“Reed’s the same way about her too.” Brooke smiles.
“Tiff, you want some—” There’s no need me to finish my sentence, she’s already in the kitchen grabbing a bottle of water.
“So, Brooke, tell me about yourself.” Tiffany sits next to me.
“Tiff, we’ve already covered all that,” I inform her.
“Fine. What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a nurse,” Brooke tells us.
“Ew. No blood for me.” Tiffany shakes her head. “Lexie and I are event planners.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting.”
“It’s not as fun as it sounds.” I lean in closer to her. “It’s mainly bitchy people and cry-babies.”
“Speaking of bitchy people,” Tiffany smiles, “did anyone call you tonight?”
“I don’t want to talk about this right now,” I growl at her.
“Come on. A hot guy is trying to take you out, and you’re acting like you’re going in for a root canal.”
“I want to know more about this hot guy,” Brooke joins in.
“It’s not just any guy. It’s Ashton Campbell,” Tiffany coos.
“Tiffany. Stop,” I hiss at her.
“Wait. Do you mean the Ashton Campbell, the hockey player?”
If I didn’t know better, I think she becomes pale.
“Yes,” Tiffany confirms. “He sent her flowers and offered her a spa day. The whole nine yards. But, she’s stubborn as a mule.”
“Why don’t you want to date him?” Brooke asks. “Seems like a nice guy.”
“No, he’s more like a wart I can’t freeze off,” I explain. “I’m sure that he’s trying to get another notch in his belt or whatever. Besides, he’s too young for me, and I can’t fit his ego into the car.”
“Too young?” Brooke looks confused.
“Miss Old Maid over here thinks thirty is old,” Tiffany clarifies for her.
“Ashton’s only twenty-seven,” Brooke says.
“Are you a Bears fan too?” Tiffany claps.
“Um.” This time Brooke does become flushed. “Yes, you can say that.”
“Yes, more hockey fans! Miss Crabby is a Gamblers fan.” Tiffany thumbs over at me.
“That’s Uncle Jax’s team,” Reed says as he comes into the room with Sadie.
“Uncle Jax?” I’m puzzled.
“You know, I just remembered that I have to be somewhere.” Brooke jumps up. “Thanks for a lovely time.” She grabs Reed’s hand and almost drags him out the door. I barely had a chance to say goodbye.
“Mommy, why did they leave?” Sadie’s voice cracks.
“I think Reed played enough today,” I lie to her.
“Okay.” She goes back to the TV.
“What the hell was all that?” Tiffany asks.
“I have no idea.” I shrug. “Now, I love you, but you need to leave.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I know you and all you’re going to do is talk about Ashton, and I don’t want to. So, I say this with love: get out.”
Tiffany rolls her eyes. “You’re bitchy, and I think you’re making a mistake, but I’ll fulfill your wish and leave. Please remember that he isn’t going to wait forever.” She kisses my cheek and leaves.
I hate when she’s right, but I’m not going out with Ashton.
Chapter Six
Ashton
Lexie has been even more hardheaded than I thought she would be. She’s not letting up at all. Today, I’m supposed to have one big sleepover at my house with Reed and Brooke since I was gone a lot last week, but first I’m making a little pitstop. I’ve been thinking that maybe if I step it up a bit, take it to the next level, then Lexie might finally say yes. I’m not sure why I’m trying so hard for one date, but I’m finding it difficult to stop. She’s beautiful and has one hell of an attitude. All I want is one date to learn more about her. If she still hates my guts after that, or I discover that she’s just as crabby as she seems, then I’ll leave her alone.
But not until I get my chance.
With a bag filled with a box of chocolate-dipped strawberries and two bottles of wine, I walk into the building where I know I’ll find Lexie. I’m changing it up a little because she honestly might be tired of the flowers. Tiffany happily provided the directions to her office, so here I am, hoping a personal appearance might help.
Lexie’s facing away from me, searching through a small filing cabinet. I rap my knuckles on the open wooden door and she turns at the sound, her shoulders dropping immediately. Despite her reaction, I smile.
