Chapter Twenty Eight
Riley waited until Tara left before dashing to the shower. She shaved her legs, washed her hair, and added moisturizer. Blow drying her hair, she chanted, “candles, music, lipstick and bed.” Butterflies hit her stomach as she imagined Garrett walking in and seeing her.
She dabbed a bit of perfume Rachel gave her on her wrists, behind her ears, and behind her knees.
Slipping the baby doll nightie over her head, she fluffed her hair and added the red lipstick, promising to drive her man wild.
Riley sat on the bed and recalled the poses Rachel and Delaney taught her.
After trying one she felt the most comfortable with, she adjusted the pillow and rested her elbow on it.
She brought her silky tresses to the front, feeling a bit uneasy about the lingerie's low cut.
The cabin door opened and slammed shut. Riley smiled, thinking Garrett must’ve felt as excited as she did.
Hearing his keys drop on the kitchen table, she waited nervously for him to appear. Time seemed to drag, and she didn’t hear him moving about, searching for her as usual. Hoping nothing happened on the ranch, she slipped from the bed and entered the kitchen.
Garrett gripped the kitchen chair, struggling with himself. When she caught his eye, he turned to face her. His eyes seemed to shoot daggers at her and she stepped back, feeling wary at the stormy expression on his face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.
“Get your shit and get out of my cabin,” he said in a low, gravelly voice as if he fought with himself.
“What?” she asked as she took a step forward.
“Don’t come anywhere near me,” he said, holding her at arm’s length. “Did Kenny send you here to sleep with me?”
“The biker?” Riley swallowed, realizing what it must look like. “I gave him what he wanted. He claimed he wanted more, or he refused to let Tara go,” she explained slowly. “Garrett, what has you this upset?”
“Did you set me up?” Garrett snarled.
Riley felt naked as he stared intensely at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Damn it, Riley. Did you know about the money?” he growled.
She shrugged. “You gave me the money.”
“Don’t you dare turn this back on me. Of course, I gave it to you. I believed I hit you with my truck,” he said sarcastically.
“You gave me a concussion, you dumb ass,” she exclaimed. “Did I stage the scan, too?”
“Kenny claimed you already sported it before I hit you,” he ground out.
“If Kenny told you the sky was green, would you believe him?” she asked, completely taken off guard.
“How long have you worked at the club bar?”
Riley wished she covered herself, feeling humiliated. “I worked there eight months on top of working for the Taco Shack. Does it make me guilty? I’m not even sure of what I’m getting accused of at this point. You knew I gave the money to the bikers.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Kenny?” he spat out. “Did you promise to sleep with me to get your information?”
Riley swallowed again. Not wanting to cheapen their time together, she pleaded for him to understand. “Garrett. What happened to make you doubt me? Kenny threatened Tara. She’s all I have. I gave him everything to let her go.”
Garrett stalked toward her, ignoring the fear in her eyes. Riley stood her ground, despite seeing the same expression cross her father’s face before he hit her. “Or did you sleep with me for the money? Was it worth it?”
Tears gathered in her eyes as she stepped back. Anger built up, and she shoved him from the doorway. The pain in her chest throbbed as if he stabbed her. She slammed the door and locked it.
“I’m leaving for an hour. When I return, I don’t want you here,” he said, swearing under his breath.
The door slammed, making Riley jump. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she yanked the nightie from her body and threw it to the floor.
Feeling confused, hurt, and humiliated, she gathered her things and stuffed them inside her pillowcase.
Riley entered Tara’s room and grabbed the backpack, stuffing her sister’s things inside.
She tossed it over her shoulder, and her gaze landed on the computer.
She knew bits and pieces of Garrett’s past, but he stayed guarded.
Like her father, a woman inflicted damage to Garrett’s heart.
And she refused to pay for someone else’s actions.
Riley sniffed as she walked back to her room, leaving the computer.
She took out the piece of paper from the dresser drawer, leaving the clothes he bought her.
Taking out the envelope with the emergency fund, Riley added the items, estimating the cost of food and the computer.
Writing an IOU for the remainder, she took out four hundred dollars and placed it on the bed.
She took the pillowcase and picked up Tara’s backpack. When she got to the door, she turned, scanning once more at the cabin where she found love, safety, and connection. It had all been a lie.
She stepped onto the porch and made her way to Rachel’s truck. Each step felt like a punch in the gut, but she refused to stay with someone who blamed them for their past issues. Tara already suffered enough, and if she admitted it, she did, too.
She started the engine and drove away. Her mother always told her to never look back. Riley sobbed as she crossed the entrance to the ranch, where her friends and her future faded away.