said rubbing Riley’s shoulders placing light kisses on her neck and shoulders.

“You’re lucky that you’re good in bed or else I’d kick your ass,” Riley said turning her face to give him a kiss.

Steven laughed before wrapping his arms around her waist as they continued to kiss, “Don’t you have to get a shower?”

“Let’s conserve water,” Riley replied before Steven picked her up from the bed and carried her to the bathroom. Steven turned on the water and pulled the door closed. Riley was wetting her hair as Steven started sucking on her neck.

Riley and Steven finished their romp in the shower before they left the house so Riley could go pick up her car down the street from Ashley’s house.

“Call me later,” Steven said giving Riley a kiss before she got out of the car.

“I will, what are you going to do today?”

“I’m going to go get your birthday present.”

“I completely forgot my birthday was coming up in a week.”

“I’m the ultimate distraction,” Steven smirked causing Riley to laugh.

“That you are, I got to go or else I’m going to be late meeting Steve and he’s going to wonder where I am.”

“Have a good time,” Steven said giving her another kiss.

“Thanks,” she replied getting out of the car and into hers. She gave Steven a wave and he honked as he drove away and she headed back home to meet Steve.

Riley was surprised that she and Steve had fun when they spent the day together. He made her bury him in the sand like they were toddlers and they spent the day just catching up with each other’s lives. Steve had told Riley that he had a hard time dealing with the fact that she was no longer a child but a beautiful young woman who would be on her own in a few short years. He told her that he felt like he was losing her but he would still be there whenever she needed him.

Riley admitted that she hated Steve and who he had become after their dad died and Steve told her that he still had a hard time coping with everything that had happened. He still questions why his dad died and he survived.

“You were meant to be here for a reason, I think it was to watch over me and mom,” Riley said, “Steve, we may go head to head sometimes but you’re my brother and I love you.”

Steve looked up from his plate of food and smiled at Riley, “I love you too,” he said leaning over to kiss her forehead, “I’m sorry for making you feel like shit sometimes.”

Riley put her head on Steve’s shoulder as they sat on the beach enjoying each other’s company. She felt even guiltier keeping her secret of dating Steven, she almost came clean but decided against it. Why ruin a perfectly good bonding moment with your brother by saying, “Oh yeah by the way, I’m banging your teammate.”

One week later

“Wake up birthday girl,” Maria said bouncing on the bed as Steve stood in the doorway laughing.

“Steve, did you have to pick the girl with the energy of a fairy on crack,” Riley groaned putting the pillow over her head.

“Hey,” Maria said flopping down on Riley, “That was mean.”

“I’m a Downie, deal with it. I get my antics from my brother who’s going to wish he was never born in about five minutes.”

“Come on Riley, I have a surprise for you,” Steve said removing the pillow from her face.

“You’re really going to like it,” Maria said clapping her hands together.

“Hey Tinkerbell, calm down,” Riley said sitting up and Maria elbowed her. Both girls started laughing as they stood up to follow Steve.

“Why are we outside?”

“Close your eyes,” Steve said and Riley did as she was told.

Steve unlocked the brand new ice blue BMW Beemer that he had just purchased for Riley that morning after trading her car in, “Open them,” Maria said and Riley gasped as she did so.

“STEVE,” Riley screamed, “OH MY GOD! WHEN? HOW?”

“I saw the picture of this car in your room last week and you had a huge heart around it with pieces of paper of how you’d be able to afford it, and I know we didn’t get you a car on your sixteenth birthday, so your nineteenth birthday is better than none, right?”

“Oh my God, Steve, thank you so much! I love it.”

“Maria convinced me to buy it for you, we used your car as trade in for a down payment and I bought it flat out with my bonus.”

“You spent your bonus on me,” Riley asked.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it, happy birthday,” he replied wrapping his arms around her waist giving her a kiss on her forehead.

“Thank you, wow,” she replied with a cracked voice, “It really means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome, I love you.”

