Reed's Reckoning (32 page)

“You’re sick, just sick. Arianna Williams could be in bum-fuck Egypt and I would be there with her. She’s my family. Hell, she’s closer to me than family. She’s gone through more with me than anyone knows. I may seem like a rock to her, but she is my lifeline when it comes to keeping me sane. So fuck you.”

I look in Luke’s eyes and know exactly what he means. I helped him through some tough times and we will always be together. We are used to people not understanding the connection we built as kids.

“Anything else?” Trey directs the question to Sarah.

“Yeah, I am fucked. Not sure if you know, but Alex Moore is outside watching.”

“Who cares?” I ask.

“Oh, Ari, didn’t you know? Her dad’s company is the multi-million dollar account you and Phillip just signed. We’re both screwed.”

“Go, Trey! Get her! I’m filing a restraining order today!” Reed yells and Trey takes off.

I start shaking and Reed gathers me in his arms. I hold on tight until Luke reaches me.

“Damn, Ari, you can never catch a break. I’ve got you.” Luke says softly into my ear. Reed lets me go but kisses the top of my head and runs after Trey. Jack moves to his side.

“This is what I couldn’t understand Luke, I needed to know you cared about me like you do her.” Sarah cries again.

“You don’t need to understand, you just needed to accept she is my family.”

I hold on tighter and sob silently not caring about the scene we just caused.

All week has been work as usual which makes me uneasy. I’ve been completely attentive to my clients, but I have a bad feeling. Phillip has signed off on the work remotely program but I still need to talk to him.

My gut tells me to let this play out, however, I have one idea, and plan to use it.

“Phillip? You in here?” I knock on his cracked door and hear shuffling.

“Give me a minute!” he yells and I stand back. I hear him cut off a call and I enter.

“Arianna! What are you doing here so late?” he asks uncomfortably.

“We need to talk. Seriously talk. Reed knows I’m going to be late.”

His face reddens and he starts to pack his things. “I’ll schedule a meeting next week. I need to go.”

“Phillip it’s important.” I plead with him and his eyes dim.

“Okay, Ari, but I know what’s going on. Mr. Moore called and explained there was a huge conflict of interest. He just figured out who you are. His side of the story is much different than what you shared with me.”

“What exactly did he say? Did he tell you the whole story about his crazy—”

“Stop!” he interrupts me. “There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to hold onto her dignity and her boyfriend. I had no idea you got pregnant on purpose.”

Shock overwhelms me and I see red but I need to keep focus. “Phillip, I think you need to hear my story.”

“Ari, I’m not sure you understand the significance of Mr. Moore’s money. Your tryst has put the accounts in jeopardy and I have to figure out a way to save the relationship. I know I don’t have to tell you this, but if we lose his investments because of a college affair gone bad, you will lose your job.”

I am furious. How dare he! “Phillip, I’ll let your unprofessional and uneducated comments slide for now. But I suggest you sit down and listen before I slap you and this bank with slander, harassment, and unlawful termination. There’s a lot you don’t know, and after Monday morning, you won’t have to worry about your precious freaking accounts and me anymore.”

He sits down and I tell him my tale for an hour. He only interrupts to clarify. I purposely leave out Sarah. When I’m done, Phillip looks at me ashamed and he shakes his head and apologizes. Then I tell him my plan for Monday morning and leave. He may be sorry, but knowing he believed Mr. Moore without even talking to me cuts deep. I’ve lost all respect for him.

When I get to the beach house, Davis is already dressed in his pajamas and Reed is finishing up dinner. I kiss him quickly and then go to change. As I get Davis in bed, he talks non-stop about his day and the birthday party he’s going to tomorrow. The party is for a new child in his class and it’ll give me a chance to meet some more of the parents. This reminds me I left the gift at my house—shit. One more stop I’ll have to make on the way to the party.

Reed is waiting on me when I join him back in the kitchen with tired eyes. He is exhausted. He’s worried about us on top of going back to work this week. The heat is at a summer high and he practices for hours with the team. No one has seen or heard from Alex Moore. Trey was right that we could not get a restraining order without a visible threat. We were always on alert, but I wasn’t sure what we were looking for.

“Angel, I talked to coach and the General Manager today. I told them there’s a good chance I have a stalker. I explained Alex’s involvement in anything that has my name attached to it. They are concerned and the GM knows Alex’s dad.”

“You think that’s bad?” I ask. “Mr. Moore called Phillip today and told him Alex was your girlfriend and trying to hold on to dignity and I got pregnant on purpose.”

“How has this happened? I mean I don’t even talk to the woman and she has convinced people we’re a couple? I’m not buying it. Don’t her parents wonder why they never saw us together? Why I don’t claim her? Hell, everyone knows I was single—I’ve never been attached to anyone but you.”

“Honey, I think she’s sick. But what makes me scared is that she’s sat back in the shadows all this time. She’s never made a move on you. She’s had plenty of chances. Now we find out she potentially had something to do with your sister’s accident, she coerced my co-worker into telling her about us, and she’s had her father tell my boss I am basically a home-wrecker. Why is she doing this?”

“I think I should try to talk to her. Since she got away Monday morning, maybe I can get her number and set up a meeting in a public place.”

“I hate to agree, but maybe it will sink in if you tell her there’s no chance for a relationship.”

