Beside Him

Chapter 2// Late Night Texts

The sun was shining as I walked home. I hadn't visited in about 4 months and I knew that dad was home lately, since Taco was missing from Lolly's house.

Taking a deep breath in, I got out the spare key from my backpack. I unlocked the door, stepping into my parents' 7 bedroom mansion.

"Dad?" I called out but before I could get any source of a reply, I was literally tackled to the ground.

Wet kisses found my face, the sand papery feel of Taco's tongue making its way to my forehead and cheeks.

I pushed him off, kissing his head once I'd managed to sit upright, which took a long time considering Taco was currently a landseer dog twice my weight and 3/5th my height when stood up.

"Rivi?" I heard my dad's deep voice resonate through the mainly empty mansion.

It really was a house, not a home.

"Over here, dad." I shouted back, nervously playing with Taco's fur.

I hadn't seen my father in about 6 months. Terrible? I know.

But considering I hadn't even spoken to my mother in about 2 years, it was amazing.

"Hey, baby girl." He said once he came over. He chuckled at Taco, stroking his fur before taking me into a huge, fatherly hug.

My eyes watered as I embraced my dad back.

"I missed you so much, daddy." I whispered, going back to the time when I was a little girl and dad would sneak in chocolate cake to my room, avoiding mum on the way.

God, I love my dad. I really do.

"I missed you too, baby girl. So much." He whispered back, his chin resting on my head as he took in my scent. I could feel perspiration on the top of my head and I knew he was crying too.

We continued embracing, him planting kisses all over my face.

"So," he started once we were both sat down with Taco resting at my feet. Bless him, it must be hard carrying all that weight of fur. "How have you been?"

"I've been good, mostly focusing on studies and stuff but yeah... you?"

"Good. I've missed you a lot. But me and your mother have mostly just been busy with Amanda's wedding." He said carefully and I physically flinched.

Amanda Harrison. The cause of one of my mother's one night stands. The cause of my mother's unfaithfulness to my dad. The b*tch who stole my boyfriend.

My so called sister.

"Dad."I said angrily and before I could get another syllable in he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Rivi. But you know you have to attend her wedding. I have no say in the matter and you know how your mother feels when I favour you." He said softly,his eyes filling with regret.

My eyes watered and I looked away. "Dad, she's marrying my ex boyfriend." I croaked out and he instantly pulled me into another hug.

"I know, baby girl. No one said it would be easy. I don't expect you to forgive her straight away, but I never wanted you to end up with an i***t like Vincent anyway, so if anything I'm glad he's ending up with Amanda. A cheater for a cheater." He said into my hair and I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

"I know, dad. It's not the wedding bit that hurts. It's just that...through the whole time him and I were together, he was seeing Amanda behind my back." I said quietly. "Dad, he said he'd wait for when I was ready to give my virginity. But he didn't instead he just f*cked my sister."

My dad's body went taught. "Rivi. Language." He said angrily and I chuckled.

"Jeez dad. Out of all that, that's the only bit you picked up on."

"Baby girl, you are way stronger than any one else I've ever seen. You have your mother's blood in you and... you'll get through this baby."

After that my dad made dinner since he'd given all the maids a day off.

Yay, dad food.

The fact that my half sister stole my boyfriend isn't the most hurtful bit since,if anything, I should have expected it.

Vincent Moretz was in senior year when I was a freshman. I'd introduced him to my family in the summer holidays leading up to Junior year. There, he'd met Amanda (who was at the time first year in college although she'd been held back a year.) and, like all others who meet my sister, he was a goner straight away.

Vince had promised over and over that he loved me and only me yet in that same summer, he'd walked hand in hand with Amanda into the garden the next day at Lolly's house announcing to everyone they were getting married.

To say that I was heartbroken would be the understatement of the century.

And to add lemon to the wound, my mother had told me to be happy for them. She'd insisted that somebody as good looking as Vincent would never go for somebody as 'bad' as me.

So I made myself more like Amanda, following after her good girl facade.

And made sure that I was one of the Populars. And now boys kiss the ground I walk on. So take that Vincent, kiss my newly beautiful ass.

"I have to leave again tomorrow morning." Dad said quietly and I choked on my taco. And no, I'm not eating my dog.

"What?" I choked out.

"I'm sorry. Vincent and Amanda are now in Turkey for their world tour and I need to go to them. Your mother would have my head if I didn't." He explained softly and I ignored the absolute heartache I was experiencing that followed every time I was slapped in the face with the knowledge that my own mother despises me.

"It's okay. I get it. But when are you coming back?" I asked, ignoring the pain.

He gave me a smile. "I knew you'd understand, baby girl. And I'm sure you'll see me again this year. At least before Amanda's wedding."

I pursed my lips and smiled, avoiding telling him that there was absolutely zero chance in hell that I was attending that b***h's wedding.

Not. Happening.

The rest of the night went smoothly with me and dad watching our old favourite movie, Paper Moon. We avoided the two taboo subjects which were my mother and Amanda's wedding.

No thank you.

"Goodnight, baby girl." My dad yawned and I gave him a huge hug with a kiss to the cheek.

"Night, daddy. Are you gonna be home when I wake up for school?" I asked, still embracing him.

"I'll be home till 9 because my jet will be here at around half past. I'll see you then." He mumbled and I squeezed one last time before going up the grand stair case with Taco behind me.