“I love you too, Steve. Maria, thank you so much too.”

“Hey, I’m a nurse practitioner I make close to what your brother makes, well I lied. I make close to a hundred thousand, he makes a couple million.”

“I like you better than any girlfriend my brother has had. His last bitches were fake titted, blonde haired, and no brained gold digging tramps.”

“How many adjectives did you just use in one sentence,” Steve asked laughing.

“You better not have any plans tonight,” Maria said, “Stammer’s having a birthday party at his place for you.”

“What,” Riley asked, “Why?”

“Vinny and Bugsy kind of convinced him to do it,” Steve said, “It’ll just be us, Ashley, Vinny, Caroline, Abby, Stammer, and Bugsy.”

“What about Hallsy?”

“He’s coming too,” Steve replied.

“Are Ryan and Abby bringing little Billy?”

“Why do you insist on calling that child Billy when everyone calls him Will?”

“I think Billy is cuter than Will.”

“I could only imagine what she will name her kids,” Steve whispered.

“Fuck you Steve,” Riley said, “I heard that fuckface.”

Maria laughed and they went back into the house, “What time are we going over to Stammer’s?”

“Seven,” Steve replied, “I mean seven too, no fashionably late I couldn’t get my hair right shit either.”

“Oh, bite me,” Riley yelled down the hall flipping him off.

Riley went to her room and grabbed her phone off the table.

So, I’m having a birthday party at your house

Steve wanted some place other than your place to have it

I cannot look at that table the same way or the counter

Speaking of which, I have alcohol that Bugsy bought. I’m getting Steve drunk then once he leaves, I’m taking advantage of you ;)


What about my present?

You’ll get that when he leaves too, I don’t want to give it to you in front of people

What is it

Like I’m telling you


Fine, no sex for a month

I do have a hand =P

Start using it then, pervert


You know you’re better than any hand could ever be

I’ll take it as a compliment I guess btw Steve bought me a Beemer

NO SHIT!!! Seriously?


Just gave it to me, him and Maria used my car as a trade in and bought it


I have a hand me down Mercedes as my first luxury car and you get a brand new Beemer. I’m the superstar in this relationship.


A little cocky, are we?


I’m just kidding, listen text me in a little bit. I have to go get your cake and stuff.

Okay, I have to get ready and then I have to go pick up Ashley, I’ll just see you at your house. I would prefer blowing you over the candles though.

Glad to know you’re just using me for my body


Goodbye, Stamkos!!

See you later, Downie!


Riley quickly deleted all of the text messages and took a shower before getting dressed. She headed over to Ashley’s and spent the day with her cruising through Tampa with the top down in her car blasting Taylor Swift.

“So, what’d your boyfriend get you,” Ashley asked.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” Riley lied.

“So, I’ve been covering for you and you’ve been texting nonstop in class for no reason. I wasn’t born yesterday.”

“I do have a boyfriend but we’re not official or anything yet and I see no sense in telling you or Steve in case it doesn’t work out.”

“Do I know him?”

“No,” Riley lied again, “He’s not from here.” That part of the lie was true, Steven was Canadian but Ashley didn’t know that.

“I’m your best friend, we tell each other everything but you won’t tell me about this mystery guy.”

“Nope,” Riley laughed as they pulled into Steven’s driveway.

“Wywee,” little Will said running over to her hugging her legs, “Happy birfday.”

“Thank you, sweetie,” she said picking him up and kissing his cheek, “Look at you looking handsome like your daddy.”

Abby waddled after her son, she was now six months pregnant with her and Ryan’s second child, “Happy birthday, Riley,” she said hugging her before Ryan came to grab Will.

“Hey kiddo, happy birthday,” he said hugging her.

“Thanks Bugsy, by the way this is Ashley,” she replied, “Ashley this is Ryan or Bugsy as we call him and his wife Abby, that little stud is Will or Billy as I like to call him, and there’s baby Bugsy in Abby’s stomach.”