“No flowers.” I hold up the bag as proof. Her mouth parts, but I keep going. “Before you can say anything, I won’t be here long. I only wanted to give you this.” I set the gifts on her desk.
“Why won’t you give up?” she mumbles. She can’t help but peer to see what I’ve brought her, though. Maybe she’s starting to warm up to me.
“Why won’t you say yes? It’s one measly date, Lexie.”
She glares at me, crossing her arms over her chest. “I have my reasons,” she says evenly.
“If you really wanted to get rid of me, all you would have to do is go on a date and then I’ll leave you alone.”
“Sounds counterproductive,” Lexie comments dryly.
I laugh. “Well, think about it. I’m going to keep my word and not stay long. Have a great day, Lexie, and enjoy the strawberries and wine.” I give her my best, most genuine smile before turning and walking away.
Once I get home, I start getting things ready. There’s cooking to be done as well as rearranging the furniture. Whenever we do the sleepovers, I put down a large air mattress and cover it with three sleeping bags and a bunch of pillows. All of Reed’s favorite movies and board games are out, plus a new one for us to try. With that done, I start cooking.
“Dad!” Reed’s voice yells about an hour later when he bursts through my door.
“Hey, little man. Where’s your mom?” I ask, looking to see that she’s not right behind him.
“Getting her bags.” He rolls his eyes. Brooke always brings like three bags over.
“Well, go be a gentleman and help her carry them in.”
“Yes, sir,” he nods before running back out the door.
They return moments later and get settled in, Brooke coming into the kitchen with me and Reed going to watch TV. From the corner of my eye as she helps me cook, I see her mouth part, close, open, and then close again.
“Say it already.”
She glances at me with surprise. “What?”
“Whatever you want to say, say it.”
Brooke looks in the direction of where Reed is before quietly asking, “Who’s Lexie Allen?”
“How do you know her?” I frown in confusion.
“Sadie, the little girl Reed has been playing with?” I nod. “That’s her mom.”
Lexie is a mom? She’s Sadie’s mom? “Why are you asking me who she is? How do you know I know her?”
“We were at a playdate last week and her friend came over. Your name was mentioned because apparently you’ve been trying to convince her to go on a date with you. Why didn’t you tell me? I mean, I’m glad you’re getting out there, but…”
“There’s nothing to tell, Brooke. I’m having a hard enough time asking her out. I didn’t know she had a daughter, though.” Not that I can blame her for not mentioning it. I haven’t told her about Reed. “Wait. Does she know -”
“No,” Brooke cut me off. “They think I’m a fan of yours, but I didn’t tell her anything. It’s not my place. Although, Reed almost let the cat out of the bag when they were talking about the Gamblers. I hurried out of there when he started talking about his Uncle Jax. I only want to be Reed’s mom for now. Lexie is really nice, but she sure doesn’t like you.”
I frown. “You make it sound like I ruin everyone’s friendships.”
“Ash.” She rests her hand on my arm. “You know that’s not what I meant. I just don’t want me or Ree
d in the middle, especially if you’re trying to date her.”
At least I already know our kids get along well. “So what do you know about her?”
Brooke shakes her head. “I’m not telling you anything. Not my place and I’m not getting in the middle. But,” she drags the word out, “I will say that you might be the perfect guy to get her back into the dating game.”
Before I can respond, Reed pushes his way to stand between us. “Can I help? Do you have any game highlights to tell me about, Dad?”
I sit him up on the counter. “Of course I do. You know, you could be a hockey player like me if you wanted to. Do you want to play?”
Reed looks slightly nervous all of a sudden. “Um.” He glances at Brooke, so I follow his gaze, but she seems as confused as I am. “I don’t want to play, Dad. I’m sorry.” He hangs his head like he’s disappointed me.
“Hey, why are you sorry?”
He lifts his head. “Because I don’t want be a hockey player like you.”
“That’s okay. You don’t have to be like me, Reed. You can do whatever you want.”
