❝We're falling apart, still we hold together

We've passed the end, so we chase forever❞

- The Chainsmokers, Phoebe Ryan, All We Know.

"This is so good," I said, referring to the food as I swallowed some of the chicken salad I'd chewed on.

"Told you," River looked at me, a knowing smile on his face.

"Thank you very much, Renee," Maddie smiled warmly. "So, how are your parents?"

"They are very well," I nodded, a smile on my face.

"River told me you don't live with them?"

"That's true," I nodded again."My parents live almost an hour away. I live with my brother who's out of the university. I pretty much grew up attached to him," I smiled.

"Just like Riley is to River," she chuckled and my eyes darted to the two of them which caused my heart to melt. I couldn't get over how cute they looked being playful with each other at the moment and looking like they were having their own serious, private conversation.

"He's a good brother to her."

"Yes, he is," she looked proud. "And how's school and your work?"

It made me happy that River had been talking about me to his mom. "School is good and I love the bakery. I mean, that's where I met River." I threw a quick glance at him, smiling.

"River, can I come with you to the bakery one day?" Riley looked at River.

"Why not?" He replied, ruffling her hair and causing her to chuckle.

"Well since bakeries reminds me of cakes and whatnot, Riley's birthday is next Saturday and we're having a small party for her. It would be great if you could be there," Maddie looked at me.

"Oh my gosh, really?" I looked at Riley with a wide smile on my face and she nodded big, excited as she said, "Yes, yes, yes, Renée, please come!"

"I'd love to be there, and yes I will be there," I looked from her to Maddie, still smiling.

Riley clapped her hands in excitement, and in the process, she started shrugging her shoulders, but looking somewhat uncomfortable as she did so. I looked at River almost immediately, and he looked back. I knew it was a tic. My gaze averted back to Riley who was now trying to go back to eating her food. She would pick up her fork, but it would drop back to the plate because she kept shrugging.

Maddie looked at me, her soft eyes looking even softer, if that was possible and my heart broke for her. Undeniably, she was a great mom and having to do it alone while her husband worked in another country was hard, I knew.

"River must have told you about Riley..." She said softly.

"Yes," I nodded, swallowing. "And I honestly hate that she has to go through that."

Maddie nodded. "Sometimes, she tics when she gets really excited. That's just what happened now."

"I understand," I replied.

"I'm full," Riley spoke up, clearly she had relaxed now and she patted her stomach. "I'll have the rest later." She then leaned in to give River a hug and Maddie smiled."We love her random hugs." She got up and kissed Riley's head before starting to pack up the plates.

"I'll help," I offered, picking up the other plates.

We both walked into the kitchen and after putting them in the sink, Maddie turned to me, "I'm so glad you came today and I met you. River talks about you often. You're so sweet."

I smiled, "I really am glad I met you too. And you have two amazing kids you must be proud of."

"Very proud," she nodded. "Please feel free to come here anytime," she gave me a warm hug while I nodded.

River walked in then and made his way to the refrigerator, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your girl time, but I'm in serious need of some dessert."

Maddie chuckled, "River is the only one in the family who has a wild sweet tooth."

I laughed, looking at him as he took out of the refrigerator what looked like trifles.

"Honey, where's Riley?" Maddie asked him.

"With Waffles in the living room," he answered as he handed a trifle to me, taking a seat on one of the high stools and I did the same, sitting opposite him.

"So, this is mom's famous blueberry lemon trifle," River told me. "One of the best things you would ever taste."

Maddie smiled, obviously enjoying her son's praise. I took a spoon of the dessert and let the whipped cream rest on my tongue before biting into the sponge cake. It tasted divine.

"Maddie, this tastes so amazing," I looked at her.

"Thank you, Renée. My mom's recipe is always the best for trifles," she chuckled then gave me and River quick hugs. "I'll go get some work done now. River will help with whatever you might need."

Me and River ate in a bit of silence after Maddie left before I spoke up, "You know, I'm happy you brought me here today. Your mom is wonderful."

He looked back at me, a smile on his face and I looked back, feeling shy all of a sudden. "What?" I asked.

"Can you tell my mom likes you?"

I nodded, happy. "But were you ever going to tell me about Riley's birthday? Or you were going to just bring me here next week Saturday like you did today."

He laughed loudly. "Nah, I was going to tell you during the week next week."

I chuckled, then looked at my phone. It was a little after 5:30pm. Jeez, where did the time go?

"In as much as I don't want to leave yet, I have to leave soon" I told him, still eating my trifle.

"Alright, sure. Uh, I'll just go tell mom you're ready to leave and I'll grab my keys."

"You don't have to worry. I'm pretty sure I can make it home."

"I'll call BS on that. You're not so familiar with this street. I'm not going to be responsible for you going missing."

I playfully rolled my eyes and few minutes later, after goodbye hugs and a little laughter, I left with River.

*

I was pretty sure Tanner was tired of hearing me go on and on about Maddie, Riley and even Waffles.

"It was River who named the dog Waffles," I sighed. "He's so goofy."

I heard the front door open and Kaleb walked into the living room, a grin on his face.

"Kaleb!" I was excited and gave him a big hug. "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too. I know I've been MIA and I'm sorry about that," he looked at me, his voice soft.

"Kaleb! What's up, man?" Tanner came out from the kitchen and gave him a bro hug.

"Damn, it's actually been a while," he replied.

"Yes, and you deserve for your ass to be kicked. Are you good, though?"

"Yeah, I am," he nodded.

"No time for boy talks. Kaleb, I have a lot to tell you," I took his hand, pulling him to my room.

"Yeah? Fill me in, come on," he kicked his shoes off and laid on my bed, resting his hands behind his head.

I sat up excitedly on the bed, "So, I hung out with River and Riley the—"

"Wait. Who's Riley?" He asked.

"That's River's sister. Anyway, what happened was, he wanted me to be his model—"

Kaleb snorted, "You don't take pictures."

"Actually, I did yesterday and it was pretty good. And then today I—"

Kaleb's phone vibrated and he took it out to read the text. I watched his eyes run over the screen, and then he looked at me. "I'm sorry Rae, but I have to go."

I couldn't describe the surge of the disappointment that washed over me the moment he said those words. "Oh... but you only just got here."

"I know, I'm so sorry, but Syd—"

"It's okay," I didn't want to hear her name.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I promise I'll make it up to you."

"It's whatever, Kaleb. You don't have to," I shrugged.

He was quiet for a while and I began to feel hopeful. Maybe he wouldn't go. Maybe he would see how important this was to me and would text Sydney, telling her he couldn't come, but all my hopes were dashed when he kissed my forehead in haste, "I promise I'll make it up to you. I love you!"

I watched him leave, disappointed. And after a while, I went out to the living room where Tanner sat. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me, "What's wrong?"

I sighed. "I feel like we're really starting to drift apart."

*