Jason^

"Hey," I looked up at the sound of Riley's voice and saw him walking towards me and I smiled which he returned only to frown

"What's wrong?" I asked when he was near me and he sighed

"We need to talk," and now it was my turn to frown

"Um, okay," I said nodding closing my locker once I put away the books I won't be needing and followed him out of the building since it was time to go home

"Fuck," he cursed and I furrowed my brows in question as he paced back and forth in the parking lot by his car since he was driving me home

"Are you going to pace the whole time or are you going to tell me what's wrong?" I questioned leaning on the hood of his car with my backpack on the ground

"I forgot to tell you something, before we go further into our relationship I need to tell you something," he said and I nodded

"Okay and what may that be?"

"About a year ago I used to live in Connecticut and there I had this boyfriend" he began and I blinked confused as to where this whole thing was going to and so I just frowned but didn't interrupt him,"I was dating this guy who was nothing like you."

"Well that's comforting" I scoffed making him sigh

"Not in a good way, Alex. He was different in a bad way. He used or may still be using drugs. I thought he'd change for me, for us but he didn't stop. He always asked me for things that I thought he didn't need but me being the stupid fool that I am, always got him whatever he wanted no matter what and no questions asked. We had an unhealthy relationship. He used to beat me when he didn't get the things he needed or when he ran out of drugs." He said and I blinked shocked at what he was telling me. Why did it take him so long to tell me about this ex-boyfriend though?

"Why are you telling me about him now? Why didn't you tell me about him sooner?" I asked making him stop his pacing

"Because I was stupid. I thought that if I didn't talk about him, that he'd just fade away from my mind but than we got together and memories of my last relationship emerged and I compared the two of you. You make me the happiest guy in the world. With you I don't have to fear of getting a call from the hospital or morgue saying that my boyfriend was found unconscious or dead" he said and I swallowed the lump in my throat at his sincere look and I bit the inside of my cheek,"I'd get called out of class or woken up in the middle of the night telling me that he was hospitalized after being found in alley"

"Do you still love him?" I asked hating the way my voice shook as the question left my lips

"No" he replied making me look up at him and saw he was inches from my face,"What I thought I felt for him was that but it was pity. I pitied him because he didn't have someone to tell him that he was beautiful or smart or that he was worth it. And because of that I let him do whatever he wanted even letting him physically abuse me. We broke up after I ended up in the hospital with a severe concussion after he threw a vase at me because I told him he needed to stop using"

I just stood there watching him as he watched me

"The only person I've ever fallen deeply and hard for is you. You've made me see that life doesn't revolve around the future me the fear of consequences instead I live in the now and don't even think about anything other than being myself. I know I should have told you about Justin before we became a couple but o didn't want to think about him nor bring up any terrible memories I had with him" he said and I knew he was telling the truth.

"Would you get back with him if he stopped using?" I asked and I feared the answer and so I braced myself to get my heartbroken but instead I felt his hands cup my face before his lips landed on mine

"I'd rather cut my arm off then get back with him. You're the one I want to be with Alex," he murmured when he pulled back a few inches so our foreheads rested against each other,"I only ever want to be with you Alex and no one else"

"But if he ev-"

"I don't want to be with him, I want to be with you" he said cutting me off and I nodded

