My Baby Boy

Chapter 4

Lilly's P.O.V

I sighed, frustrated. Riley's becoming aggressive now, Axel needs to at least send Riley a message. I understand that in his mental state after all this, seeing Riley isn't what his therapist would say, if he even sees one. I feel very sorry for Riley, the way this whole thing is hurting him.

I looked at the footage I got from the camera. It shows that a car had pulled up to the household early morning, before the accident. Someone in black got out and put something under the car, probably the bomb. They walked to the back yard and came back with something on their shoes, that's probably what left the foot prints.

The person got into their car and skid away quickly. Then it shows Axel getting inside of his house a few hours after that. Someone has it out for Axel, they probably want revenge or something.

They probably knew Axel would save Riley and at the last minute try to slip out the car. They knew exactly how much time to set before the bomb went off so that Axel would at least get hurt...or maybe it wasn't for Axel.

It could've been Johnny, that man Riley spoke about with strong words. But how on earth would he know all the small details like when to attach the bomb to the car or how strong the bomb had to be or more importantly...what decisions Axel would make in that little time.

There are so many things that don't make any sense. Riley wouldn't do it obviously, Axel wouldn't try kill himself whilst putting Riley at risk, Johnny...I don't know. Judging by the description Riley gave me about Johnny and his obsession with Axel, I don't think Johnny would risk Axel's life to get back at or to kill Riley.

None of this makes any sense. The car the person used was completely new and had a sticker on it. 'Lilo & Raymond's Car Rental' is what was written. I went over there after leaving Riley's house and they told me a young man by the name of Evan Marten rented out the car for two days enforce the accident happened.

Now where had I heard that name? Evan Marten? Axel...Evan...*that face you pull when realization smacks you in the back of the head, yes that look*

But why, your own brother. Riley told me they had issues but I didn't think that...oh my God.

•••

Riley's P.O.V

I couldn't stop staring at the ring. Every class I went to and every situation I was in, I stared at it. I love it so much...God. I smiled like an i***t whenever I looked at it...fuck I love it. I sit wish that I could tell Axel I love it...I wish I could see him.

It's been a solid nine months since the accident. It's now the first of July

and I'm not holding up well. It's almost my birthday and Axel isn't here. I feel like crying every time I think about my birthday. Like right now I'm sitting at my lunch table completely oblivious to the situations around me. I haven't been in deep thought for a long time.

"Riley what do you think about it?" Someone asked me, making me snap back to reality. "Think about what?" I asked. "Never mind." Lele said drily. I sighed and put my chin in my palm. "Ooo nice ring let me see!" Tori screamed.

All his movements and everything around me became slow. I watched as he lunged for the ring around my finger. He can't touch it. I thought to myself. I moved my hand to my chest defensively and I stood up hastily.

Before Tori could slam his jaw into the table Jessie pulled him back. "You should be more careful Tori." I heard Jessie whisper into his ear. Molly stared at me and so did Grant. "Well, this is an interesting lunch period so far." Grant said sarcastically. "Best you've ever had, I don't wanna brag, but I'll be...the best you've ever had. Aka I'm the lunch period..." Tori sang then snickered.

Grant rolled his eyes. "Don't roll your eyes at him, he's only making a joke." Jessie said, glaring in Grants direction. Grant smiled uneasily and blushed. "Sorry." He said. "Has anyone seen Molly?" Jessie asked, finally really speaking for himself after so long. "She's in detention for me." Lele snickered.

Everyone laughed except me. I sighed and looked at my ring. "Now back to the ring!" Tori shouted with excitement. "I swear Tori if you do something like you just did, I won't catch you." Jessie warned playfully. "But I wanted to see the ring!" He whined like a child. "Then ask next time, you could've broken something." Jessie continued.

I was still standing so I sat down. "Welcome back to the table." Lele joked. I smiled. "Thanks." I said sarcastically. I continued to stare at my ring and the table became silent as I did so. "Riley." Lele said, breaking the silence. "Yes." I said in acknowledgment. "Where did you get the ring?" She asked. "Axel was going to give it to me the day of the accident." I replied lowly.

"But how did you get it, you didn't go back there did you?" She asked worriedly. I didn't answer. "Riley." They said in unison. I looked up at them.

Concern, all over their faces.

"Riley, you don't think he was going to-" Grant tried but I cut him off before he could finish. "It's a promise ring." I said quietly. "How do you know?" Tori asked, almost challenging me. I glared at him and Jessie glared back at me for him. I sighed. Some day Jessie won't be around to protect you Tori. I thought.

I looked at my ring. "Because it has 'I promise' and my name molded into it." I answered. "Wow he got you your own promise ring and it looks like read gold...is it real gold?" Jessie asked. "Yea." I answered. They all gasped. "Holy crap do you know how dangerous it is to wear that here?" Grant asked. "No one but you guys know okay and besides, it's partly melted...it has no value when it comes to money." I said.

"Jessie, where's my promise ring?" Tori asked with a smirk. "Don't start that again brat." Jessie warned playfully. "But I want one." Tori said whilst pouting. "I could give you something much better than a promise ring Sugar." Jessie said.

"Oh really?" Tori challenged. "Yes really." Jessie confirmed. "What is better than a promise ring mmm?" Tori asked. "Well I could give you a promise hickey or you could ride my promise di-" Jessie was about to finish but Tori slapped his hand over Jessie's mouth to stop him from continuing.

He blushed and laughed awkwardly. "Ha, no promise ring it is!" He shouted nervously. We all laughed at him and just as we did the bell rang.