Charity Case: The Complete Series

by Piper Rayne

  “This way you can both see out the same window.” She stares at Henry across from her and they smile at each other like I’m a genius.

  I point out landmark buildings for them and they ask questions like how many people live in Chicago, what happens when you live above the clouds. It’s then I realize that in all the sightseeing we’ve done, I’ve never taken Jade to the Sears Tower.

  Yeah, yeah, Willis Tower now, but never to a true Chicagoan.

  “Can we go today?” Her eyes light up.

  “Next weekend.” Her lips dip and she glances at Henry, the two of them sharing a look like parents are lame.

  Reed’s busy on his phone, not even enjoying the ride or taking in the sights. Whatever, he’s not spoiling my day with Jade.

  “It’s open, we can shoot over there after this,” Reed says without glancing up from his phone. I guess that’s what he was checking on his phone. Yet another way to hold me hostage.

  “Yay!” Jade high fives Henry.

  “Then you’ll miss all those other rides.” I point to the swing ride and few others down below us.

  “They’ll be time after,” Reed says innocently. Too innocently.

  I glare over at a smiling Reed again.

  The kids swap seats with us, so they can see the lake and the boats. We talk about the lighthouse and what a lighthouse keeper does. I have to Google a few facts because I’m not the encyclopedia they believe me to be.

  Finally, our time comes to a close and the ride stops so we climb out.

  “The swings!” Henry says.

  I hand them each their tickets and they run over to the ride. Stepping forward to join them in the waiting area, Reed tugs on the sleeve of my jacket.

  “Hold up.”

  I slow my walk.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just...you’re right.” He runs his hand across the back of his neck, looking everywhere but at me.

  My stomach bottoms out. What must he think of me?

  “I figured.”

  “I’m not proud of the fact I knew Pete wasn’t the man for you, but it’s not what you think.”

  With my attention fixated on Jade and Henry, I stop at a stand to buy some water. “What is it then?”

  Images of a naked stripper laying across a table and Pete plowing into her in the middle of his bachelor party come to my imagination. The embarrassment and shame of being cheated on might be the worst thing to come out of my divorce.

  “I never saw him cheat,” Reed says emphatically.

  I roll my eyes.

  “Swear.” He pulls out his pinky finger.

  My eyebrows shoot up. “I do the pinky swear thing with Jade, Reed. I’ll believe you if you say so. Not like it really matters anyway.”

  The lie is that it does matter to me for some reason.

  Seeming appeased, he hands a twenty over to the cashier and stuffs his hands in his pockets.

  “I’ll get it,” I say, grabbing my wallet out of my purse.

  “I already did.” He smiles that panty melting one that ignites every nerve in my body.

  “So, you never saw him, but…”

  He pushes the change into his pocket and we walk forward, I unscrew the cap to the water and down a sip.

  “There was a night I had to tell him not to put me in a bad position.”

  “He was flirting?” I guess.

  I’m not surprised by it. I saw Pete flirt with my own eyes more than once. You’d think he thought I was blind.

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean it was anything more. They could have just been talking.”

  “Pete interested in a woman’s thoughts on things?” I widen my eyes and a smile tips his lips. “Not likely.”

  “You’ve got me there.” He pauses, and we watch the kids get on their swings, the attendant double checking their harnesses. “Henry looks like he’s going to throw up.”

  Reed’s right. He’s pale and his eyes are darting between Jade and us as if he’s contemplating escape.

  “Maybe he feels pressure to go on the ride because Jade wanted to?”

  Reed hangs over the metal guardrail. Cupping his hands over his mouth, he yells, “You okay, bud?”

  Henry nods, but there’s nothing convincing about it.

  Reed steps off the rail and the swings moves back to me. “I’d watch out for flying vomit, just in case,” he says to me.

  We sit down on a concrete stoop and watch the kids as the ride gains speed, waving when they pass by us.

  “Victoria, there’s more than that.” Reed’s voice doesn’t hold its usual confidence.

