Page 86 of Only Fate

Instead of confessing I know the story, I decide to console her.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper, stretching across the table to wipe away her tear, hating myself for not saying more.

“Have you ever heard of the Prison Exoneration Program?”

A tightness forms in my chest as I nod, hating myself for not saying more.

“They took his case. That’s why River was so upset the day you were here.”

I scratch the back of my neck, positive that every person who cares about Essie will want to kick my ass if they find out I talked to Earl.

Tell her, Adrian.

Fucking tell her.

Essie and I are finally in a good place.

I don’t want to fuck this up, but I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t.

If I tell her now, I’ll fuck it up.

If I tell her later, I’ll fuck it up.

But right now, I’m going to give myself time.

Time before everything blows up in my face.

I’ll tell my mother I don’t want to be involved in Earl’s case and to give it to another attorney. I refuse to betray Essie and cross that line even further.

I lost her once.

I won’t survive losing her again.

“Top of the morning to ya,” a shirtless River greets me with a grin when I step out of Essie’s cottage.

He sprawls back in a patio chair and takes a long drag off his joint. Smoke curls around his face.

“Morning.” I run a hand through my hair and look back at the door.

Essie was right behind me but suddenly stopped. She said she had forgotten something and would meet me outside. Considering she somewhat lives at home, I should’ve known there was a chance of running into someone. Better River than her parents seeing me.

River snubs his joint out in the ashtray. “Don’t worry; I won’t give you a hard time about your walk of shame. I love my sister and want her to be happy, and you seem to help with that. She’s going through some shit right now, so don’t you dare fucking hurt her—you hear me?”

“I care about your sister.” I slip my hands into my pockets. “I’d never hurt her.”

He nods, as if accepting my response. “You coming to Callie’s party tonight?”

“I’ll be there.”

He salutes me. “See you tonight then.”

Ava walks out of River’s cottage, interrupting us, and I raise a brow.

She’s wearing baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt that nearly hits her knees. I’m positive both belong to River.

She gathers her tangled hair into a messy ponytail and smiles at me. “Oh, hi, Adrian. I came by to visit Essie but needed a bathroom break. I couldn’t hold it, so I stopped by River’s to pee.”

“Oh, come on,” River says, wearing the widest smirk I’ve ever seen. “Do you expect him to believe that?”

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