Page 102 of Van Cort

Lara led him through the woods towards her cottage. They didn’t visit often, but the boys knew where it was and could easily follow the paths through the woods.

“It would be really fucking great if you got that letter, and then Rhett could settle down.”

“Is he worried I won’t get in?” He always seemed so confident, so sure that it was a done deal. Maybe he was manifesting theoutcome he wanted and had planned, though. Maybe he had doubts. He needn’t have. The piece of paper in her back pocket proved that he was right all along.

“Hell, no. You’ll be fine.” He nudged her shoulder and tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I’m so sorry, West.” Lara kept her eyes forward.

“Hey. Don’t be. It’s not like you’ve got an asshole of a father.”

“No. But still…” She couldn’t finish that sentence.

“You’ll be fine together, but he’ll need you now. More than he does at the moment. Of course, he won’t ask you for anything because he’s Rhett, but you’re the light for him, Lara. Always have been since the day we first found you here in the forest.”

“But what about you? Aren’t I the light for you, too?” she whispered, her eyes stinging with tears.

“It doesn’t matter about me.”

“Don’t say that.” She reached her hand out and squeezed his in hers.

“Look, we have the whole summer, right? It’s not like I’m leaving now. It’s a fucking nightmare, and I really don’t want to think about how hard it’s going to be, but I’ll be damned if I let Father take everything away from us.” She nodded, not trusting her voice to stay calm. Every word from West’s mouth was tearing at her heart.

Eventually, they reached the cottage, and she led them around to the back of the house to sit on the huge tree stump that she often used as a make-shift seat.

She pulled the letter from her pocket and handed it to West as he sat down.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Read it.”

She picked at one of her nails, her arms resting on her knees as she waited.

His excitement and enthusiasm, as he read, nearly killed her.

“This is great. You did it!” he said.

“I guess.”

“Lara. This is amazing. And it might feel like shit right now, but Rhett needs this. You’ll be the only one to pull him back from the edge.”

“That’s a big responsibility, West.”

“I know.” He took her hand in his and rubbed her thumb. “But I know how much he loves you. How much you love him.”

“I love you, too.”

“I know.” He kissed her temple. “I know.”

CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE

RIVER

My bad mood lingers, tainting the early morning wake-up. I should have said no - should have stood up to him. It’s what’s been playing over in my head all night and shifting that thought is impossible. Much like my ever-growing feelings for Everett. Even with yesterday’s behaviour.

I started off so well. Holding my ground, even if I could feel the temper rising inside me like a storm. Until he put his hands on me, and then all of my anger seemed to flee in cowardice.

But it was… hot. Seeing a man like him come undone and feeling the passion that was under the surface was bothexhilarating and somehow terrifying, too. It was there, maybe more than I’ve seen before, only veiled with the aggressive nature of his dominance. A side that I’m embarrassingly turned on by.