I took a long hot shower before changing into my oversized puppy shirt with matching shorts.

Let's just say my choice of clothing made Taco very happy.

I got into bed, noting the time to be 10:21. So, naturally,I wasn't the least bit tired.

I pulled out my phone, massaging Taco's fur as I did.

I had 89 messages and I deleted them all until I saw one from an unknown number.

Frowning, I clicked on it.

'If you're late or not there, I will personally murder you, River.'

The message read and I immediately smirked. Only one person on this planet calls me by my actual name and somehow the thought of him made me smile.

Hello to you too, Archie. Now please inform me on how you got my number. Stalking me are we?

Almost two seconds later, I got a message, which surprised the hell out of me but I found it extremely endearing anyway.

'Don't excite yourself. Let's just say your Poppy friend can open her mouth after she's been pleasured. And once she does, there's no closing it.'

I grit my teeth. Why the f*ck is he sleeping with Poppy?

You know, my doors and legs are always open for you, Archie. ;)

I was joking, and I hoped he knew. I was a virgin. So before you call me every word beginning with 's' in the urban dictionary, just re-read that. A virgin.

'Gross. You're letting the flies out, you need to close them again.'

I gasped. Then I laughed. This i***t.

Funny. d**k head. Anyway, what you doing up so late?

'I'm not home.'

Oh, yeah? The bad boy at another one of his slag's houses?

'I never have sleep overs with them, so don't get your panties in a twist. And I'm somewhere that you shouldn't know about.'

Firstly, my panties are just fine. Wanna see?;) And secondly, I don't really care where you are as long as you don't come to school tomorrow with bruises lined up your face.

'No. If I wanted to see a jungle I'd search up the sss. And wow, nice to know that you care so heavily about me, River. P.s. I probably will have a few bruises...'

I frowned, my heart beating faster. I wasn't worried...no...no I positively wasn't worried.

Archer, where are you?

'Worried?'

You wish. Just curious.

'Right... Anyway, I'm at a certain race track about to get into a certain car and kick a certain prick's hairy ass.'

The text made me laugh and want to knock my head against the wall. Without even realising, I stuffed my feet into my beige vans, throwing on any oversized hoodie.

'Hello? Are you dead?'

Nope, very much alive. See you in a few.

'River. Don't you f*****g dare.'

Toodles.

'River.'

'F*ck River don't come here.'

'Hello?'

'River?'

'For f***s sake.'

'River?'

'Just tell me you're ok.'

'River?'

'Fuck.'

Jeez, impatient loser. I'm alive. And well thank you for asking. It's cute that you actually care. Anyway, I'll see you I'm about five minutes considering I'm five minutes away.

'f***s sake. How do you even know where I am? And I wasn't worried you nonce. I was simply making sure that I don't have a dead body that I have to bury.'

By now, I was standing in front of the huge arena where they held the illegal racing. I smirked, reading his message again.

I knew, because I used to come here myself to watch the races, before I took up the whole 'be like Amanda or your mother will continue to resent you'.

I walked in and just as I reached the middle bleacher row, I was yanked back with so much force I was scared my arm was no longer attached to my body.

"f*****g Hell. What is wrong with you, you dumb ass?" He said and I immediately recognised it to be Archie's voice.

I smiled, wrapping my own arms around him as my head lay on his hard chest, hearing his rapid heart beat.

I knew he was scared for me but bloody hell, I didn't even think he knew my second name. The thought that he cared made my heart melt into a little puddle, one that I desperately didn't want him to splash in.

"Sorry, Mr Worrier. I just came to see you race." I mumbled into his chest, taking in his scent of nature and forests.

F*ck, is it really important to smell like a god too?

"Hmm." He grumbled back.

"AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMAN, WELCOME ON TO THE RACE TRACK- ARCHER KING VS FYN MCCARTHY." The voice on the intercom said and me and Archie pulled apart as if on fire.

"I wasn't worried." He muttered and I looked down.

" I know." I said, looking at my feet awkwardly.

His face broke out into his typical smirk once he gave me a look over.

"I'm glad you're a dog person. I am too. Except your shorts are way too small for a place like this-" he said but was cut off by the idiotic intercom guy again.

"Archer, please come to your car. And bring your girlfriend with you." It said and I bit my lip to stop the grin that threatened to form.

Girlfriend. Archer's girlfriend. Archie's girl.

Ok stop.

Archie frowned, his muscles going rigid.

He took my hand causing little bolts of electricity to shoot through the area he was touching.

Eventually, we came to a stop in front of two cars, one with someone already inside and one empty but turned on.

"I'm gonna have to go, but make sure to stay alive. And try not to get raped." He muttered, running a hand through his hair, he walked off.

Just as he got into his car another guy came up to me, a small smile playing at his lips.

He had blonde hair, styled to perfection in a quiff and was tall, maybe about an inch shorter than Archie himself. His green eyes danced with amusement.

"You're the famous River I've been hearing so much about. I'm Luca." He said, sticking out a hand. His accent was distinctly Australian.

Hot.

"I'm Rivi. Nice to meet you." I replied politely.

"Ok, Rivi. I need you to do me a favour. Can you do that?" He asked and I shrugged.

"Sure."

"I," he said with a small smirk that gave me chills. "Want you to be the flag girl."