Reed's Reckoning

Realization of what just happened hits me hard and I cringe with embarrassment. Pictures of me humping his hand flood my mind and I try to move away. His arms tighten as I wiggle and avoid looking at his face. What a floozy!

“Ari, look at me. What’s going on in your head?”

Stilling at the tone of his voice, I bring my eyes up to his face. His eyes are dancing with happiness and he’s grinning at me.

“I can’t believe I just humped you like a dog in heat. I don’t know what came over me. I am mortified. You must think I’m—”

“Remarkable, beautiful, sexy as fucking sin? Yes, baby, I think all those things because it’s true. Don’t you ever get embarrassed about how I make you feel or the sounds you make when our bodies touch. It’s natural. You and I fit together, and I can’t wait to reacquaint in every way.”

“Really, Reed, you shouldn’t say things like that. I still want to take things slow.”

“No, Ari, the last month is as slow as I’ll go. I did slow for a while and it sucked.”

“You did slow for four days!”

“No, I did slow for four weeks, I only told you four days ago. I’ve known from the beginning I wanted you back in my life. Now, I’m moving onto Operation Matthews.”

“What is that? It sounds both mischievous and scary at the same time.”

“Well, in an effort not to scare you off, it’ll be on a need to know basis. Now come back here and kiss me again.” He leans up and takes my mouth softly in a sweet embrace. I try to question him more but his mouth distracts me and I give into him. He pulls back hesitantly and stares back into my eyes.

“I’m not kidding, I missed you and Davis.” Something is off in his voice.

“Reed, is everything okay?”

“It is now. I just watched my woman come wrapped around me. My son’s asleep in the other room. I am home.” He pulls me down and runs his hands up and down my back. I relax into him. We stay like this for a while before I sit up.

Wanting to comment about calling me his woman, but I think twice. When I wiggle against him, he hisses.

“Careful, babe, I have little restraint.”

I giggle and his face lights up.

“Maybe I should move off your lap so I don’t test your ‘restraint’?” I scoot back. He lets me go and adjusts his pants.

“The only reason I’m letting you go is to get a drink. There’s so much I need to tell you. And not much of it is good.”

His voice is sad and I remember what Davis made in school today. Maybe it will help cheer him up. “Okay, my wine’s on the counter, get whatever you want. I need to run and get something.”

He nods and helps me up. I dig through my workbag and pull out the folded paper. I hide it under the sofa pillows and wait for him to return.

He puts our drinks on the table and picks me up like I weigh nothing. Then he situates us on the couch where I am draped over his legs. Reaching across me, he gets my wine and his beer and leans us back.

“Right, so where should I start? Jack or my sister?”

“Wherever you want. I’m here to listen.”

“Well before I get started, how was Davis’s day?”

“Awesome, every day is great to a little boy. His biggest disappointment is when they serve peas and carrots for lunch.”

“Gross, can’t blame him there.”

“Something tells me peas and carrots don’t have anything to do with your story.”

He shrugs and then starts talking. When he tells me about his sister’s miscarriage, my eyes fill with tears. I agree with him that he needs to tell her about Davis when she’s not so raw. There’s a different tone in his voice when he talks about Jack. It’s hurt, devastation, and sadness. I see the pain on his face and my heart aches for him.

“Reed, I think it may take some time, but you need to talk to Jack.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me?”

“No, as much of a giant asshole he is, he was watching out for you. I’m not sure you can ever repair the depth of your friendship, but he is your oldest and best friend.”

“You think what he did makes him my best friend? You can’t be okay with him.”

“In his own way, he was acting as your friend. I could have been mad at Luke for betraying me, but he loves me and he wanted what was best. Jack did the same thing.”

“I think Luke looking out for you and our unborn child is a little different than Jack deciding not to tell me you were pregnant.”

“Yes, but think back to that time. You had a lot going for you. I had nothing. He thought I broke up with you to date my best friend. I can see how he thought I was looking for a meal ticket. Even if it isn’t true, he’s entitled to his own opinion. He made a bad choice and I bet he regrets it now.”