Cove's POV
It took a few minutes before the adrenaline to wear off. Once it did, I was met with an unbearable pain in my shoulder.
"Azzy my shoulder, it hurts so bad I can't," I managed to say through sharp breaths.
"We're only 6 minutes away, do you think you can hang on just a little bit longer for me?"
I nodded slowly and leaned my head against the seat. "It hurts so bad."
"I know, it's okay I promise."
"Can you please distract me?"
"Yes, I don't know how though."
"Just tell me something surprising."
"Okay um.." she thought for a moment before coming up with an answer. "Oh! I asked Gracie out."
"Really! What did she say?"
"Well.. technically she said yes." Azzy started to tap on the steering wheel nervously, making me wonder what happened.
"That's great, right?"
"It was. I was really happy, but then when I had to leave she started getting super upset."
"Why'd you have to leave?" I asked, not quite connecting the dots.
"It was when I found out about you. I needed to help you, and it was getting late anyways, so I told her I had to go. At first she was super understanding, but when she found out I was leaving to help a girl, no amount of talking could convince her that I wasn't going to cheat on her. Even though I told her that you're my cousin's girlfriend, she gave me an ultimatum. She said that if I walked out that door, I'd never hear from her again."
"What? Oh my gosh I'm so sorry Azzy."
"It's okay Cove, really. I left anyways because you and your safety is more important than a stupid relationship with a girl that undoubtedly will end up being really controlling and manipulative."
"Thank you, it means a lot to me that you came to help and saved me. Without you, I'd be on a plane right now with a stranger to who knows where."
"Of course Cove, I'll always help you."Azalea parked in front of a very sketchy house. She quickly got out of the car while I stayed in my seat, too scared to move and cause further harm to my shoulder.
"I'm going to get River, don't move okay? I think you've dislocated your shoulder." I simply nodded in response as Azzy walked away.
Closing my eyes, I forced myself to take deep breaths and slowly count to ten. Breathe in, 1, breathe out. Breathe in, 2, breathe out.
The suddenly door opened, putting an end to my counting. Familiar hands cupped my cheeks and a bunch of kisses were placed on my face. If I wasn't in so much pain, I would've giggled.
"Cove, you're okay. You're okay." River hugged me, being mindful to not touch my arm. I wanted to hug him back, but I couldn't move.
"River," I simply replied, hoping the tone in my voice would express everything I wanted to say.
I want to tell him that I love him, that my arm hurts, that I thought I lost him, that I wouldn't be able to live without him, but none of those words would come out.
"Baby, this is going to hurt a bit, okay?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I need to put your shoulder back into the socket. Let me help you stand up so we have more room."
He quickly lifted me out of the car by my waist and set me in between him and Azzy. Azzy gently put her hand on my back, either for comfort or to hold me still.
I braced myself as River put one hand on top of my shoulder and his other on the side. "Do you want a countdown?"
"No, just do it please," I answered, feeling nervousness in my chest and resisting the urge to pull away. If he wastes any more time, I know I'll loose the courage to let him do it.
Silently, he placed a kiss on my forehead. Then, in one quick movement, he pushed my arm back up into the socket.
My cry was muffled as River quickly pushed my head in his chest and hugged me. My tears started to soak his shirt, once I started crying I couldn't stop.
"It's okay baby." River spoke in a soft tone while rubbing my back comfortingly, trying to calm me down. I tried to stop crying, but with everything that happened and the soreness in my arm, it was nearly impossible.
"It's all over, Cove." Azalea moved her hand to my hair and gently ran her fingers through it.
Slowly nodding, I finally pulled away from River's shirt and looked up at him. My eyes were undoubtedly red and swollen, but he still looked at me like I'm the only girl in the world.
"I love you Cove," he whispered. Those three simple words were full of emotion and somehow meant more to me than a thousand words ever would.
"I love you more, so much more."
A smile crept up his face and I mimicked it. Our lips quickly connected and we kissed. Nothing else mattered to me in that moment, it was as if time stopped and no one else was there. Just us.
I didn't notice a car driving up and a someone getting out, nor a familiar voice calling my name.
I didn't question how the girl I met in the mall got here, all that mattered in that moment was River. My River.
ð ð ð
A few months later...
"Can you grab the drinks?" Camilla's voice called me to the kitchen.
