Page 73 of Under an Endless Moon

River flinched, and he dropped his gaze as he roughed a tattooed hand over the top of his head. “Sorry about that. Thought you were gonna text, and Nolan was at the park with the neighbor kid, so…” He trailed off in discomfort.

I couldn’t even keep up the affront. “It’s fine, River. I’m not mad. You should be able to do whatever you want in your own house.”

“Your house, too.”

And there goes that Band-Aid.

Rip. Rip. Rip.

“It’s not anymore.”

The snarl that tore out of River was no less than terrifying. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m moving out. Getting my own place.”

“Are you fuckin?—”

I put out my hand. “I know what you’re going to say, but I’ve already decided.”

“You’ve already decided?”

I inhaled a steeling breath. “Yes, I have.”

“Raven—”

“It’s already done, River. I’m going to stay with Otto until I find a place to rent.”

Hurt carved his brow, and I slipped off my stool and rounded the counter. Slowly, I approached him, my voice soft. “I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me. I know your sacrifice, and I will never pretend as if it didn’t come at the greatest cost. I will never forget the way you cared for me when I was young. The way you nurtured me. You were only a kid yourself, and you took on this terrified little girl and protected her. Raised her andshowed her whatfamilyreally meant. I could never express how much that means to me.”

I inhaled a shaky breath and pushed on. “But it’s time, River. It’s time for me to live my life as an adult, and not one who’s barely figuring out who she is under your roof.”

“Raven…” That time when he said my name, it was wistful. Sorrowful.

“I love you so much,” I whispered.

Soggy affection rose up from the depths of me.

I’d been prepared for a fight, but that’s not what this was. This was me being honest.

“I am so thankful for you, and I’m so thankful for Charleigh and Nolan and this amazing life and the experiences we’ve had. But it’s time for both of us to begin a new era.”

River sighed. “Knew this day would come. Was always scared of it, though.”

“You don’t have to be scared, River. It’s not like I’m moving out of state. I’m going to find a little place here in town, so I’ll be nearby.”

“But I won’t be able to watch out for you all the time.”

In emphasis, I tipped my head to the side. “Which is basically the point.”

He scrubbed a palm over his face. “Right.” Then he peeked up at me with a half grin. “That’s going to take some gettin’ used to.”

He looked around my shop. “But it’s good you’re staying with Otto right now…’til we get this thing sorted out.”

I knew whatget this thing sorted outmeant.

Someone was going to sorely regret making the mistake of picking my store to vandalize.

“Try not to go too hard on whatever poor kid was out having a little fun.”

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