Page 36

Rain

I read the text. Then read it again.

The number isn’t saved in my phone, but I know exactly who it is.

After all these years—after finally finding some peace, after starting to move on—he dares to reach out again?

Who the fuck does he think he is?

Unknown : Rain, believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about you a lot after all these years.

It was a pleasant surprise to see you on social media, with who I assume is your boyfriend.

I hope you can find it in you to give me a chance to talk.

I know it’s a big ask, but there are things that are better said in person.

Unknown : This is Dennis, by the way.

After getting a ride from the heliport to the lot where the RV is parked, I undress and take a quick shower, letting the water mix with the tears streaming down my face.

Why did he have to contact me?

And how in the fucking hell did he get my number?

After what happened, I changed mine and blocked his.

What does he mean he saw me on social media?

I don’t have any accounts. I haven’t posted a single picture with Xander—anywhere.

Fuck .

Did Xander post about us?

A million thoughts race through my mind as the water keeps running. Every heartbeat feels louder than the last.

When I finally get out, I dry off and throw on pajama shorts and a tank top.

I grab my phone and just stare at it for a while. I need to vent to someone before I explode. But I can’t tell Xander—he’d be here in a heartbeat, and he needs to stay focused on preseason.

I can’t tell River either. He’d spiral… and maybe this time he wouldn’t let Dennis walk away. I can’t risk that.

“Fuck,” I shout, frustrated.

Then my phone pings.

For a second, I consider ignoring it—what if it’s Dennis again? But curiosity gets the best of me.

I glance at the screen, and my eyes gloss over.

Xander : Hey, babe. Did you arrive safely? I’m worried sick. I love you.

He doesn’t deserve this. How on Earth did I let this happen?

He should be with someone without crazy baggage, ready to be by his side and cheer him on as he becomes a hockey champion.

Xander : Rain, my wild cherry. Please, talk to me. Don’t overthink it. What the fuck happened?

Blowing a shaky breath through my mouth, I start typing, fingers trembling as the words form.

Rain : Hey, Hotshot. I’m in the RV. I’m safe. I love you too, so fucking much! Just please trust me and give me time. I promise when I’m ready, I’ll share everything. *heart emoji*

I hit send and leave my phone in the living area, not wanting to see his reply.

I know it’s a gamble asking him for time, but that’s all I can do right now.

“Good morning, Raindrop,” my sister says in a chirpy tone on the other end of the line.

“Hey, sis. Are you busy today?”

She chuckles, and I hear rustling in the background. “I don’t have any patients today. Savannah is handling the new one we just got. Why? What’s going on?”

I take a few seconds to reply. I’m still not sure this is the best idea, but right now, it’s my only option.

“Is it okay for me to come over? I need to swing by the diner first, but I can be at your house after.”

Ruin doesn’t hesitate. “Of course. I’m here.”

We hang up, and I head to the diner.

Should I talk with Savannah instead? At least she knows about everything that happened with Dennis, and speaking with her definitely helped me overcome my fears and open my heart fully to Xander.

Ugh. What should I do?

I’d ask Xander. He’s become my confidant. But he’s the last person I can reach out to now.

Something—my heart—tells me it’s time for me to share this with my sister.

“Chef, good morning. How did it go?” Blair asks as I step into the kitchen.

Whatever she sees on my face wipes the smile clean off hers.

“I’m okay,” I say, offering a faint smile. “I’m just going to need you to hold things down for one more day. There are a few things I need to figure out. After that, you and I should sit down—some changes are coming up.”

Her frown deepens. “Changes?”

I chuckle, trying to ease her mind. “Good ones. At least… I think so.”

She leans in and lowers her voice. “You’re not thinking about kicking me out of here, are you?”

I shake my head as a genuine smile forms on my lips. “There’s no way I can let you go, Blair. You’re amazing.”

She exhales dramatically, pressing her hand to her chest. “Phew, Chef, you got me worried for a second there.”

I wave on my way out, and she gives me a mock salute as I head to the door.

I knock as I twist the doorknob at Ruin’s house—it’s unlocked.

“Hello?” I call softly, not wanting to wake the babes if they’re napping.

Ruin steps into the entryway, her face lighting up the second she sees me. Her hair’s braided, and she’s wearing a long, flowy summer dress that makes her look like she walked out of a sunshine commercial. She’s glowing.

“Hey, sis,” I say, and we hug.

Ruin pulls back just enough to search my face. “Are you alright?”

I look away.