"Yes, one second." Crouching down, I quickly clipped the leash on Bubbles before handing it to Daisy. "Hold the leash tightly, okay? Don't let Bubbles go," I instructed.
"I got it, I'm a big girl!"
"I'm know you are."
As I walked into the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies hit me. My favorite kind.
"Azalea, can you take the cookies off the tray and put them in a container? Cove, the drinks are in the bag on the table."
I laughed at how Millie is giving orders to everyone and we all just follow without question.
During the past few months in which I've gotten to know her better, I realized how bossy her personality is. In a good way though, she likes to take control and make sure everything runs smoothly. I honestly don't know what we would do without her.
"Jeez, we're just having a picnic, not a whole military operation," Azzy joked.
Millie smacked her on the back with a kitchen towel. "Oh it might as well be at this point, you don't know how to follow basic instructions. The cookies go in a container, not a ziplock bag."
"Ow, why does it even matter?"
"Because! Plastic bags are bad for the environment, in this house we reduce, reuse, recycle."
"Millie, this isn't even your house," River joked as joined us in the kitchen.
"Careful, you're treading on dangerous waters. You know how bossy she can get. For now, it's her house."
"Yeah, what Cove said! It's my house."
We all bursted out laughing and I felt a rush of happiness. You know that feeling where you just want a moment to last forever? Where all you feel is pure joy, no bad memories or emotions affect you during that period of time.
Times like these where in surrounded by the people I love are when I feel that feeling the most. Everyone that I need is right beside me, there's nothing else in the world I could ever wish for.
To me, maturing is realizing that family isn't just blood. Family is people that you care about with your whole heart, trust with your life, and will do absolutely anything for.
"Hey, what are you thinking about baby?" River asked quietly. My back was pressed against his chest, and he leaned down a bit to hear me better.
"Nothing really, I'm just thinking about how these past few months have been the best ones of my life."
"Even better than when we first met?"
"No no, nothing could ever top that." I laughed. "But honestly, I never knew it was possible to feel as happy as I do right now."
"I'm glad, Cove. If anyone in this world deserves happiness, it's you."
River's thumb gently stroked my cheek and I tilted my head back, only to see him smiling while making eye contact with me. Wordlessly, we stared at each other, letting the look in our eyes do all the talking.
"I'm really sorry we weren't able to go to Miami this spring break," I broke the silence after a few moments.
No amount of begging could convive my parents to let their 16 year-old daughter go on a trip without them or any other adult. I don't blame them for not letting me go, if I had a daughter my age, I'd definitely say no as well.
When I told River I wouldn't be able to go, he decided to postpone the trip until I'm able to. He didn't want to go without me.
"Its okay Cove, as long as I'm with you, I'm happy. We don't need to be on a trip for that to happen, my kitchen works just as well."
I giggled and placed a kiss on his cheek before pulling away. "I love you, River."
"I love you more, so much more."
A little while later, all of were walking towards the forest. I watched as Bubbles ran around in circles, excited to be outside and have so much attention from Daisy. The two of them have been best friends ever since they met.
"Bubbles calm down, I'm going to drop your leash," Daisy whined, struggling to pronounce the word leash. She was saying it more like weash.
"Leash, baby, it's with an L." Millie gently correct.
"Leash," Daisy repeated, testing the word.
"Yes, just like that. Good job."
Millie opened up to me a few weeks ago and revealed that she doesn't have the best home life. Her parents are very absent, if they're not out partying, then they're on a vacation without them.
She's basically Daisy's parent and takes her to school every morning, even though it's 30 minutes away from her own school. She also had to drop one of her classes in order to be able to pick Daisy up on time up after school.
The only good thing about that, according to her, is that her parents leave her a lot of money in exchange so she doesn't have to work. Plus, she clearly loves Daisy with all of her heart and doesn't mind being together almost all the time.
River grabbed my hand as we got deeper into the forest and the trees limited the light. I held the bag full of drinks and cups tightly, trying not to drop it. Millie went a bit overboard with the amount of drinks she bought, so it's kind of heavy.
A squirrel ran up a tree, and Bubbles started barking loudly, trying to get to it. She ran in the direction of the tree and pulled so hard that Daisy dropped her leash.
"Bubbles!" I quickly set down the bag before running after her. When I reached her, she stood at the bottom of the tree wagging her tail and barking.
