Page 81 of Inevitable

“Mom, hold up, let's just breathe for a second. You said you have actual, physical proof that dad has been involved in illegal shit?” I forced her to look at me, trying to keep her calm.

“Yes. I have it all backed up on a flash drive that I have hidden upstairs. Your father doesn't know the specifics, but he's aware I know something. Even if I didn't have the proof, one phone call would be enough to have him on the Feds' radar. He certainly wouldn't want that,” she sneered.

The pieces were lining up, messed up edges interlocking into an idea that would hopefully solve both our problems. “Mom, you don't have to incriminate him, he's not worth it. What you need to do isusethat information to get exactly what you want from him. Demand a divorce.”

She looked anxious at the prospect, but not altogether put off by it. “But what about the evidence? What about everything he's done? He won't sign those papers or give me anything even if he does grant me the divorce,” she said uncertainly.

“That's what I mean by use the proof. He likes threats so much, give him a taste. Tell him exactly what you have on him and threaten to release it to the FBI if he doesn't give you a divorce and alimony. Like you said, he won't risk his campaign! A divorce he might be able to spin, but not an arrest,” I told her emphatically.

Mom seemed to be weighing her options, looking conflicted and excited all at once. Eventually, she nodded her head and gave me a confident smile that told me she was ready.

“You're right. This will work. That bastard doesn't get to run my life into the ground anymore.” She looked almost triumphant in her decision, but it was quickly replaced with remorse and sadness as she took me in. “Oh Bash honey, I am so sorry I didn't stand up for you…I should have helped you. If I had just talked to you when I started having doubts about your father, maybe none of this would have happened! You wouldn't have gotten caught up in his schemes.” Tears started to trickle down her cheeks, her eyes growing red as her lips quivered.

“Mom, it's okay,” I tried to reassure her.

“No! It's not okay! I am your mother, I am supposed to help you! I didn't know how far he had gone to keep you and that girl together, but I should have! You didn't deserve any of this, sweetheart. You didn't deserve to lose the person you love for his twisted bullshit!”

The reminder of Micah tore a hole straight through my chest and my eyes burned. I blinked to keep my own tears from spilling again. “It doesn't matter. It's done. As long as you're safe and away from him, it'll be alright.”

She gave me a pitying look and took hold of my face with both hands. “Bastian honey, it does matter. It matters a great deal. Your father has stolen so much from the both of us. Don't let this be another thing he takes. Don't lose Micah because of that snake,” she coaxed me.

I tried in vain to hold the tears back. “It wasn't just dad's fault. It was mine,” I choked out, shaking my head. “I lied to him, mom. I lied to Micah so many times that I don't know how I could ever rebuild his trust. I…I was so scared of what dad would do that I kept so many things from him to try to protect you both.”

Mom narrowed her gaze at me, cocking her head to the left slightly. “That's not all it was though. I know you, Bash. Lying isn't in your nature, especially not where Micah's concerned. I'm sure your dad's threats caused a lot of it, but there was another reason you held so much back from him. Why?”

Her question pierced me in the chest, a jackhammer doing unpleasant things to my ribs as I was forced to own up to what she had sensed buried under the surface.

“I was…I was scared for me. For what it would mean for us if I fell for him…” My throat was tight and I could barely push the words out. “I was terrified that if we tried to be together and it failed, I'd lose him completely. That I would've lost my best friend in the world for a stupid fling, and I couldn't have handled that. But then…” I trailed off, the tears making coherent sentences difficult to form.

“Then what, honey?” mom asked, her voice soothing and calm.

“Then I…fell so stupidly in love with him and suddenly the fear didn't matter anymore. He was it for me. He was my future,” My voice cracked on the last word and I sank back down to my chair, my knees no longer able to hold me under the weight of everything. “But I lost him anyway. By the time I realized what I had, I couldn't fix the lies I told…I screwed up everything!”

Mom sank to her knees beside me and cradled my head against her shoulder, holding me as I sobbed. I was a mess. I had cried more in the last year for Micah than I had my entire childhood. But if there was ever a person worth breaking down for, it was him. After what seemed like an eternity, I removed myself from her arms and breathed deep to calm down.

“Honey, it's not too late. If you believe that he's your future, you go after him and earn him back,” she told me sternly.

“But what if…”

“No buts! If he is worth it, then you fight for him. Don't give up, not when it's real.” Mom's unwavering gaze held mine until her words penetrated my doubts. She was stronger than anyone gave her credit for, including me.

“You're right. I need to get him back. I can't lose him. Micah is…” I stopped, not knowing how to describe just all that Micah was to me. There weren't enough languages in recorded history to fully show what was in my heart for him. It was impossible to accurately put to words. “He's just…my heart. He doesn't own it, heismy heart. I need him back.”

Another thought struck me just then. “Wait, just because dad didn't follow through on his threat about committing you doesn't mean hewon't still try. Especially after this. I looked up anything helpful that I could, and it's entirely possible for him to convince a judge to do it. All he'd have to do is show him your history and claim you're a big enough risk to yourself. How are we supposed to stop him if that's the shit he pulls?”

Mom just looked at me rather smugly, but not unkind. “Sweetheart, you weren't looking at the right information then. Don't worry. I know of a way to ensure Rupert doesn't have a hand around my neck like that for the rest of my life. But I'll need your help.”

CHAPTER 29

Micah

The next few days passed like molasses through a straw, every hour dragging by in painful awareness. I didn't know how I'd survive the rest of the year with my sanity intact with the loss of Bash hanging over me, but I wasn't too optimistic. Odds were I'd struggle to push myself through the days and finish my classes by the skin of my teeth because I was barely functioning enough as it was. I had managed to shower, brush my teeth and sleep, but that was the extent of human activity I had committed to the last four days. Tomorrow, school started back up and I'd have to learn how to go on with my life. A life that no longer included my bestie boyfriend.

Sounds like a fucking hoot and a half. Can't wait. Maybe afterward I'll go tap dance barefoot on some legos for added effect.

When I had come home after leaving Bash's that ill-fated morning, I was so distraught that even Rhys was taken aback and seeing me heartbroken was nothing new for him. It also could've been that he had company apparently staying with him the entirety of the break and I had interrupted, but I could hardly process who or what their deal was.

All I could focus on was the soul-deadening grief of knowing my relationship and friendship both were over in the space of an hour. My old friend, the numbness, had tried worming its way back in to keep me protected from all the misery I was experiencing, but the ice cold emptiness was fighting against a burning pain. It was harder to hide myself behind the emotionless block of ice this time around. The agonyfound a way in each time.

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