After Rain Falls (River of Rain, #2)

by C.E. Ricci

I can’t stand the sound of it from anyone else except River. Even from Roman himself. It just doesn’t feel right, not anymore. Because in the cold light of day, if I had to choose, I know who it would be. I wouldn’t have to think twice. It’s River. Every star in the night sky would have to burn out before it isn’t River.

He should’ve tattooed his name across every available inch of my skin in exchange for my sanity because in the end, I’ll never be anything but his. Until my dying day, I’ll belong to River Lennox.

Not knowing how long it would be before I could make an effort to explain everything to him so he’ll forgive me. If he’ll forgive me. Because I know there’s a massive chance he won’t.

But I’m not more than two steps in the door when I feel him. His presence is one I’ve become so attuned to, it’s easier to feel than the wind on my skin or the heat of the sun.

I hurt all the time. I’m sick of being angry, and depressed, and scared, and broken, and betrayed by every fucking person in my life.

Yet I can’t force them to be receptive of my emotions and insecurities. In the end, they’re all fickle things, emotions. They drive humans to do the most asinine shit, and for what? For why? Why do we need them in the first place when they just cause one disaster after another? All they do is feed insecurity to the point where you’re a mess that can’t function without the help of some sort of vice to numb the emotions you don’t want to feel.

The number one rule of self-preservation: detach from what destroys you.

“I’m fine, you can leave now,” I say flatly, attempting to sound bored when I’m anything but. Please don’t leave me. Not again.

Because he carved his name into my heart when he tore it from my chest. I don’t think there will ever be a day it doesn’t beat for him.

“It’s the life we were dealt. Hoping for anything different would just be wishing on a starless sky.”

“Chuisle mo chroí.”

“This is gonna come out sounding stupid and fucking corny, but my world begins and ends with you. I see you, the real you. The you kept hidden from everyone else. I know who you are, baby. And despite the shit we went through and all the shit we still have to overcome, I’m undeniably in love with you.”