Chapter 77 Izzy
Chapter seventy-seven
Izzy
Being back home feels unsettling. It doesn’t feel like home.
Nowhere does.
I understand Via on a different level now. I always knew the loss of someone you cherish was hard, but I never fully connected with that. Not like I do now. I’d give anything not to know this feeling.
My home, where I once found comfort, now feels like a prison. I’ve only been back for about a week, but I can’t stand it.
The drive down to the island to Via and Ander’s home is longer than I remember, but I embrace the silence. I find myself craving it, even. Yet, I don’t want to be alone.
Via greets me with open arms. She looks so… pregnant. It’s really cute on her. She’s all belly. Thoughts of my baby and what could have been quickly consume me, but I push them down.
Focus on the now, Izabel.
It’s the reminder I’ve been giving myself lately. I find myself getting so caught up in what isn’t that I forget what actually is.
Via and I exchange pleasantries and mindless small talk. Something about her is off. Via is always soft, even with me, but right now, she seems on edge.
“What’s on your mind, V?” I ask.
With a huff, she responds, averting her eyes. “On a scale of one to ten, how open are you to the truth?”
“I’m not sure I’m following...”
A moment of tense silence passes between us, then Via releases a sigh of annoyance and continues, “They’re selling the ranch.”
“What?! What do you mean?” Maybe it shouldn’t, but I can’t stop my heart from sinking. “They can’t sell the ranch. Is… Is it because of Tony?”
“No, Tony has backed off. I’m not sure of all the details there, but I do know it’s the only way. Jett did all he could to keep everyone safe, but unfortunately, that included draining the ranch dry. It’s in trouble, and things don’t look good.”
My head is spinning.
Via and Anders' place has always been here on the island. The ranch, well, that was our spot.
Ours.
Mine and Jett’s.
I’m quickly flooded with memories of us over the years, and my stubborn heart yearns for him.
Just when I felt like I would get the ‘happily ever after’ that I never thought I wanted, it was ripped away from me.
“There has to be another way,” I interject, my mind reeling.
Via shakes her head and scoffs. “There isn’t. They already have a buyer lined up. Someone looking to turn it into a fucking neighborhood.”
She’s clearly annoyed, and her anger seems directed at me. “What’s on your mind, Via?”
She glances at the water across from us, briefly refusing to look at me.
“Do you want my truth on how I feel, Izzy? The same truth you would give to me if the roles were reversed?”
“What the fuck makes you think I need any truth?” I ask on a huff.
“Because, damnit, you do!”
Shit, Via raised her voice at me. She never raises her voice. So, for once in my life, I back down, shut my mouth, and listen.
She continues, “That man is struggling just as you are. Yes, he kept something big from you that cost so much, but do you honestly think that was his plan? You aren’t one to judge for keeping secrets for the betterment of others, Iz.
He did what he thought he had to do. Just don’t forget, before everything went up into fucking flames, you chose him.
You were ready to take a chance on him. After all this time, you were taking a chance on your heart.
” She sighs, letting her shoulders droop forward.
I don’t speak. Instead, I allow her words to sink in.
After the silence sits between us for a bit, I finally speak, “I don’t know what you want from me. I’m fucking angry.”
“I know you’re angry, but please don’t run from what your heart needs.
Don’t be like me, Izzy. Don’t be stubborn and throw it all away.
I see you. You’ve always been the savior—putting your own needs aside to be my biggest cheerleader and give me a push when I needed one.
It’s my turn to push you. You’ve done so much for me, Izzy.
It’s time for you to live for yourself.”
With that, our eyes meet, and something washes over me.
Maverick gave his life for mine. And Jett—Jett also gave up his life as he knows it in order to protect me. How was I blessed with two men who would go past what’s reasonable just for the sake of my safety?
Via is right. Although I hate to admit it, because that means I’m in the wrong.
I am no one to judge about keeping secrets.
Secrets.
Once again, it all boils down to our secrets.
What started off as omissions we both kept in order to protect one another from hard truths is the very thing that’s torn us apart.
I’m sick of being severed by hidden realities.
It’s time to face it all head-on.
My heart craves Jett. I’ve always wanted him.
I can’t keep running.
Then stop running, Izzy. Maverick’s words echo in my mind, and it’s then I know what I have to do.
If I stop running, so does Jett—I won’t let him give up everything. The ranch is all he’s ever known. It’s his safe place.
And it’s a place Maverick loved.
This may be crazy, especially since I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know in my heart it’s what I want to do. It’s what Maverick would want me to do—to be happy.
Clutching the engagement ring strung around my neck, I don’t waste another second. “Is Ander inside?” I ask Via.
“Yeah, he—”
I don’t listen any further—just take off running toward the house.
“Ander!” I shout, walking through the front door with Via hot on my heels.
“Iz? What’s going on?” Ander asks, confusion evident on his face as he hurries out of his studio, guitar still in hand.
Breathless from running, I respond through my panting. “Don’t sell the ranch.”
Ander takes a step back, his brows arching together as he does. “What?”
“Trust me?” I pant out in a question.
“Do you want me to answer that honestly?”
“Fuck off, Ander. Just fucking help me. I need you to trust me.” I turn to Via. “Via,” I say her name abruptly. “I have to go. Call Mrs. Kristen and tell her not to sell the ranch. I’m not ready to explain, but just know I’ll handle it. Tell her I’ll be calling her.”
“What are you going to do, Izabel?” Via looks confused as all fuck, but she doesn’t necessarily protest. After looking me over, she simply nods her head and pulls me into a hug before I run off toward my car.
My frantic heart is racing. Knowing what I must do and actually doing it are two separate things.
I didn’t want the money from Maverick's life insurance. I didn’t feel like it was right. Like everything else, it scared me. Accepting the money means accepting he’s gone. The thought alone brings with it a familiar sense of fear, but I’m over being scared. For too long has fear ruled my life.
If Maverick taught me anything, it’s how to be brave.
And if I do this, his sacrifice will not have only saved me alone, but it will save a place that we both treasured.
I’ve never wanted to fix something more than I do right now. I’m no savior, but I owe it to him to try.
No—not try.
I will fix this.