Chapter Twenty-Three
Lexie
“Okay, Mommy. I’m all done.” Sadie looks over all her Hello Kitty invitations. She hand wrote every one of them on her own. I did help spell a few names, including Ashton’s.
“You did a wonderful job. I’m so proud of you.”
“Can we deliver them today?”
I smile. “Sure. Grab your coat.”
Our first stop is Mom and Dad’s house. Sadie smiles the whole time and even asks Dad if he would bring worm cookies. I shake my head, but he promises that he will. Then it’s off to Aunt Tiff’s place. Tiff has barely spoken to me since the day at the graveyard. That was almost a month ago. She looks confused when she opens the door until Sadie hands her the pink note.
“Aunt Tiff, will you come to my birthday?”
“Look at that. Did you do this all by yourself?”
Sadie giggles. “Mommy helped.”
“Well, I won’t miss it for anything in the world.” She hugs her tightly.
Tiff cuts me a look as we are getting ready to leave, but she never says a word. I miss my friend. However, I’m not going to change my mind. Sadie is my priority. Brooke’s house is next on the list. When we knock on the door, no one answers. I decide to text her.
Brooke: We’re at Ashton’s house.
Me: I’ll talk to you later then. Sadie wants to give you something.
Brooke: Come over here. It’s fine.
No, it’s not.
“Mommy, where’s Reed and Miss Brooke?”
“They’re over at Mr. Ashton’s.”
“Yes, let’s go over there. I can give them all of theirs.”
I want to scream, “no’, but I smile and nod. I have been able to avoid Ashton at all costs. We haven’t spoken, texted, and I’ve not even seen him on TV. My heart is racing when I pull into the driveway and see his large black truck. I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to be around him, but I don’t have a choice at this moment.
“Come on, Mommy.” Sadie is already out of the car and running to the front porch.
I get out of the car and follow her as she knocks on the door.
“Hi, Sadie.” Reed opens the door.
“Reed, stop opening the door without me,” Ashton growls behind him.
I stop breathing when I see him. I can’t believe how good-looking he is..His hair is longer since the last time I saw him. His arms look larger, but it’s his eyes that stare at me the longest. They seem sad. The glint of happiness isn’t there anymore. His jaw is set when he narrows his eyes at me.
“Hi, Mr. Ashton.”
“Hi, Sadie. You can come in.” He cuts me another look, and I’m not sure if I should come in or not. The last time I was here, we had sex. The greatest two days of the past seven years of my life.
“Hi, Miss Brooke.” Sadie waves to Brooke, who’s sitting on the couch.
“Hi.” Her smile is bright, but I can see it seems forced.
“I want you to come to my birthday.” Sadie runs and gives them each an invitation.