❝You don't know, babe

When you hold me

And kiss me slowly

It's the sweetest thing❞

- Daniel Caesar, H.E.R, Best Part.

It was safe to say that seeing Chloe's name pop up as the caller on River's phone made something feeling like rocks settle in my stomach. Were the two of them still speaking? Why was she calling him? What did she want to say? Why-

"Renée," my thoughts were interrupted when I heard mom call firmly. Immediately, I looked at her, feeling River's eyes on me as I answered, "The food is amazing, yeah."

Tanner laughed, swallowing the food he was chewing, "She asked how school was going."

"Oh," I laughed awkwardly. "School's good. Term's coming to an end, so work is piling, but I'm getting them done one after the other."

"Well, that's good," dad stated, nodding.

Mom shot me a half-worried look before going back to eating her food. In that moment, I felt River's hands cover mine under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. I relaxed and sighed inwardly. Maybe I was just over thinking... or maybe not. The possibilities of reasons why Chloe could be calling him was endless.

That bothered me, but in order to avoid being caught in another awkward moment, I pushed the thought of Chloe aside.

*

"Mom, can I get some food to take away?" Tanner stretched, walking into the kitchen.

"For you and your sister?" Mom looked back to him.

"No, for me. She should ask for herself," he replied, running his fingers through his hair as he threw a quick glance at me.

"Mom," I called. "Do you sometimes think that maybe I was meant to be the older one between me and Tanner?"

Mom chuckled, going to grab a few Tupperware, when I felt something hit the side of my head.

"Ow!"I yelled.

"Oh come on, you're just looking for attention. That was a sponge I threw at you," he rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. I'm telling mom how you spent my birthday money."

"What do you have to tell me, baby?" Mom queried, walking back into the kitchen with some Tupperware.

Tanner's eyes widened as he looked at me, causing me to chuckle, "Nothing."

I looked out of the kitchen and caught River's gaze even though dad was speaking to him, but I looked away almost immediately.

*

The walk with River back to his car was not awkward, but it was not exactly comfortable either. He had to come with his car because Tanner had informed us that after dinner, he had plans on stopping by his office briefly, and we didn't have plans on following him.

"Your parents are awesome," River commented the moment we got into the car.

I nodded slightly, not looking at him, "I'm sure they love you."

"Are you okay?" He asked, and I nodded again, tucking my hair behind my ear, "Yeah, I'm fine."

He looked at me weirdly and with a small smile on his face, he said as he started the car, "Well, uh, you might want to put your seat belt on."

I leaned in the seat after putting my seat belt on, looking outside the window. He had only pulled out of my parent's driveway and hadn't driven too far when he questioned, "What's wrong, Renée?"

"Nothing," I shook my head.

"You've been really quiet and that's unlike you."

I forced a smile, "So, what? A girl can't be really quiet?"

"You know what I mean. I'm just concerned. I noticed when we were back at your parents house."

I opened my mouth to say something about Chloe, but what was the point? What if I really was just making a big deal out of nothing?

If it's an ex, then it's a big deal! My subconscious screamed back at me.

He threw a quick glance at me, "You don't feel sick, do you?" His voice was etched with worry.

"No, I'm not. I think I'm just in a mood is all," I told him.

He nodded to my response, not saying anything else as he kept driving.

It didn't help that the journey back home was a bit far, and the journey was silent. The only sound that could be heard was River's occasional humming and tapping his finger against the steering. It was funny hearing him talk to himself from time to time.

I shut my eyes, not feeling the slightest bit of sleepy, but feeling the need to pass through the silence.

"Renée?" I heard River call moments later.

"Hmm?" I opened my eyes, sitting up in the seat. I looked outside the window and furrowed my eyebrows. It was the spot we usually came to when we needed a place to go. "What are we doing here?" I looked at him.

He shrugged, "We're here to talk."

I looked down at my phone, "River, it's 12:23am."

He flashed a toothy grin, "Yeah, and lucky for you, you don't have to go to school because it's already a Saturday."

I watched him sit on the hood of the car, running his fingers through his hair. "Come on," he patted the space in between his legs.

I sighed and walked to where he sat, sitting in between his leg, my back to him as I leaned into him. He wrapped his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my ear. "I was going to take you home, but I didn't want you leaving like that. I know something is wrong. Do you want to talk? I'll listen."

I swallowed, and with the confidence of not actually facing him, I spoke up after a while, "I can tell that she's still really into you."

"What are you talking about?"

I sighed and turned to face him, "I saw it, River. She called you... Chloe."

"Yeah, she did, but you saw me, I declined the call," he said.

"Because you were on the dinner table," I retorted almost immediately and he looked amused, "You think I would have taken the call otherwise?"

"She's your ex," I mumbled.

"Exactly. Ex-girlfriend. Please tell me you're not serious," he sighed.

"I want to go home," I rolled my eyes, pushing myself away from him as I started to make my way to the passenger's door.

"No, wait," he grabbed my wrist. "I'm sorry. I know you're not overreacting. Yes, she keeps calling and sending texts, but I promise, I never say anything to her."

"Look at me," I said to Renée, running my thumb over her hand. "Come on," I urged.

I stared into her brow eyes when she finally looked at me, "Do you not trust me?"

"I do, River," she spoke up. "It's just hard knowing there's an ex somewhere still trying to contact you."

"I didn't mean to make you feel insecure. You make me happy, and I'm fully dedicated to you and this relationship. I'm sorry about Chloe. In fact-" I took out my phone from my pocket and unlocked it in her presence, finding Chloe's contact and blocking her number. "-I blocked her. Hopefully she gets the hint now?"

She watched me and a smile slowly crept up her face. I pulled her closer to me and planted a kiss on her temple. "Don't worry about Chloe. I'll choose you over and over again."

I felt better about everything.

I was happy River had driven here in the first place. I needed it even if I didn't see it in the beginning. I looked back at him and I could see he was tired. "You look really tired," I voiced, running my fingers through his hair.

"Sleepy, yeah," he nodded. "I've got a job to do tomorrow."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Its fine. You should work on getting your assignments done. Xavier will come with me, but we can do something fun on Sunday. "

I nodded, "That's fine. Now, you have to go home, so you can get some sleep. It's almost one."

He nodded before placing his lips over mine, making me reciprocate immediately. It was slow and passionate, his lips moved smoothly and was in sync with mine, and his tongue explored my mouth.

It took minutes before he pulled away and rested his forehead against mine. "I better get you home before Tanner sends out a search party."

*

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