Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Hunter
Contrary to what Scott thinks, I have no animosity about what happened. I stayed awake all night thinking about it and realized whoever Brady’s dad turns out to be wouldn’t have made me love him any less. He’s forever tattooed on my chest and eternally in my heart. Nothing will ever change that.
So I texted Scott this morning, giving him my mother’s phone number and telling him I wasn’t getting involved. If he wanted to find out the truth, he could do it himself; I didn’t care either way. Riley refuses to respond to her mother’s letter. She left it sitting on Scott’s desk.
I’m more concerned about Riley and how this will affect her future.
She told me last night she won’t let Scott pay for college anymore; she says it’s no longer his responsibility.
She insists on taking a year off to find a job and save up money.
She wants to pay for college herself. I finally convinced her—after teasing her with kisses she couldn’t resist—that she should start college this year since it begins in three weeks.
She left her father's office yesterday with her head held high, and I couldn’t be prouder of her than I am right now.
After leaving Scott’s house last night, Riley and I decided to move to the cottage permanently. It was going to happen eventually anyway—no time like the present as far as I’m concerned.
When I saw Connor at work this morning, I told him about our plans.
He offered to help in any way he could. He even volunteered the gang for the weekend too; the sooner we get it done, the better Riley will feel.
Tonight will be our last bonfire on this beach, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have them down at the cottage.
I think this would be the perfect opportunity to share my past with all my friends. A new beginning for all of us.
When I pull into the driveway, Scott’s waiting for me. He’s leaning against his car with a folder in his hand. Shit! I’m barely out of the Jeep when he strides over to me.
“I wanted to thank you in person for giving me Erin’s number. I called her this morning.” God, he really looks bad. “She confessed that I was Brady’s father.” I just nod because I really don’t know what the hell to say.
“I’m actually glad I had a chance to talk to her. She was very informative. When Brady was killed, it was on the news and in the papers for weeks; that’s how Kathy figured out he was mine.”
“Scott, I don’t see how this really affects Riley and me…” He raises a hand to stop me.
“Kathy tried to blackmail me, but I told her no way. That’s why she sent the letter to Riley; I wouldn’t pay her a cent, and Erin stopped her payments a few months ago.
I know this doesn’t change how I treated Riley all these years, but I want to show you this—proof that I do love her.
” With a shaky hand, he passes me the folder.
I can’t believe my eyes when I flip through the pages.
He changed his will and is leaving everything to Riley: the house, money, stocks, and bonds.
The only other asset is the law firm, and that would go to his partner.
She won’t accept any of this; all she ever wanted was a chance to get to know a father who abandoned her all those years ago.
When I check the left-hand pocket of the folder, I can’t help but inhale sharply.
Glancing up at Scott, I see tears shining in his eyes. When I look back down at the paper in my hand, my eyes focus on the original date the document was created. Three weeks after Scott walked out on Riley and Kathy, he had every intention of adopting her.
“Kathy wouldn’t sign the papers; I offered her a substantial sum of money to do so, but she refused.
What I don’t understand is why she would treat her own flesh and blood like that; she was such a good mother when I lived there.
I can’t forgive myself for what I put Riley through, and I definitely don’t blame her for hating me.
I hate myself.” He scrubs his hands over his face.
When he looks at me, I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
“Scott, when did you plan on telling her you weren’t her father? It’s obvious you had the new adoption papers prepared a few weeks ago. What happened?” Closing the folder, I hand it back to him.
“It never felt like the right time—things just weren’t in my favor.
You of all people should understand everything Riley and I have been through.
I waited too long, and now it’s too late.
She won’t have anything to do with me. Hunter, I appreciate you taking the time to let me share that with you.
It was really important to me.” When he extends his hand, I suddenly get a crazy idea.
“Why don’t you come upstairs with me, Scott? Show her the folder and let her decide what to do instead of us deciding for her. You’ve already lost one child; can you really afford to lose another?” Slinging my arm over his shoulder, we take a few deep breaths before climbing the stairs.
* * *
Riley
I started packing up the apartment while he was at work.
I’m hoping he thinks it’s a great plan. So by the time he came strolling through the door with Scott in tow, I was exhausted.
To say I was angry would be an understatement—I was livid.
It’s clear to both of them from the scowl on my face that I’m not happy.
Did Scott not hear me yesterday? Nothing he could possibly say would make me change my mind—not now—not ever.
Until he calls me Riley bear, and the walls come crashing down.
Now I’m lying on the couch with a cool towel pressed against my forehead. When I open my eyes, I see Hunter just inches from mine. Scott is hovering over his shoulder, concern creasing his brow. “Baby, are you okay?” He leans in, his warm lips replacing the towel that was just there.
