Page 51 of Fall Wherever They May

“I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind living here,” River says thoughtfully.

River looks around the expansive apartment, and I notice the expression of awe on her face as she runs her hand along the back of the couch. “Yeah? You can live here if you want.” I shrug one shoulder. River needs her own space, I know she doesn’t want to live with me forever. Does she need such a big apartment? No, but that girl has been my rock my entire life, and gifting this apartment to her for as long as she needs it seems like a small drop in the hat compared to what she’s done for me over the past decade.

Her eyebrows hit her hairline. “Are you serious?”

“Yep. Just pay the utilities, and it’s yours as long as you want it. Otherwise, it will just sit here empty.”

Mom runs her hand along the marble island and cuts into our conversation. “That’s a pretty sweet deal, River.”

She squeals and jumps up and down. “Are you sure? Because if you’re not, that’s too bad. No take backs.”

I laugh. “Yes. I’m sure. Merry Christmas, Sis.”

“Oh my gosh. I can’t believe I get to live here! When can I move in?” She claps.

I beam a smile, reveling in her happiness. “You can move in whenever you’re ready.” River runs over and nearly knocks me down with a hug. I rub her back as we embrace. I’ll be sad to see her move out, but River needs her own place to call home. She’s been dealt a shitty hand; her whole life was torn into shambles before we moved to New York.

“This will be good for you,” Mom says to River as she looks around the room, then she pulls me into a hug. “I’m proud of the woman you have become,” she whispers, and tears sting my eyes.

After River has inspected every inch of her new apartment, we make our way back down to the concierge. Mom takes Tucker to the lounge to wait for us while I inform Nigel that River will be moving into the apartment soon. He goes through the same routine of downloading the app and walking her through it, then puts her information into the system. She hands him her driver’s license, and he scans it into his computer so other employees will know she belongs there. I love the setup and security of this place. Especially with River’s past. It gives me comfort to know she can live somewhere she feels safe.

He hands her license back to her. “You will have a different code from Miss Taylor. Each person receives a unique code to enter the building for security purposes. Miss Taylor will continue to keep a code for herself, since she is the property owner. What would you like your six-digit code to be?” Nigel peers up at River through his black-rimmed glasses as he pushesthem further up the bridge of his nose. “I would suggest it not be your birthday.” River rattles off a code as he puts it into the system.

Once she is completely set up in the system, Nigel extends a hand to River. “It will be lovely to have you here, my dear.”

We thank him, collect Mom and Tucker, and make our way to my SUV. There are a few more properties we need to look at, but I really don’t want to view the next few properties. Especially with one of them being about an hour away. Last night took a toll on me. I’m exhausted and emotionally tapped out. All I want to do is go home and relax. I expel a heavy sigh and begin to put the address into my GPS.

My mom must notice my reluctance because she takes my hand in hers and gives it a gentle pat. “Let’s not do this today, Honey. It’s our last day here; we can figure out a living situation and visit the rest of the properties in a few weeks when I come back. I just want to spend the day with my babies.”

I couldn’t be more relieved. I’m sure this is hard on my mom too. From our conversations, I’ve gathered that my dad was the love of her life. She’s never married, and I never saw her date while I was growing up. It’s almost like she put her life on hold for something that was never going to happen. I realize that last night she must have been speaking from experience.

I start the car and wind through the maze of this garage to the exit, then take a right onto the road.

Lost in thought, I reflect on all that happened last night with Cal and what Mom said. Maybe his heart’s been broken, and that’s why he’s keeping me at arm’s length. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him with anyone. I mean, I guess it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he’s hooking up with someone and I don’t know about it. That thought makes me sick to my stomach.

“Oh my gosh!” River's unexpected outburst causes me to slam on my brakes. A car zooms past me blaring its horn. The driver reaches his hand out the window, flipping me off.

“Jesus, River,” I scold her and accelerate back to the speed limit.

“Sorry. Yikes! That was close.” She gives a nervous giggle, then leans between the seats. “I was just excited. I found this little tavern online. It’s on the outskirts of Chicago. The place looks so cool, and wait for it . . . they are having open mic night the night we land. We should go next week.

I turn on my blinker to exit the highway. “Yeah. Well, I’m pretty sure they don’t allow ten-year-olds in a bar.” I laugh.

She sighs, “Ask Evie to watch him. When was the last time you just let your hair down and did something for yourself?”

I quickly glance at her over my shoulder. “The Sapphire Lounge. Remember what happened there?”

“Oh, I remember, but Cal won’t be there.” She glances towards Tucker, then whispers. “Maybe what you need is a good hookup. Get Frat Boy out of your system since he doesn’t realize what’s right in front of him.”

Mom snorts a laugh as I think about it. Maybe I do need to put myself out there more. I mean, isn’t that what I’ve been telling myself? I’m not a casual hookup type of girl, but I’m all for letting my hair down as River puts it. If I don’t do something, I’m going to end up an old maid full of fucking cobwebs. I bet my hymen has already grown back together, if that’s even possible. But then I think about Cal. He’s the one I really want to be with, not anyone else. I can’t even think about being with anyone else, but I could just go and have a good time.

“Let’s do it!” I say.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cal

It’s been a couple of weeks since Christmas, and aside from the day Aspen came back from her father’s apartment, she’s pretty much avoided me. That night Tuck called and told me he could hear Aspen crying through her closed bedroom door, but he didn’t understand what was going on. So, I went over to their house and held her through it. I know what it feels like to want answers. I also know what it feels like to want your biological parents to love you. Even though I know her dad loved her in his own way, that still doesn’t negate the fact she never felt it from him, and that abandonment she feels runs deep. I wish I could fix everything for her, take away all her pain, but instead it seems I’m just adding to it.

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