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“I’m out of cigarettes and beer, and I just don’t have the energy to go pick them up. I need you to stop by the store on your way and just drop them off.”
I let Wendy’s words sink in and calmly responded. “That doesn’t work for me.”
“You live here now, so being long distance is not an excuse that works anymore,” she said, her tone harsh with resentment and attitude.
“Agreed. So, we’ll have to set some new boundaries now that I’m living here full time. Running to get you smokes and booze after I worked a full day is not something I have time to do, nor am I willing to pay for them. I offered to help with your rent, and even though my pay is not as much as it would have been if I’d taken the job at the university, I will stay true to my word and honor our agreement for three months until you pick up more shifts and get on your feet. That is what I have to offer you.”
She was quiet on the other end, and I walked toward the elevators, waving at Jenna as I passed her desk.
“Fine. Then I’ll ask your brothers. Are you fine with putting this on them?” She sounded smug, and it annoyed the hell out of me.
“Sure. They’re grown men. They’ll eventually get sick of it and tell you no. You could also get out of bed and go get it yourself and stop dragging everyone down with you.”
“Right, as if that ever worked with you. You’re so high and mighty with your fancy education and your big job. You think you’re better than me—” Wendy went on with other insults just like she normally did. Something about being my mother, respecting my elders, and all the psycho tricks she’d been pulling for years.
A maniacal laugh left my mouth as the elevator doors opened. “You say it like it’s a negative thing that I’ve worked hard at school and secured a great job for myself. I’m not engaging in this conversation. You’ve got three months to start paying your own rent. My offer still stands if you’d like to have dinner next week and catch up.” I was trying to change the dynamic of our relationship, so it wasn’t me always going over there and helping her. I wanted to try to have a normal relationship to some extent, but I was going to be okay either way. I didn’t have any expectations where my mother was concerned.
“I would like that,” she said, surprising me.
“Great. I’m in an elevator, and I’m going to lose the call. I’ll text you tomorrow and we can pick a day to meet. Have a good night.”
“Yeah, you, too,” she said, sounding caught off guard by the conversation.
It hadn’t gotten heated. I hadn’t reacted to any of it, and it felt damn good.
I ended the call and leaned against the wall of the elevator and smiled.
Things were coming together.
My heart wasn’t aching the way it had been the last week, because I knew we were going to figure this out.
I’d make him grovel, but I already knew the outcome.
I missed him terribly.
I loved him.
I wanted to hear him say it. Wanted to hear him apologize,reallyapologize for being a complete jackass about Dereck.
But I knew he was a good man.
I knew he was the only man who’d ever own my heart, so there was no other option than to fix this.
Because nothing worked without him.
I hurried home and changed into a tank top and a pair of jean shorts before climbing into my kayak. It was completely dark out by the time I was out on the water, and I had only the moonlight to lead me to the cove. I could get here in my sleep, though, so it wasn’t a problem. It was even more peaceful at night.
The sound of the birds rustling in the trees above and the light breeze bustling around me calmed me.
It didn’t stop the butterflies fluttering in my belly, though.
I wasn’t fighting it anymore. I’d never been that girl that got all fluttery around a guy. But River Pierce gave me all the flutters.
My Wild River.
Even when I was angry as hell at him, it didn’t matter.
I still loved him.