He seems to perk up. “Could I play baseball again this year then? I really liked that.”
“Sure, if your mom is okay with it.”
“We’ll work it out once it’s time to sign you up, okay?”
Reed nods. “Oh! Guess what, Dad? There’s going to be a play, and I’m going to play one of the songs I learned on the piano.”
“Really? That’s pretty cool, little man. You’ll be great.” Reed loves music, so Brooke started him on piano lessons and he loves going.
“I’ve been practicing really hard. Are you going to come?”
“When is it?” I glance at Brooke.
“I’ll have to look. I’m not sure of the date.”
Facing a hopeful Reed, I nod. “I’ll do everything in my power to be there.” To stay undercover, I could sneak in right after it starts and hide out in the back. I don’t want any attention to be on me when it should all be on those kids.
We finish cooking, then eat dinner as Reed talks about school, piano lessons, and Sadie. I swear I’ve never seen him talk about someone as much as he’s talked about his new best friend. After dinner, Reed wants to play games, so he thoughtfully looks over his selection before making a choice.
This is what I love the most. My son, my best friend, and us just having fun, laughing and spending time with one another. I love my little family. I’m so thankful that they are in my life because I would be lost without them.
Later, we’re all snuggled into our sleeping bags with Reed in the middle. The lights and TV are off because it’s bedtime. The silence doesn’t last five minutes before Reed speaks up.
“Mom? Dad? How come everyone doesn’t have a dad?”
I lift my head to look at him. “What makes you ask that?” I question him.
Brooke lifts her head too, but I can’t tell what she’s thinking because the nightlight is behind her.
“Sadie. She said her daddy lives in a happier place, watching over her. How come? She said that he loves her, but he doesn’t play with her. Why isn’t her dad here to play with her like you play with me?”
My son has left me speechless. Sadie’s father is dead? I couldn’t imagine raising Reed without Brooke. I couldn’t imagine losing her either.
“I know that if her dad could be here to play with her, he would be,” Brooke answers him. Faintly, I wonder if she knew about this. “Sometimes, a mom or a dad can’t be around to play with their child.”
“But why not? Does he go places like Dad for work? Why doesn’t he come visit her then?” Reed peppers us with questions, not grasping that her dad isn’t alive.
“I don’t know. Maybe you should focus on being her friend for now,” she suggests.
He’s quiet for a few seconds. “Dad?”
“Yeah, little man?”
“Do all dads go live somewhere else? Will you ever leave me and Momma like Sadie’s dad did and I won’t ever see you again?”
My heart hurts that he’s thinking these things, and even worse for Sadie and Lexie. If she lost him, no wonder she doesn’t want to date. I don’t know how long ago this happened or anything. Only that he’s no longer here. “No,” I reassure him. “I won’t ever leave you or your mom.”
Part of me feels like I should apologize to Lexie for so blatantly pursuing her when I don’t know her full story. Then again, Tiffany said it had been a while since someone has flirted with her or done something sweet for her. I have a lot of questions, but it’s really none of my business. Maybe Lexie will eventually say yes and I can get to know her, and whatever that entails.
Chapter Seven
Lexie
I lay my head back on the headrest of my chair. I’m tired, hungry, and stressed all at the same time. Is this how people spontaneously combust? My cell phone buzzing on my desk makes me groan in pain. If this is the Steinbergs again, I swear I’m pulling out of the contract.
“Hello?”
“Lexie, it’s Brooke.” She sounds frantic.
“What is it?”
“Reed is sick. The school just called me. I’m stuck in a meeting, and my boss will kill me if I leave right now. Reed’s dad is supposed to be arriving from the airport soon, but I can’t reach him. Could you go get him? Please, I’m begging.”
“It’s fine. I’m about to take lunch. Call the school and let them know I’ll get him. We’ll go to my house. Let his dad know.”
“Listen, when his dad comes over, I’ll explain everything later. I promise. Thank you so much. I owe you big time.”
I’m not sure what she means, but I can’t let a sick kid remain at school. “No problem. I’m on my way.” I hang up and grab my stuff.