“You’re even hotter in person,” Ashley blurted out causing Bugsy, Abby, and Riley to laugh.

“You do realize you just said that out loud,” Riley said and Ashley blushed.

“Oh shit,” she said horrified, “I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it happens all the times and yeah I am pretty hot,” Ryan joked.

“Looks like someone has been hanging around with Stamkos too much,” Riley joked back asthey walked up the stairs to Steven’s living room.

“Yay, the Birthday girl is here and she’s on time,” Adam Hall shouted before giving Riley a hug.

“Nice to see you too, Hallsy,” she said.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

“I’m a little offended that you’ve hugged everyone in the room today except for me,” Vinny said coming down the hall from the bathroom.

“Vincent, vous le bâtard français sexy. Je toujours épargne le meilleur pour dernier.”

“Since when the hell do you speak French?”

“Since Marty taught it to me, speaking of which, where is the mayor of the lollipop guild?”

“He told us to tell you he was sorry that he couldn’t make it, it’s Mason’s birthday.”

“I didn’t know I shared a birthday with him,” Riley said, “We’ll have to celebrate his birthday next weekend or one day this week.”

“We ordered Gourmet Pizza Company for dinner, Steve told me it was your favorite,” Steven lied before coming into the room to give her a hug, “Happy birthday, baby,” he whispered in her ear.

“Thank you,” Riley replied suppressing the urge to kiss Steven and revealing their secret to everyone.

“Hey don’t mind me, I’m Ashley, it’s nice to meet everyone,” Ashley said feeling left out.

“Guys, this is Ashley,” Riley laughed introducing her best friend, “This is Vinny, his almost wife, Caroline, baby Vinny in her stomach, Adam, and that’s Maria, Steve’s girlfriend.”

“Is it a requirement that all players have to have pregnant wives or girlfriends to play for the Bolts,” Ashley asked causing everyone to laugh.

“It seems like it,” Caroline said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, happy birthday Riley.”

“Thanks,” she said leaning down to hug her.

“Pizza or cake first,” Steven asked.

“Stamkos, didn’t your mother ever tell you that you don’t get dessert unless you eat your dinner first,” Riley joked bumping him with her hip behind the counter.

He smirked as he reached down and grabbed her ass causing her to jump, “Two can play this game, lover boy,” she whispered as they sat down at the table to eat the pizza that was stacked in boxes in the center of the table.

Halfway through everyone talking and joking around, Riley reached her hand down under the table and placed it on Steven’s crotch. Thank God everyone was too engaged in their conversations to notice Steven shoot up right.

Riley saw her phone light up and she grabbed it off the table before reading the text message from Ashley, “Holy shit, you’re banging Stamkos.”

“No, I am not, we’re friends.”

“Friends don’t jack friends off at the dining room table while people are around.”

“I’m not touching him.”

“Whatever!”

As the night wore on, Vinny and Caroline were the first to leave since Caroline was getting tired. Abby, Bugsy, and little Will left after that with Adam. It was now just Maria, Ashley, Steve, and Steven with Riley.

Steve was drunk off his ass and Maria was driving him home, “I think we’re going to go before he passes out,” Maria said standing up from the table.

“Do you mind driving Ashley home,” Riley asked, “I’m going to help Steven clean up then he’s going to help me with this trigonometry project that’s due next week?”

“Yeah sure, Ashley, is that okay with you,” Maria asked.

“That’s no problem, Riley, let me copy it when you finish it so I don’t have to do mine,” Ashley said not catching on that something wasn’t right.

“I’ll call you,” Riley said hugging Ashley.

“Bye Steve,” Steven said clapping him on the back.

Steve slurred his words as he sat his beer bottle down on the table, “You two would look soooooooo cute together,” he slurred pointing to Riley and Steven, “Your babies would totally be adorable.”

“Alright, we’re leaving,” Maria said as Steve wrapped his arms around her waist holding himself up.

