Chapter Forty-six
I should probably be ashamed by the number of texts I have sent and should definitely cringe since every single one has gone unanswered.
But I can’t and won’t stop. Not until she tells me to, not until she screams that it’s over.
It’s not over until she says the words.
Until then I will keep going.
I have a lot to prove, a lot to beg her forgiveness for and right now, text is the only way to keep this communication open. I don’t know where she lives now, she hasn’t been back to her father’s house which has now been cordoned off for an investigation. Zara knows but she won’t tell me.
She took down her entire family. She did that on her own. For us. For me.
Even after I broke her.
If I wasn’t already in love with her that might have tipped me over the edge. She showed so much strength, so much grace, it made me proud.
But it’s been days and I’m starting to panic that she’ll never let me back in or even give me another chance. I had been hopeful, thought maybe with time but the lack of response is telling me she’s over me and what we had is never going to come back.
Gravel crunching beneath tires draws my attention to a black SUV pulling into the lot of the garage, followed by a small Mini Cooper. The sun is glaring down on both windscreens, making it hard to see who’s inside but it’s likely just a husband-and-wife duo hoping to leave one of their cars here for repair.
Wiping my hands on a rag, I stand from the stool I was using and walk toward them.
The SUV door opens first and a man in a suit steps out, straightening the lapels of his jacket even though it’s eighty degrees out and he waits by the hood, watching the Mini.
“Can I help you?” I call to him.
He holds up a finger, “Just a minute.”
My brows draw low and after a beat the door opens, and my breath gets stuck in my throat.
She looks even more beautiful than when I last saw her. The bruising on her face is still there but slowly fading and the reminder of what she went through only makes me want to rip her family to shreds. She’s in a tight pair of denim shorts and flowy top, showing off tan lines and she has her hair up in a half style, the pony at the back of her head secured by a white ribbon.
“Hello, River,” She breathes.
“Princess,” I choke before the guy steps up to her, standing entirely too close. I make a move, but a hand slaps against my chest, stopping me. Marly’s pink painted nails curl into my chest.
“No.” Is all she says.
“Who are you?” I snap at him.
The guy doesn’t seem fazed, “Damien, pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sinclair.”
I stare at the hand he holds out for me to shake, my eyes flicking between him and my girl. Reluctantly, I take his offer and shake, “River.”
He smiles warmly, “River.” He nods, “Marly has spoken highly of you. I must offer you my condolences for your brother. None of us knew what Mr. Winchester and his son were up to.”
“I’m sorry, who are you exactly?”
“We’re developers, River, Mr. Winchester hired my company for the renovations on this side of town.”
My scalp prickles, “Why are you here?”
“Marly would like to continue with the renovations.”
“The fuck!?” I yell.
“Mr. Sinclair,” Damien steps protectively in front of Marly and I realize too late he’s protecting her from me. “Please hear me out.”
“Why are you protecting her?” I snap, “You think I’d hurt her!?”
Damien just stares, keeping Marly from view.
My hands clench at my sides and I breathe through my nose, “What do you want?”
“As I said, I own a company that can help bring this side of town back to how it should be.”
“With malls and condos?”
“No,” It’s Marly who speaks, stepping out from behind Damien, “No, it’s not like that. I am donating money to fund the development. It’s to bring the buildings back, build more houses, another school. It’s to give everyone what they deserve.”
“The town won’t want your father’s money, Marly.” I tell her gently.
“It isn’t his,” She stares up at me wide eyed, “It’s mine. From my grandmother.”
“Why are you doing this?” I ask her.
“Because I can, River,” She sighs, “Because I can fix what he broke.”
“That isn’t your job.”
“But I want it to be.”
“How about we all sit down and discuss this?” Damien suggests.
I’m not sure why Marly chose me to go through the plans, I have no real sway, but I do tell them I’d talk to other members of our community and gather their thoughts, and that Damien and Marly should organize a meeting to hear everyone’s thoughts. It’s a good idea, a great one in fact, miles away from the plans her father had. She actually gives a shit and wants to help and if anyone can get everyone on board, it’ll be her.
I walk behind the two of them as they head out of the garage, Marly not even stopping once she is outside until she is at the door to her car.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sinclair,” Damien shakes my hand and walks to his SUV, “I’ll be in touch, Marly.” He tells her before he gets in and backs out. Marly stays though, watching me with her lip caught between her teeth.
“It’s good to see you, River,” She says cordially and moves to get into her car. I can’t let her walk away from me. Not now that I’ve seen her.
“Don’t go, princess.”
“I asked you not to call me that anymore,” She blinks rapidly.
“Why?”
“Because it hurts.”
My gut twists, “Marly, I’m so sorry.”
“I know you are,” She gives a sad smile, “But it doesn’t change what happened.”
“How do I fix this?”
“There is nothing to fix.” I watch a single tear run down her cheek, “Please stop contacting me.”
“You love me, Marly.” I growl, “I know you still do.”
She looks away from me, reaching for the handle.
“I am going to fix this,” I call to her before she can disappear into her car, “We belong together princess, and I was an ass to ever think we didn’t.”
“Bye, River.”
She backs away quickly, and I watch as she drives away. I can fix us, I fucking can and I know exactly who can help me.
I dial Zara’s number as I walk back into the garage, “I need Marly’s address.” I demand the moment she answers. Not sure we’ll ever be friends but for Marly and Jake’s sake, I will try.
“Well hello to you too, River,” Zara sighs impatiently, “And no.”
“What do you mean, no!?” I snap.
“It’s a whole sentence, River.” It’s like I can hear her eyes rolling.
“I need to fix this, Zara, please, I’m begging you. Please give me her new address.”
“So, you can harass her!?” Zara snaps, “I don’t think so, lover boy. If she wanted you to have it she would have given it to you.”
“She’s hurting,” I hear my own voice crack, “I can fix this, please, I just need help.”
“River,” She sighs my name.
“Zara, please, she’s your best friend, I know you know her and she’s fucking hurting and it’s my fault. It’s my fucking fault and I have to fix it. If she doesn’t want me after this then I’ll disappear but I have to try!”
“Fuck,” She hisses. “She’s going to kill me for this.”
Hope blooms in my chest as I hear her long nails tapping on the screen and then my phone vibrates with a new text message.
“I’m telling you now, River, if she tells you to go, you go, you hear me?”
“Understood.”
“And if you hurt her again,” She warns, her tone broaching no argument, “I will actually kill you this time.”
“I’m not going to hurt her again.”
“I know people who can make you disappear, River,” She says seriously, “I will do it for her.”
“I know, Zara.”
“Well okay then,” She huffs, “Then go get your girl.”
“Already on my way.”