Reed's Reckoning

“Wow, somehow you made that apology sound more of a pity party. Are you sorry to me or sorry you found out she was using you?”

“Reed! “

“No seriously, Cara? Which one is it? What exactly are you apologizing for?”

“Care Bear. You call me Care Bear.”

“Not anymore. That was a term of endearment. Not feeling too endearing lately.”

“All of it, Reed; all of it. From the lie I told you about being upset about Mitch so I could stay with you that week, to the pretending to be your girlfriend. I’m sorry I kept you from going after her when you wanted to. I’m sorry my actions led you away from your son.” Her voice cracks and tears form in her eyes. “I’m so sorry I hurt you all, especially Ari and Davis. If it wasn’t for me, he would have had an amazing dad the first three and a half years of his life.”

“He did.”

“What?”

“He had Luke Adams. He wasn’t his dad, but he was there for him and Ari. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known.”

“I’m so, so, so sorry.” She cries.

Watching her fall apart causes something in me to change. I’m still mad as hell, but seeing my naïve little sister crying eases some of the anger.

“Cara, I accept your apology. I’m not saying I forgive you because that’ll take time. I don’t know what to tell you about Ari, but you’re gonna have to work hard to put chinks in her armor.”

“Understandable. I’d expect nothing less.”

My phone chimes with a text from Ari.

Ari— You have to STOP marking my boobs! I just gave the whole bridal store a laugh because I didn’t know it was there! No more…cut off from my chest…maybe forever…

I don’t think so.

Me— Remember what happened last time you tried to cut me off? Cabana sex? I’ll do it again- don’t care about our guests.

Ari— Cut off until you can stop leaving bite marks or hickeys

Me— We’ll see

I chuckle and look up to see my sister with more tears running down her cheeks.

“I almost ruined that. You really love her.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m now in a good mood so I’ll tell you. Love isn’t a strong enough word for Ari. Captivated may be a better term.”

She nods and gives me a small smile.

“Fill me in on mega bitch Alex. Mom’s only told me so much.”

I tell Cara everything that happened, and how no one has seen or heard from Alex in weeks. I think Ari’s rant got to Mr. Moore that day in the bank because he told Phillip he did find it strange he never saw us together. Trey’s been watching her electronic communication, but there’s nothing.

I get up to leave and think about what Ari would want me to do next.

“Cara, we may not be back to where we were, but I still want you at my wedding. Ari wants it too. It’s in three weeks.”

“I know when it is and I want to be there too.” Her voice is full of emotion. “Reed, the answer is probably no, but do you think I could meet Davis?”

Damn! How do I handle this? I think about saying no, but know my mom and Ari would want me to give her this opportunity.

“When are you going back to Orlando?”

“I have all weekend free.”

“Since tomorrow’s Saturday, we will all be around. I’ll text you a time to come over; plan on being in the pool a lot.”

She smiles so wide and I almost forget I still have a lot to work through.

Chapter 31

Reed

“Bobbie, can you drive any faster? I swear Katy goes faster than you and she didn’t drive for four years!” I tap my fingers against my knee.

“Why are you being such a dick?” He looks over at me.

“I’m not, but I could have jogged home quicker than this.”

“Next time you’re picking me up and driving.”

Shit. I am being a dick.

“I’m sorry man, I’m just on edge. I hate that Ari didn’t travel with us this weekend. This is the last time. She’s going from now on.”

“Reed, it’s a little disgusting how obsessive you are over her.”

“Say what you want, but I haven’t spent a night away from her since early June. I hate when we have to stay over after a game. And the fucking airport was a madhouse.”

“Reed, you know the drill. Late night games, early morning departures.”

“I know but I wish I could have flown home last night. I hoped to get home before Ari took Davis to his new daycare.”

“Sorry, man, going as fast as I can.”

I nod at him and dial Ari’s number for the third time this morning, still getting no answer. We spoke last night after the game but for some reason, I feel the need to hear her voice this morning. She left after me on Saturday to spend the weekend with Katy. The wedding is only two weeks away and they have some last minutes things to handle.