Reed's Reckoning

by Ahren Sanders

  Her dimples pop when she smiles and my dick grows hard against the fabric of my shorts. I carry her to her room, hoping to God Davis sleeps soundly tonight because I need to hear Ari moaning my name.

  “You were right. She’s perfect for you.” My mom says next to me.

  “I told you. She’s it. Having Davis is an added bonus. He may be the reason she gave me another chance, but if the situation was different and there wasn’t a child involved, I would still want her.”

  “She really is a charming young woman.”

  “Charming doesn’t even scratch the surface to explain her.” I watch Ari jumping in the waves with Davis and listen to him squeal each time one hits him. Luckily, since it’s Friday afternoon, there’s not a lot of people around. I say this because each time Ari hops, her tits bounce up and down, which is exactly where my eyes zero in.

  Last night could not have gone more perfectly. My mom got here earlier in the day and I took her out to lunch and showed her around the downtown area. Then it took me five trips to unload her car with all the toys she brought for Davis. She explained she had years of holidays and birthdays to make up for.

  Ari and Davis arrived at six and as soon as the women saw each other, there were tears and hugs. I could tell it freaked Davis out because he sidled up to me and slipped his arm around my leg. When my mom saw him, I got a lump in my throat. The look on her face was full of love. Since he calls Katy, Grandma Katy, Mom decided she wanted to be Grandma Amy. He warmed up to her easily when she broke out all the gifts. Ari gave me a worried look, but I shook my head and explained my mom’s logic.

  Dinner was great and Davis controlled the conversation. Apparently, a beach day gave him all sorts of ideas on sandcastles. He agreed to let my mom get him ready for bed and Ari helped me clean the kitchen. Her days at work were going so much better since the misunderstanding with her clients. The biggest thing that has happened to her was she was once again the object of office gossip after I kissed her in the parking lot on Wednesday. A few of her co-workers spread the news of seeing us. Her assistant and boss came into her office together and asked her point blank if it was true she was dating Reed Matthews. When she confirmed, her boss immediately started talking about my rehab and upcoming season.

  Laughing, I tried to imagine Ari listening to the stats he mentioned. One thing is for sure, she may have always been proud of me, but she still didn’t understand much about football.

  Once Davis was in bed, the three of us sat on my patio having a drink and talking. Ari was very delicate when she brought up my sister. Mom seems to think she is better. She ended up talking to the guy she was dating and he was very sympathetic. She hasn’t spoken about the miscarriage very much. I called her yesterday, but had to leave a voicemail.

  When it was time for bed last night, Ari acted a bit nervous when she headed into my room. I shut down the house and made sure Davis was okay then went to bed with my woman. She refused to have sex with me, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer tonight.

  “Reed?” my mom breaks through my thoughts and brings me back to watching Davis hop.

  “Hmm? Sorry, got lost in thought.”

  “I miss that.”

  “What do you miss?” I look over at her and her eyes have tears in them. “What the hell, mom, you okay?”

  “Yes, I just watched you zone out. You were looking at her like your dad used to look at me. I’d catch him staring and warmth spread through my body. He once told me he would look at me and thank God.”

  “Jesus, that’s exactly what I think about her.”

  “I need to apologize, Reed. I shouldn’t have said those things to you a few weeks ago. Obviously, I knew nothing about the situation and the feelings involved.”

  “Noted. No need to talk about it again. Now you know.”

  Ari and Davis walk up and he gets his toys. She gets him situated a few feet from us and then returns back to her beach chair. Mom and her share a look and I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand.

  “Reed, Amy and I talked a little over coffee this morning and came to a conclusion. We want you to call Jack and invite him to dinner tonight.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Honey, please. Things may not go back to the way they were, but there’s something you should know.” She looks at my mom and nods her head.

  “Jack’s been calling me. It started right after you left Orlando two weeks ago. He feels terrible. I’ve listened to his side of the story and my heart hurts for him. I reamed him a new one for what he did because it kept my grandson from me, but in the end, he thought he was looking out for you. I don’t agree with his actions, but he’s been a friend in your life forever. He even came to Davis’s soccer game last weekend to watch. His voice was laced with pain when he told me about watching you with Davis.” Mom tells me.

