AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fucking Mark.
I send River a text, keeping him updated.
“Hey,” Corey says, stepping into the kitchen with bags full of shopping. “I did a little retail therapy and you’re the only woman here right now so I’m going to need to show you everything.”
I put down my phone to give her my full attention. “Okay, let’s move to the living room so I can get comfortable.”
Once I’m sitting on the couch, she starts showing me all her purchases: new jeans and tops, dresses and sneakers. She has good taste, and everything is really cute.
“Is there an occasion for this?” I ask, inspecting the items.
She puts the shoebox back in the bag. “Not really. Matthew...” She trails off. “He had a lot of money in his bank account when he died, and River gave half to me and half to our mom. And I rarely spend any of it, so I thought I’d treat myself. More as a distraction than anything.”
“Do you see your mom?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“Not since Matthew died. We had a big fight and it was kind of a bad one. She blamed me,” she says, swallowing hard. “Apparently I shouldn’t have been out in the first place, and I’m the one who got him into the fight. She told me it was my fault. She lost her favorite child, so of course she blamed her least favorite child.”
“It was no one’s fault except Victor’s,” I say, frowning. “You did nothing wrong, you just happened to be there the night it happened.” Unlike me, Corey really was just an innocent bystander.
“I know,” she replies, smiling sadly. “She just needed someone to blame. River still sees our mom. He asks me to go with him sometimes, but I’m not ready just yet. She’s been through a lot, so I know he feels bad for her. You know River, he has a hero complex. He wants to save everyone.”
I’ve never thought of it like that, probably because most people are scared of River and he’s not known as a people person, but I can see how he would appear like that to his baby sister.
“I saw you chatting with Damon at the party—what was that all about?” I tease, lightening the mood with a change of subject.
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the sudden flush in her cheeks. “I don’t even know—that was my first time seeing him. He’s obviously hot, and I’m guessing used to women falling at his feet, so I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. I called him a short king to humble him—he told me he’s over six feet, so I said oh, sorry, it doesn’t look like you are. I suppose it’s gaslighting, isn’t it?”
I burst out laughing. “A short king? Oh my God, he would have loved that one.”
“Yeah, it works on all men; they have such fragile egos. Not that there’s anything wrong with short men,” she adds quickly. “I just don’t have time or the space to have my heart broken any further.”
“That’s very insightful of you,” I say, helping her pack up the rest of her shopping items. “And you know if you ever need anything, I’m here for you. No judgment.”
She smiles. “Thanks, Bella. I’m glad that River has you. It means I don’t have to worry about him anymore. Because he’s your problem.”
I laugh. “Yes, I guess he is. And I’m his.”
“I always wanted a sister,” she adds, hazel eyes lighting up in a childlike way. “Maybe I lost a sibling, but I’ll also gain one.”
“Okay, you’re going to make me cry if you don’t stop,” I say, clearing my throat.
She stands up, grabbing all her bags with her. “I’m going to put this stuff away in my room. Thanks for the chat.”
“Anytime,” I call out as she leaves.
My mind roams back to Mark’s message, and when Julianna returns from running errands, I bring it up with her.
“How should I reply?” I ask. “Do I want him to think I’m helping him? I think that buys some more time.”
We had a very long discussion before Romeo and River came home yesterday. I could tell how disappointed she was in me. But like I said to River, I own my mistakes. I refuse to leave the blame on anyone but myself and I think she appreciates that.
“Yeah, I think you should just reply saying that you’re asking around and trying to see what everyone knows, or something. You have to play the game, too,” she says. “If you ignore him, he’ll probably discount the idea of you helping, and who knows what his next move will be.”
Bella: I’m seeing what I can find out. You said I had a week.
I read it out loud to her before I hit Send.
“Yeah, that’s good. God, he’s such an asshole,” she adds, shaking her head. “Little weasel. Was he good in bed at least? He better have been for all the shit you have to deal with when it comes to him.”
