Page 64 of Unbreakable Thread

“I was so close to contacting him from his records, but I stopped myself. I don’t want to get in more trouble, and besides, he left. So this is why I decided to give Toby a chance. I need to stop thinking of the mystery man who gave me mind-blowing sex.”

“Have you slept with Toby?”

“Nope, we’re not there yet. Baby steps with him because, as you said, he wants more. He wants to make me his wife.”

My jaw unhinges. Dang, he moves fast. Lana sets my jaw back in place. The door opens, and a group of women walks in, and we make our way out.

“Wow, he wants marriage.”

“He didn’t exactly propose. He just said you would look good with a wedding ring on your finger.” She comes to a halt so suddenly that I almost walk into her. Her hand goes to her mouth.

I follow her gaze.

“Honey, why don’t we go get some air?”

I choke on the words. “O-okay, w-why…”

My lungs collapse like I’ve been sucker punched. I can’t breathe. The violent pounding of my heart drowns everything—the laughter, the music, the world. I’d built a fortress of denial brick by brick, desperately believing it was all fabricated. Max always said to ignore her, and I did. I believed his words that he wasn’t interested in her. I clung to those words for dear life like a raft. I even started to believe Hector that maybe the media added to it.

But seeing them here at the restaurant, just the two of them... The fabric of his button-down shirt strains against his biceps as he lifts the beer to his lips. Amber liquid sloshes against the glass rim, foam spilling over his knuckles while he tips it back, his throat working with each swallow.

The bitch watches him with lust in those vicious eyes. Her breasts are on display for him. The way he’s seated, he can’t see me unless I walk up to him.

“Let’s go, Rainey. You don’t need to see this sack of shit. I swear I’m so close to ripping her fake lashes off and spilling her drink on her desperate face.”

Lana drags me out. My body feels numb, my legs wobble, and Lana holds me up. She takes her phone out and taps it angrily.

“They are a couple,” I say. It sounds like a question, but it’s a statement. They are together, which explains it all. “They are together,” I whisper out loud this time.

My heart slams into a steady rhythm, each beat a war drum. I release Lana’s shoulder, leaving white fingerprints that flood crimson. The blood in my veins ignites, scorching me from within. My jaw locks so tight I taste metal. I won’t allow a man to walk all over me. I won’t be anyone’s punching bag. Fuck him. Fuck Annette and Fuck Carlos. This is where I draw the line. My baby will know a mother who fights back, who tears down worlds for them. He’s going to pay for it. Him sitting with her is a slap to my face. I won’t be the joke. I sure as hell won’t walk in there and tell him off. I’m going to hit him where it hurts. “I’m going.” My voice sounds like it’s been dragged through broken glass.

Lana cups my cheeks. “Toby is getting the check. Then we can take you home, or you can stay at my place. I don’t want you to be alone.”

I take her warm hands in mine. I’m grateful to have her in my life. “I’m fine. I’m going to the sporting store next door, then I’ll head home.”

She raises a questioning brow, confused. “The sporting store?” Her gaze goes to the store behind us. “Rainey, what are you going to do?”

“You’ll see. No one fucks with me.”

Lana’s mouth hangs open.

“Oh, and you can call me Sol.” I was raised to be a fighter. The name my adoptive parents gave me was a storm of chaos because that’s all I was—a buried secret. A rainstorm.

Toby walks out, and his face softens when he sees me. He’s holding Lana’s handbag. Poor guy pities me. “Would you ladies like to go elsewhere to eat?”

“Thank you, Toby. It was a pleasure to meet you, but I’d better go.”

“I’m worried.” Lana’s eyes gloss with unshed tears.

“Don’t be. I can handle this.”

After giving Lana and Toby a hug, I walk to the store. My heart pounds in my chest, and the blood pulsing sounds like a violent wave. I might end up in jail tonight.

I meant what I said. I won’t let anyone weaken me. I’m so tired of my head throbbing and my heart aching. I’m tired of feeling lost and alone. I might not have Max, but I have my child. I also meant what I said; he deserves better, and that’s not Annette. She isn’t good for him. All she thinks of is herself.

I might not have Max, but I have my child. Sol was vibrant and brave. Growing up as Rainey, I always had a piece of Sol. I might not have remembered, but now I do.

“Listen here, you bird brains. If I ever hear you talk badly about my friend, I will make you pay.” My foot is on his neck, and I tug on his hair hard. Andy tries to push my foot off, but I push harder. My mom once said never to let anyone bully anyone else. And I won’t let this sleazeball pick on Max. He called him an orphan and trash no one wanted. I saw the pain in his eyes.