Riley sat in the car beside her best friend who was dressed in her cops uniform. Lilian had always wanted to help the society and as soon as they got out of high school, she chased that dream and now she was a bad ass cop.
"I can't believe this is happening," Lilian said, biting her lower lip as she tried to focus on the road. Everything felt like a nightmare and she knew it was the worst moment for her. "We are going to go through this together."
Riley nodded and closed her eyes as the tears rolled out. Whatever happened to her job and her fiancé did not matter right now.
All she could think about was her family. What if her dad and her brothers survived? It would be a miracle and she knew she would carry that miracle in her heart for the rest of her life.
"You are bleeding, bestie," Lilian said, glancing at her before looking back at the road. "What were you doing in the woods?"
"I lost my mind when I heard the news," Riley whispered as fresh tears ran down her cheeks. She hadn't even thought twice before she hit the brake and ran into the woods earlier. Something had pulled her there, something stronger than her pain.
"I understand... I'm sorry," Lilian muttered. Her eyes held pity and she had been crying too, but now she was trying to stay strong. "I don't have a first aid kit here but they will treat you at the hospital."
Riley shook her head. If she reached the hospital like this, they would take her in first. They would treat her wounds and check her for any hidden injury. They might even ask her to do an x-ray. All that would delay her from seeing her mother and she couldn't stand that.
"Can you stop at any pharmacy?" Riley asked, her green eyes scanning outside as if she could force a drug store to appear.
Everything around her seemed normal even though her world had shattered. People were going about their day like nothing had happened, but what did she expect? For the world to pause because a disgraced doctor had lost everything?
No, the world doesn't work like that. People lose family and friends every day. None of them had asked her to stop living, and now it was simply her turn to face it.
Riley looked away and turned to her friend. She had not told Lilian about her job and her fiancé because she knew exactly how she would react.
Lilian never liked Scott, and if she heard what happened, she would go and fight him and Betty without thinking twice.
"Has Scott called you?" Lilian asked as she drove, trying to overtake the cars ahead. "I know this is not the right time to be a jerk but I am curious. Isn't your beloved fiancé supposed to be by your side by now? What is taking him so long?"
Riley swallowed hard and ran her hand through her long red hair. How was she supposed to tell her that the wedding was cancelled and Scott was no longer her fiancé? That he had been with Betty all along?
"Can we talk later about this?" she said quietly, leaning back as more tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Sure dear," Lilian nodded as she pulled over beside one of the stores. She expected Riley to defend Scott like she always did, but she chose to push it aside. Strange. Was it the effect of the accident? Did it reset her friend's thinking for a moment?
Lilian got out of the car first while Riley stayed in, wiping her tears with both hands and taking a deep breath.
She had to be strong for her mother. Crying and breaking down had never solved her problems before and it was not going to start today.
Riley opened the door and stepped out, wrapping her hands around her arms. When she looked around, Lilian was nowhere to be seen. The street was busy with people rushing up and down, so she wondered where her friend had disappeared to.
If there was anything Riley prayed for, it was that none of these people recognised her. She kept her gaze low as she tried to work her way through the crowd toward the pharmacy.
She didn't see him coming, so when their bodies collided, it happened fast. Her heart skipped. He was strong and built, and he almost knocked her down if not for his hand sliding around her waist to steady her.
Riley shut her eyes in panic as cold shivers ran down her spine. So many thoughts rushed through her mind. What if he had not held her? Another accident today?
She needed to be careful.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring at the most beautiful human she had ever seen. Her lips parted as his eyes locked on hers.
His features were striking enough to pull attention from far away. The tall, built blond looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties. She couldn't tell for sure.
But she knew one thing. His deep blue eyes were fixed on her like he was caught in a moment he didn't want to leave. His brows pulled together a little as he helped her stand properly.