Mia
The pen scribbled across the paper as Mia wrote her life story for Andre to read. She’d never shared these details with anyone, and not even her therapist knew the extent of her trauma. She’d learned from an early age to keep secrets. Exposing herself like this was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Tears leaked from her eyes, blurring the page. She took a deep breath and pulled a tissue from the box.
Her phone pinged and she glanced at it.
Mateo: If you need our help, let us know. We’ll stay in town until tomorrow and then take Mamá and Papá home. Love you.
Her familia had her back, no matter what.
She steeled her spine and put the pen back to the paper, determined to give everything in hopes of earning Andre’s forgiveness. Even if they couldn’t be together, perhaps it could offer him some relief from the pain he carried inside. She’d seen his scars up close, and never in a million years did she wish to add even a feather more to his burden.
The chorus of raindrops bouncing off the roof brought her a sense of calm and determination. She wrote until her hand ached, her heart bleeding out onto the pages. After folding them and sticking them in an envelope, Mia scribbled his name on it before taking a deep breath.
Mia opened the door as the wind whipped, thunder rumbling nearby. She tucked the envelope close to her chest and darted across the green grass that separated their properties. Taking cover on his porch, she tucked her wild hair behind her ears. Her clothes were covered in dark splotches from the rain as her breath created a small cloud in the cold air. She swallowed, gathering up the courage. She would not take no for an answer. She’d fight for him.
Knocking on the door, she waited.
The door swung open and her heart sank. A beautiful blond woman wearing nothing but an oversized T-shirt opened the door.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“Um . . . is Andre here?” Had he found a replacement so soon? His words came back to haunt her. You were just a good fuck—that’s all this was.
No. There had to be an explanation for this. Andre wasn’t like that. He loved her.
“He’s in the shower,” the woman answered, studying Mia.
Shower? Did they . . .
“I can make sure he gets this.” The woman reached out to take the envelope from Mia’s shaking hand. Her mind was still scrambling to catch up. What did this all mean?
“Who are you?” Mia asked, her stomach churning with anxiety.
“Tiffany. I’m a friend of Andre’s.”
This was Andre’s ex? Why was she here, in his house, half naked? He said he’d loved her too. Maybe he still had feelings for her.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Andre’s voice boomed. He was shirtless, wearing nothing but sweatpants that hung low on his hips.
“I . . .” She blinked back tears.
Tiffany moved out of the way as Andre stood in front of her. He reeked of booze and swayed slightly from side to side.
“I thought I was pretty clear earlier. Stay the fuck away from me.” The door slammed in her face. She jumped backwards.
Oh. God. She clutched her stomach, feeling sick. She needed to get away.
Mia ran down the porch onto the road. Her sobs were drowned out by the cracking thunder as the rain soaked her in minutes. Her tears mixed with the fat droplets cascading from the heavens. She ran until her legs and lungs burned—until she crumpled to the ground. It was all too much.
Mamá, I need you. I can’t . . .
Emotions overwhelmed her before everything went dark.
***
Tap. Tap. Tap. Scribble. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Mia cracked open her eyelids. Everything ached. Where am I?
“Oh, good. You’re awake.”
She turned her head as a young boy’s face came into focus. The boy from the alley!
She gasped, bolting to a sitting position, every cell punishing her for the sudden movement. She shivered, her clothes soaking wet. She was no longer on the street, but in someone’s house. She shifted carefully on the couch, taking in the small living room with a coffee table, chair, and television. A few pictures hung on the wall—artsy photographs.
He held up his hands, dropping the pad of paper and pencil he’d been holding. “I promise I’m not gonna hurt you.”
“You’re the one from the alley.” She held her throbbing head. Her lungs were heavy, making it painful and difficult to breathe.
He reached into his pocket and then held out his palm to her. A glint of gold caught her eye.
My mother’s ring!
Mia eyed him warily as she retrieved it.
“I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t have a choice. He said . . .”
“I know,” Mia croaked. Her throat was raw.
“I stole it back from him and carried it around in hopes of finding you to return it. I couldn’t get the necklace though.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and shuffled on his feet.
“Thank you . . . Where am I?”
“My sister, Belle’s, house. She’s a nurse and said you needed to go to the hospital. But we didn’t know your name. Found you on the road on our way back from the library.”
Mia nodded slowly. “I don’t need a hospital. I’ll just get going.” Mia tried to stand but every muscle protested and the room began to spin.
The boy reached out his hands gently. “Please just rest. I called a friend to come help.”
Mia stiffened. “Friend?”
“He’s actually the sheriff of Shattered Cove. He’s got it bad for my sister, but he’s a cool guy. She acts like she hates him, but I think he’s wearing her down.”
Mia blinked, trying to comprehend everything the boy was saying. Bently was friends with this kid?
“What’s your name?”
“TJ. What’s yours?”
“Mia.”
The floorboards creaked overhead. TJ shifted uneasily. “Uh, I know I don’t deserve it, but, uh . . . could you keep that whole thing in the alley between you and me? My sister doesn’t know, and neither does Bently.”
Before Mia could answer, there was a knock at the door. TJ ran to open it, giving her one more pleading look before he let the visitor with a familiar voice in.
“What’s the problem, buddy?” Bently asked.
“I found some lady passed out on the road,” TJ answered.
“Mia?” Bently gasped, rushing over to her side just as a beautiful dark-skinned woman came down the stairs in scrubs.
“What is he doing here?” TJ’s sister snapped.
TJ shrugged.
“Don’t act like you’re not happy to see me,” Bently responded.
She rolled her eyes. “Has hell frozen over?”
Mia would have shaken her head if it didn’t hurt so much. Who was this woman, and what did Bently do to piss her off? Her head swam.
“TJ called and let me in. Seems he rescued my friend.” Bently turned his attention back on Mia. “What happened?”
“I just need to go home,” she rasped, before coughing.
“No, she needs a hospital. Her lungs sound like they have some fluid in them and she’s running a fever. She was passed out in the freezing cold, soaked to the bone. No idea how long she was exposed to the elements, but she could have pneumonia,” Belle said, crossing her arms.
“Let’s go, Mia. Doctor’s orders.” Bently took her hand as she stood up.
“I’m a nurse,” Belle deadpanned.
“Home. No hospital.” She coughed again. This time she couldn’t stop and everything went black again.