Reed's Reckoning

“Was that because you’re nosy or because I was loud?”

“I didn’t know who you were talking to so I opened the window for a sec. When I realized it was Cara, I shut it. But not before I listened to you retell the story. It was more devastating listening to it come from you than Luke.”

“Yeah, probably because of how much I love her. He may be her friend but it’s a different scenario when you love her like I do.”

“I can see that. So what’s next?”

“Hopefully to have her in my hot tub tomorrow night when all you fuckers are gone and tell her how sorry I am. Then I move to the next phase in my plan.”

“Gotta hear this, it outta be good.”

I smile and him and fill him on the steps in ‘Operation Matthews’.

Chapter 22

Ari

We had an eventful and emotional day. It was hard to sit with Reed while he retold the story of my breakdown, but he wanted his mom to know the extent of the damage Cara had been a part of. When we went for a run, it helped ease some of the tension, but he was still on edge. Luke decided to stay and go to the beach again but Jack left before we went to brunch.

Amy doted on Davis and cried when we dropped her off. She promised to come a few days before the Fourth of July so she could help Katy and me with the food. I learned really quick that I would need triple the amount of food with the football players that were coming. Bobbie called and informed us that Lamar and Dwayne bragged about the party to a few other guys and the list of players grew.

Davis fell asleep unusually early, but then again he had an exhausting weekend. As soon as we laid him down, Reed turned on the hot tub and told me to put on my suit. The idea of relaxing in the warm water sounds wonderful and I want the time alone with him. He’s been distracted all day.

The hot tub is placed on the back of the patio with a perfect view of the ocean. I lean into the jets and let them pound into the muscles in my lower back. Reed slips in, hands me my wine, and lies back in the crevice.

“Besides the obvious shake-up, did you have a nice weekend?” he asks me cautiously.

“I did. I remember your mom being sweet, but she is hilarious. I think her and Katy can get into some serious trouble if together for long periods of time.”

“Yeah, she’s a riot when she wants to be. She’s also a bit over the top.”

“She told me what you said to her the day you were there for Cara’s accident. About me needing a lawyer because you were coming after me.”

“She’s got a big mouth.”

“I thought it was sweet, a bit scary, but still sweet.”

“I got a call from Trey on Friday but never called him back until this afternoon. He uncovered the shit with Alex and Cara. There were several other girls involved but I didn’t know their names. I told him about what went down here too. I can’t help it but something still isn’t right. There’s a gap in the story.”

“I agree. I can’t figure out what, but it’s nagging at me.”

“Well, let it go. Trust Trey and me to get to the bottom of it. I have much more important things to talk to you about.” He moves around so he is basically straddling me but the water makes him weightless. “No way, buddy. Having sex in your pool, in the dark, and an isolated area is one thing. I won’t do it in your hot tub with the sun still shining.”

“I wasn’t thinking about that, but now that you mention it, maybe I can persuade you.”

“No, what do you need to talk to me about?”

“I want to call my lawyer tomorrow and put my name on Davis’s birth certificate. I’m sure there will be some things you need to sign. I’ll take care of the details.”

“Okay.” I don’t even hesitate. His face lights up with happiness for the first time since Friday night.

“Another thing, I need you to tell me why you named him Davis.”

“You know why.” I say softly.

“No, I know you were in a fragile state of mind and thought our fairytale was over.”

“It was for you,” I whisper. “Besides trying to talk myself into another name, I knew you would be devastated if you found out about him and I broke the Matthews tradition. I remember you telling me the first-born son was given the grandmother’s maiden name. You told me all the time that your mother couldn’t wait to have a ‘Davis’. So even as hard as I tried, I knew I couldn’t do that to you. I didn’t know we would ever reconnect, but if Davis wanted to know about his biological dad, I was going to tell him.”