"Okay."

~~~~~~

"Are you afraid of him breaking up with you if this Justin character enters the picture?" Molly asked as we sat on the bleachers waiting for Riley's sisters and parents to arrive. My parents and Ryder were driving over to the school a little late because apparently they had to go pick someone from the airport. I didn't give much thought to it though. Casey and Andrew were on the field and Matt was at the other side of our group talking to Jaden.

"No, he said that the only reason he was even with Justin was because he felt sorry for him and that he afraid that he'd do something stupid" I said and she raised a perfectly shaped brow not believing it but I didn't really care. I believed Riley and that's all that mattered.

"Who do you think your parents went to pick yo from the airport anyway?" Vanna asked as she took a handful of popcorn and stuffed her mouth

"Don't really know to be honest. I did ask them who they were picking but they were in a rush and didn't tell me" I replied and looked over to Matt," Matt?"

"Yeah?" He asked leaning foreword to look at me

"Do you know who they went to pick up?" I asked and he shook his head

"Not a clue little bro," he replied before he was back to his conversation with Jaden.

"So much for asking him" Vanna said with an eye roll making me chuckle.

"He's useless" I said with a shrug making her grin

"That is very true" Molly agreed. We sat in silence after as we waited for the game to begin. There was only 10 minutes to go.

I looked over to the gates and saw Riley's parents and sisters looking around before I stood up and called them over and they waved making their way towards the saved seats in front of us where they'll be joined by my parents, Avery and Ryder and whoever they were picking up.

"Hi Mr. Cordelli and Dr. Cordelli" I greeted them with a smile and they raised a brow

"Call us Marcus and Vivian, no need for formalities sweetie," Dr. Cordelli said as she and her husband sat down with Isa and Bella on each side and I nodded with a smile

"Has the game started yet?" Marcus, Mr. Cordelli, asked and I shook my head

"Not yet, it'll be staring soon though" and just as the words left my mouth did the sport's announcer come on the speakers telling us that the game was about to start and to take our seats.

We waited a few minutes more and before we knew it, the team was running on to the field and the crowd cheered standing up and clapping. I looked down when I saw Riley go to the bench and sighed. He was looking forward to playing tonight and I knew he felt useless to the team since he's their captain and should be on the field with them, but he also knew that Casey would be a good leader a she was co-captain.

"Please rise for the national anthem" we rose to our feet as the national anthem began playing with Cassidy, a sophomore from my English class sang. She was really good singer and I'm not even surprised she was singing tonight. I looked over to the sides to see if my parents, Avery and Ryder arrived but didn't see them and shook my head with a sigh.

The game began a minute later and the crowd went wild as the team got a lead and I could tell Riley was on edge the whole time.

"Excuse me, sorry" I looked over to the sound of my mom's voice and chuckled as she nearly face planted when she bumped into some one behind her my dad, who held Avery, and Ryder were having trouble holding their laughter but I give them credit for not bursting into laughs only helping her to our spot.

"Sorry were late, traffic was terrible," Dad said as they sat down, them exchanging hand shakes with Marcus and Vivian as well as with the twins

"Any touch downs or anything?" Ryder asked as he took his seat beside dad

"Not yet, the game just started a few minutes ago," I said and just as I said that, the crowd went wild and looked up to see that we had scored a touchdown

"Looks likes you were just on time" I said and he nodded,"who did you guys go pick up from the airport anyway?"

"A friend but he couldn't come he had to do some things" he replied and I nodded turning back to the game.

~~~~~~

Half time came faster then expected and Riley was climbing the steps to join us on the bleachers. The score was 20-13 with us winning.

"Hey," he said as he reached us and sat beside me, I leaned over and kissed his cheek

"Hey,"

"So how does it feel not playing?" Anna asked, they had all arrived a few minutes after my parents and Ryder did

"It sucks" Riley said truthfully and I knew he would say that and patted his knee making him look down at me

"You'll be back on the field before you know it" I said and he smiled leaning down and pecking me on the lips

"I know. Mom actually said I'll be able to play the next game" he said with a grin making me smile

"That's great, I'm happy for you baby," I murmured and he nuzzled my neck making me chuckle as his beard tickled

"Riley? Riley Cordelli?" An unfamiliar voice called and we looked over to see boy about 17 with shaggy black hair and brown eyes sitting behind us making me furrow my brows and form the looks of our friends and Riley'a that he was just as confused

"Uh, who are you?" Riley asked

"Don't tell me you forgot about me already" the boy said and Riley still looked confused and he was about to say something when the announcer spoke through the speakers quitting everyone down

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest today. First we'd like to have Alex, Casey, Andrew and Matthew Gallagher down at the field" he said and I furrowed my brows and noticed that my parents, Avery and Ryder were gone

"What are you waiting for?" Riley asked with a chuckle and I bit my lip

"Come with me" I said and he smiled standing up form his spot making the boy grab him before he could walk

"Let me go" Riley hissed and the guy let him go,"Come on don't want to keep them waiting"

We walked down the steps and joined my siblings and parents on the field

"Who do you think that guy was?" I whispered and he shrugged

"No clue babe" he murmured back

"Tonight we have a special guest joining us, he flew all the way from Afghanistan to be with his family. He was a former student of Lakeview High School and joins graduating he joined the Army and were also celebrating one of the Gallagher brothers' birthday this evening" the speaker said and I furrow my brows as today was my 17th birthday and Riley smiled

The crowd clapped and cheered while my brothers and I looked confused aside from Ryder.

'What the fuck is going on?' I mouthed to Matt who had the same confused expression as before and shrugged

'Don't know' he mouthed back

"Please stand up and welcome our very own Staff Sergeant Brian Joseph Gallagher" the male announcer said and I stood frozen in shock as I watched a familiar figure emerged from the left side tunnel and felt my threat close up as he got near.

"Oh my god" I whispered as the crowd cheered and clapped as Brian, my older brother was near us but I didn't wait until he was close as I ran to him and jumped into his arms and cried. His arms wrapped around me and held me up as we were joined by Casey, Matt and Andrew.

"Fuck I missed you so much" he said as he hugged as once he let me down back on the ground

"We missed you too, so fucking much" Andrew said and Brian raised a brow and Andrew roles his eyes

"When did you get here?" Casey asked stealing the question right out of my mouth

"An hour or so ago, that's why mom, Dad Avery and Ryder were a bit late for the game. I wanted to wait until half time to make my presence known" Brian replied and I sniffled making him smile and wipe the tears away

"This is by far the best birthday ever" I said looking up at him and he smiled

"I couldn't miss another birthday" he said kissing my forehead before we walked to our parents and siblings and Riley.

