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Page 76 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

RAINEY

M y feet carry me up to the edge of the stone wall.

I’m unsure how I got here, but I did. I drove around for a couple of hours and managed to lose Gary and Johnny.

Stopped several times for gas. Now I’m sitting here staring into the sparkling water of the dam.

The clouds are rolling in. Rain should drizzle anytime soon.

The forecast said it was going to pour, but I don’t trust meteorologists.

They will say it’s going to storm, and we only get droplets of water, then they say there's a chance of light rain, and you get a thunderstorm.

My life is a thunderstorm. I’m still trying to grasp the conversation I heard on the other side of the door. What does Max have to do with all this? And why did my dad have him keep quiet? And I’m adopted.

My head is spinning.

Footsteps crunch rhythmically on the gravel path, drawing my attention.

I peer over to see a couple approaching the brick wall that overlooks the shimmering water under the starlit sky.

Their fingers are intertwined, and they exchange tender smiles that speak volumes.

As they pause, the girl fishes for her phone, capturing playful selfies with wide grins.

Suddenly, the man releases her hand, takes a deep breath, and gracefully lowers himself onto one knee.

My heart leaps with anticipation for the girl, who stands frozen in wide-eyed wonder.

His voice is steady, and the words flow like poetry, weaving a heartfelt and beautiful speech.

My hand goes to my chest, and more tears flood my vision.

I’m not sure if she says yes. I’m so emotional for all different reasons. I know I need to talk to Max to get all the answers. Truthfully, I’m scared to know. How come I don’t remember being adopted at eleven, and the baby pictures of me on the wall? Were they really me? Why the lies?

The couple hug and kiss, so I guess she said yes. Will I ever get this? A happily ever after? Or is this another goodbye between Max and me?

It all makes sense why I’m so different from Bethany and Justin. I look nothing like them.

Who are my biological parents?

My phone buzzes for the millionth time. Justin, Max, and Dad, or should I call him

Rowan? I shut my phone off. I have read none of the text messages. I’m sure I forgot to tell Isabella to close. I’m sure she did.

The night is tranquil, with only the gentle rustling of the wind stirring the rhythmic rise and fall of the waves.

The moonlight casts a silvery glow upon the water, illuminating its surface with a delicate shimmer.

Each gust of wind carries a soothing, melodic sound, as if nature itself is singing a lullaby to the sleeping world.

Like they say, there is a calmness before the storm.

I’m unsure what type of storm I’m stepping into once I head back.

Every time something dreadful happens in my life, a storm erupts in the sky. Maybe it’s giving me a sign. I should be terrified of storms.

I let out a sigh as the rain begins to pour, accompanied by flashes of lightning. It’s no surprise my name is Rainey—I seem to bring storms into my life.

I shift the car into drive and head back home. Not Max’s, but mine.

My heart or my mind takes me to the one place I wanted to avoid.

I needed a night to myself to prepare, but who am I kidding?

There is no way to prepare your mind and heart for something like this.

You’re adopted, and you just find out at the age of twenty-five.

And you don’t remember any of it. Rain soaks my clothes, but I can’t feel it—my body has gone numb.

The garage door is open from Max’s house.

He peers at me from under the hood of his car.

He drops the tool in his hand and walks toward me.

I plant my feet on the cement driveway. Unsure of what I should do, run to him.

“Baby.” He exhales softly, his voice barely a whisper as deep lines etch his forehead, and his eyes widen, filled with concern. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

I shake my head. Words don’t come. They can’t. It’s like they’re stuck.

“Let’s get you inside, corazón. You’re wet. I’ve been so worried, Rainey. I have been driving everywhere looking for you. You ditched Johnny, amor mío .” Raindrops clung to Max’s hair, leaving his hair dripping.

“I…I needed time.” My chin trembles.

Without a warning, Max lifts me in his arms. Although his body is wet, I can feel the warmth from his touch. I don’t squeal like I usually do. I cling to his neck, calming my fragile heart with his scent.

“I love you, Rainey, so fucking much.”

What does he mean by this? Is this an I love you, goodbye?

He takes me to his room up the stairs. Kissing my forehead constantly. He sets me on the bed. “I’m going to draw you a bath.”

“No,” I whisper so low I can barely hear it myself.

“Let’s get you warm, baby. Then we can talk. I have a lot to tell you.” Max kneels on one knee. His hands frame my face. “I’m always here for you, Rainey. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” Max’s voice is soft and soothing.

Does he see the confusion on my face? Of course he does. He notices everything.

