Lakeshore Candy: The McAdams Sisters (By The Lake Book 4) Read online

  She had to get out of here. “I have to go.”

  He let her.

  Abby ran.

  She ran away from him, across the parking area, and then across the grass, cushioning her heels. When they hit the sidewalk on the other side of the wrought iron gates her body crashed onto the hard ground, just like she had that morning in October after Gran’s death when she’d been trying to outrun her pain. Just like that October she didn’t feel the physical pain, only the emotional agony.

  Abby picked herself up, slipped out of her heels and holding them in her hand, ran away from the cemetery. She kept running through the older section of the city. She didn’t know where she was going and she didn’t care.

  How hadn’t she known? How could Riley be the same man once in a relationship with Adrianna? How could Mrs. Calvert not have told her? Mrs. Calvert.

  Uncontrollable tears filled her eyes and streamed down her face. Tears for Mrs. Calvert and tears for herself and the love she felt for a man who had betrayed Mrs. Calvert...and who had kept such a serious secret from her.

  When she could run no longer, she stopped in the middle of a parking lot and dialed Mrs. Calvert’s home number...at one o’clock in the morning.

  When Mrs. Calvert’s sleepy voice came through, Abby demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me who he was?” She intended it to come out strong and angry, but it came out sad and lost.

  Abby didn’t have to clarify. Mrs. Calvert’s short silence was clarification enough. “It wasn’t my place to say.”

  “It was entirely your place to say. Why has he been living above the bakery? Why have you been allowing him to work with you? Why!”

  My heart is breaking. My heart is breaking in confusion because I feel a loyalty to you and I feel a love for him that I have never felt and you didn’t warn me about him! You let me fall in love with him! Abby couldn’t send the accusations through the phone.

  Mrs. Calvert caught onto Abby’s panic. “Abby, what happened? Where’s Riley?”

  “I don’t know where he is. I don’t even know where I am.” Her eyes scanned the empty, sketchy parking lot. Maybe she should have hailed a cab. “What am I supposed to do here?”

  “What does your heart tell you to do?”

  Oh, no, no, no...Abby was not playing that game with her.

  “Gran told me everything the night of Adrianna’s funeral. Every single last word you told her, she told me. You blamed him for their death. There was no mistaking it.” Abby was done playing the code of secrecy. “Riley told me his version of his past and it doesn’t add up to your version.”

  Why don’t they add up? Who is mistaken?

  “My version was that of a mother who lost her daughter young and very tragically. I blamed Riley when she died. Riley blamed himself when she died so he made it very easy to force the blame on him.” She heard Mrs. Calvert sigh through the phone. “It wasn’t his fault, Abby. Do you hear me?”

  Abby heard her and the words loosened Abby’s fury. She released her anger and started to clarify her confusion.

  “It was absolutely not his fault and it took me months to accept that and not before he came knocking on my door late one evening, drunk or on drugs, I don’t know, but he needed to apologize to me because his guilt was eating him alive. What he needed more was rehab.”

  This sounded more like the story Riley had told her, more like the man she’d fallen in love with. With every confession from Mrs. Calvert, relief picked up the pieces of her broken heart placing them back together.

  “I drove him to a center. It was a long drive and the truth revealed itself. At first I didn’t, couldn’t, believe him, then he came to stay with me when he had nowhere else to go. We both know the same man.”

  I love this man.

  “You have to let the stories Grace told you go. They weren’t accurate. If I had any idea that Grace had told you, I would have talked to you sooner.”

  “I love him.” The words left Abby’s mouth and echoed through the empty parking lot.

  “I know you do and he loves you.” Abby’s eyes fell shut as she listened to Mrs. Calvert. “He didn’t love Adrianna and he didn’t give her false expectations. She was a difficult girl...woman. Even if you’ve never said so, you could see it. Don’t blame Riley. Go talk to him and sort this out. I might not have known what was going on in my daughter’s love life, but I am not blind to the love between you and Riley. I want him to be happy as much as I want you to be happy.”

