Page 96 of Wildest Forever

He says nothing, but I hear the sound of his boots being kicked across the hallway and then heavy footsteps taking him upstairs before the bathroom door is slammed shut making me jump.

Once I know he is out of sight, I drop my head and sigh, shaking my head from side to side.

How the hell am I meant to help him when I don't know him.

Lifting my head, I glance out the same window he did and notice an American robin sitting on the fence line, it's wingsflapping slightly before it sits still and my heart jack hammers in my chest.

I ignore the way my heart swells in my chest and my throat burns with a lump that lodges itself there.

And just as quickly as the bird came, it left without warning and a small smile curls at the corner of my mouth.

“Bye pops,” I mutter then find myself walking towards the corded phone on the wall.

I look over my shoulder and make sure the coast is clear before dialling a number and twisting my finger in the cord.

Three rings and she answers.

“Rivera Ranch 895.”

“Orla,” I whisper talk into the speaker of the phone.

“Morgan, sweetie, is everything okay?” and I pause for a moment as I try and collect my thoughts, licking my upper lip and I have no idea whether I should have even made the call.“Morgan?” I hear her voice again and it snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Erm, hi...” I trail off and look over my shoulder to make sure he is still nowhere to be seen.

“You okay?”

I nod before answering her. “Yes... well, maybe... I don't know.” I continue to twist the cord around my finger.

She stays silent.

“Pacey came home... looked broken.” I whisper. “I tried to talk to him, but he just pulled me into him and cried.” My lip trembles.

“I'll get someone over,” and before I can even argue with her, she continues, “thank you sweetie, he'll only talk to two people... he will open up to you, just give him time.”

I nod as if she can see me.

“You did the right thing Morgan,” she says softly before hanging up the phone and my stomach knots.

I have no idea if I have done the right thing, but if my gut is anything to go by then I know it wasn't.

Sighing, I place the phone back in the holder and busy myself with supper.

Pacey will be down in a moment, and I have no idea who else will be joining us.

I hear the familiar bang on the pipes, and I know he is finished with the shower. Anticipation pricks at the base of my neck and my palms are clammy as I begin to prep the baked potatoes.

The sound of the bathroom door opening and closing echoes through the quiet house and I sigh.

A knock on the door has my eyes lifting out the window and I see the black Rivera Ranch truck sitting out front and I know Orla has sent Riggs.

Running my hand down the front of my thigh, I inhale heavily as I begin moving towards the front door and swing it open, my brows furrowing at who I see standing there.

It's not Riggs.

But his wife, Aspen.

“Morgan,” her voice soft, her head tilting to the side as she steps forward and wraps her arms around me, her chin resting on my shoulder before she pulls away and her full lips break into a smile.

---