Page 67 of Finally Forever
“That’s crazy.” Social media was my lifeline to the US last year. She was all over the tabloids, even in Europe on occasion, when she was there with her boyfriend at the time, the super famous pop star, Justice Bran.
“Well, he’s safe now,” Nathan answers my question, shocking me.
“How?” How is he safe and we’re not?
“Marina turned herself into the feds and cleared Riley of all threats from her and her family.”
“What?” I slap my thigh. “When did this happen?”
“Recently.” He gestures with his glass to Sebastian, who sits on the same couch as me, on the center cushion with a foot or so between us.
I stare at him. “You knew this, and you didn’t tell me?” My entire body tenses.
He shrugs. “I just found out myself before Nathan got here.”
“And you didn’t think to share something that important with me?” I scowl, my body shaking with anger.
“I didn’t think it was something you needed to know. Marina was my problem. Not yours.”
“Except that she kidnapped me along with Riley and threatened to shoot you if he and I didn’t have sex. And you died on the way to save me.” Tears of anger and heartache burn my eyes at the memory of that horrific night and everything I lost after.
The air charges, and Sebastian’s hand shakes, the brown liquor in the glass threatening to spill. “She did what?”
Nathan gasps. “That’s right. You don’t remember.”
“Did you have sex with him?” Sebastian’s gaze blazes into me like hot daggers.
I can’t tell if he’s offended or concerned.
“No.” It comes out as a squeal. “How can you ask me that?”
“Because I don’t fucking remember.” He slams his glass on the table, sloshing alcohol onto the surface.
I flinch, my mouth agape. This is not my Sebastian. I stand, tears pooling from my eyes. “I wish I could forget everything, too.”
Before Sebastian or anyone can speak, I stalk from the room.
At the stairs, Kensie’s voice gives me pause. “Ainsley, wait.”
I turn, and she envelopes me in a hug. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed comfort until I almost collapse in her arms.
“This must be so hard for you. I’m so sorry you have to deal with his memory loss.”
I inhale a deep breath and pull away. “Thank you. It’s been hard. There’s no manual on how to deal with this.”
“Nathan is talking to him. He’ll straighten him out.”
I laugh, but it borders on a sob. “I don’t know if that’s possible anymore. He’s so different. His memories aren’t returning. He doesn’t love me anymore.” My shoulders round and a deep pain carves out a chunk of my heart. “God, that hurt to admit. I haven’t said it out loud or even in my head yet, but I think it’s true. And I think I have to prepare for the possibility of him not remembering and not being a part of my life.”
“I’m so sorry.” She hugs me again, this time tighter. “No one should have to go through this.”
“You are a very kind person. Nathan is a lucky man.”
She pulls away and brushes the strands of hair from my face that stick to my damp cheeks. “Nathanislucky. I remind him of that daily.” She winks. “But us girls have to stick together. If we don’t support each other, who else will?”
And now she’s even more amazing. I smile and exhale a big breath, thankful for her compassion. “I should go wash my face. I don’t want to greet Riley looking like this.”
“How do you feel about seeing him again?” She quickly adds, “I know all the stories. Nathan told me everything. I’m sorry that happened to you, too. I had a bad experience once, and no one was there to save me, so I saved myself. It was part luck, part relentless fighting, but I came out stronger on the other end.”
