Risking the Long Game ✅

28. Chinese Take-Out and Hanging Out

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY QUEEN SABRINA CARPENTER 💛👑

~ 📚 ~

Josh's POV

"Hey" Riley smiles when she appears in my doorway on Monday morning. "Could I get a ride?" she asks sweetly.

"Where's Prince Lucas?" I tease making my niece roll her eyes as a chuckle falls from her lips.

"He's out of town this week" she explains. "Left early for Thanksgiving" she continues, "which leads me to my next question, can I get a ride all week?" she asks making me laugh as I nod in agreement.

"Of course Riles" I reply politely. "We'll leave in ten minutes" I add as she nods in understanding. I turn back to pack up my stuff before realizing she was still in my doorway. I turn back around and look at her confused. "Anything else Riles?" I question.

She doesn't reply, instead she flies into the room and throws her arms around me. I stumble back before holding her against me. "Thank you" she whispers making my eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"For what?" I ask as I look down at her.

"For helping Maya" she replies as she pulls back from me. "She needs you and you need her. I'm sorry I didn't see that for so long" she adds making a smile pull at my lips.

"I love her" I reply honestly. "And I love you" I add. "Thank you for giving me a second chance."

"You're my uncle" she shrugs. "You get unlimited chances" she adds with a smile before walking out of my room.

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Maya's POV

"Peaches" Riley exclaims when she sees me. "Welcome to Operation Playboy Takedown" she adds making me laugh as I stuff my books into my locker.

"Yea we're gonna need a better code name" I laugh as I slam my locker shut and glance around. I notice Mike walking towards us. "Ugh did he not get the hint" I moan in annoyance seconds before he reaches us.

"Morning ladies" he smirks as he leans his arm against the locker, blatantly looking me up and down. My stomach turns in response.

"Need something?" I ask, anger dripping from my voice as I clutch my books to my chest.

"Baby don't be like that" he replies. "Friday was a misunderstanding. We were both drunk" he adds making me scoff as I push my hair back.

"You were an asshole" I reply bluntly. "Please just leave me alone" I add as I brush past him, Riley at my side but I'm pulled back by his hand on my arm.

"Let's make one thing clear" he snarls. "As long as I have those pictures you're mine" he snips before releasing me and walking off.

"Maya" Riley says softly but I shake my head and rush to the library.

~ 📚 ~

Josh's POV

I'm told I've been too flaky to be considered a tutor again. I shrug and decide I'd just tutor her anyway. They can't stop me and Alec can get credit for showing up and doing nothing if he'd like.

I head to the library and look at our usual table but it's empty. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion and start to walk around. After a while I hear muffled sobs and I hurry towards them finding my girlfriend crying among the young adult romances.

"Maya" I say softly as I sit beside her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her into me. She buries her head in my chest and grabs my shirt while I stroke her hair. "Sweetie what happened?" I ask as I kiss the top of her head.