“I’m fine, really.” I sit up slowly and glance at Scott. He looks just like I feel—lost.
“Scott, maybe you should come back later. When Riley’s feeling better.” Hunter takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine as he sits down beside me.
“No, whatever it is you came to tell me, do it now before I change my mind.” He nods, handing me the folder he’s been clutching.
Hunter’s arm slips around my shoulder, pulling me in, while his other hand caresses my cheek.
My eyes lock with his. “Remember, you’re not that frightened six-year-old girl anymore.
You’ve become a loving, caring, and forgiving woman, and you did this all on your own.
” When he leans in to kiss me, a whispered “I love you” slips from his lips for only my ears.
Taking a deep breath, I open the folder that changes my life forever.
* * *
The next few weeks were hectic because school was starting soon, and Hunter and I were moving.
Dad insisted that Hunter and I move into the “big” house while he moved into the apartment.
He’s at the office more than he’s home anyway, so I guess it was a win-win situation.
It’s great to have Rosie as our personal chef and housekeeper, but I insist on helping her out as much as I can.
Paul’s still driving me wherever I need to go, but Hunter promises I’ll get my license soon.
When Ashley called to tell me her grandmother had passed away, I felt helpless.
I wanted to be there for her so badly, just like she’d always been there for me.
Within a few hours, Hunter had packed our bags, booked our flight and hotel, and Paul was driving us to the airport.
Our reunion was bittersweet given the circumstances, but we managed to spend a few days together after the funeral. Hunter had thought of everything.
I wasn’t worried about running into my mother while I was home because Erin had enough evidence to get her arrested for blackmail. Unfortunately, in doing so, her husband found out after all these years that Brady wasn’t his son and asked her for a divorce.
It’s the last weekend before school starts, so all three of us, Hunter, Dad and I, are going on a road trip we’ve been talking about for a few weeks. After everything we’ve been through over the summer, it felt right— we all need closure so we can put the past behind us and move forward.
Everyone’s lost in their own thoughts, making the drive feel too quiet. I steal glances at Hunter now and then; he seems passive. But when he catches me staring, he takes my hand for reassurance.
“You okay?” He’s always prioritizing my feelings over his own.
“More than okay. How about you?”
“I’m fine.” He winks at me. “We’re almost there.” For a brief second, I notice the sadness in his eyes, then it disappears. He takes a deep breath before refocusing on the road.
We take the same exit we would use if we were heading to the cottage.
This time, we turn right instead of left, heading into the city.
I’ve never been to this part of town, so when he drives through the gates, I’m surprised that we’re already here.
Dad climbs out of the backseat as Hunter comes around to open my door.
I feel butterflies doing somersaults in my stomach as he guides us down the path to our destination.
The bouquet of flowers I’m holding tightly in my hands releases its sweet fragrance.
When Hunter stops at the edge of the path, I look up to see a handsome boy laughing and looking back at us.
We walk a few feet across the grass and stand directly in front of Brady’s headstone.
Hunter sits on the grass and reaches out to touch his brother’s face.
That small but meaningful gesture has me sobbing like a baby.
Dad wraps his arm around me as I hear him sniffle.
When Hunter begins to talk to his brother, I want to fall to my knees and beg God to take me and give Brady back to him.
“I’m sorry I haven’t visited as often as I used to, but I’m sure you’ll understand why once I explain.
I met a girl and fell madly, deeply, head over heels, completely in love with her.
Her name’s Riley, and she came here with me today.
” When he looks up at me, I fall to my knees beside him, placing the flowers in front of me.
While he’s staring into my eyes, he keeps talking. “Brady, this is Riley; she’s going to be my wife someday. I haven’t asked her yet, but I’m pretty sure she’ll say yes.” My heart’s pounding so hard I feel like I could collapse. Did he just propose to me in a roundabout way?
“There’s someone else here today. You remember Scott?
” he asks, turning to look at my dad, who’s already kneeling beside him.
“I don’t know how to explain this to you, but he’s more than just a friend.
He’s actually your biological father. I won’t go into details—you’ll have to trust me on this one.
The thing is, he would have been a better dad for you than the one you were stuck with. I’m sorry, bro.” Now Scott’s sobbing.
“I came here today to say goodbye. We all did. We need to put the past behind us and focus on our future.” I look up when I hear Hunter chuckle.
“Remember when you asked me how much I loved you, and I told you to count the stars and multiply it times a million? I was wrong—I should have told you to multiply it by a billion, because that’s how much I love you.
” He puts his arm around me and my dad, and we say goodbye to the beautiful, laughing boy.