“Fuck no. I’m more pissed than I have ever been in my life. I feel betrayed and heartbroken at the same time. That girl sitting on my sofa tonight used to have a personality that lit up a room. I’m not sure when she turned so insecure that she sold out her own brother for a place in a fucking sorority with a bunch of bitches.”
“I can’t even imagine. But I do know she had her reasons.”
“Ari, don’t you dare take up for her. This isn’t something we can fix by having her over for dinner, like Jack.”
“Oh no, I have no intention of having her over for dinner or anything else for that matter. I just know people do things for their own reasons.”
“I love you, babe, and from the look on my mom’s face tonight, she loves you too. Davis and you are my family. Cara can kiss my ass for a really long time, maybe forever.”
Ari yawns against me and I hold her tight. When I walked into the room tonight and saw Sophie, Katy and her all asleep on the bed, I sighed with relief. A part of me was sure they would be packing her bag to go home and leave me. I woke Katy and Sophie up gently and they left after I gave them a brief run down. Then I lay in bed with Ari, stroking her hair until she woke up. She asked about Davis first and when I assured her he was okay and missed most of the drama, I told her the story. She cried through the whole thing and held onto me. Her tears soaked through to my skin and my anger grew. She finally calmed down and asked what was going to happen now.
I was confused at first until I realized she was talking about us. It’s so easy for me to forget she has no idea about my ‘grand plan’ so I assured her nothing changes. She is still very much mine and we move forward as a family. My sister’s betrayal is a huge shock to me, but I have a feeling it’s bigger to Ari.
“Angel, I have a lot to work out in my head and I promise to try and share with you, but give me a little time. I need to go downstairs and make sure my mom is okay. Then I’ll lock up the house and be back in a bit, okay. You need to sleep.”
“Okay, Reed.” The vulnerability in her voice breaks my heart and I lean down and kiss her as gently as possible.
When I get to the kitchen, my bottle of Jack Daniels is missing. I lock the front door and notice my mom’s room is empty but her stuff is still there. There’s a red glare on my patio and I realize Jack is outside smoking a cigar. I look in on Davis and then go outside.
Luke and Jack are sitting on the Adirondack chairs with the bottle of liquor between them. I motion for it and Luke hands it over.
“That was some seriously fucked up shit. Never thought I’d see the day Cara Matthews was laid out by her own brother.” Jack says between puffs.
“I was fucking there, no need to relive it.”
“Man, you were there but what I saw tonight was a fucking testament to your feelings for Ari. I am so fucking sorry for what I did. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but shit, I want it. Tonight, before all the drama, was what we dreamed about as kids. I made a stupid fucking decision and I will never forgive myself. You, Amy, Ari—the whole thing was it. You found it man. Your forever. I’ll work like hell to be a part of this. Davis is cool, like really cool. Not a bratty little boy, but a little man. You’re a lucky guy.”
“Yeah, well thank Ari, Luke, Katy, and Sophie. I haven’t had much to do with it.”
“If this motherfucker thanks me or apologizes again, I will pull his fucking man card and buy him tampons. Enough!” Luke points to Jack. “I did what anyone in my situation would do. I’ve never considered it a burden. Now we need to talk about the serious stuff before Amy gets back. She took your sister to a hotel and it’s only a matter of time.”
“Ari’s okay for now. She’s hurt, sad, and confused but she didn’t run out. As much as I think I need to slow things down, I want to speed up. She needs to know how serious I am.”
“I swore I’d never do this, but I think there’s something you need to know.” Luke looks between Jack and me. “Reed, sit down. We need to talk.”
Chapter 20
Ari
I got out of bed with Davis this morning and got him breakfast, trying to be quiet. Jack was on one sofa and Luke on the other sleeping. The snores coming from them led me to believe they drank more last night. Once I got Davis set up in his designated room with cartoons, I made coffee and checked my phone. Katy and Sophie sent me encouraging messages but only one stood out.