Stormi's hands fidgeted as she stood outside her apartment, eyes glued to the familiar black car slowly pulling up to the curb. Her heart pounded in her chest as Riley parked and shut off the engine, the silence between them heavy with unsaid words.

Just play it cool, act like nothing happened. She repeated the mantra in her head like a shield, hoping it would protect her from the unease that curled inside her.

Riley, gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly, caught sight of her standing there. He swallowed hard, nerves dancing in his stomach. Act like nothing happened. Just be normal.

Stormi opened the car door and flashed a smile, forcing her voice to sound light. "Hi."

"Hey," Riley replied, his smile just as practiced. "Hop in. Let’s go grab some food."

Stormi slid into the passenger seat, buckling up, while Riley pulled away from the curb. The tension between them was thick, yet they both clung to their silent agreement—pretend everything was fine.

"So, what kind of food are you in the mood for?" Riley asked, trying to focus on something, anything, other than what happened the night before.

Stormi pretended to think for a moment before landing on a safe answer. "Hamburger and fries."

Riley exhaled in relief. "Your wish is my command." He navigated them toward a nearby burger joint, the small talk keeping their minds occupied, but neither willing to address the elephant in the room.

They ordered quickly, settling into a quiet booth to wait for their food. Riley cleared his throat as the silence stretched on. "Would you like to eat at the park nearby? We could get some fresh air."

Stormi nodded, grateful for the suggestion. "That sounds nice."

A few minutes later, they were on their way to the park, the aroma of hot fries and freshly grilled burgers filling the car. They found a quiet picnic table under a tree, the shade offering a welcome reprieve from the midday sun. But as they sat there, the silence between them grew even heavier.

Stormi picked at her food, her mind racing. This feels awkward. Why can’t I just talk to him? She snuck a glance at Riley, who seemed lost in his own thoughts. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Are you feeling better today?" she asked, trying to ease into something, anything that could break the tension.

Riley hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking." He paused, not quite meeting her eyes. "And, uh, thanks for letting me bring you home last night."

Stormi shifted uncomfortably. "I hope I wasn’t too much trouble."

"You were fine," Riley replied quickly, perhaps too quickly.

"I don’t remember much after the wedding...just flashes," Stormi said softly, her voice trailing off as the faint memory of being carried to Riley’s car played in her mind. "I think I remember you carrying me to the car."

Riley froze for a second, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn’t tell her the truth—not the whole truth. "Yeah," he lied, trying to sound casual. "I just brought you home and tucked you in. That’s all."

"Right..." Stormi’s brows furrowed. Something didn’t sit right with her, though she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. She studied Riley's face, searching for clues in his eyes, but he avoided her gaze.

The silence stretched again until Riley spoke, his voice a little too forced. "We should get going."

"Going where?" Stormi asked, narrowing her eyes as she sensed his discomfort.

Riley fumbled. "I—I’m not sure yet."

Stormi reached out, grabbing his arm. "Ry...be honest with me. What happened last night?"

Riley’s breath caught in his throat. "Nothing happened," he stammered, looking away. "Really, nothing."

"Don’t lie to me," Stormi snapped, her patience wearing thin. Her grip on his arm tightened, her voice edged with frustration. "I’m not stupid. You’re avoiding the truth, and I deserve to know."

Riley closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him. His heart pounded in his chest, knowing there was no way out. "You...you kissed me."

The words hung in the air like a thunderclap, sending shockwaves through Stormi’s body. Her mouth parted slightly in disbelief. "I...what?"

Riley’s face was flushed, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. "You kissed me. I thought maybe you remembered."

Stormi slumped back in her seat, her face a mix of horror and shame. "I can’t believe I did that," she whispered. "I’m so sorry, Riley. I didn’t mean to—"

"It’s fine, really," Riley said quickly, waving it off. "You were drunk. It was...nothing."

But the words felt hollow even as he said them. Nothing? He knew better. That kiss had stirred something in him, something he’d buried deep for so long. But for her, it was just an accident—an alcohol-fueled mistake. He had to remind himself of that.

Stormi’s voice cracked as she spoke again. "What if Rex knew?" Her eyes welled up, and tears slid silently down her cheeks. "What if he wakes up and finds out what I did?"

Riley's chest tightened. Watching her break down tore him apart inside. "Stormi, please...don’t cry." He handed her a napkin, gently wiping her tears. "It was just a mistake. It doesn’t change anything."

But it did. It changed everything—for him, at least.

Stormi’s shoulders shook as she sobbed, her hands trembling. "Rex isn’t going to wake up, is he? I’ve been waiting for so long, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m lost."

Riley’s heart shattered as he watched her unravel before him. He wanted to reach out, to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay. But he couldn’t. Not this time.

He raked a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep pretending I’m just her friend.

But the choice wasn’t his. Stormi still loved Rex, and that was a reality he couldn’t change. He had to leave. He had to walk away, even if it tore him apart.

"It’s going to be okay," he lied, offering her a small, broken smile. "You’ll figure it out. You’re strong, Stormi. You’ll make it through this."

She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "Thank you, Ry. For always being there for me."

"That’s what friends are for," he whispered, the words like a dagger to his heart. "Let’s get you home."

As Riley drove her back, his grip on the steering wheel tightened. This was goodbye. Not the kind you say out loud, but the kind you feel deep in your bones. When he finally pulled up to her apartment, he gave her a soft smile, one final wave, and watched as she disappeared inside.

Alone in his car, Riley’s façade crumbled. A tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered to himself, "This is for the best. It’s best for both of us."