“Bye Riley,” Ashley said hugging her as she followed Steve and Maria out of the house.

“Now that I have you all to myself,” Riley smirked as she pinned Steven against the counter. They heard the door open and Maria came up the steps and looked at the two of them suspiciously as she grabbed her purse and left shutting the door behind her, “Go lock the door,” Riley said to Steven.

Steven walked down the stairs and locked it setting the alarm on the wall before he came upstairs and saw Riley sitting on the couch.

“Where’s my present?”

“Let me go grab it,” Steven said walking upstairs to his bedroom.

Riley followed him and Steven jumped when he turned around from the TV stand and saw her on the bed.

“It’s awfully small, I was hoping it’d be bigger,” Riley joked as Steven huffed and sat down on the bed next to her.

“I saw the design in a catalog at the store since they didn’t have the one I wanted and when you open it, you’ll see why I didn’t want to give it to you in front of everybody. I wanted to give you something that would mean a lot to the both of us and it’d be better if it was given privately instead of in front of everyone else.”

“You talk too much,” she replied silencing him with a kiss.

Steven handed her the small silver box and Riley smiled when she took the top off and saw what was inside. It was a gold 91 on a chain and the 1 was a lightning bolt. It could easily pass off as if she was wearing it for Steve but she wasn’t it was for Steven.

“I love it,” she said taking it out of the box, “Help me put it on.”

She lifted her hair and Steven fastened it around her neck before pulling her close to him while placing a kiss on her neck, “I love you,” Steven said finally admitting it not only to himself but to Riley.

Riley turned around so that she was facing Steven, she didn’t say anything at first and Steven was afraid that she wasn’t ready to say it yet and he immediately felt stupid for saying those three words that meant the world to him.

She leaned closer and gave him a kiss, “I love you too, Stamkos.”

Steven smiled as he felt his heart beat out of his chest and he wrapped his arms around her before claiming her lips with his own.

“I still didn’t get the one present I wanted for my birthday,” Riley pouted.

“What else could possibly be better than a brand new Beemer?”

“You making love to me,” she whispered and Steven leaned her back on the bed while slowly unzipping the dress she had on.

“I love you,” he said as he removed his clothes while watching her intensely as she undressed herself.

“I love you too,” she replied as he entered her. She let out a gasp as he mixed his pace. Going fast and slow giving her everything she wanted. There was something different this time about the way they had sex. It wasn’t as rough and as rushed as it was all the other times. Riley smiled contently as Steven collapsed on top of her. Steven ran his fingers through her hair and placed light kisses on her neck and collar bone before kissing her. Riley and Steven were happy just being together and they wanted nothing more than to tell people they were together but they couldn’t and that’s what bugged them the most. Riley went to bed that mine with one more birthday wish on her mind, she wished someone would find out about her and Steven because she was tired of living a lie.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

I.

A/N: I suggest you read the one-shot "Dirty Laundry" in my Tales of the Rink series before you read this story or it will be really confusing. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I am enjoying writing it.

Riley Downie sat in class at Plant High School in Tampa Bay, Florida completely bored out of her mind. She was failing trigonometry which was no surprise to anyone in the school since the teacher Riley had was a complete moron. As he rambled on about what the square root of cosign was, Riley’s phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out and placing it on silent before she sat it in her purse and opened the text message while smiling at the screen.

Hey babe

Hi

Riley felt the butterflies in her stomach as she sent the reply to Steven. They had been dating for a little over a month now and they were both happier than over. Steven was at the top of his game in the NHL and she was doing better in school, well except for trigonometry. Her phone lit up and she clicked open the text.

How’s school?


It sucks, I wish someone would come shoot me and put me out of my misery right now

Don’t say that, then I’d be all by myself

I hate this fucking class

Trig again?

Yup, so what are you doing?

Nothing, just heading home from practice. I can’t stop thinking about you.

“Riley, pay attention,” her best friend since she came to Tampa, Ashley said kicking her chair.

