Page 80 of River Wild

But I’m already turning on my heel to go after River.

And it’s him who’s wrong. River isn’t evil.

I know evil, and it’s not in him. He’s just a human being who’s seen way too much in his lifetime, and he still carries all of that pain and hurt around with him.

River could’ve easily hit Brad just then, but he didn’t.

He walked away.

“River!” I call out, rushing after him.

The man can sure move. I finally catch up with him just inside the first line of trees.

“River, will you just wait?” I gasp, out of breath.

He stops and turns to face me. His face a mask of anger and shame.

I hate that he feels that way. He has nothing to be ashamed about.

“River … what Brad said, it doesn’t matter.”

His lips curl with disdain. “Of course it fucking matters! What the hell is wrong with you? Wait … did you already know about my mom?” Accusing, defensive eyes stare down at me.

Crap.

I swallow, feeling like I’ve done something wrong. “Yes,” I admit. “But I only found out tonight. Before our walk. Guy told me.”

“Of course he did.” He lets out a hollow laugh.

“River, your past is yours. It’s none of my business.”

“You don’t even know what you’re talking about,” he says like he’s not even listening to me. He stares down at the ground. “None of you do.”

“River—”

“I fucking knew I shouldn’t have come tonight.” His eyes snap up to mine, wide and furious. “I knew something like this would happen. You shouldn’t have pushed me about coming tonight, and I shouldn’t have let you.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling helpless.

“If you hadn’t been talking to Brad, then I wouldn’t have had to go over and deal with his crap. This is why I stay away from people, Red. To avoid shit like this!”

“I … I …” I hold out my hands. “Brad came over to me. What do you want me to do? Ignore him?”

His look is unwavering. “Yes.”

“Why were you talking to him, Annie?”

“H-he started talking to me. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to be rude.”

He grabbed hold of my chin, and furious eyes stared into mine. I started to shake.

“You know you’re not supposed to talk to other men.”

“I-I know. I-I’m s-sorry.”

“What were you talking to him about, Annie? Telling him what a bad husband I am to you? How you want to leave me?”

“N-no! I wasn’t talking about you, Neil, I swear.”