  I don’t say anything for a few minutes and watch the wave’s crash against the shore. I haven’t thought about him much, but I do feel a void. Ari’s hand covers mine and she pulls it into her lap. The look on her face makes me want to do anything she asks.

  “I know he’s tried to contact you. I’ve seen the text messages come through. It’s important to me for you to try and get past this. And besides, Luke will be here tonight along with Sophie and Katy. If anything it will be a statement about family.” Ari’s fingertips stroke the inside of my palm

  “You really make it hard to say no.” I twist over so I am straddling her chair and put my forehead against hers. “I’ll do this for you, but don’t expect bro hugs or an overjoyed reunion. He has a ways to go to redeem himself.”

  “Okay.”

  I lean down and kiss her briefly and then jump back to get my phone. I have two missed calls from Trey but decide to call him back later. Jack doesn’t answer so I leave a message with details about dinner if he wants to join us. Both women smile at me when I hang up.

  “Mom, can you watch Davis for a bit?”

  “Sure thing, where are you going?” she answers

  I don’t answer but slide my arms under Ari’s knees and back, lifting her up. She squirms, trying to get away but I take off running to the ocean and don’t stop until we are waist deep.

  “What are you doing? I would have walked out here with you.”

  “Not nearly as fun. I want a kiss and the kind I want isn’t kid friendly.”

  “No way! What about your mother?”

  “Not particularly worried about her. She had two kids and was madly in love with my dad. I’m sure she did her fair share of kissing, among other things. And remember, she knows we’ve had sex.”

  She tries to swat me but I capture her mouth with my own and suck her tongue. Her head tilts to the side and I take the opportunity to swing her around so she is wrapped around my waist. With her chest pressed against mine it’s easy to feel her nipples tighten. I curl my hands around her thighs and rub her against my throbbing cock. A few more movements and I could come from the friction. She starts to slow the kiss and pulls back completely when Davis starts yelling.

  “Me too, Daddy! Pick me up and carry me in the water! Come get me too!”

  I groan out loud when I see my mom standing next to him with a wide grin on her face. She’s shaking her head at me like I’m a teenager again.

  “Oh my gosh, what has gotten into us? How can I forget we are in public?”

  “Because I make you lose your mind with lust?” I question with a smirk.

  “Reed, seriously, please. I’ve never been heavy into PDA. Don’t make me look like a slut in front of your mom.”

  “Ari, don’t say that shit, ever. She knows how much I love you. Kissing you is the least of your worries.” I walk us back towards the shore and place her back down once we are in shallow water. Linking our fingers together, we walk to Davis.

  Ari

  Not that story! I try to break in, unsuccessfully, as Grandma Katy tells about my first experience with a white bikini. I was thirteen and didn’t understand the purpose
of the nude underlining in bathing suits. I let Sophie talk me into cutting it out and we went to the beach. My mom and Grandma Katy allowed us to sit away from them so we could pretend we were by ourselves, for all the cute guys that walked by. We went for a swim but as soon as we walked out everyone stared at me. My mom came running at me with a towel. The suit was now completely see-through and I had just shown anyone in distance, all of me. I was mortified and Sophie couldn’t stop laughing.

  Dinner was an event. Katy and Amy got along great and decided to swap stories of Reed and me growing up. Sophie, Luke, Davis, and I sat with Reed while he grilled and Katy and Amy prepared the salad. I guess their bonding time gave them the idea to embarrass the shit out of us throughout dinner. Jack arrived right before we sat down. His entrance was tense but Amy embraced him warmly, and I made a point to shake his hand and smile sincerely, thanking him for coming. Reed and Luke gave him a chin lift, which was rude, but at least some sort of greeting.