  I swivel in his direction.

  “I didn’t understand what you saw in Pete. I wasn’t willing to kill the bro code, but if he would’ve crossed that line in front of me, I would have…but not because I’m a noble person.” He holds my gaze for a second before continuing. “I would’ve done it because I was being selfish.”

  “Reed.” I place my hand on his knee. “Do not feel guilty for not telling me your suspicions. It’s not like the two of us were friends. I understand where your loyalties were.”

  “Are you listening to me?” He runs a hand through his hair and I get the sense that he’s frustrated by me, which gets my back up.

  “Spit out whatever you’re trying to say.”

  Instead of growing more frustrated with my attitude, a smile teases the corners of his lips. “I liked you then and I like you now.”

  My stomach flutters with his admission. I don’t know if he means he liked me as a person in the past or liked liked me, but it doesn’t matter. I wish I could wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him like I’ve wanted to for weeks, but things aren’t that simple. I’m not that simple.

  “Reed. I like you, too.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  I eye him for a long time willing myself the courage to put it all out there. He sits patiently and waits until I finally take a deep breath and speak.

  “I come with a lot of baggage and they aren’t filled with makeup, sexy heels, and lingerie. They’re overflowing with doubt, trust issues, and low self-esteem. I come with a carry-on in the form of a seven-year-old little girl who, yes, seems adorable and sweet for the few hours you’ve seen her, but there’s a more difficult side. I won’t even mention the oversized bag in the cargo hold that is my ex-husband.

  “I don’t come with that new love glow. I don’t possess the belief that we kiss and live in bliss, happily ever after. I come jaded. My corners aren’t round and smooth, they’re sharp and jagged. So, as much as I like you, and believe me I am attracted to you, this thing between us can’t happen. I’m sorry.”

  I turn my attention away from him and unscrew the cap of water, gulping down the cold liquid like it will help push down all the raw emotion rising within me.

  We sit in silence for a few moments and I can’t believe he hasn’t fought me on this. Not that I want him to, but I expected some sort of comeback.

  “You’re right, I dated Olive. It was off and on. Never really that serious. Her family is friends with my family.”

  Not what I was expecting.

  “We went to the same expensive private school. We hung around with the same entitled crowd. We each got an insanely expensive car when we turned sixteen. Both of our educations were off-the-charts expensive and paid in full when we graduated. We shopped at the same designer stores. Flew to the same vacation destinations. I thought she was what I wanted…or maybe I convinced myself I was what she wanted. I don’t know.”

  His hands knot together and in all the times I’ve been around Reed, he’s never looked this intense, this nervous.

  “She tried to stop me from being a Big Brother. Told me my time was too valuable to spend it playing house with someone else’s kid. I know her type. Even though we weren’t serious, she had our big mansion in North Shore picked out. Had our kid’s names decided and a Pinterest board of decorated bedrooms for them. She tried to mold me into someone I wasn’t. Someone I never wanted
to be.”

  The swings slows down, and I spot Jade, her hair windblown and chaotic. Henry’s actually smiling.

  I could take a lesson from the kid. Some things are always scary starting out, but worth it in the end.

  “I’m not going to convince you how wrong you are about everything you just said. I’m not going to sit here and counter each argument one-by-one—which for the record, the prosecutor in me very much wants to do.”

  I chuckle, then stand, brushing the dirt off my ass. “Thank you.”

  “What I’m going to do is prove it to you. See, Victoria”—he corners me between the cement wall and the metal gate while the kids wait patiently on the other side of the ride for the attendee to let them out— “I want a woman with goals. You want to get your degree. I’m behind you. You want a career and a family. I’m your equal in parenting responsibilities. You want to have a loving and supportive boyfriend. I’m him. This thing between us isn’t my imagination. There’s chemistry and energy bursting between us every time we’re together. But I refuse to push myself on you because I want you to come willingly, and I guarantee you will.”

