Second Chance at Forever (Forever Book 2) (41 page)

“Seriously, dad? That’s all I get? You’re not going to tell me anything else?”

“Jackson, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me. I would rather hear about your day, and especially this film you’re working on.”

“I’m fine too, dad. The film is for my class project, and it will go toward my final semester grade. I think it’s a win. Brandon and Clay shot most of the location, and I wrote up the documentary part of it. The film is kind of a tribute to Max Azarian, who died last year from a brain tumor.”

“I’m sorry, son, I didn’t know.”

“He was only at our school for a year, if you want to even say that. He was in and out of hospitals for most of the term, but when he was in school, kids just seemed to flock around him. Kids like Max could have been helped by doctors like Riley’s dad.”

“I’m sure Max’s doctors did everything they could for him.” I tried to ignore my son mentioning the good doctor. He was the last person I wished to talk to my son about. I quickly changed the subject.

“Are you excited for Friday?”

“Clearly not as happy as you seem to be, but I’m looking forward to it.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“It’s written all over your face, dad. I’m happy for you.”

“What about you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’ve been keeping the conversations with Riley to a minimum until we can be together and really talk it out. I guess I should be happy that she hasn’t completely cut me off.”

“Give her time, like I said. I promise you that she will come around.”

“I wish I had your confidence, dad, but for you, I will try.”

“That’s all I ask.”

After dinner, we talked about Jackson’s upcoming prom and graduation. He had all intent and purpose on asking Riley to be his date for the function. They were not graduating at the same time. Jackson’s prom and graduation were weeks ahead of Riley’s, so he wanted to fly back to Maryland to escort Riley to her prom and stay for the graduation that would be one week later. Things always had a way of working out; my relationship with Reese was living proof.

YOU ARE MY Forever. Love, Walker.

My fingers glided over the inscription I had engraved on Reese’s locket. I repaired the broken chain and had the heart polished to look brand new.

As I went through my father’s papers, I not only found the watch he wanted Jackson to have, but also this necklace, the locket I had given to Reese on New Year’s Eve. I remembered word for word what I said to her that night and how this heart would symbolize our love as one. I should have proposed to her right there but I wanted it to be perfect, and when she said yes to my proposal, we would make love for days to celebrate our union. We lost so much time with one another, but I couldn’t worry about what I couldn’t change. I had her back, and that was all that mattered.

My iPad alerted me of an incoming video chat. I put away the gift box and opened up the window to see my beautiful angel smiling back at me.

“You were supposed to call me when you landed in Maryland,” I said. I tried to keep the agitation out of my voice, but looking at her beautiful face had me softening to her.

“Well, I’m sure your security team informed you of my arrival and let you know that I was safe. I wanted to contact you in a different way, if you allow me to show you.”

“What did you have in mind?” I leaned back in my chair.

“Are you on your own?” she asked.

“I am.”

“Good. Because I want to show you something.”

“Have we played this game before?” I teasingly asked her.

“Oh, we’ve played this game before, but as much as this is visual, it is also a trivia game.”

“So if I win at this game, what will my prize be?”

“Anything you want,” she said seductively.

Her cheeks were fiery red, and I could almost see her pulse throbbing from her succulent neck, which I just wanted to stroke my tongue over.

“I like this game, Reese, and I do intend to win. Please carry on with your little show and tell.”

“I will, but I need you to close your eyes first.”

The second my eyes closed, my dick stood at full mast.

“Open your eyes, sexy” she whispered.

My eyes quickly found hers, and then they travelled up her body, and I knew exactly what she wanted me to remember. My beautiful Georgia Peach was laid out on her king-sized bed, displaying her beauty before me and wearing the same lingerie she wore on the night we made love for the first time.

“You’re a tease. Haven’t I warned you about playing with my emotions, especially when we are miles apart from one another? I can have my plane ready in an hour.” She giggled and enjoyed my obvious discomfort. I showed her my erection, and her giggling increased to a laugh out loud roar. She held her stomach and wiped her tears from her eyes. I couldn’t help but to laugh as well. It felt good to laugh and finally feel something more than hate, loneliness, and despair.

“Well, Walker? What am I wearing?” She knew I would remember, and my angel definitely wanted to lose this wager, oh I loved her so much. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

“You, my love, are wearing the same corset that I peeled off of you with my teeth on the night we made love for the first time. However, I do remember tearing your panties.”

