Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Riley
I wanted to meet Hunter by the pool yesterday, like he told me to, but part of me wanted to hurt him the same way he hurt me.
I know that’s childish, and I don’t usually play games, but he broke my heart.
I believed that if you loved someone, you’d want to share everything with them, both the good and the bad.
So when my dad asked me to go out to dinner with him, I agreed. It gave me an excuse to leave, just in case Hunter came looking for me. But when I saw him walking around the house, and our eyes met, he looked haunted. So I felt guilty.
We ended up going to The Sands for dinner.
Dad said they had the best fish and chips on the whole strip, and he was right.
We talked about college, which is coming up soon, and when he told me he was giving me his Gold Card so I could get some new school clothes, I nearly freaked out.
Then he said he’d get me my own credit card for school supplies, personal needs, or anything else I want to use it for.
Does he realize I’m just an eighteen-year-old girl who’s been dying to go shopping her whole life?
We were waiting for the waitress to bring us our check when I saw my dad’s back stiffen against the seat.
He reached over, placing his car keys in the palm of my hand.
“Riley, why don’t you head out to the car?
I’ll pay the check and meet you in a few.
” He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
I wonder why he wants to get rid of me so quickly, so I nod as I slide out of the booth.
When I glance up to leave, I see Hunter sitting at the bar, knocking back a shot.
As he slams his glass down and asks for another, his blue eyes meet mine in the mirror.
He slowly turns his body to face me. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. That's when I notice Connor sitting on one side of him, but it’s the blonde girl who suddenly wiggles herself between his thighs, running her hands over his abs, that has me seeing red.
I feel my legs move straight toward her, when a hand reaches for my elbow, guiding me in the opposite direction.
“Sweetie, you don’t want to cause a scene in public.
There are too many witnesses. Remember what I said about doing and saying things you can’t take back,” Dad reminds me as he ushers me outside.
Taking the keys from my hand, he unlocks the door before glancing over his shoulder.
He probably thinks Hunter will come after me, but I know he found someone else to replace me tonight.
So I didn’t sleep a wink last night because I kept replaying it in my head. I remember the look on his face yesterday when he came around the house, and yet I still left. What if he needed me, needed to talk to me about something his mother told him?
I felt guilty all night for not meeting him by the pool. I’m sure that’s why he went out drinking—I didn’t show up the way he wanted me to. But I have no one else to blame but myself. If he hooked up with that girl last night, it would tear me apart.
Putting on my running gear, I grab my AirPods and connect them to my favorite playlist, “Fallen,” by Evanescence. It’s perfect for running and has just the right edge I need to distract me from someone who’s been on my mind.
I’m sneaking out the front door, so I won’t run into anyone this morning. I’m not in the best mindset for a conversation right now anyway, but I did notice Hunter’s Jeep was gone.
After a few stretches by the pool, I head to the beach.
I start by jogging to loosen up a bit. After about a mile, I begin running as fast as I can, pushing myself to the limit.
I feel the pounding of my feet against the sand as my arms pump vigorously beside me.
Sweat trickles down every part of my body; the hair falling from my ponytail is plastered to my face.
That’s when it hits me—I've forgotten to bring water again. Shit. I start slowing down as I approach my turning point when I see a body fly past me, then he suddenly stops. When he turns around to look at me, my heart flutters. His chest is heaving; he’s out of breath and just as sweaty as I am, but he’s still gorgeous.
Hunter strolls up to me, and I feel my knees go weak. “You forgot to take water with you again today.”
I pull out my AirPods. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I can feel my face flush, even though I’m overheated from my run.
“You forgot to bring water with you today. Here, I brought you some.” He hands me a water bottle, and my heart melts. Did he go out running just to bring me water?
“Thanks… you didn’t have to do that.” I pull back the top, letting the cold liquid slide down my throat. I hadn’t realized I was so thirsty.
He takes a long drink from his, and then we speak at the same time. We look at each other and laugh.
“You first, Riley. What’s on your mind?” His eyes scan mine so intensely that it feels like he can see right through me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t meet you by the pool yesterday; it’s all my fault.” Maybe it’s the lack of sleep, but I feel tears stinging the back of my eyes. What else is new, right?
