Page 143 of Invisible String
From what Max has told me, he’s never spoken of her to him. I’m certain this is the first time in years he’s talked about his wife.
“I haven’t visited her grave in years. I couldn’t after how I treated Max. I still blame him when he comes over. When I’m drunk, I know it’s not.”
I give him space.
Fifteen minutes pass in silence, and I quietly scroll through my work emails. “I’m tired of this life of living without Marabel,” he finally mumbles. I want to earn my spot with my wife whenthe day comes. I want to be a father or whatever Max wants. I’m tired of drinking—of loneliness. I want to be a grandfather. I want help.”
A relief of tears erupts from my chest. The tightness I had been feeling eased.
Johnny is trailing behind us.He promised to keep quiet, not to say a word to Max. Hector drums his index finger on his knee. Before coming here to Hector’s, I called a rehab place in Utah that has outstanding reviews unlike the places in Vegas, which is only hours away. I was determined to get him there today. A van will meet me at a certain location in the south of Vegas to take him to the rehabilitation center. Hector left a note for Max letting him know he would be gone for some time. He didn’t tell him where. I asked him not to say anything until he’s clean and is seeing a therapist. It’s going to be tough to hide this from Max. I hope this doesn’t come back to kick me in the butt.
“Max is lucky to have you in his life, and I’m glad he has you. You’re a good person, Rainey. You made an alcoholic see the other side.”
“Soon-to-be recovering alcoholic,” I interject.
“Thank you for giving me the push. I apologize for breaking down on you.”
I shake my head as I flick the signal light to turn left, watching the rhythmic blinking of the arrow on the dashboard as it ticks like an impatient metronome. “No, need to apologize. My mother passed a year ago. I know grief.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
I simply nod, swallowing the pain of losing her.
We arrive at the Calms Inn hotel, and a white van waits in the parking lot. “That’s the rehabilitation center’s transport. The facility looked beautiful on their website, with a great, relaxing view, and it is the best one.”
“Thank you again. My Marabel would have loved you. You remind me so much of her. She had a beautiful heart, and it’s no wonder she sent you to Max. She knew you’d be perfect for him.”
Hector takes his luggage and rolls it to the van. The man has me sign paperwork, and I agree to visits. However, I’m not sure I should. I’m angry, but also feel remorse for him.
Hector gives me a nod and gets in the van. Air leaves my lungs, relief filling me that Max might get a chance to heal. If Hector follows the program, maybe they can make peace.
CHAPTER FORTY
MAX
The city’s light rain is a hue of colors as we weave through the empty streets. It is a little after midnight now. We spent the afternoon with Carlos and Vanessa. They had invited us over for a cookout. Nessa loved Rainey like I thought she would. Rainey is easy to fall for. She’s kind, smart, humble, and beautiful, of course. I run a hand up and down her bare thighs while the other takes the wheel.
“I had a great time.” She yawns, leaning her head on the window.
“So did I. They love you.”
“I feel the same way. Vanessa is the sweetest.” Rainey’s fingers tangle in mine. Neither of us can keep our hands to ourselves. Even during the night, we keep them joined.
“Sleep, baby. I’ll carry you inside when we get home.” I crank up the heater as she peacefully rests. The word “home” always felt strange coming from my lips because I never had that. Home is Rainey. Wherever she goes, I go, but I want us to stop hopping between our houses and to consider my place ours.
We haven’t been apart since we got back together, other than the time I left for training in the mountains. That was only for a few days, and it drove me crazy to be away from her. I leavefor Utah in three days to train again. Carlos thinks it would be a great idea since the altitude will be higher. I’m only going to be three hours away. It still hurts being away from her. Not seeing her for that long will kill me.
The car comes to a halt at the stoplight. A black truck has been following us for some time, and I’m not sure how long. My mind has been elsewhere. I haven’t seen or heard from Daniel and his men, which is odd because he’s not the type of man to stay quiet. Xander hasn’t heard from him since he quit the Underground. Daniel must be planning something.
Johnny thinks the same thing, and that drives me crazy. Rainey has been so patient, thankfully. The light changes to green, and the truck continues to follow. I accelerate and turn left into a residential area. The car matches my speed. The windows are too dark to identify the driver, but it’s certainly one of Daniel’s men. It passes me, leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
Fuck, I’m going to tell Johnny and Gary to keep her safe while I’m gone or I can take her with me.
We pull up in front of Rainey’s quaint, ivy-covered house as the moonlight bathes the porch in a gentle glow. Inside the car, she sleeps soundly, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, her face relaxed and serene. I gently unlock her seatbelt, careful not to disturb her, and lift her into my arms. Her warmth seeps into me, and the faint scent of vanilla fills the air. I place a kiss on her soft lips.
She moans. “Are we home?”
“Yeah, it’s okay, baby. Sleep. I got you.”