  “Mommy!” Jade’s loud voice has Reed stepping back, but his cocky smile says he means every word of what he said.

  It’s all I can do to lock my knees and stay standing. “Did you have fun?” I ask when she jumps into my arms.

  “So much fun! I’m starving.”

  “Let’s go eat then.” Reed high fives Henry. “I’m so proud of you, bud. You conquered a fear.”

  Henry beams but stays silent, per usual.

  I watch Henry’s hand find its way into Reed’s, he glances over his shoulder to make sure Jade and I are following. A small pit forms in my stomach.

  I can’t be wrong. In my experience, if it seems too good to be true—it is.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “MOM!” Jade screams from the front door.

  “Coming.” I hop along, sliding my foot into my right heel then walking through to the kitchen.

  She’s standing there, her hair in a haphazard ponytail, her spring coat unzipped. But can I really complain? She’s dressed, her backpack is on, her lunch is in hand.

  I glance over at my mom who is sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper.

  “I can take her if you like,” she says.

  Most days I would be grateful for my mom’s offer. I’d say yes thank you and give Jade a kiss on the cheek before dashing out the door. But today isn’t Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday—it’s Monday. And as much as I hate myself for it, I’m not skipping a Monday morning drop-off.

  I might not be able to have Reed as my own, but he’s like that late-night snack you know you should stay away from. You regret it after it’s in your stomach, but while you’re consuming your craving, you’re in bliss.

  It’s a love-hate thing with Reed. I love to see him. I love to interact with him. I hate myself afterward.

  “Nah, I got her.” I slide my arms through my coat and grab my bag. “Thanks for the coffee.” I raise my to-go cup at her.

  “Make sure you eat breakfast,” she says, straightening her paper.

  “Love you.” I blow her a kiss because the three steps out of my way seems more like a mile after an activity-filled weekend and a late night studying.

  “You, too. See you after class tonight.”

  “Finally.” Jade throws the door open. “Bye, Grandma, love you.”

  “Love you, bug.”

  Jade heads down the walkway to the sidewalk while I shove my phone into my bag, double checking that I have everything.

  “Henry?” Jade’s confused voice triggers a reaction in my body—equal parts panic and excitement.

  My heart thumps harder in my chest and a light sweat forms along my hairline because where Henry goes, Reed follows. At least on Mondays. I might not want to want him, but he pulls the giddy school girl side out of me anyway.

  I lock the door behind me and then circle back to the street to find Reed outside his usual Uber car with Henry and Jade already in the backseat.

  “It’s only three blocks,” I say.

  My heels click on the concrete and I don’t miss the way Reed’s heated gaze takes me in, igniting the familiar pull between us. It must be that look I’m addicted to. The one that makes me wear sexy undergarments even though no one will see them. The one where I want to do my hair and makeup.

  “Well, in those heels, I bet it’d feel longer.” It’s only his gaze raking up my legs, but it feels so much like a caress that I have to fight to keep my eyes open.

  “I can handle it.”

  “Of course, you can, but you’re riding into work with me today.” He nods to the car.

  “Excuse me?” I pretend I’m annoyed by his proclamation, but in truth, the idea of Reed bossing me around has my nipples peaking. In the bedroom. In all other areas of my life, I prefer my independence.

  He opens the door where a smiling Jade and Henry are waiting for me.

  “It’s pointless when we’re basically going to the same place and I’ve decided that it’s more convenient this way. I have court tomorrow and I tend to get uptight the day before when I’m prepping. You help with my anxiety. Besides, why would you want to take a train when you can enjoy the pleasure of my company?”

  I can’t even control my lips. A full-on smile gives away how much this guy has already won me over.

  “I guess since you have it all figured out, I should be thanking you.”

  “No thank you necessary.”

  I slide into the car and he shuts the door, folding himself into the front passenger seat. I double check Jade’s seatbelt but of course she’s already buckled in.

