"Ready or Not" is the follow-up book to "Take Two".
Olivia Bowsher stumbled upon the truth after twenty five years- life as she knows it has been distorted and carefully planned by her family and late husband Jakob.
Revelations of Jakob's clandesti...
This chapter is dedicated to StephanieWithAnA, who has always been in Chris Rollins' corner.
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I've attended therapy no more than five times in my life at the behest of my dearly departed nana, and I despised every last session. But this one's for you, Nana.
I'm trying to persuade myself today is the first day of the rest of my life.
The scary part is exactly that. Saying goodbye to a future with Olivia. Moving on for good.
After Rodrigo left the restaurant, I scored a pen off the bartender and some stationary from the hotel lobby. I wrote Olivia a farewell letter of sorts today and then dropped into Linetti's Deli.
Robbie, Mia's brother, always wears a signature cocky smile and loves to banter. But as the bells chimed at the door slamming shut behind me when I entered earlier, his face fell somber, and met me on the other side of the counter, hands on my shoulders to express his condolences.
"Your grandparents were outstanding people, son. After I left your dad's that terrible night, Mac and I went to them and they were torn apart by what they learned. I felt guilty for making your grandma cry, but they didn't hesitate one iota to make sure you were taken care of."
I failed at attempting to swallow the boulder-sized lump in my throat at the idea Robbie paid my dad a visit that fateful night—they kept me in the dark.
I recall arriving at the Graham's house in a haze, climbing upstairs, and unsuccessfully hiding my bruises from Olivia.
Livvie crawled into bed and snaked an arm around my waist from behind at some point after I crashed. Somewhere around 2 am, I turned my head to find her body cradled into mine.
I gently shook her, inquiring why the hell she wanted me to be beaten—this time, by a Graham—and she drowsily murmured she locked the door earlier, instantly falling back asleep.
I embraced Robbie in the deli, thanking him for his kind words today, and expressed my gratitude for the missed opportunity at age seventeen. He was over the moon when he understood I was there for a care package for our girl, expressing how much he loved seeing her each week. How he wished she could have a more central role in the family business. Well, any role at all, for that matter.
Before I departed, I encouraged Robbie to reach out because Livvie needed love, protection, and a newfound purpose.
Liv is the first topic on the agenda with my new therapist. Dr. Garath Spud's office is cozy and well-lit, a fan blowing for white noise, and framed artwork of seascapes and sharks adorn the walls.
Once my scheduled hour ended, Dr. Spud walked me out, cupping my shoulder while guiding me to the door. "Chris, you seem to be a genuine person who understands the gravity of his errors and is amenable to working on himself. I think it's safe to presume your grandparents would be proud."
I choke out a thank you, holding my tears until I crawl inside my car to start sobbing. More than anything, I want to find Liv and soak up her comfort, but a promise is a promise.
********************
Livvie baby,
There are many things to apologize for, and many explanations you deserve from everyone you know. You and I have been friends for most of our lives. I hope we can continue that friendship because you mean more to me than any girl ever did.
Olivia, I'm glad that Sean treats you like gold. I hope that you find the peace you deserve and that the two of you have the happiest life you can dream up. I'm officially done trying to chase you and mess things up.
You've had many awful things happen to you, and you're still the most resilient and gracious person I know. We're all lucky to know you, Liv.
