I slip out the back door, looking both ways multiple times for any movement. Garrett may be waiting for me at the hotel, but that doesn’t mean any one of his goons isn’t watching the house right now. The sun is just starting to rise which means my time to slip out unnoticed is getting slimmer and slimmer by the second. I silently pull the locked door closed behind me and make my way to the trees that separate Nate’s property from his neighbors. I have no idea where I’m going, but I know I have to go now.
I can’t go to retrieve my car because it’s probably being watched, too. Nate’s place is probably being watched, and I’m pretty sure that the closest bus terminal and train station are in St. Charles. I’m very quickly running out of options here.
I keep myself hidden within the trees and make quick work towards the edge of town. I glance behind me every few minutes to see if I’m being followed, but I don’t see anyone on foot or in an approaching vehicle.
Eventually, when I hit the edge of town, the sun is fully shining over the horizon and the town is waking up. Cars are moving from place to place, which makes my ability to watch for any followers that much more difficult.
I stick to walking about ten feet or so inside the timber as I head out of Rivers Edge.
Heading towards the unknown.
Heading away from Nate with each step I take.
Leaving a trail of tears and broken pieces of my shattered soul.
Leaving Rivers Edge for good.
Chapter Thirteen
Nate
Sunlight peeking through the blinds wakes me from a deep sleep. I crack open my eyes and see the alarm clock reads 8:04am. I roll over to my back to grab for Lia, but her side of the bed is empty. I listen for a few seconds for the sound of the shower, but the house is eerily quiet.
“Lia?” I holler out from the bed. I hear no movement. Nothing.
I disentangle myself from the sheet and head out to find my girl. I don’t even stop to put on pants as a strange feeling takes root in my gut. The bathroom is open and the light is off, so I head into the living room, which is also empty.
Maybe she ran out for breakfast? Did she have to work today?
Just as I reach for my cell phone on counter, I catch sight of the piece of paper in front of the coffee maker.
I practically run over to the note and scoop it up. My heart races and my nostrils flare as I read her words.
Doesn’t love me?
What kind of sick person says she loves you one minute and then takes it back the next?
Can’t handle my job?
It would have been nice if she would have fucking realized that before now!
Anger sweeps in and mixes with the heart-crushing ache I feel deep in my chest. I drop the note and place my hands on the countertop. I lower my head and try not to think about her words. Her fucking words that have gutted me and left me bleeding a slow, agonizing death in my damn kitchen.
I shake my head and stalk back to my bedroom. I slam open the drawers as I pull out boxers and shorts. I slam each leg into the pants until I’m covered up. Throwing on the first t-shirt in the pile, I stomp back towards the door, grabbing my keys and wallet from the counter as I pass.
I peel out of the driveway, leaving rubber on the street. I head straight to the bakery, pulling the Mustang into the first open space in the alley. Lia’s old Honda is still in the same place it was sitting, when I picked her up, last night before the gala.
I practically run up the stairs, two at a time, and pound relentlessly on her door.
“Lia, open up!” I holler. I try to calm myself, but I just can’t make myself do it. “Lia!” I holler after she doesn’t answer the door.
I pull my cell phone out of my pocket and quickly dial Avery’s number.
“This better be good,” she answers sleepily.
“Where’s the spare key to get into Lia’s apartment?” I thunder at my sister.
“Nate? What’s wrong?” she asks, instantly on alert.
“I need into her apartment. Now. Don’t mess with me, Avery.”
“Nate, calm down. Is Lia alright?” she urges.
“I don’t know. She left a fucking Dear John letter on my counter this morning,” I say. My breathing is labored as my nostrils flare in some crazy Hulk moment. My emotions have completely gotten the best of me.
“Nate, you have to calm down. Do you have the key for the bakery with you?” she asks.
“Yes,” I answer, running back down the stairs to retrieve the keys still in the ignition of the Mustang.
“Go into the office in the bakery. Top center desk drawer is a small key ring with a few keys. The one marked with an A is the spare to the apartment. Mom has always left it at the bakery in case the tenant locks themselves out,” Avery says in a calm voice.