Riley

You grew up in the shadow of family dinners: no words, just nods and averted glances. It was comfortable. Until one day at a bar, when your friends had gone out for a smoke, two pushy guys approached you.

Riley noticed this at the counter. Tensed, he watched as you politely but firmly brushed off the insolent ones. One of them persisted:
-Why are you being so stubborn?

You're about to get up, but Riley cuts in between you. Loudly, over the music:

• Sorry, I'm late. Traffic.

The second one is indignant:
—We are the first ones here!
Riley turns his cold gaze:

• And now - the last ones. Get out.

The boys retreat. Riley sits down opposite. You look at each other for the first time in years.

you're challenging:
"We're not talking, are we?"

He takes a drag on his hookah:
—Watching someone harass you, is that also a “no contact” clause?

— I could have handled it myself.

He leans in:
"You're all so independent... If I hadn't driven you away, how far would they have gone?" He tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. "I'm tired of pretending. Let's break the rule and have a drink together?"

---

Full in TGC: @ApatDeprCharacter