How do you expect me to pay attention in school when you send me text like these

I’m sorry, but, I’ve had a bad day.

Want to do something tonight?

I thought I was supposed to tutor you tonight


I just thought you could use a night out since you said you had a bad day


What’s your excuse to Steve this time?

Nothing, I’m telling him you’re picking me up to help me again then we’ll go out

I’m tired of lying to him, Ri


I know, me too but it’s better off being kept a secret until we both figure this out


It sucks not being able to tell people I have a girlfriend

It sucks not being able to tell people I have a boyfriend but hey I have to go, class is almost over


Want me to pick you up from school?


Yeah sure, I’m done at 3


I’ll be there


Alright, text me in like fifteen minutes

I’m actually going to take a nap but I’ll text you when I wake up


Okay


Riley locked the keypad and placed it back in her pocket, Ashley tapped her on the shoulder and gave her a note.

Who’s the guy you’re texting?

Riley clicked her pen and scribbled a reply before folding it back up and passing it to Ashley.

Nobody, don’t worry about it.


“Mhm, I’m sure,” Ashley whispered as the bell rang.

The rest of the day dragged on for Riley and she sat in her remaining classes impatiently. Steven texted her when she had ten minutes left in her class, letting her know he was parked a few blocks down so he didn’t draw attention to himself.

“Hey,” Riley said smiling as she got into the car.

Steven smiled leaning over the seat to give her a kiss, “Mmm, I missed you,” he said running his hand over her arm.

“I missed you too.”

“How was your day?”

“Shitty just like yours! I hate this fucking school.”

“You only have a couple more months though, just bear with it.”

“I’ll try, I can’t make any promises.”

“Want to go get some dinner?”

“How about we just order take-out and stay in and watch a movie tonight?”

“Sounds good,” Steven said turning the car on. They pulled away and headed to Steven’s apartment complex.

Riley opened the door and Steven grabbed her hand and headed towards the door. He unlocked it and Riley put her bag down on the dining room table.

Steven ran his hands through his hair and sat down at the counter, Riley handed him her Trig book and her notebook and Steven began working out the problem that Riley had on a different page.

“You see, you have to put the square root into the calculator and then the rest of the problem works itself out.”

Riley wasn’t paying attention as she ran her hands over his back and his chest, “Riley, come on, you’re never going to get it if we do this every time I try to help you with your homework!”

“Steven, I had a really bad day and really all I want to do right now is fuck, so please just forget about the homework.”

Steven stopped and looked at her like she had two heads before he slid the books off of the counter and lifted Riley up off of her feet and sat her on the counter before attaching his lips to hers. Riley wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

Steven lifted her shirt over her head and threw it to the floor, “Steven,” she moaned as he bit down on her neck.

“I had a shitty day too,” he whispered seductively, “How about we both forget about it?”

“Lose the shirt,” Riley whispered and Steven pulled away pulling the white polo off his torso. Riley ran her hands down his biceps before she traced her fingernails over his abs earning a growl.

Steven ran his hands over Riley’s sides before massaging her breast in his hand, “Enough with the damn foreplay already, just fuck me.”

Steven laughed before pulling Riley’s shorts over her legs and placing a kiss on her stomach. Slowly tracing his hands up her legs, he stopped at her panties and she moaned. Steven smirked feeling how wet she was already and he was quick in removing the lacey material. Hovering over her core, he quickly attached his lips to her bud earning a shriek from Riley as she threaded her hands in his hair, “FUCK,” she screamed as he sucked at the hard nub before he pulled away and licked her folds.

“You like that,” he asked and she nodded her head before he inserted two fingers earning a deep moan from her.

“Oh fuck, right there,” Riley screamed, “Oh my God.”

“Cum for me, baby,” he whispered against Riley’s skin and she moaned.

