Reed's Reckoning

I step around Ari and hold out my hand, “Reed Matthews.”

Recognition hits his features and he shakes my hand firmly. “Travis Johns.”

We turn back to watch our boys play. There’s an uncomfortable silence for a few more minutes and Ari decides to break it.

“Travis, are you familiar with any other athletic programs offered this summer?”

“I think there’s a t-ball league.” he answers her. “Why, are you going to do multiple sports?”

“I was more interested in a football program.” I answer for her. She cuts her eyes to me and opens her mouth to say something but shuts it quickly. I’m almost thankful for Travis’s presence knowing she was about to cuss me out.

“Yeah, there’s the Pop Warner league but you have to be five to play.”

I nod my head and turn my attention back to the field where the kids have given up chasing each other and are now wrestling on the ground. Ari yells at Davis it’s time to go and he ignores her.

Travis calls for Miles, which has both little boys running our way. I smile to myself when they stop in front of us. Looking at them reminds me of my best friend Jack. We met when we were three too. Our lives were so similar until I went pro. He got hurt our senior year and never played football again. But all of my football memories include him somehow and I wonder if Miles and Davis will have that kind of friendship.

“Reed?”

“Huh?” I snap my head away from the boys in front of me at the sound of Ari’s voice.

“I asked if you were ready to go?”

“Yeah, sure.” I give Travis a chin lift and follow Ari and Davis back to her car. I specifically walk directly behind her so I’m the only one with the view of her ass.

Chapter 7

Ari

Tonight is the night. After my conversation at the daycare today with Travis, it’s time. Reed agreed to come over for dinner and we’d do it together. Davis needs to hear it from us and not another kid, or worse, another parent.

It’s been three weeks since we went to the fields in town and as promised, Reed has been around every day. The first week was awkward, trying to teach him about Davis’s schedule, how to negotiate with a toddler about bedtime, and teeth brushing. But by the end of the week, he had the hang of everything. Davis actually listens to him better than me.

Grandma Katy and Sophie have kept their distance saying I needed this time to help Davis and Reed bond. Luke and I still talk every day and meet for lunch a few times a week, but his nights are mostly with Sarah. He’s become more and more supportive of the father/son relationship.

All three of them have remained vocal about their worry for me being around Reed so much. I’m not going to lie; it has been hard on me emotionally because he is an incredible father. My thoughts drift back to when we talked about our future. We haven’t talked about it again, but we both are still scarred by what we learned about our breakup. He tried to bring it up but I shut him down. The pain is still too raw and I don’t need the drama in my life anymore.

Davis squeals as he throws open the door and lunges at the package that Reed is holding out. I roll my eyes at him because it’s about the tenth present he’s brought Davis in the last few weeks. They have started out harmless but have gradually gotten more extreme. I open my mouth to tell him he has to stop when Davis turns to look at me. His smile is so big his cheeks are going to be sore.

“Look, Mama, Weed got me a pwesent.” He runs to me and shoves the box in my hands.

Tears fill my eyes when I see the Lego set. He’s going to build a Lego ship with his son tonight. I look at him and he’s staring at me worried. I grin and let him know I’m okay and wipe my eyes.

“Davis baby, this is awesome. Why don’t you go play for a few minutes so Reed and I can talk? We’ll open this after dinner.”

He takes off running to his room. I get us a drink and motion for him to follow me to the porch. It a safe place for us to talk without Davis hearing everything.

“Tell me what happened. I’m thrilled, but your phone call took me off guard.” He opens both our beers and sits down on the swing next to me.

“Travis texted me and asked to meet him outside the daycare today before we picked up the kids. He wanted to talk to me.”

“What the fuck? Why does he have your phone number?” His body tenses and he glares at me.