“These are new, but everything else is the same, down to the shoes.” She showed me her feet.

“I hadn’t known that you kept it all.”

“I did, baby. I only wore this on our first night, and then after we parted, I tucked it away along with the rest of my brokenness. To see it was too painful, but I knew I couldn’t part with it. I found it tonight in my closet and wanted to show you how much I missed and loved you even when we were not together.”

God! She wounds me with her honesty and beauty.
I closed my eyes and counted to ten before I opened them up to her again. Thinking of the pain of our past was the last thing I wanted to revisit, but I knew that if we were ever to move forward, she would need to know everything.

“I love you Reese, more than you will ever know. Thank you for my surprise, and I will look forward to my reward.”

She smiled back. “I look forward to giving it to you.”

“One more comment like that, Reese, and I will call my pilot. Friday seems too far away, and I’m barely hanging on as it is. Can you put a robe on, and then we can talk?”

She smiled and bounced off of her bed, but not before giving me a twirl and blowing me a kiss. When she returned back on the screen she was wearing a silky, black sleeveless top and matching short shorts. I couldn’t decide if my heart or dick was throbbing more at the sight of her.

“Reese, I asked you to put a robe on, not change into another provocative outfit.”

“I did, Walker. I’m completely covered up.”

“Have it your way, love, and enjoy your version of pajamas, because when I get my hands on you, they will be the only things on your body.”

“I’m sorry to tease you.”

“No, you’re not sorry, but you’re forgiven anyway.” She smiled and began to blush again.

“Are you all set for Georgia?” I asked.

“Yes, I am. I have my luggage and Riley is already packed. She’s excited to see Nana and Granddaddy. I am too. I’ve stayed away longer than I should have, but Samuel could never take the time to get away, and yet he minded when I went without him.”

So Samuel kept her from Lila and Thomas? That bastard!

“You don’t ever have to worry about missing or seeing them again. We will all be reunited soon enough.” Her face fell as she struggled to say her next words to me.

“What is it, Reese? Why are you upset?”

“Walker, I want to talk to you about our trip. I need to see my grandparents alone, before I tell them about us.” My heart plummeted in my chest.

“No, no Reese, we agreed that we would face them together. Why are you now changing your mind?”

“Walker, please try to understand that I’m not trying to hurt you, I just need some time with my grandparents before I announce my divorce to Samuel and my reunion with you. My feelings have not changed, believe me. Every single day and year that passed while we were apart, I kept my reasons to myself. I never told anyone the real truth behind me leaving you. Only Samuel knew, and I have had to carry it all with me all of these years. I know they will be happy for me, but I have to believe they will have questions and may even be angry with me for not going to them when I should have.”

Everything she said to me made sense, but at the same time, it felt like rejection. I tried to gain control over this conversation, but it appeared that Reese had made up her mind.

“Okay, Reese, when can I arrive?”

“Saturday morning, first thing.”

I COULDN’T REMEMBER a longer week than this one, but we made it to Friday, and Riley and I were meeting with Samuel before heading to the airport. I kept my conversations with Samuel to a minimum, and when we spoke, we only discussed Riley. I didn’t wish to remind Samuel of my relationship with Walker and the fact that our divorce was moving along to its finality. He kept himself busy with work, and while we were going to Georgia, he had to go to London to attend a medical conference. It was to take place later in the year, and while I was in New York the first time, it had gotten re-scheduled. Samuel stopped by the house before leaving for the airport to say goodbye to his daughter.

I gave them their privacy, and when they emerged from his office, surprisingly Riley appeared to be in good spirits. I watched them embrace once more, and then Riley took her place in the limo and waited for me to join her. Reaching for Samuel’s hands, maybe on instinct, I wanted to know that he was okay, or at least trying to be. I held his hands in mine and looked up to his sad eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Samuel. I never meant to put that look there. I only hope that one day we can be friends again for the sake of our daughter.”

“We were always friends, Reese. I guess that was one of our problems. If I would have treated you more like a lover, then maybe we would have made it. Don’t feel sorry for me. That is the last thing I need or could ever want from you. You made your choice, Reese. Now go live your life, and I will do the same.”

Our hands disconnected, but not before Samuel leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I will always love you, Reese, but I would rather have you as a friend than nothing at all.” I just nodded and watched him leave into the other waiting car.