He nods his head and takes out his phone. Trey sends him Alex’s number a few minutes later and he looks at me apprehensively. I squeeze his hand for encouragement and then finish dinner.

“Alex, this is Reed Matthews. I was hoping we could talk.”

Silence

“Alex, this is not a date. Can you meet me tomorrow at the café on Twelfth at eleven am?”

Silence

“I don’t know what you mean, but we can discuss it tomorrow. I think it’s time we got some stuff straightened out. See you then.”

He hangs up and drops his head to his chest. “That woman may just scare me a little. You would have thought I was asking her to run away with me.”

“Sick. I am really worried about her. Hopefully tomorrow you can set things straight and we can move on.”

“You know we only have two more weekends here at the beach house. After this fucking meeting tomorrow, I want to take advantage of that.”

“Yeah, I want low key. I have to go to that birthday party in the morning and then want to relax. The commute for you this week has been hell.”

“Not really the commute, babe, it’s the practice in the hundred degree heat with powerhouse two hundred and twenty pound corners and safety’s coming after me. I’m a little out of practice and they aren’t taking it easy. Don’t worry I’ll get my mojo back.”

“Sweetheart, are you sure you’re ready?”

“Yep, it feels great to be out there again. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Now I have extra motivation too.” He frames my face with his hands and kisses me gently.

“I hate to tell you, babe, but I’ve never hidden the fact I am clueless about football. I think you need to give me lessons. I don’t want to look like an idiot at my first NFL game.”

“Gladly. Now let’s eat. I want to finish dinner and have dessert in bed tonight.” He wags his eyebrows at me and my skin tingles.

“Reed, I’ve always been a fan of dessert before dinner.” I walk by him sliding my shorts off and toss them on the ground. When I hit the threshold to the bedroom, I strip my shirt and stand in just my black lace bra and panties. The look on his face is primal and he turns off the stove and practically runs to me. I try to get away, but he throws me on the bed and covers my body with his own.

“Have I told you I like when you show your vixen side?”

“Only for you.”

“Fucking better be. Now let’s talk about that dessert.”

The hostess recognizes me when I enter the café and for once, I wish my face were anonymous. I’ve never minded the attention I get, but today I want to be invisible so no one gets the wrong idea. It was hard to leave Ari this morning and I could tell she was anxious about this meeting. She tried to keep a smile on her face and share Davis’s excitement over the birthday party, but it was strained. When I kissed her goodbye, I felt her holding back. We’ve come too far for her to close down again. This Alex shit has got to stop.

I saw Trey’s car across the street when I arrived. I should have known he would be watching. A part of me is glad to know he has my back if things don’t go well.

I ask for a two top near the back so Alex doesn’t get the wrong idea and try to sit next to me. She arrives on time and the hostess looks at me oddly when I back away from Alex’s attempt at a hug.

“Reed, I am so glad you called. It’s been too long since we’ve had a chance to catch up.” She purrs. Her sundress is so skimpy I wonder if it was made to be a shirt.

“Not a social visit, Alex. I want some answers and then I want you to leave me alone.”

“No need to be so rude.”

“Rude? You think this is rude? After what you did to Ari and me? What is wrong with you?”

“Oh for God’s sake. I did you a favor. I’m sorry I didn’t save you sooner. But I guess now you will want to be a part of that boy’s life. I’ll deal.” She waves her hand dismissively.

Black spots cloud my vision and I’m positive my blood pressure just spiked. “Are you insane? How can you even think you did me a favor? That’s my fucking family. And I can promise you will never get close enough to Davis to touch him.”

“Reed, you can be mad all you want, but I couldn’t stand by and let that woman take advantage of you. I did everything for you to make sure you got what you deserved. Look at you now. You never would have made it to your level if you were strapped down with a kid. And I couldn’t let her sink her claws into you so I took care of it for you. You should thank me.”

“What the fuck? Did you know she was pregnant?”

“I had a suspicion. I heard her on the phone one day making an appointment at the clinic. I knew I had to save you from throwing your career away.”

“Alex, are you ill? I mean it. Do you have a clinically diagnosed condition?”

Her eyes flash and she stares at me shocked. “Of course not.”

“Then what the hell is wrong with you? Masterminding a painful split, bringing my sister in to your web of deceit, following me around all these years, tracking me here and stalking me?” My voice is a little louder than I meant and people turn to look at us.

“You should be thanking me. I’ve been patient too, making sure I would fit into your life and be the perfect wife to you.”

“
Wwwhhhhhaaattt
?” She is certifiable.

“I’ve been very patient with you. The humiliation I’ve endured since college is over. It’s time we move this thing forward. I can deal with the kid, but I am sick of waiting.”

My head spins with confusion and pure confusion. “Humiliation? Move this thing forward?”

“Yes, Reed. The constant rejection in college was embarrassing. Especially after the night we shared at that party. I’ve done what I need to do to be seen as your equal and now it’s time you fulfill your end of the bargain.”

“Again, what the fuck?”

“Don’t you remember? We talked for hours that night. You explained what was needed from me to be the perfect woman in your life.”

“Night at a party? Talking for hours?”

“Yes, Reed! The night Cara came Spring break of your senior year.”

“You mean the night you manipulated your way into breaking me up with the love of my life? The night you wrote a bullshit note leading me to believe Ari left me? The same night I drank myself into an oblivion with nothing but Ari on my mind?”