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I hurried to the foyer where Zayne was patiently waiting. “I need to check the basement slider and windows, then I’ve gotta go. River is everywhere I look.” I choked on my words.
“I already checked them, Holden. Everything is locked and secured. Let’s leave.” He opened the door and I darted past him.
The afternoon sunshine warmed my face, and the fresh, clean air carried a hint of summer. Mom’s flower beds would bloom in mid-June, only a few weeks away. The front of the house would burst with color from the rose bushes, lilacs, tulips, and lilies. I’d have to ask her if I needed to call the landscaping service or if she had them scheduled already. I stared at the boxes of dirt and wondered if River would be here to smell the flowers.
I shoved the nearly debilitating heartache to the side. I opened the vehicle’s back door and neatly placed my clothes on the seat—all except River’s jersey, which I held in my hand. Zayne and I hopped into the car. As soon as he started the Mercedes, relief flooded through me … until I spotted the blue recycling bin River had slept in. A savage ache spread through my chest, and I leaned my head against the back of the seat, unable to stop the tears from sneaking out.
There was only one way that I’d make it through this. It was time to talk to my best friend and plan the future. I had to stay focused and positive.
Chapter Sixteen
I waltzed through Chance’s front door as though it were my house as well. After being surrounded by the memories of River at Mom’s place, I couldn’t live there. It was too painful. Hopefully, Chance’s offer still stood.
I cringed at the irony of the song thumping through Chance’s speaker system. “Fire in My Head” by Two Feet was an awesome tune. But the timing of it playing right after we lost the club, and my home, was a bit more than I could handle.
“Chance!” I yelled out to him. “I’m back. I’ve got news.”
Chance hurried to the living room, snatched up his phone, and turned the music off. “Hey, Brynn and I were unpacking the bags of clothes she bought you.” He ran his hand through his blonde hair. “I forgot how this girl can shop. Man.” It wasn’t like Chance hated shopping. By the looks of it, his designer jeans and blue-and-white-checked short-sleeved button-down were new. He loved looking good just as much as the rest of us.
Brynn appeared behind him and rolled her eyes. “I wanted to give you choices. Whatever you don’t like, I’ll take back tomorrow.” She gave a half-hearted shrug, then playfully slapped Chance on the ass.
At least she was in better spirits today. Brynn was a lot like me. We didn’t do well sitting around waiting for shit to happen. We made shit happen.
“Oh, man!” Jace closed the door of the hall bath and waved his hand in front of his face. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.” He flashed us a mischievous grin. “That’s a load off my mind for sure.” He rubbed his flat stomach and snickered.
Brynn wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Jace! I don’t need a play by play of your digestive system. Let’s hope you didn’t back up the toilet like you did on my sixteenth birthday.”
“Nah, the toilet flushed fine, sweetheart. It’s all good,” Jace assured her and gave her a playful wink.
Jace was a total dude sometimes. Even though Brynn was used to it, as we grew older, I’d stopped making shit and fart jokes. I definitely didn’t rip ass in front of her. Unable to help myself, I chuckled. Instead of everyone moping around, they tried to keep things on the lighter side, which I appreciated more than they would ever understand.
“Whatcha got, man?” Jace strolled over to the living room and sat on the couch, stretching his long legs in front of him. His Halsey concert T-shirt reminded me of the wild night we’d all had together a few years ago. We’d rented a limo, and half of the group was stoned. The other half was drunk by the time we got there. Halsey had delivered an amazing performance. When we returned to the limo later that evening, everyone was horny as hell, and the ride home had turned into an orgy. It seemed like an eternity ago that we were all that carefree. We were still naive about so many things, including who our families really were. Not anymore. I was well aware of who Tim was.
I headed to the fridge and grabbed a Dr Pepper. Chance would have to let me pay for groceries and split the utility bills while I was here. I’d pitch the idea of rent, but I assumed he would shoot down the offer. His place was mortgage-free, so his cost of living was super low. Hell, if our lives were reversed right now, I’d do the same for him. When we figured out the next step for the business, I’d give him a fat raise. He deserved it. He ran that club like it was his. Chance never missed a day and ensured everything operated smoothly.
I popped the top of the soda, the fizz shooting up over the can. Taking a big gulp, I readied myself for the conversation. I had a lot to tell them, and I definitely needed their help in order to figure out my next steps.
I joined everyone in the living room and sat on the loveseat. Brynn sat between the guys on the couch and looked at me expectantly. She looked better today, but I still wanted to talk to her about taking a pregnancy test.
“Pierce was able to record and retrieve Tim admitting that he was behind the fire.” Before I could even finish, they all broke out into cheers.
I held my hand up. “Not so fast. I got excited too but the only thing happening with the confession is that it was turned over to the FBI.”
Confusion flickered through their features.
“What the fuck? Why aren’t they on their way to arrest him?” Chance scowled.
“Since the conversation was recorded without his knowledge or consent, it’s not admissible in court. Plus, the FBI needs to continue to listen and track him.” I paused momentarily. “There was another phone call,” I continued to explain. “We aren’t sure who Tim was talking to, but whoever was on the other end of the line has River. Or at the very least, they took her and are aware of where she’s being held.”
“What?” Brynn’s eyes grew wide with hope and fear. “Is she okay?”
“I have no idea. I do know she’s alive because Tim told whoever it was to let her go and not to hurt her. He also said he didn’t want anything to do with her kidnapping.”
“Holy shit. It’s not Tim,” Jace said, looking perplexed. “What about Logan?”
I shook my head. “No clue. Apparently, Tim wasn’t lying to me after all. He had nothing to do with it.”
“He’s still a fucking piece of shit,” Brynn said, crossing her legs. Her color had returned, but I think the emerald-green blouse she’d worn tucked into her jeans helped too. She looked more herself. Maybe I should hire her to be my personal shopper on a regular basis. It seemed to boost her spirits concerning River.