"Bubbles, don't run off like that," I lectured, even though she doesn't understand me. River, who had followed me, grabbed her leash and gently pulled until she followed us back to everyone else.
"Your dog is crazy, poor squirrel," Azzy laughed.
"She's not crazy, all dogs do that." I picked the bag back up and we continued walking with River now holding Bubbles.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Millie asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah, don't worry. Just a bit farther," I answered.
Just then, we came across the tree stumps. Purple and blue fairy light were stung across them and a few lanterns rested on top to help with lighting. Fresh sheets and blankets covered the ground and there were enough pillows for all of us.
"Wow, did you set this up River?" Millie asked in awe.
"Az helped," he simply replied.
"I think you mean did basically all of it."
"Hey, I washed the blankets."
"Yeah, and I had to redo the load because you didn't set it to bulky."
I laughed and sat down with my back against a tree stump. Millie sat down across from me with Daisy leaning against her, River sat on my left, and Azzy sat on my right.
"Here." Millie opened her bag and handed each of us a sandwich. Mine is ham and cheese with mayonnaise, my favorite.
"Thanks Millie." Everyone thanked her after me, which was a bit annoying since they only remembered thank her because I did first.
"You guys only thanked her because you heard me do it."
"Shhh don't give away our secret," Azzy said.
"Alright alright, your secret is safe with me."
We all fell silent while beginning to eat. I looked at the trees and smiled when I noticed a bird perched on a branch, staring at us.
Daisy started staring at me, probably wondering what I was looking at. Silently, I pointed at the bird and she turned around to see it. "Look sissy, there's a birdie."
Millie turned around as well and looked up at it. "Oh yeah, it's pretty isn't it?"
"Mhm, it's blue like your favorite color."
"It's blue like your eyes too. I wish I had pretty blue eyes like yours, Daisy."
"You're making me wish I had a sister," I said.
Millie laughed and pulled Daisy closer since it was starting to get cold and she was shivering.
"Yeah, most people hate their siblings. But to me, Daisy is the best thing that has ever happened."
"This is too sweet to me. My brothers are the definition of demons," Azalea admitted.
River nodded in agreement. "One time, they insisted on playing baseball inside my house and ended up breaking my mom's favorite vase. They tried to blame it on their demon cat."
"Hey! Our cat wasn't a demon," Azzy interrupted.
"All cats are demons."
"Okay, so my cat is a demon, but your crazy dog that almost killed an innocent squirrel earlier isn't?"
"Bubbles just wanted to make a new friend!" I entered the argument at the mention of Bubbles who's currently sleeping peacefully on my lap.
"You guys are making my head hurt," Millie laughed. "But honestly, I have to agree with Az. Not only are cats the most adorable animals on earth, but Bubbles kept me awake all night once because she snored in her sleep."
"That's not her fault, she gets congested." I rubbed Bubble's belly and flipped her onto her side so she'd be able to breathe better.
"You should her to the vet, it's concerning how loud she fucking snores. I didn't sleep for the entire week that I had to watch her because she insisted on laying right next to me," Azzy added.
"What does that mean?" Daisy asked innocently.
"What does what mean?"
"Fucking."
River and I started laughing so hard that it scared Bubbles awake. I had to lean over and gasp for breath while holding my hand against my stomach.
"Azalea, I told you not to curse around Daisy!"
Azzy covered her mouth, trying not to laugh at the look on Millie's face. "I can't help it, I've never had to be mindful of what I say."
"Well you need to try harder because now Daisy is going to keep saying that word."
"What does it mean though?" Daisy asked, still confused.
"It's a bad word.. just don't say it," I answered.
She nodded and shrugged. We all fell silent after that and I sighed, looking down at my hands.
A gold ring with the initials RE adorned my middle finger. Only a special machine would be able to take it off, it's fitted perfectly. The ring is not too tight to where it's uncomfortable to wear, but it's also not loose enough to slide off.
When River gifted this to me a week after the incident, he made sure to get the most beautiful one that the shop had. He doesn't want me to get tired of it, as I'll be wearing it for the rest of my life.
The tracker inside makes sure River will know where I am at all times, and the initials engraved on it tells other people that I'm his.
"I have to go to the bathroom," Millie broke the silence after a while.
Azalea laughed. "Just go in the woods, we won't look."
"Absolutely not! Are you crazy?"
Azzy simply shrugged and crossed her arms over her stomach. "Plenty of people do it."
