Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
Riley
What the mother fuckity-fuck just happened? And who is that asshole taking her home with him? I am so goddamn confused, it’s not even funny. I watch them walk away while standing here in the downpour like a moron. I wait the entire time for her to look back at me just once, but it never happens. They walk to the end of the block and cross the street. I laugh at the absurdity of it all when they step into my building. There are way too many coincidences in play here. Takeout forgotten, I give them enough time to get into the elevator before I follow and head to my apartment. I stomp through my condo shedding my soaked clothes as I make my way to the liquor cabinet. It’s going to be a long night.
Devyn
Jackson hands me a glass of water with some Advil after I step out of the bedroom wearing dry clothes. “I thought you could use this.”
I grab the glass and use the water to swallow the pills. “Thanks.”
He flips on the fireplace as I take a seat on the leather sectional. “Are you going to tell me what that was all about?”
I sigh in resignation. It’s bound to come out sooner or later.
“That’s Riley.” I meet his eyes and gulp. “Nathan’s father.”
Jackson’s ears redden. That’s his tell when he’s irritated. “I see.”
Jackson is the only person who knows about my history with Riley. I never mentioned his name because I got so used to avoiding it, but he knows the whole story. He knows how close we were in college, how heartbroken I was when he went to Boston. He also knows I pined for Riley for almost two years, waiting for him to magically show up and tell me that he loves me, too. Jackson helped pick up the pieces that Riley left behind.
Shortly before Nathan’s second birthday, I had a moment of weakness and called Rye. Some guy named Dave was the new owner of his phone number. After that, I decided to take the hint and cut my losses. I changed my phone number, too, and didn’t look back. Jackson came into my life shortly thereafter and waited patiently for me to be ready to move on. It took six months before I’d even agree to a single date with him. He’s so understanding about everything. He even helps me deal with the guilt that constantly plagues me from not telling Nathan about his dad. Nate’s never really asked, but I still feel the weight of it as he gets older. He’s bound to wonder one of these days.
I groan. “That’s all you’re going to say?”
He joins me on the couch. “I didn’t realize he was in Seattle. When did that happen?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I just discovered it on Monday when I found him hanging out with my brother.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You’ve known since Monday? Well, that explains the whiskey I smell on you.”
I hang my head. “Ugh, don’t start. Please.”
He grabs my hand. “I’m just trying to understand, Devyn. How do you feel about this? How did he take it when you told him about Nathan?”
I swallow hard. “I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t really had the chance, nor would I even know where to begin.”
He squeezes my hand. “What can I do to help?”
I lean my body against his. “You’re already doing it, Jackson. I just need time to figure it out. I don’t even know how to reach him. I’m going to come clean with Drew and see if I can track him down through him. They seemed to be pretty friendly.”
He puts an arm around me. “That sounds like a good starting point. You look exhausted. Why don’t we get you into bed?”
“Okay.”