  While we sat around telling stories, Jack asked if he could play with Davis. Reed didn’t answer at first but nodded and positioned his chair so he could see everything. I knew this was a big step. There’s no doubt in my mind, if Reed and I were together when I had the baby, Jack and Luke would be Godfathers. That’s how strongly we felt about our best friends.

  Katy must really like Amy because she invited her to the Red Hats luncheon tomorrow. Even though Amy isn’t a member, this is a charity event and Katy wants her to meet her friends. This is her way of letting me know that she is thrilled to have another grandmother in Davis’s life.

  After the kitchen is clean, we go back to the porch to enjoy our drinks. Sophie and Luke drill Reed on the upcoming season and which games we will get tickets to. He tells us he did buy a box and wants us at every game. The box is big enough for us each to invite a friend and his sister and mom too. There are only two night games this year and he tells us all to plan to stay either with him or at a hotel downtown. It’s a no–brainer when he tells everyone about his pool and boat dock.

  We’re out of wine so I get up to grab another bottle. I’m just about to go outside when there’s a knock at the door. I contemplate telling Reed he has a visitor but then decide to answer it. There’s giggling on the other side of the door when I get close enough to hear and I pray there’s not a group of fans outside trying to get his autograph.

  I throw open the door with my biggest fake smile when my world stops. The face staring back at me fills images in my mind of one of the worst days of my life. My heart races so fast I can feel it in my ears and before I can stop myself, I scream. Then the darkness takes me.

  Chapter 19

  Reed

  Tonight has been better than expected. The women in this group are fucking hilarious and besides a little embarrassment from my mom, I’m having the time of my life. More than once my future has flashed through my mind of many more nights like this. With a day like today and then tonight, I’ve decided I am buying us a beach house, not only because Ari and Davis love the beach but also because this whole group does. I want to give them everything, well for the exception of Jack. I want to give him another right hook, but the urge has dissipated since seeing him with my son. We’re laughing at Davis’s serious exaggeration of his soccer skills when I hear a sound that causes my heart to almost stop. I’m on my feet fast and see Luke with me. I lift Davis and we run through the house at lightning speed. My vision gets spotty when I see Ari lying on the floor and I don’t even look at who’s in the doorway before I start screaming. Luke gets to her before me because I hand Davis off to the closest person, which is Jack.

  “Ari, Ari, baby wake up! Please wake up.” Luke is rubbing her temple trying to be careful.

  I move under her and place her head in the cradle of my elbow while he helps me get her body in my arms. She starts to stir and her eyes go wide when she sees me. Her pupils are dilated and her face shows pure fear. She doesn’t move a muscle in her body but whispers, “Bailey’s here.” Then she passes out again.

  Luke goes completely still beside us, and we both look at the door at the same time. He starts cussing under his breath when I see my sister and Alex Fucking Moore standing there.

  It happens so fast no one can stop it. Sophie runs through us and bitch slaps my sister so hard her head spins to the side. I try to speak but nothing comes out. Luke jumps up to grab her and pulls her back outside. Jack, still holding Davis, follows. I hear her screaming but my mind is buzzing with denial.

  No, no, no, please don’t tell me this is happening. I look at my sister who is holding her cheek with tears flowing down her face. Her gaze is focused behind me, and I turn to see Davis staring at her through the glass door. When he starts to cry, my protective instincts kick in and I find my voice.

  “Please tell me this is not fucking happening!” I scream and see my mom go to Cara.

  Katy scrunches next to me and lays her hand on Ari’s head. “Son, she needs to be in a bed. I will stay with her while you deal with this.”

  I lift her up and take her to our master bedroom. When I lay her on the comforter, she wakes up but immediately cries. It’s not a quiet cry but a ripping wail, and Sophie runs in and lunges in the bed between us. Katy and Sophie cage her in and all I can do is kiss her forehead.

  “She’s back, she’s back…and he’s gonna leave me again.” I hear her scream as I shut the door. I want to go back and comfort her, but I have to get answers. That woman is my life and something fucked up has just happened.