"Yeah, well I'm not one of those people. Can you show me the way back to the house?"
"You really want to make the 10 minute walk back instead of just going here?"
"Yes."
"Fine," Azalea sighed and stood up. Millie got up after and so did Daisy, not wanting to be away from her sister.
"We'll be back, are you both sure you don't want to come too?" Azzy asked.
"Yeah I'm sure," I answered. River agreed, and soon we were left alone as they walked back to the house.
I turned to face River and stared in his eyes with a small smile. He smiled back and put his hand on my cheek, gently stroking it with his thumb.
Leaning in closer, I stopped once my lips were hovering over his. River's breath fanned across my face before he closed the small gap between us and kissed me.
I kissed back softly and put my hand on the back of his neck. River slipped his hand down to my waist and slowly pulled me to straddle his lap.
When I needed to breathe, I slowly pulled away and bit his lip gently as I did.
"You drive me crazy when you do that." River's eyes were dark and he looked at me with a look I couldn't decipher.
"That's why I do it." Knowing that it's his sweet spot, I placed a long kiss on his jaw. When I pulled away, he was breathing heavily and grasping my hips tightly.
"Fuck, Cove. Why do you do this to me during times like this?"
"Times like what?"
"Times where we have to rush." I was suddenly flipped onto my back with River's hand under my head, keeping it from painfully hitting the ground.
"I want to take my time with you, baby. But you make it impossible for me to wait."
I leaned up and kissed him again. At first, it was desperate and needy. But as my hands made their way to River's face and pulled it him closer, it became more passionate and full of love.
It was clear what we both needed in that moment. We were desperate to feel the love and connection between us.
Even though my lungs were burning and begging for air, I only forced River closer.
Kissing him with more emotion than I ever had before, I didn't notice the tears in my boyfriend's eyes.
After another full minute, I couldn't take it anymore and pulled away. My eyes closed as I panted, trying to catch my breath.
River silently sat back down and pulled back into his lap. After pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead, he cupped my cheeks and forced me to look at him. It was then that I noticed the tears in his eyes.
"River, what's wrong? What happened?" I wiped away his tears with the pad of my thumb and kissed his cheek softly.
He shook his head and grabbed my hands, holding them still. "Nothing baby, don't worry about me."
"Well of course I'm going to worry about you, I love you."
River looked at me with an inexplainable emotion in his eyes, it's something I've never seen before. Worry filled my stomach and I hugged him tightly, trying my best to comfort him.
"It had to be done." He said after a few minutes of silence.
"What had to be done?" I pulled back to look in his eyes and once again saw tears in them.
"My dad.. we had to get rid of him. He had to go."
"Get rid of him?" I asked, trying my best to understand.
River took a deep breath and held onto me tighter, trying to calm himself. "Please don't be mad at me, Cove."
I let him hold me tight, even though his grip will undoubtedly leave bruises. "Never, I promised myself that I'd never get mad at you again after last time. Now I'm making that promise to you. Tell me, River. Nothing you could ever say will keep me away from you."
And that's when he told me something that would change our lives forever.
"My dad is dead. He's gone. I had him killed. I had my own father killed."
I couldn't hold back a gasp.
"He put you in danger," River rushed to explain. "He wanted to hurt you and would do anything to get rid of you, I couldn't have that."
"River..." I whispered, horrified. He pulled my impossibly closer, scared that I'd run away.
"Please don't leave me Cove. Things are going to get harder, I'm the heir of the Mafia and everything is now in my hands. But I promise that nothing between us will ever change. I love you Cove, so fucking much. You're my everything and I can't loose you. I can't loose you."
He no longer held back his tears. The fear of loosing me and reality of everything that happened finally hit, and he could no longer keep it all in.
After years and years of staying strong and forcing himself to hide his emotions, I can only imagine how bad it feels.
Leaning in, I kissed River's cheeks several times. No words needed to be spoken, because in that moment we both realized what really matters.
No matter what happens, no matter what hardships we face, we'll always have each other. Always. Since the day we met, only two people mattered. Him and I.
The bad boy and me.
3742 words.
Finished March 13, 2022. 3:49 pm.
An: Thank you everyone for sticking along with this story. Writing those last paragraphs hurt so bad, but all good things have to come to an end. Thank you again for being here with me while I wrote the story of River and Cove, I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Love you <33
~Maya