He’s right in front of me in seconds. He lifts my chin with his fingertips. “I’ve told you a thousand times to stop blaming yourself for everything that happens—nothing is your fault. It’s all mine.”
I shake my head and look into his eyes; the emotions swirling in their depths take my breath away.
“I ran away like a little girl instead of facing my fears like I’ve done all my life.
I had to grow up really fast with the kind of mother I had, but I was hurt because you lied to me, just like everyone else has. ”
He scrubs his face with his hands before lifting his gaze to the sky.
He takes a deep breath, grabs my hand, and intertwines our fingers.
“Walk home with me, baby; I’ll try to answer any questions you have about my parents.
But please understand that I’m not ready to talk about Brady yet.
” I hear his voice crack at the mention of his brother’s name.
He presses our linked hands against his tattoo; his heart pounds wildly in his chest, so I agree.
* * *
Hunter
We start walking home, hand in hand. I’m so glad I decided to follow her this morning, even though I’m nursing a terrible hangover. Connor had to take me home last night because I was too drunk to drive. I’ll have to pick up my Jeep later when he gets off work. I took a sick day.
“Did you sleep with that girl from the bar last night?” she whispers so softly I almost don’t hear her.
“I didn’t sleep with anyone last night; my girl was tucked in her bed, safe and sound.” I bring her hand to my lips and press a kiss to each knuckle.
“I’m still really mad at you right now, or maybe more hurt than mad. You should have told me about your mother.”
“You have every right to be angry with me. I should have told you the truth from the beginning. You need to understand that my parents didn’t play a major role in my life, so it was easier for me to talk about my grandparents.
I told you everyone I loved was dead, and that’s the truth.
I feel nothing for my parents.” My emotions surface, so I force them back down.
“So, who was actually killed in the car accident, or did you make the whole thing up?” She’s not letting me catch my breath between these tough questions.
“I didn’t make anything up; the bus driver had a heart attack and lost control of the bus.
It slammed into my grandparents’ car, killing them instantly.
I received the phone call because I was listed as their emergency contact.
I even made all the arrangements. My parents were too busy with the business to take care of it,” I say as I choke back the bitterness in my voice.
“Why did your mother show up yesterday?” My throat’s dry, and I’m out of water. Damn.
“She wanted to invite me to a memorial service today, for Brady and my grandparents. I told her I had to work.” She gasps as she looks up at me.
“Why didn’t you go, Hunter?” I notice the shock on her face.
“My parents aren’t friendly, so I realized they had some hidden agenda. I learned from a mutual contact that they hired him to find me.”
We’re almost home when I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I need to know if we’ll be okay. “I hope I answered all your questions. Is there anything else you need to know?”
She takes a sip from my bottle and passes it to me. I take a few big gulps, and when I try to give it back, she shakes her head.
“I have a million questions I’d like to ask, but you’re not ready for them. Maybe we should take a break—at least until you trust me enough.” She touches my cheek before turning to walk away.
Reaching out, I grab her wrist. “Riley, I trust you with my life, with my heart. Until you came along, I didn’t know how to love.
You proved to me that it’s worth the risk.
Please don’t walk away; I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.
” I feel the bile rising in my throat. I’m going to be sick.
“How did Brady die? You said your grandparents were in the car, so where was he?” She frowns at me, waiting for an answer.
“I’m worried that if I tell you what happened, you’ll blame me just as much as I blame myself. I can’t risk that right now. Please understand. Brady stayed with me that day. He didn’t want to go to the wedding. Either way, he lost his life,” I say quietly, barely above a whisper.
She cups my face with her small hands. “I’m desperate to know why the man I love blames himself for his brother’s death. You’re scaring me more by not telling me. Just tell me the truth.”
Part of me wants to tell her, but I’m so scared that when I do, she won’t love the man who’s left standing. All I can do is shake my head because I have a damn lump in my throat the size of a baseball.
She wraps her arms around my waist, resting her head against my chest. I nuzzle into her neck, scared this will be the last time I get to hold her. I want to breathe in her scent, drown in it so that I can remember every moment of the past five weeks. I hope it’s enough to last me forever.