Page 117 of I Blame the Rival

He pauses, glancing at me, “I guess the lesson to be taken away is don’t rush into things just because you feel broken inside. Once the sweat dries, you’re stuck with the same problems you were trying to run from in the first place.”

I fall silent, studying the man beside me.

He’s strong in every sense of the word, but at the end of the day he’s only human. A man who makes mistakes and does his best to learn from them.

“You’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks, Mo.”

“You’re welcome, Lacey.”

I smile at him and he smiles back. There’s something special about the people who enter your life through those you love the most and I think I can confidently say that I made a new friend today.

“I was going to go back to bed, but I have a better idea.”

He raises a brow, “If you’re going to keep banging my cupboards, I might have to go work in the office.”

I laugh, “I was thinking more along the lines of ambushing Nico with a pillow fight. Would you like to join me?”

Mo glances at his work computer before looking back at me. After a moment, he reaches out and closes the laptop in front of him, putting a pause on the hard deadlines of the corporate world to help me wake up the man he loves.

“Absolutely.”

I risk life and limb and borrow my brother’s car.

Driving to Silverwood isn’t the most scenic drive at the best of times, but when the car you’re driving is making concerning noises, suddenly the drive feels unbearably long. Every splutterthe vehicle coughs out has me clenching the steering wheel in panic, certain Lola is about to crap out on me.

Somehow we make the 45-minute drive without a call for help and by the time I’m pulling into the dirt parking lot, my palms are sweating for a completely different reason.

Scanning the street for any sign of Jerrell, I hop out and make my way inside the plant shop.

I make my purchase and force myself to walk back to the car. Jerrell has had a hold over me for too long and I am not about to let him ruin the town I’ve grown to call my home.

Despite the mental pep talk, relief still crashes over my body when I finally clamber back inside the manic vehicle. It takes a moment for the panic to subside, but once it does, I feel a tiny surge of victory.

I did it.

Jamming the gear stick into drive, I let the smile break clear across my face as I head over to the little house four blocks down.

Amber is in the front lawn, working on her garden when I get out of the car. Dropping her gloves to the ground, she limps over to greet me.

“Lacey, honey, I didn’t know you were coming over! What a lovely surprise.”

She immediately wraps me in a hug and I squeeze her back.

“I was hoping to surprise Skylar. Is he home?”

“He just came back from a run with his brother. Try the kitchen and if not, I’m sure he’s in his bedroom.” Amber grins,her eyes flashing mischievously, “Be sure to tell him how excited you are to go watch his track meets next year.”

I laugh, “I’m not sure that will make a difference.”

“You would be surprised. Go on, now. Don’t let me keep you.”

Planting a kiss on her cheek, I go racing inside the house. The kitchen turns up empty and I go running up the stairs, adrenaline and excitement fuelling my stamina just long enough to make it to Skylar’s bedroom.

It’s genuinely embarrassing how much I’m panting from that small amount of physical exertion. Forcing the thought aside, I knock gently against his door.

“I don’t think he’s home.”

The voice comes from behind me and I scream, throwing up my hands and nearly hitting Skylar in the process. He ducks just in time, saving himself a black eye.

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