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“Yeah, it’s like the third one since I’ve been here. This time it was some rich asshole’s rapist son.”
“Well, I hope whoever did it made it hurt. Now, let’s go. I’m going to show you how to use these,” she commands, pulling out a pair of metal hair sticks.
Intrigued, I stand. “I’ve always wanted a pair of these.”
“Once you learn how to use them, I’ll have custom ones made for you. Now get to work,” she states, training me until the door opens.
My father and grandmother step inside.
“Good to see you again, dear girl,” my grandmother greets her.
The tough exterior of the woman who’s been training me for weeks melts away, replaced by a warm smile. “Miss Tabby. How are you?”
As they talk, my dad calls me over, and I can tell from the look on his face this is what I’ve been waiting for.
“It’s time, Ry.”
6
ARIAH
Today feels heavier than any day has since I arrived.
Something is brewing in the air, but I can’t pinpoint what it is. At first, I thought the uneasiness was because my dreams were filled with glimpses of my time with them before they ripped out my heart. It felt so real.
When my eyes snapped open this morning, I swore I could feel the lingering presence of someone in my room hovering over my bed, but much like last time, no one was there. Now, I’m starting to wonder if my sleeping meds are making me hallucinate or if my subconscious mind hasn’t caught up to the fact the guys are no longer mine.
Shaking myself of my earlier dread, I tilt my head up and bask in the August sun. Who knows how long it will be before I can do this again. With summer coming to a close, the mounting pressure of what I need to do presses hard against my solar plexus.
“We’re here,” Jamie squeaks in excitement, pulling me from my thoughts. A place in which I feel like I’ve been trapped more often than not.
Lowering my gaze, I see the clearing ahead where Dad and the twins are set up. Yesterday, Dad mentioned having one last trip up the mountain. This time, we’re having a late lunch before we hike back down.
I smile, watching them. Dad instructs them where to put the cooler, and they’re goofing off. Kellan and Kylan are in true form.
Colorado has been good for them. For us. We’ve had time to mourn the loss of the mother we once knew and come to terms with the evil woman I killed. We’re not entirely healed, and we don’t pretend to be. We’ll always mourn the person she was before she showed her true colors.
Now I need to do the same with them.
My smile melts from my face, tears building in my eyes. I squeeze them shut, trying and losing the battle to prevent them from falling.
Needing more time, I quickly wipe them and tell Jamie, “Go on. Tell Dad I’ll be there soon.”
She looks at me, confused. “You’re not coming?
I force a smile, hoping she won’t notice my mounting sadness. “I’m going to walk for a little longer,” I explain.
Her emerald eyes narrow, studying me for a moment. I watch as she processes what she’s seeing. She must observe something because she doesn’t question me further.
I watch, ensuring she makes it to Dad before turning down one of the trails. Not wanting to venture too far from safety, I walk another five minutes. Even with Reign only steps behind me, I wouldn’t put it past someone to sneak onto our property with everything going on. The wooden bench and river I’ve visited a handful of times since arriving at our family home appear on my left.
“I’m going to sit here for a bit,” I inform Reign. He’s been with me out here each time I decide to visit.
The only acknowledgment that he heard me is the dip of his head. It’s all I need to walk down the path.
A warm breeze blows the wisps of my hair out of my face as I sit down and watch the water flow by. Purple Lewisias line the embankment, growing amid the rocky terrain. There is something magical about this place. It’s the only space I can truly clear my mind, and I desperately need a clear one to make this decision.
Am I finally ready to face them?