  When I walk into the living room I look immediately for Davis, but he is still on the patio with Jack. Luke is tense but hanging out to try and soothe my son. I walk outside and tell them to give me few minutes.

  My sister is sitting on the couch crying hysterically. My mom has a wet cloth to her cheek and is whispering. My first instinct is to go to her, but I remember the broken women upstairs and I need answers.

  “Mom, I had no idea. Alex was in Orlando for business and called me. I decided to ride up here with her to surprise you and Reed.” Cara tells mom.

  “Cara, look at me.” She doesn’t look but moves closer to Mom. “I said fucking look at me! Now!”

  My mom scowls but lift’s Cara’s chin; then moves it my way. “Why did Ari call you Bailey? Why is my woman upstairs bawling her eyes out? My son is outside scared to death, and you are here looking guilty. Tell me it’s not what I think.”

  “I-I-I’m so, so, so, sorry. I had no idea. I thought I was helping you by getting rid of her.” Her voice is so soft, I almost don’t hear it.

  “You fucking pretended to be my girlfriend and threatened her?!”

  My mom moves forward so she can see Cara’s face, which tells it all.

  “Get the fuck out! And where is Alex Moore? Get her out too!”

  “Oh, Reed, you don’t mean that. Let me explain. It was for your own good.” Cara begs.

  “NOW!” I lose my temper again.

  At that moment, Alex saunters into the room from somewhere unknown. She grins seductively at me and I want to slap her. I’ve never wanted to hit a woman so badly in my life.

  “So I see she was trying to saddle you, a kid and all, he’s cute.”

  My mom snaps. “Get out of our home, you floozy! That’s my grandson! Cara, how dare you bring her here knowing how she feels about Reed! I was too lenient during your life. You’ve been given everything even when you had disrespect for everyone around you. How could you? How could you do this to him?”

  “You don’t understand, I had to. Besides, I was doing it to protect him. It wasn’t like he was serious about her. His career was about to take off and she was still going to be in school. I couldn’t let her use him.”

  “Use me?! You thought she was using me? What the fuck do you know, huh? You were so goddamned wrapped up in yourself you didn’t even think to ask me about my girlfriend? She was everything to me. I was in love. She obviously wasn’t the one I needed protection from.”

  “Reed, I know all a
bout her. I heard about how she would spend her nights with you but her days with some other guy. She saw you as a way to soar into money and fame.”

  “Look, this little family reunion has been a blast, but I’m gonna bounce. Too much shit going on here. I’m not interested in all this drama.” Alex says over her shoulder walking to the door. “I’ll put your bag by the door Cara.” She walks out but not before she smiles widely and winks at me.

  My blood is boiling, that fucking bitch. As soon as the word ‘blast’ came out of her mouth, I knew it was her. She’s the one who wrote the note and put it in my bag. If Ari wasn’t in such shock and pain, I would have Sophie go after Alex and beat her ass.

  I swing my head back to my sister, who is looking between the door and me with confusion. Her expression changes and her face pales making the red handprint more obvious. She locks eyes with me as I glare at her with pure rage.

  “Ari wasn’t a gold-digging whore was she?”

  I start to answer but don’t get a chance when I hear a growl behind me. Luke is standing there with murder in his eyes. Anger radiates off his tight body.

  “Reed, I’m going to get DL ready and put him to bed. Then I’m going to Ari, I suggest you do the same. And I’d do it quick because she is probably imagining things right now that only you can stop.”

  I walk around him and give Davis a hug and kiss. He has calmed down and is no longer aware of the drama unfolding in my living room. He waves to everyone and my mom blows him a kiss. Jack comes in and stands next to me, crossing his arms over his chest and stares at Cara.

  “He looks just like you.” Cara whispers to me.

  “So I’ve noticed. Now, you’ve got two fucking options. You get to sit on my couch with Mom holding your hand and tell me everything. Or you get the fuck out and never come back. And I don’t mean the eight thousand dollar a month rental house; I mean never come back to any house of mine.”

  “How can you talk to me like this? I thought I was doing the right thing. You never told me you were in love with her!”