“FUCK STEVEN,” she shrieked as she flew over the edge. Steven smirked attaching his lips to hers before removing her bra. Steven removed his pants and boxers before he grabbed a condom out of Riley’s bag on the table.

“Does Steve know you have these?”

“Shut the fuck up about my brother,” she hissed as Steven opened the condom package and slid the latex over his erection. He gave Riley another kiss before he slowly entered her. Laying a kiss on her lips, he thrusted his hips.

“You’re so tight, baby,” he groaned as he moved his hips faster.

“Fuck Steven,” she screamed as she threw her head back.

“You’re so good, baby!”

“Oh God, Steven,” she moaned as he moved to his mouth to her chest.

Steven felt Riley’s walls tighten around him and he knew she close, “Oh God, baby,” he moaned against her neck as he too reached his peak.

“That was better than amazing,” Riley said breathlessly as she gave him a kiss on the lips after they got dressed.

“Gets better every time,” Steven smirked before placing her in his lap as they picked her homework off of the floor and started working on her homework again. Once they finished, Steven ordered dinner and they ate together like it was an everyday thing in their lives.

“Want me to stay here tonight?”

“What are you going to tell Steve?”

“I’ll tell him that I’m going to my friend Ashley’s house, I’ll park my car somewhere on her street and you follow me there then we’ll leave.”

“What if Steve calls asking where you are?”

“He’s not going to call, he can care less! He’s been nailing Maria.”

“Okay,” Steven said as they left the apartment so Riley could go get her stuff. Riley told Steve she was going to Ashley’s and he gave her a hug and kiss on the forehead telling her he loved her and to be careful.

“I love you too, Steve,” Riley said suddenly feeling guilty.

It wasn’t often Steve told his sister that he loved her but when he did, it meant a lot to the both of them since they argued most of the time.

Riley waved goodbye to Steve and got into her car and blinked her lights for Steven to follow her. Riley pulled into the parking space and locked the car before she left with Steven. She sent Ashley a text asking her to cover for her and Ashley knew she was with a guy but she didn’t know it was Steven.

Steve sat at home and he had a bad feeling about something but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Maria had came over and sensed his sudden change in mood, “What’s wrong?”

“Riley’s at Ashley’s house and I don’t know, I have a bad feeling about something,” Steve said.

“Call her, I’m sure she’ll answer the phone.”

Steve called Riley’s phone and when he got the voicemail, he let out a frustrated groan, “She’s not answering.”

“Call Ashley’s house then,” Maria suggested.

“Hello,” Mrs. Michaels said when she answered the phone.

“Hi Mrs. Michaels, it’s Riley’s brother, is she there?”

“No Steve, she isn’t, I’m sorry! Why, is there something wrong?

“Not that I know of, she told me she was coming over to spend the night.”

“Ashley’s not here, she went out, maybe Riley is with her.”

“She might be, I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“It’s no problem, have a good night, Steve.”

“You too Sherry, thank you,” Steve said hanging up the phone.

“Well,” Maria asked.

“She’s not there,” Steve said.

“I’m sure she’s okay, she’s a good kid, Steve. Calm down, I’m sure she’s fine.”

“You’re right,” he sighed, “I just worry about her.”

“I understand that but she’s an adult and is free to make her own decisions. Steve, she’s not a little girl anymore.”

“I know but after all we’ve been through as kids, I’m afraid of losing her.”

Maria hugged her boyfriend as Riley texted him letting him know she was okay. Little did she know, Steve was going to ask Steven if he had heard from her the night before. Steve suspected something between the two of them but he didn’t push it because he knew that if there was something going on between them, they would tell him.

Back at Steven’s, Riley had fallen asleep during the movie that she and Steven were currently watching. Steven moved the hair away from her face and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Smiling to himself, he couldn’t figure out how he got so lucky. Sure, he was in deep shit if her brother found out but he didn’t care because the girl of his dreams was in his arms and he loved her, she just didn’t know it but she would soon. Steven Stamkos considered himself one lucky son of a bitch.