"I want you to meet someone" I said and he hummed looking down at me with a smile

"Yeah?" He asked and I nodded with a grin

"Yeah," I said as we reached everyone,"Bri, I want you to meet my boyfriend and best friend, Riley. And Riley this is my big brother Brian"

"It's nice to finally meet the man behind the name" Brian said as he and Riley exchanged handshakes

"Like wise" Riley said

"Why don't we head up onto the bleachers the game is about to start up again" Ryder suggested and we nodded and with that we climbed the steps, the crowd still clapping for the surprise.

~~~~~~

"Riley!" A voice yelled as we made our way to the car. The game had ended a few minutes ago with our school winning 35 to 28. We looked back to see that same guy from before running towards us.

"Who the bell is he?" Molly asked as we watched a she ran to catch up to us still yelling Riley's name.

"Hell if I know" Riley said, he threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me closer to him and I snuggled closer as he was warm and I was freezing. I knew I should have brought a blanket with us.

"He knows your name" Casey said as we waited for him to reach us and he did a second later

"God, you guys walk too fast" he said as he leaned on his knees panting

"Who the fuck are you?" Cory asked making Bethany hit him on the chest," Well it's what everyone here wants to know"

"I really can't believe you don't remember me" the guy said looking at Riley who looked confused as hell and that's makes all of us.

"Sorry, but I really don't know who you are" Riley said and the guy looked upset

"We went to school together back in Connecticut a few years ago before you moved here last year" the guy said and I really want to know his name because I really don't want to refer to him as guy the whole damn time

"What's your name?" I asked and he looked at me for a split second before he was back to looking at Riley

"I believe my boyfriend asked you a question" Riley said and the boy's eyes filled with tears

"You moved on already?" He asked and Riley looked confused and pissed as he didn't get the guy to answer the question before realization took over

"Justin" that simple name felt like a slap to the face and I went to move away from Riley but he kept a tight hold on me," Remember what I told you earlier" he added this time looking down at me and I nodded

"The fuck are you doing here?" Jason asked with a sneer making Justin look down at the ground and Anna to give her boyfriend a glare

"Who the fuck are you? And what the fuck do you mean moved on already?"Andrew asked

"Justin was his boyfriend when he lived in CT" I said and their reactions were shocked. All looking at us was if we grew a second head

"What?" Matt asked trying to make sure they heard right

"I said he was Riley's boyfriend" I repeated looking at them and their jaws clenched,"We'll tell you everything once this is done"

"We'll tell you" Jason said as he pushed them away leaving Riley and I alone with Justin, who didn't like the fact I was here, but who gives a fuck.

"What are you doing here, Justin?" Riley asked his tone strong and not showing any signs that he was nervous of seeing Justin again

"I came for you. I wanted to see you again. We broke up so abruptly and when I went to see you at your house your neighbor told me that you all and moved here so I came searching for you until I found out you were studying here." Justin said and that is beyond creepy as hell. He was stalking Riley for god knows how long until he had the balls to come speak to him

"Well as you can see, I'm already with someone and I don't plan on breaking up with him just because you're here. The only reason I was with you was because I felt pity. You were a druggy who needed someone to make you feel better about yourself. The breaking point was when you nearly killed me when you threw that fucking vase at me." Riley said and Justin stared at him hurt and I didn't feel bad for him at all, he made his bed and he should lie on it. He hurt Riley to the point of him finally realizing the bad he was doing by being with Justin.

"You told me you loved me Riley. You told me, no you promised me, that you would always be with me" Justin said and Riley raised a brow

"Just because I said those things didn't mean I meant them Justin. They were the words you wanted and needed to hear. I stayed with you because I felt sorry for you since no one wanted you" Riley said,"I still care about you Justin but caring and loving are two different things. I care about you but I love him. We've been together for a few months now and I don't want to lose him. You lost me a long time ago with your drug use"

"Please just give me a chance to prove to you that you love me and if I don't then I'll leave you alone" Justin pleases and Riley shook his head

"I never loved you Justin. I only said those words to clam you down and to not make you lash out at me. You always found reasons to hit me or throw things at me and I was tired of it all. Just fucking leave and don't come back" Riley said before he pulled me away from Justin who threw daggers at me with his eyes

"You think he'll leave you alone?" I asked and he shrugged

"I'll have my dad get a restraining order against him is he doesn't stop harassing us" he said and I nodded.

I just hope that this would be the last time we see Justin but something tells me that it won't be. And I'm terrified of what he may do. I just hope to God that he doesn't do something stupid.