Chapter 31

"How's it going?" I walked into the room and smiled at Riley. Josh sat in the chair and I sat on the side of his bed.

"Pretty good." He attempted to laugh. "I'm a little woozy."

"Yeah you look rough dude." Josh joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, maybe it was because I was stabbed, or maybe it's just this food it's horrible." Riley cracked a smile and looked at me.

"Josh do you mind if we have a second?" He turned and looked at Josh.

"No problem, take all the time you need." Josh got up and shook Riley's hand then left the room.

"I'm sorry."

"Kate don't even start that shit I don't want to hear it." He tried to sit up.

"Just stay still." I pushed his shoulders back. "You gonna just hurt yourself more."

"I'm fine." He cringed as he sat up some more. "Brian's not your problem."

"What are you talking about, they put you on some morphine?!"

"He told me what happened, Justin is just using him to get to you. Brian said he hasn't talked to Justin since he got out of prison." My face turned to complete shock.

"Are you crazy? seriously maybe we should talk about this when your not on all these meds." He rolled his eyes.

"Listen, I'm fine and I'm telling you the truth. Look I don't know what Josh told you but that wasn't me and Brian fighting outside."

"Riley he saw you. I'm sure Josh knows what you look like."

"He is lying! He wants to protect you from Brian so I understand why he would lie to you but seriously listen to me and believe me."

"Okay, Okay. Then what really happened?"

"I came home and Brian and Justin were on the lawn fighting hard core. Brian was screaming for help so I helped him. Justin stabbed me and ran off and Brian and Josh both helped me to the hospital. Josh told him he should leave before the family got here."

"Riley he is doing that on purpose to throw you off! He threatened me not to long ago, he told me to watch my fucking back!"

"Kate he said that because Justin is obsessed with you! He has been following you every where and that is why Brian has been going crazy he is trying to protect you! I know this sounds dumb but he loves you!"

"You have gone mad!" I got up to leave.

"Wait just one more thing, please don't leave like this."

"What?" I turned around

"He loves you and I'm not saying get back together with him, I think he is a bad influence but the fact of the matter is that he is trying to help you and yes he loses his temper, all I'm saying is get Brian off your mind and worry about Justin because he is your problem."

"I don't know what you want me to do! It sounds like you want me to forgive him." He rolled his eyes again.

"Kate I'm not saying it like that. I'm trying to put you at ease."

"Well did you forget about the time I called Brian and Justin answered. Thanks for trying to tell me the truth but I don't believe it."

"I'm just doing what I think is right. Instead of worrying about both of them all you have to look out for is Justin, that is all I'm trying to say."

"Okay thank you." I sat down. "Now can we talk about something else?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "How's Nick?"

"Fine he is here too, I didn't tell him he just found out and showed up."

"Really? Has Johnny given him a black eye yet?" He laughed slightly but tried to hold it in from the pain.

"No!" I shot back. "He has actually been really nice to him."

"Calm down I was just kidding." He smiled.

"I know I'm not stupid. How does your stomach feel?"

"Well." He looked at it. "Right now it feels like a little kid is poking me with a sharp stick and won't stop."

"Want me to ask the nurse if they can get you something."

"I'm on all sorts of drugs, they can't possible give me something else." He shifted some more. "Oh you better get going your going to need to change and everything."

"What are you even talking about Riley?"

"Don't you have a game tonight?" He smiled.

"Are you serious, I'm not going."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm no..."

"Yes." He cut me off. "You are."

"Riley really I go to all of them I can miss one!"

"Okay don't tell Nick I told you but he has a surprise for you he has been so excited and you need to go to the game."

"Ah! what is it!" I sat straight up in my chair.

"I can't tell you! You have to go to the game!"

"I can't leave." I slumped down.

"Kate for the last time I'm fine! He said it was an early birthday present you have to go because he flew someone out here." He pulled me over to him by my arm and kissed my head. "Get out of here." I looked at him and started to leave.

"Please call me."

"Get outta here!!" He laughed and I smiled as I headed out.

"See ya kid." Josh hugged me and walked into Riley's room.

I walked back out to the waiting room and handed my visitors pass to my mom.

"You leaving?" She got up and took the pass.

"Yeah, He said it was okay, plus I think he wants me to leave."

"Is he mad at you?!"

"No, no he just wants me to go out."

"Okay bye sweetheart." I said goodbye to all of my family and walk with Nick to his car.

"How was he?" Nick looked over at me as he started his car.

"Fine." I wiped my tears as they started to fall. "It just scares me."

Nick turned off the car and got out and headed to my side of the car. He opened the door but didn't say anything he crouched down and pulled me into his shoulder and just let me cry.