  “He makes me happy.”

  “You make him happy.”

  “He might not forgive me. He was scared to tell me and I urged him on and then when he finally worked up the nerve...I freaked out.”

  “Like I told him when he was scared to tell you about Adrianna...maybe he will forgive you.”

  Abby hailed a cab back to Riley’s house.

  Please be home Riley. Please let me tell you how sorry I am and that I love you. I want you. I don’t want to live without you.

  She was met by Avery and Izzy at the front door with worried looks.

  Avery hugged her the moment she stepped inside. “I’ve been texting and phoning you all evening,” he said, pulling away. She’d put her phone on silent.

  “Is Riley home?” she asked.

  Avery shook his head. “We came home right after you and you weren’t here. We need to talk,” he said, shutting the door behind them. Abby barely had the strength to talk and whatever strength left in her she wanted to reserve for Riley.

  Avery held her hand and dragged her into the kitchen saying, “I was being nosy, as I am and I sort of jimmied a lock that was locked because let’s face it, we don’t know anything about Riley and here you are starting some relationship with him and you didn’t even know he owned this house. How did he get this house? What does he do for a living? Why is he so secretive about all of these things?” Abby knew the answer now. “I’m not going to stand around and watch you get hurt, so I opened this door.”

  They stopped at the double doors in the kitchen under the glass staircase. Izzy was trailing behind with a gloomy look on her face.

  “Prepare yourself Abby, because this shocked the shit out of me.”

  Avery threw the doors open and stepped inside a large games room. Every game anyone could imagine was there: pool, foosball, ping pong, there was even a bowling alley on the black tile floor. The room itself with the bar along the right wall and a theater along the left wasn’t alarming in itself, it was the blown up poster size pictures of Riley standing with famous bands plastered on every red wall and a neon sign above the bar that said, “Torsten Label.”

  Avery and Izzy knew.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  IN THE MIDDLE of the old part of the city towered a three-story brick building with Torsten Recording Label lit in pink neon in the middle.

  Riley had his own recording label. He literally owned the huge business towering above her.

  Abby didn’t know what surprised her more: Adrianna or this.

  After filling Avery and Izzy in on Riley’s past, a quick version because he still wasn’t home, worry had claimed Abby. She waited until Avery and Izzy had retired for the night, and then called a cab to drop her off at Riley’s company. She didn’t know where else to look for him.

  Her reluctant hands pushed the door and of course it was locked.

  What a fool. He probably wasn’t even here and he didn’t have a cell phone.

  What an idiot.

  She knocked anyway and when no one answered, she pounded her fist on the door, full of angry. She was tired, exhausted and sorry!

  What the hell? What the hell!

  Accepting defeat, her arms dropped to her side and she took a deep breath. She stepped away from the door, turning and crashing into a tall, thin blonde-haired woman wearing a fitted trench coat that hung just above her knee and clung to her curves. The woman gasped and laughed all at the same time, but Abby didn’t feel the humor.

  “I’m sorry,” Abby said qu
ickly. She needed to get out of here.

  “Can I help you with something?” She was putting a key to the door lock.

  He might not even be in here, but it was worth a shot.

  “I’m looking for Riley Boyd.”

  The woman’s face dropped and her mouth thinned as her blue eyes examined Abby from top to bottom. “Who’s asking?”

  What business is of yours? “I’m Abby McAdams. He doesn’t carry a cell but I’m pretty sure he’s inside.” Not that any of that is your business either and quit giving me that untrusting look.

  Blondie folded her arms in front of her like a protective warning barrier. “Is this a joke?” she accused, sending her an icy stare.

  “Uh...no.”

  She shouldn’t have come at all. What had she been thinking? That this was some sort of movie and Riley was going to be waiting with his arms wide open...a girl could wish, couldn’t she?

  “I will come back in the morning when you’re open and...”