He stands and starts the large bath, which always perfectly fits the two of us with his large body.

From a distance, I see he adds lavender bath bombs.

Then he comes back to the bed and lifts me, and we don’t talk.

He just kisses my cheek. Then, slowly, he peels my clothes off until I’m completely naked.

“I got you,” he says as he anchors me into the tub of warmth and suds floating around me.

I don’t know what to say or what question to ask first. My mouth is dry. Max gets the sponge and gently washes my back. My body sinks into his touch and the warmth of the water. I feel slightly relaxed but still on high alert.

“You have the softest skin…I’m sorry, amor , you heard that. I wanted to talk to you in person about this, not you overhearing.”

“I’m scared, Max. I’m scared of what I’m about to learn. My gut tells me this isn’t good.”

His giant, rough hands are always gentle on me. “I’m here. Always here. Lean back so I can wash your hair. You can relax, Rainey. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” My gaze meets his beautiful eyes. There like a storm, blue, gray, and green mixed into hues of sadness.

My body instinctively tilts toward his hand, seeking the familiar warmth and comfort.

His fingers, firm yet gentle, work small circles through my hair, spreading the cool, fragrant shampoo and sending tingling sensations across my scalp.

“I know you’re scared, corazón . Remember, after every storm, a rainbow follows.

I’ll make sure my girl gets hers. Just trust me.

I’ll get you anything your heart desires.

Just remember to stay strong during the storm, lean on me, amor .

I’ll kiss away the pain, your tears.” Max finishes washing every part of my body.

He doesn’t look at me with desire, but with pain.

“Just don’t leave me, my love,” he whispers softly, pulls the plug from the tub.

A warm towel wraps around me. Max dries my hair, then carries me to the bedroom onto the bed. I get dressed while he changes from his wet clothes into a pair of gray sweats.

Seconds later, he runs upstairs with a bottle of water. I’m parched from the whole day without water. Max watches as I drink half of it.

“Can we sit in the other room? The library.” Max built me a shelf. Although it’s still empty, and I’m sure he wants me to move in. Probably a hint. Only a lamp and a fluffy chair you sink into are in the room.

“Yeah, of course.”

He extends his hand for me to take. We walk hand in hand to the next room. I asked him once why so many bedrooms, and he said it was for the kids. That warmed my heart. He has everything planned.

“Do you want a blanket?”

“No, you’re like a furnace.”

Max’s lips curve into a boyish smile. “I am.”

We sink into the huge gray chair, and it fits us both. Max holds me in his arms, tucking hair behind my ear.

“Max, how did you know I’m adopted? I’m so confused about how you knew so much. Why did my d-dad tell you to keep quiet about the adoption? You should have told me. You kept things from me.” I swallow the lump of emotions.

Max lifts my chin with his index finger to meet his green eyes.

“Rainey, there are reasons I didn’t tell you that you’re adopted.

I felt it was your parents who had to tell you.

” He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes for a second, like he’s trying to catch wind before he lets it out.

“They kept me away from you because I could trigger your memory. Your parents tried so hard for you not to regain it.”

A trigger. My memory. I shake my head, not understanding. My dad paid him because he said he wasn’t good enough. How did they keep him away? “I’m not understanding. What do you mean, a trigger?”

“Sunshine, we didn’t meet at Highland Academy for the first time. We’ve met before.”

I straighten up, trying to sit up, but Max’s arm is over my shoulder. “No, we didn’t.” My heart beats a hundred miles per hour. I would remember him. I would. “Was it at a store you saw me at?”

“ Tesoro, we lived in the same home for six months. We were in the same foster home.”

Breathe. I can’t breathe—Foster home. My lungs strangle like a noose, robbing the air out of me.

“Breathe. That’s my girl. Slow, steady breaths. We can stop—take a break.”

“No, I need to know everything, every detail.”

He nods, kissing a tear I didn’t realize had leaked.

“I’m unsure where to start.”

“Why don’t I remember any of it?” My fingers curl under my pajama shirt. I still can’t grasp that I was in a foster home. Did my biological parents not want me?

“An accident happened,” Max’s voice rasps. His eyes hold weight with an unbearable heaviness, yet they hold a haunting softness, brimming with a torrent of memories, searing pain, relentless heartache, and soul-crushing grief. His eyes always caress me like a soft whisper.

“Let’s start from the beginning. From the first day we met,” I say, leaning toward him.

Max’s lips skim my nose, then my mouth. His throat works several times.

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