When I pull up to the school, I put in the code to let me into the office. Brooke had already called, and Reed is waiting for me. The poor boy. He’s pale, and you can easily see he’s sick. I take his hand and lead him out to my car. I strap him into Sadie’s booster seat, and we head to my house. Reed is usually talking my ear off, and he hasn’t said a word to me yet. Once we get inside the house, he stands by the door.
“Come on, Reed.” I guide him over to the couch and help him take off his coat. “Lie down here, and I’ll turn on SpongeBob. Okay?”
He nods.
I give him an encouraging smile as he curls up under the blanket. I turn on the TV, and I feel his head. He’s very warm. I decide to take his temperature, and call Brooke. She tells me that his dad should be here soon and he’ll take him to the doctor.
“Hey, Reed.” I bend down close to him. “Your dad’s on his way, okay?”
He nods, and I’m afraid that he’s about to cry.
Poor little boy.
I go to the kitchen and get a small glass of water for him. I’m not sure if he’s allergic to anything, so I don’t want to chance it. He takes a couple small sips, but lays his head back down. After a couple episodes of that annoying yellow sponge and his friends, there’s a knock on the door. That has to be his dad.
I almost fall over when I open the door.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to pick up my son.” Ashton’s hazel eyes stare me down.
“Your son?”
“Reed Campbell.”
My mouth drops. Are you kidding me? “Reed? Reed is your son?”
“Okay.” He steps closer to me. “Not that I don’t enjoy our little talks, because I really do, but right now I’m more concerned about my son.”
I shake my head. “Of course.” I step out of the way, and he walks into my house.
“Daddy,” Reed’s tiny voice squeaks out.
“Hey, little man.” He bends down to him. “I’m here. Let’s get you to the doctor.” Ashton picks up his son, and I help put on his jacket. Ashton thanks me and heads out the door.
I shake my head. I can’t believe that Brooke is Ashton’s best friend. And my daughter’s best friend is Ashton’s son. This day ke
eps getting better and better. I send Tiffany a quick text, letting her know that I’m not coming back in. I clean up the living room and realize that Reed forgot his book bag.
“Crap.” I check my watch. I have to get Sadie soon, but I call Brooke first. “Thanks for telling me that Ashton Campbell is his dad.” I don’t want to be pissed off, but I am a little bit.
“Yeah,” she sounds sad. “I don’t mention it to people. Most of the girls want to be my friend to get to him.”
Well, she doesn’t have to worry about that from me.
“I’m sorry, I should have told you.”
I sigh. “It’s fine.” I wonder if he told her how he’s been sending me gifts and asking me out every single day. “Hey, Reed forgot his bag. Do you want me drop it off at your house? Do you need his bag?”
“Actually I do. Could bring it to Ashton’s house?”
Oh great. That’s what I need, to see him again. “Fine, text me the address. I’ll drop it off after I pick up Sadie.”
“Thank you.”
I lightly bang my head against the wall. How do I get myself into these situations? I give up trying to figure out a way to get out of this. It’s for Reed anyway. I jump into my car and head to the school. Like always, Sadie is waiting for me with her Hello Kitty bag and matching knitted cap.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hey, Sadie. We need to take a quick trip before we go home.”
“Where are we going?”
“To Reed’s dad house. Reed is sick, and he forgot his book bag.”
“Okay.”
In my head, I figure that Ashton would live in a MTV Cribs-like mansion. I’m wrong. His house isn’t much bigger than mine. I roll my eyes. This guys is full of surprises, but I don’t care because I’m still not going to date him.
Brooke’s car is in the driveway along with a large black Chevy truck. That has to be Ashton’s. I grab Sadie’s hand. We walk up the sidewalk and knock on the door. Thankfully, Brooke answers the door.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” She hugs me, pulling me inside.
Great, now I’m in Ashton Campbell’s house.
“It’s no problem.” I hand her his bag. “Well, we should go.” I turn to the door, but Brooke stops me again.
Let's Be Crazy Page 4
