After the pharmacy stop, I headed toward the bar and Caleb followed. Pretty boy kicked my ass and I needed a drink. I don't remember much except that I drank until my mind was numb and Caleb brought me home.
I woke up to my phone ringing but it stopped before I could get to it. I checked my messages and instantly sobered up. My nephew was in trouble and all I knew was that I had to get to him. Serena had dropped the car off at my house so I left as soon as I could to find him.
I regret having left Laguna for many reasons but when I saw Trent lying there among the garbage and beer bottles in the alley behind the concession stand in Newport Beach, I knew he was my biggest regret. Dahl and everything else aside, my nephew needed me. He was never close with his father and over the years I had assumed that role, then when he probably needed me the most, I wasn't there. What had happened in the years I was gone to the boy who was such a great athlete, student, and all-around happy child? He's now so strung out he barely knew who I was. I was terrified as I sat him up and he muttered things to me a sixteen-year-old shouldn't have to worry about.
I knew looking at him then, that if he could be the only good thing I'd done in my life against all the bad-I'd take it. My mind worked fast and I knew I was the one who could help him get clean. I didn't want to call Serena or Mom. All I had to do was get him to my house. I pulled him to a sitting position, but with only one fucking arm I couldn't get him to his feet. And then as if God had heard my confession of sins and was forgiving me, there she was. She was there to help me.
I was surprised Dahl didn't know about Trent, but then again the way my sister was acting, I shouldn't have been. She helped me get him home and settled in what used to be our room. I had wanted to get her home and alone, but not under those circumstances.
We were both soaking wet and although I really wanted to strip off her wet clothes, I knew better than to attempt that under the circumstances, and, honestly, I wasn't in the mood. So instead, I gave her a towel and some dry clothes. Once she changed she helped me try to secure a location for Trent and then we sat down and talked. My plan to skip talking backfired. It felt wrong. I just needed to let her know I wanted her back.
It was a relief to get it out, but her reaction was far from what I had expected. I thought she would run and wrap her arms around me, maybe even jump me. After all, I changed my whole life for her. But instead, when I put it out there, she shot me down. She rebuffed my every move. Then after I laid it out and told her that I wanted her, I could see in her eyes she didn't feel the same way.
I tried to keep my cool while she was still here. Once she left I checked on Trent. Then I went into the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. I knew I had to keep it together. I had to concentrate on helping Trent. I was fucking exhausted so I lied down on the couch to try to take a quick nap. I knew I had a long night ahead of me and needed to catch some z's, but I couldn't sleep because memories of our life together seemed to be everywhere in this fucking house. I replayed her asking me to leave that pretty boy of hers alone a million times. I wanted to say fuck no, riling him up was too much fun, but I didn't want to piss her off. But as soon as she called him her fiancé, I was the one who was pissed off. I felt like she had just punched me in the gut. I was her fiancé. Why I even asked if she knew him while we were together, I have no fucking idea because I already knew the answer-he had made that clear. I know she would have never cheated, but it still bugs the shit out of me. I'm really starting to doubt that I'm going to be able to get her back. Fuck me.
Chapter 19
Pieces
I'm blaring "I Found You" by the Wanted and singing along to one of my favorite songs when my calmness fades and annoyance surfaces. Ellie's car is parked in our driveway directly in front of the garage. What's she doing here this late? Doesn't her workday end at five like most people's?
Jerking the wheel, I turn and park right in front of the steps. I rush out into the rain, and then hurry up to the landing. Turning the knob, I discover it's unlocked, and I open the door slowly. Why is she here alone with River? What am I going to walk into?
I expect to see them sitting at the kitchen table, so when I see River on the couch and her on the floor beside him, I'm more than a little surprised. I take in the whole scene. The gifts have been moved to the counter. He's leaning over the glass coffee table looking at a stack of papers. Her red shirt is unbuttoned so far that her matching bra isn't the only thing showing. Her legs are bent to the side and her tight black pencil skirt is riding up pretty high. She's leaning against the back of the sofa with her arm resting on it, very close to River's thigh. Her other hand is holding a pen over the stack of papers that River is looking at. She's removed her leopard-print, high – heel pumps, showing off her red-painted toenails. Her bare feet lay pressed against our wooden floor and she looks a bit too comfortable to be conducting a business meeting.