“Fuck, Rain. What happened? Were Xander’s parents complete jerks?” she blurts, clearly trying to fill the silence.

I scoff lightly as we make our way to the living room. We settle into the cozy window nook—a spot tucked beside bookshelves, facing the mountains, with a huge, cushioned chaise lounge where we both fit perfectly.

We curl into the seat, facing each other like we always used to do. I place my hands under my head, taking a long breath, steadying myself.

“This… is a conversation I never wanted to have with you.” My voice wavers, but I push through.

“I know you and I share pretty much everything, especially when we were younger. But what I’m going to tell you…

It happened a long time ago. And the only reason I’m sharing now is because the past came back around—and there’s no one else I can talk to about this. ”

Ruin’s eyes widen, her expression tightening with emotion. “Rain, you’re freaking me out. What’s going on?”

“Do you remember the summer before senior year? When I told you I had an accident?”

She nods slowly. Doesn’t even blink.

“River and I told everyone Dennis and I were in a car accident. That he was in such bad shape, his family had to move away to get him better care. But what really happened…” I pause, swallowing hard.

My lungs squeeze like they’re trying to collapse inward.

“What happened is Dennis assaulted me. And River beat him so badly, they had to leave town.”

Ruin gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “What? He assaulted you? Rain—how? Why?”

I close my eyes. I knew this would hurt her. I knew it would break something in both of us. But it has to be said.

“He sexually assaulted me.”

Her eyes shut instantly, and the tears spill over. She says nothing for a moment, just lets the grief and rage move through her in silence.

I feel my own tears running down my face, our shared pain wrapping around us like a storm.

We cry together for a while, silently, until she finally speaks .

“Oh, Rain.” Her voice cracks. “I’m not even sure what to say. I won’t ask why you didn't tell me, but you know, no matter what, you’re my twin. You can always come to me.”

“I know,” I whisper. “But it just didn’t feel right at the time.”

She gives me a watery smile and reaches out, her fingers finding the pulse point on my wrist. She starts rubbing it gently. I close my eyes and breathe with her, letting the calm she offers slowly wash over me.

“So… what happened now?” she asks quietly. “Did you tell Xander?”

I nod. “Yeah. I told him before he left. He was amazing.”

A small smile lifts my lips, despite the ache in my chest. I think of how he held me, cried with me. Loved me harder after the truth came out. He truly is one of a kind.

“But while we were visiting his parents, I got a text from an unknown number. It was Dennis.”

Ruin’s entire face darkens. Her cheeks flush deep red as she sits up. “He dared to contact you again?”

I sit up too, needing to meet her on this level of fury.

“I know. It totally knocked the wind out of me. I shut down, Ruin. I didn’t tell Xander. Now he’s worried about me, which is the last thing I wanted since he has to focus on his game.”

“Did you respond?” she asks, still rubbing my wrist, grounding me.

I shake my head. “No. But now I don’t know what the hell to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

I laugh bitterly as I wipe my cheeks.

“I have no fucking clue. Dennis said he wants to speak with me in person. Part of me wants to meet with him just to tell him off. To finally say everything I’ve carried for years—and maybe even punch him in the face.

Twice. But the other big part of me wants to ignore him.

Pretend he never reached out. Let it die, and keep moving forward. ”

Ruin stares at me, her jaw tight, eyes twitching—her tell when she’s furious but trying to keep it together.

“Tell him you’ll meet him,” she says evenly. “And I’ll go instead. I’ll hit him harder than River did. And if he sues me, Gio will take care of him.”

Despite myself, I laugh. It bursts out of me—deep, cracked around edges like it hasn’t had space to exist in days.

My sister wouldn’t kill a fly, even if her life depended on it. But I love how fiercely protective she is of those she loves.

“Ruin, you can’t just—”

“I can and I will ,” she growls, her voice shaking with fury. Her eyes are blazing now, glassy with unshed tears, but hard with conviction. “He doesn’t get to come back into your life and stir shit up after what he did.”

Her hand trembles as she presses it to her chest, then clenches it into a fist like she’s physically holding herself together. “You owe him nothing. Not closure. Not grace. Nothing .”

She grabs my hands and squeezes them tight.

We’re both laughing and crying now. It’s the strange, cathartic release that only sisters—only twins—share.

“I don’t doubt Gio would bail you out,” I say, wiping my eyes. “But this is my fight. Not yours.”

She sighs, her fingers still wrapped around mine. “So?”

I shrug, not knowing what to say.

“Are you telling Xander?”