  The double doors swung opened and a tall lanky guy, in his late twenties, wearing thick black glasses stepped out of the building, his eyes solely focused on the blonde-woman. “Macy, where is Cece?” he demanded.

  Macy’s face softened as she turned to the man. “I don’t know.”

  “I told you to bring Cece.”

  “Martin, I wasn’t with Cece. Do you know what time it is? I understand the two of you work around the clock with your owl musicians, however the rest of us go home when the label closes.” Macy’s eyes glanced at Abby, with a questioning look, why are you still here, and a raise of her eyebrows, before she looked back at Martin. “And, you said it was an emergency so I raced over. Why don’t you call her if it’s so important?”

  “I have been, but she’s not answering. Why do you think I texted you?” He looked at Abby. “Who are you?”

  “I was just leaving.”

  Apparently, Riley wasn’t inside and they were having an emergency that didn’t involve her.

  “She was looking for Riley,” Abby heard the snotty blonde say as she turned.

  “Wait dark girl!” Martin called to Abby and she couldn’t help drop her eyes to the black skinnies and off the shoulder sweater she’d changed into.

  Dark girl? She liked it.

  “You know Riley?” Martin asked.

  Abby turned and nodded. “He doesn’t carry a cell.”

  Who didn’t carry a cell? She felt the need to explain that because that was how people communicated today.

  “He’s here.”

  “What?!” The blonde shouted.

  Abby’s heart rose.

  He’s here. He’s safe. But would he want to see her? He’d given her his fear and she trampled it down. Would his arms be wide open for her? Get some realistic expectations in check Abby.

  “Is he busy? I could come back tomorrow...”

  “How do you know Riley?” the blonde demanded, arching her perfectly waxed brows.

  “Um...” She wasn’t sure what they would call each other now after her reaction to his identity.

  “I don’t think he’s busy. Come in.” Martin was much friendlier than Macy and extended his hand to Abby. “My name is Martin.”

  “Martin.” Macy scolded him, still skeptical. Abby’s hand met the dry thin fingers of Martin’s, surprising her with a strong, solid handshake that pulled her through the doorway.

  “Macy find Cece. Now.”

  Cece, Riley’s sister.

  The reception area had a long contemporary glass desk across the width of the back wall with a sitting area consisting of sleek leather sofas and glass tables all decorated in red and black.

  Abby’s flats scuffed the tile floor, dragging like her wounded heart, down halls with walls of windows exposing the numerous recording studios.

  They stopped as Riley came into view through the glass. He was sitting at a board staring in an empty studio with one arm extended, moving a button up and down.

  “Here he is,” Martin said.

  Now what do I do? Go in there and say sorry? He might not forgive me. Mrs. Calvert’s words came back, but he might...

  “Thanks,” she said to Martin.

  Martin turned to leave then came back. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but when Cece comes I won’t be able to keep her out.”

  “That’s alright. Don’t try to keep her away from her brother.” If the roles were reversed and that was Avery sitting in that room and she hadn’t seen him for years, absolutely nothing would keep her from bursting down the door and demanding an explanation.

  “I can’t believe he’s here,” Martin said, turning on his designer shoe heel and leaving her alone to face Riley.

  Taking a deep breath, Abby walked into the cold recording room.

  Riley’s shoulders stiffened and his fingers stopped but his stare remained unmoved.

  Abby longed to touch his arm, hug him, sit on his lap and feel him against her, but she didn’t dare in fear he didn’t want her to.

  Her heart tightened with each step, unsure how this was going to end.

  Would he ask her to leave?

  “Riley?”

  Riley looked up then and she saw everything in his eyes, the past he had shared with her and the love he had for her. He loved her in a way he’d never loved anyone else and her love for him was mutual.

  His shoulders relaxed. His shoulders relaxed!

  Tears she couldn’t control sprang to her eyes, hoping maybe, just maybe he would forgive her.

