Considering I haven't seen or spoken to Alex in a few weeks, I'm trying to keep optimistic. After my conversation with Lacey, I've been trying my hardest to focus on work and projects for the children–it's been a good distraction that even my manager is impressed with the ideas I've come up with.

Yesterday I saw a news article explaining that the rumours about Liam are believed to be false and that it was a jealous rage that prompted the attack and that it was a mistake that was made at the beginning.

Liam was never a homewrecker. They just wanted everyone to see him in a bad light.

And this is the exact reason I didn't want to tell Alex in case it was absolute bullshit but the articles and the rumours came out first, there wasn't anything I could do to stop it. But I pray that Alex is doing okay with the new information, each of the three arrested are cracking a little bit more everyday.

Trying their hardest to get a lesser sentence if they snitch on each other.

It's laughable really and I'm glad they're going to get the punishments they deserve.

I head back to the office after a project session with a local boys school–no doubt they were talking about the new information spread about Liam. But what intrigued me the most was the fact they all expressed their gratitude for him, how much they miss him and that he helped change the school so that people would listen to them.

They're not bad kids but some people refuse to give teachers and adults the time of day and they're a little bit cheeky but that's why they loved Liam because he made them feel seen. In a community where boys in that school are doomed because they're deemed as rude and bad, Liam changed all of that. He helped them with aspirations, goals and the future. He did the most for those children.

That's when it sparks an idea in my mind.

When I stroll into the office later that afternoon, I find a group of people gossiping in the corner. Lillian and George with another two people. My eyes roll at their hushed tones and I bet any money they're gossiping about Liam.

I frown when I have a quick flashback to the time we all sat together and George said that Liam tried to hit up his girlfriend–part of me doesn't even believe someone like him could find themselves a girlfriend. But George has always had it out for Liam, always.

Liam has been in a league of his own and when he started approaching schools and youth clubs himself, he took away some of our projects. No doubt he interfered with one of George's to get him so damn angry for nothing.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I find myself strolling over to the group. Lillian looks up first and catches my eye, she smiles and they all turn silent. None of them know I was dating Alex, if they even really know he's Liam's brother.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Lillian shrugs. "Just the news."

"About Liam?" I challenge.

George turns his head over his shoulder to look at me. "Yeah, and?"

I narrow my eyes towards George and then I cross my arms over my chest. "You said that Liam hit on your girlfriend, tried to take her out."

"And he did," I watch his throat clench for a millisecond before he clears it.

"Bullshit," I scoff and shake my head.

Everyone else silently listens to our conversation.

"Liam didn't even hit on your girlfriend because first of all, she's probably imaginary," I state and someone stifles a laugh, causing George to glower. "And second, you just tried to jump on the bandwagon and make the rumour worse than it was because you didn't like him. He was better than us at our jobs, all of us and you couldn't stand that so you lied and said he hit on your girlfriend to give you more leverage to hate him."

George's nostrils flare. "No–"

"You lied to make yourself feel better for wishing he was dead."

"I wasn't the one who killed him."

I quirk an eyebrow. "But you were the one saying he deserved it."

Lillian leans forward. "Is that true, George? Did you lie about that?"

"No!" He says loudly, his voice cracking. "You're the one who said your friend mentioned that Liam was being sly and sneaking around with other people's girlfriends."

I study Lillian as her eyes narrow towards him. "Yeah and then I realised they stretched the truth, but you on the other hand said that Liam did hit on your girlfriend. When exactly did that happen?"

George stands up abruptly. "We were all gossiping because it was all going around town. The news are trying to spin it, trying to make him seem good when really he was a bad person. We all know he's a bad person." He begins to look nervous that he's been caught out but there is no going back now.

"Oh shut the fuck up, George," I spit. "The three that got arrested have come clean, shoving each other into their own mess. Stop lying to yourself and admit it, Liam wasn't your favourite person so you helped the lies spread."

His eyes flare in my direction and he steps towards me but I don't back down, I literally have nothing left to lose at the moment. But I refuse to let people talk shit about Liam, not when all of this could have been avoided.

He died because of jealousy and that makes my heart ache.

George takes a tiny step back and my lip quirks because he can't even find it in himself to fight, he knows he's wrong. Then I glance back to the group who are all staring at us with wide eyes. "Liam might not have seen eye-to-eye with everyone but he cared about this town, he cared about the children and their wellbeing like we do. Someone took away his life because of something out of his control. We should be more fucking respectful to someone who was passionate about the same things we are. I think we all need to think about that."

I step back from the group, barely giving them a once over before I head straight towards Lacey's office. My knuckles raise and I knock once before she tells me to come inside, she didn't even hear our conversation because she smiles in my direction.

"River," she greets me. "What's up?"

"I have an idea for a project," I say walking towards her desk.

She flashes me a smile. "You've had a lot of ideas lately and I've loved them all."

"This one will be a little different."

