Take It All

“My aunt raised me from a baby,” he admits as he looks out on the water again. “I only saw my mom a handful of times, but she always said she couldn’t stay in Craven Cove because of you.” He turns to face me and his eyes are red again. “Because of the Crews.”

“I gave her the money she asked for, and she didn’t come back.” I lean forward again and give him a sympathetic smile. “From what I learned, your birthday is ten months after Apollo.”

His jaw tightens, and I realize this isn’t news to him.

“You knew that Apollo was your half-brother all this time?”

He nods sharply but doesn’t meet my eyes.

“How alone you must have felt.”

“I don’t need your pity,” he snaps.

“It’s not pity. You seem to have done well for yourself. You’re captain of the swim team and have a full ride next year.”

“What’s your point?”

“I’m sad that all this time I never got to know you.” This sentence might surprise him the most as he looks at me with wide eyes. “No matter what your mother did, you’re part of my family.”

“I don’t need any more family.” He pushes his chair back and stands abruptly. “Listen—”

“You don’t have to say anything,” I cut him off, not ready to end this conversation, but knowing it has to stop for now. “My number is in the file, and that’s yours to keep. You can call me anytime.” I want to tell him that if he needs anything I can help, but it feels like that might be insulting him and pushing things too far.

His jaw ticks once more before he gently picks up the folder like it might burn him. “Thank you,” he says quietly, and I stand.

Holding out my hand, I wait until he eventually puts his hand in mine. “Shy,” I say softly and we’re almost eye to eye. “I won’t say a word to anyone about this, okay? Your secrets are not mine to tell.”

He lets out a breath and nods as he turns to leave the restaurant.

I watch him leave, and my heart aches to go after him, to put my arms around him and tell him it will be all right. Maybe one day I can, but that’s not today. The kind of truth he’s just received is a heavy rock to swallow.

“Did you get all that?” I ask as I turn around.

“Yes,” Anna says as she wipes the tears from her eyes.

Without speaking, I pull her into my arms and close my eyes. It’s awful seeing a child being hurt by their parent’s actions and not being able to do anything for them.

We made a plan the other night, and this was step one. I wanted to lay all the cards out on the table for Shy before we went after Heather. Even now I don’t know what she’s capable of, as if hurting her child to get back at me wasn’t low enough.

Once Anna has stopped crying, I take her by the hand and we exit The Blue Marlin.

Now it’s time for the second part of our plan.

Chapter Fifteen

Rory

The party on the yacht is being thrown by one of the prominent families in Craven Cove. It’s a benefit for the school and their art department, so the turnout will probably be quite large. Good thing the yacht is the biggest in the marina.

Turning to Anna, I kiss the back of her hand, and she nods at me. “I’ll see you soon,” I say as I let her go. The plan is to arrive separately tonight, so I’m giving her extra time to board the boat. After enough time has passed, I begin the long walk down the dock and to the waiting yacht.

I’m greeted by the staff and crew and welcomed aboard. Once inside, I take a glass of champagne off a waiting tray and circle to the back. In the distance, I see my Anna, looking beautiful in an emerald-green gown that’s practically glowing in the moonlight. Then I look beside her, and there’s Heather.

It’s been over eighteen years since I’ve seen her, and I still feel nothing when looking at her. Well, I guess now there’s anger and hurt because of what she’s done to Shy. At least I was able to protect Apollo from her, but I didn’t know about Shy or I would have done my best to protect him too. How can a mother be so cruel?

When Anna gives me the signal, I begin to walk over. I’m almost by her side before Heather turns and sees me. Slowly I slide my arm around Anna, and she leans into me, a united front against this horrible human that doesn’t deserve the title of mother.

Just as she realizes what’s happening, the boat begins to pull away from the marina. Good, now there’s no place for her to go.