Reed's Reckoning

Dinner was an event. Katy and Amy got along great and decided to swap stories of Reed and me growing up. Sophie, Luke, Davis, and I sat with Reed while he grilled and Katy and Amy prepared the salad. I guess their bonding time gave them the idea to embarrass the shit out of us throughout dinner. Jack arrived right before we sat down. His entrance was tense but Amy embraced him warmly, and I made a point to shake his hand and smile sincerely, thanking him for coming. Reed and Luke gave him a chin lift, which was rude, but at least some sort of greeting.

While we sat around telling stories, Jack asked if he could play with Davis. Reed didn’t answer at first but nodded and positioned his chair so he could see everything. I knew this was a big step. There’s no doubt in my mind, if Reed and I were together when I had the baby, Jack and Luke would be Godfathers. That’s how strongly we felt about our best friends.

Katy must really like Amy because she invited her to the Red Hats luncheon tomorrow. Even though Amy isn’t a member, this is a charity event and Katy wants her to meet her friends. This is her way of letting me know that she is thrilled to have another grandmother in Davis’s life.

After the kitchen is clean, we go back to the porch to enjoy our drinks. Sophie and Luke drill Reed on the upcoming season and which games we will get tickets to. He tells us he did buy a box and wants us at every game. The box is big enough for us each to invite a friend and his sister and mom too. There are only two night games this year and he tells us all to plan to stay either with him or at a hotel downtown. It’s a no–brainer when he tells everyone about his pool and boat dock.

We’re out of wine so I get up to grab another bottle. I’m just about to go outside when there’s a knock at the door. I contemplate telling Reed he has a visitor but then decide to answer it. There’s giggling on the other side of the door when I get close enough to hear and I pray there’s not a group of fans outside trying to get his autograph.

I throw open the door with my biggest fake smile when my world stops. The face staring back at me fills images in my mind of one of the worst days of my life. My heart races so fast I can feel it in my ears and before I can stop myself, I scream. Then the darkness takes me.

Chapter 19

Reed

Tonight has been better than expected. The women in this group are fucking hilarious and besides a little embarrassment from my mom, I’m having the time of my life. More than once my future has flashed through my mind of many more nights like this. With a day like today and then tonight, I’ve decided I am buying us a beach house, not only because Ari and Davis love the beach but also because this whole group does. I want to give them everything, well for the exception of Jack. I want to give him another right hook, but the urge has dissipated since seeing him with my son. We’re laughing at Davis’s serious exaggeration of his soccer skills when I hear a sound that causes my heart to almost stop. I’m on my feet fast and see Luke with me. I lift Davis and we run through the house at lightning speed. My vision gets spotty when I see Ari lying on the floor and I don’t even look at who’s in the doorway before I start screaming. Luke gets to her before me because I hand Davis off to the closest person, which is Jack.

“Ari, Ari, baby wake up! Please wake up.” Luke is rubbing her temple trying to be careful.

I move under her and place her head in the cradle of my elbow while he helps me get her body in my arms. She starts to stir and her eyes go wide when she sees me. Her pupils are dilated and her face shows pure fear. She doesn’t move a muscle in her body but whispers, “Bailey’s here.” Then she passes out again.

Luke goes completely still beside us, and we both look at the door at the same time. He starts cussing under his breath when I see my sister and Alex Fucking Moore standing there.

It happens so fast no one can stop it. Sophie runs through us and bitch slaps my sister so hard her head spins to the side. I try to speak but nothing comes out. Luke jumps up to grab her and pulls her back outside. Jack, still holding Davis, follows. I hear her screaming but my mind is buzzing with denial.