"Oh?" She twiddles a pen between her fingers.

I nod and perch myself in the chair opposite her. "I just came back from a project today where the children were talking about how much they miss Liam, how they truly understood them. A lot of people in this town feel the same way they do, including parents and teachers."

"Right," she leans forward, listening carefully.

"I was thinking, we should put on a little project in honour of what he's done for this town. Yeah people created a memorial but for people to speak openly about what Liam has done for them, for this town. He changed it, we all know that. And I know he didn't work for this company but he helped this community unite." I clasp my hands together.

Lacey's brows push together. "The trial for his murder is still going on, River. I don't know if it's too soon, if it's something that we sho–"

"He's been framed and rumoured about for months for something he didn't even do," I speak carefully. "I think this town owes him that, for people to come forward and speak their real truth about him. Bring this town together again and push away all the negativity along with it, there is no room for violence in this community. We need to make a stand."

Lacey hums and then leans back in her chair again. "I like your commitment, River. It's going to take a lot of work but it'll be nice to get everyone involved, parents too."

I nod. "I'm willing to stay late, to do whatever I need so that we can pull this off."

"Alright," she claps her hands together. "Draft the project and come share it with me once you're finished, then we can talk about who we should involve and make it special."

A smile covers my lips. "Thanks, Lacey. I won't let you down."

"You never do."

❖ ❖ ❖

After spending hours at the office drafting the project, I find myself settling with the future ahead of me. I make my way back to my apartment later that evening and find myself glancing down the hall at Alex's door.

Before I push the key in the lock, I find myself walking towards his apartment.

I don't know why. I have this crave to see his face.

He might not even be in, I presumed he was spending a lot of time with his father at this difficult time with the trial coming up but I selfishly want to see him again, see if he's okay.

I raise my knuckles to the door and knock softly. My eyes gravitate down to my shoes and I wait. I don't know why I've done this, I know he won't answer. He'll be able to see me through the hole in the door and he'll–

The door unlocks and swings open.

My eyes fall upon Alex in an oversized green jumper and a pair of baggy bottoms. I can feel my knees wobble at the sight of him, he stares back into my eyes and for a few moments neither of us say anything.

I just want to admire him because I've missed that gorgeous face.

"Hi," I whisper.

"Hi."

My hands tremble by my sides because I can't believe he actually opened the door, does he want to talk to me? Fuck. I didn't think this through. I have no idea what to say without him slamming the door in my face.

His grey eyes roam my face and then my attire, I open my mouth only for nothing to come out because I am shaking with nerves.

"Did you need something?" His voice is gentle.

My mouth slams shut and I resist the urge to lean forward and pull him into my arms shamelessly. That's all I want, a fucking cuddle.

"How have you been?" I ask after a few moments.

Alex nods and slides his hand down the door. "I've been okay."

Okay. We both know that's a lie.

"You?"

"Not great." I admit.

Alex stares back at me and a flash of concern rushes past them but looks away quickly.

I chew on my lip and feel my heart fall out of my chest, suddenly I can't breathe and I'm blurting, "I miss you."

Alex blinks once and then allows his eyes to fall away from mine. "River–"

"I fucking miss you so much," I say desperately. It feels like someone has taken a knife to my chest and cut me the fuck open, I'm bleeding everywhere Absolutely everywhere.

His eyes flutter shut for a split second and he lowers his head. "I miss you too but I need to focus on myself right now–"

He misses me. But there is a but. He's in a bad place because of everything going on in the news with Liam, with the trial, with his own mental health. No doubt it's absolute chaos in his mind.

"That's all I came to say." I speak as confidently as I can before I step away. "That I miss you and I think about you everyday."

I glance to the floor because looking at him is far too painful. Then I'm walking away, the conversation is making me feel severely overwhelmed and I don't want to fall at Alex's feet.

My fingers fumble with my keys and I haven't heard Alex's door shut behind me yet. I don't dare look over my shoulder but I know I need to get into my apartment before I crumble again–not in front of him.

I push my hand to my door and shut it firmly behind me, pressing my back against the wall. My lungs try to inhale the biggest breaths I can take but I'm too far gone, I'm going to be a wreck for the rest of the night.

He misses me and he still needs time.

I never thought that shit would hurt as much as it does.

But if he needs to focus on himself, I would never take that away from him. I've been in the same position, where you have to put your own mental health first before you end up in a dark pit of shame, guilt and depression.

That is the last thing I want. I'm only pleased to see his face and hear that voice I miss so dearly.

❖ ❖ ❖

Read the rest of the book, bonus chapters and the first 48 chapters of Luca's book!

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Author's Note

Hello my angels. I'm so proud of River for standing up to the gossips at work. Also his project for Liam? He's so adorable, I love him with all my heart.🥹🥰

Both of them confessing they miss each other but Alex saying that he needs to focus on himself, sometimes when you're mentally unwell you have to be selfish in that way. I'm glad they got to talk!

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