  “I’m so sorry Riley.” Her words barely came out past trembling lips. “You tried to explain and I labeled you far worse than anyone. I wasn’t ready. You were spouting off this love for me, a love I also feel for you, and that was scary too. Then to learn who you are all in the same moment...I freaked out.” That was no excuse. “I lost it, just like you feared I would. I’m so sorry, Riley.”

  Her tears were spilling down her face now and her sobs came in loud gasps. If Martin peeked back in through the glass he would see her shoulders rising and falling uncontrollably. She had messed up so badly. “I understand if you don’t forgive me. Or if you never want to see me again. You trusted me and I...I...all I can say is I’m sorry. I want to say it a million times. I should have had more faith in you.” The words came bursting out uneven between sobs, between sniffles, between gasps for air.

  Riley took her hands and pulled her to his lap, exactly where she wanted to be. The crying continued harder, even if it didn’t seem possible. Her tears stained his shirt as she nuzzled her head against his chest. His chin rested on her head.

  Was he forgiving her?

  “Shhh.” His soothing voice trailed along with his hand softly through her hair.

  Abby cried against him for the way she’d treated him, for the way he’d treated himself, for his loss and his braveness, and for Mrs. Calvert until no more tears would drop and she was left in his arms feeling like a child who had yelled at their parent only to afterwards find consolation.

  “I should have told you before we left.” His words slipped down her hair and into her ear and she could hardly believe he was trying to take the blame for her actions.

  Abby sat up so she could explain to his face why she acted the way she had. “Mrs. Calvert is like my family.”

  He tucked her hair behind her ears and rubbed his thumbs across her skin. What a mess she must look like. “I know she is.”

  “When you told me who you were I felt her pain. It slammed through me with a force that winded me. But it wasn’t fair to treat you the way I did when I didn’t know the whole story. I phoned Mrs. Calvert after I left you.”

  She took a deep breath, simply drinking in his beautiful face. What if this is the last time I see these dark eyes, or the tattoos peeking out from under his shirt?

  “I have to be honest with you. I love you. I have never loved anyone like I love you. My love for you could never be crushed or taken away.” It was true. “But, if you had hurt Mrs. Calvert...I don’t know wher
e we would have stood...”

  He nodded. “It’s okay.”

  “Is it?”

  “Yes.” His hands continued to rub the sides of her face, ever so slowly. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise from you. Your love, your bond for your family, is one of the things I admire about you.”

  “Am I too late?” When he needed her she’d turned her back on him and...run. Would he want her now?

  ***

  RILEY COULDN’T BELIEVE Abby had tracked him down...run back to him. He’d thought for sure she was halfway back to Willow Valley by now and he couldn’t bear to go back to his house without her. Because of the one heart wrenching truth he’d left absent between them, but here she was asking if he wanted her to leave.

  He pulled her back against him. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  Her body relaxed, fitting perfectly against him like they were destined to join not only physically but emotionally. Her sobs had finished and she snuggled against him.

  “We should go,” he whispered in her ear.

  Martin would be having a fit. Riley had seen it in his expression when he unlocked the front door and waltzed down the hallway he hadn’t been in for years. No doubt he had called Cece and that was another woman in his life he had a line-up of apologies for, but walking in with Abby’s tear stained face, wouldn’t be fair to Cece. She deserved all his attention.

  Abby nodded against him again and he knew she was exhausted. For a night owl, she’d lost her three o’clock touch.

  They sat in the office chair and he rocked it with his foot a while longer until he felt her body give into the exhaustion and he knew she was asleep. He stood, holding her under her knees and the back of her neck. Just like the many times he’d carried her drunk body from the car into the house, she wrapped her arms around his neck and this time he appreciated that she was his to do so. Contentment filled him knowing when he lay her in the bed, he could be able to crawl in beside her.

  Macy and Martin were at the end of the hall with their arms crossed, nervously waiting for him.

  It wasn’t a rare occasion for Martin to be here late with a recording band, but it was obvious he had called Macy who was the receptionist...and Cece’s friend...and only worked while they were open during the week, nine to five.