  Three stop signs later, the car pulls up to the curb and Reed gets out first, opening my door before I can.

  “Not so manic this Monday, huh?” I eye his already done up tie and tie clip then step out, ignoring the prying eyes of Darcie and Georgia.

  “I was so excited to see you, I woke up early.” He winks.

  I roll my eyes, not wanting to give away how much I love the way he wears his feelings on his sleeve.

  “Have a great day, Jade.” I hug her to me, but she’s already trying to wiggle away from me.

  “See you, bud.” Reed fist bumps Henry.

  We watch them walk into the school and wave to the principal.

  “Get in.” Reed ushers me back in the car, sliding in behind me and shutting the door. “Go, Abe, go!”

  The Uber driver looks at Reed much like I am, confused. Where’s the fire?

  Knock, knock.

  “I’m late, Darcie,” Reed speaks through the glass.

  Not a fire exactly but it’s possible she breathes fire because dragon lady is an apt description.

  I tighten my lips trying to hold in my laugh and avoid looking at her.

  “Reed, I need to talk to Vicki.”

  “I’m really sorry, Darcie, there’s no Vicki here.” How he can say it with such a straight face, I have no idea.

  “Reed.” Her eyes narrow and the laugh leaves me like an overinflated balloon.

  “I need to get to the office. Gotta go.” He faces Abe again. “Just go.”

  “Vicki!” she yells, but I just wave my fingers in her direction as the car pulls away.

  “It feels good now but come tomorrow she’s going to make my punishment that much worse.” I pull out my phone with the hopes that we’ll each do business on the way in.

  “I’ll be your bodyguard.”

  “You don’t take Henry to school on Tuesdays.”

  He shrugs, his phone buzzing and I watch him pull it from the inside pocket of his suit and read the text. His warm smile disappears and for the first time, I wonder what he’s like in court.

  His fingers move over the screen and I turn forward, only to find Abe’s eyes on mine. He smiles, and I smile back, staring out the window as he winds through the streets of the city toward downtown.

  I inch forward. “Hi,
Abe, I’m Victoria.”

  He smiles at me in the mirror again. “Not Vicki?” he asks, amusement creasing the wrinkles around his eyes.

  “Definitely not.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Are you on call for this guy?” I thumb in the direction of Reed, who’s still off in lawyer land.

  “Every morning. He’s on his own at night.”

  “Maybe he’s cheating on you with a Lyft driver?”

  Abe chuckles, turning right. “Not Reed.” He winks. “Any music or morning show you prefer to listen to?” His fingers are poised over the controls on his dash.

  “No. I’ll just work. Thank you though.”

  I slide back in my seat and he turns on a talk radio station.

  “This is the best. Turn it up, Abe.” Reed’s bubbly personality is back, and his phone is tucked away. “It’s the Second Date Update.”

  Abe ups the volume and the radio personalities are talking to a girl about a date she went on and now she’s complaining that the guy won’t return her phone calls.

  “This show will call the guy or girl to see why they’re not returning the phone call,” Reed whispers to fill me in. “You gotta hear some of this crap.”

  We listen to a woman explain how she was left at a cooking class. Her date excused himself to go to the bathroom, and never came back.

  “See. I’m already looking good,” Reed says, waggling his eyebrows.

  “Because you’ve never left me at a cooking class? We’ve never even been on a date.”

  “Yet.”

  “Never.”

  “Listen.” He taps his ear.

  Hitting some traffic, Abe slows down.

  The radio announcers call the guy to get his side of the story.

  “I’m not sure what the argument could be for him leaving her at a couple’s cooking class,” I mumble, and Reed’s hand stretches out, squeezing my knee.

  Skin to skin contact. All the air leaves my lungs in a rush.

  “There’s always a reason,” he says.

  Abe nods his head in agreement.

  The man answers the call and at first, he’s pissed that they’re calling him, then after a minute, he doesn’t want to share the reason why because he doesn’t want to embarrass the girl.