Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 551(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 367(@300wpm)
“I’m proud of you too, babe, I’m just scared if I get picked by a team on the West Coast, you’ll change your mind about coming with me.” He moves my hair to the side and kisses along my exposed jaw line to my earlobe.
“Reed, I told you. Once we know where you’re going, we’ll come up with a plan. I’m staying here this summer to complete as many credits as possible. Then I’ll apply to a college wherever you are. It may not happen immediately, but we’ll work through the details.”
“That’s what I’m scared of. Giving you that time. You may finally come to your senses and realize I’m a dumb jock that isn’t good enough for you.” He continues to kiss and suck on the sensitive flesh and I drop my head back enjoying the heat starting in my body. He knows what he’s doing because I feel him grin against my collarbone.
“Reed, I thought we covered this. I’ll go with you as long as you want me. You’re not a dumb jock; you’re one of the smartest people I know. I’m the one scared you’ll change your mind. Once you get a taste of the finer things in life, you may decide—”
“Don’t, Ari; there is nothing finer in life than being with you. I love you.”
“I love you too, Reed, so much I’m scared.”
He stops kissing me and stares into my eyes. His body language is so serious I want to cower, but I don’t. I gaze up at him and wait for him to speak.
“Don’t be scared, Ari, I plan on taking care of you for the rest of our lives. You never need to be scared with me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Even though it’s painful, I smile at the memory and he growls.
“Did you just growl?”
“Ari, I’m not sure if you have been in this room tonight, but we just found out we were both manipulated, someone broke us up on purpose and in doing so, kept one of the biggest things in my life a secret. What the hell are you smiling about?”
“I was thinking about the night you found out about the four teams. You acted the same way.”
His lips raise in a slight grin and his face softens. “I can’t believe you remember that.”
“Reed, I remember every minute with you.”
“I feel like such a fool. I should have demanded you talk to me. I should have been the man I promised you.”
“Whoever did this to us, played on both our insecurities. Mine especially. I always felt you were too good for me.”
“Oh, Ari, please tell me it’s not too late for me.”
“I’m not going to tell you anything. I want you to think about something, Reed, and when you make up your mind and I know you’re sincere, we’ll see about the next steps.”
“What?”
“Davis is a child. He’s three years old and doesn’t understand the lifestyle you lead. The travel, the fame, the money, the women, any of it. To him, a big day is the park and ice cream. We live modestly, but our home is filled with love. I try not to spoil him and we’re currently in the process of learning not to pee in the bed at night. Our lifestyle isn’t glamorous, and I won’t allow you to try and change that. I don’t want him to get hurt either. He has one male figure in his life and that’s Luke. If we introduce you, we’ll need to take it slow.”
“Of course.”
“No, Reed, think about it. I need to know you’re serious.”
“There’s nothing in the world—not one thing—more important right now than me getting to know my son and be a part of his life.”
My head is spinning. The revelations in the last hour have me feeling confused, hurt, and angry. I want to yell at him, scream about letting me go so easily, but then I think about how I did the same. I didn’t stay and fight. I let my humiliation and pride get in the way. Immaturity and devastation kept me from confronting him and demanding he talk to me. I’ve never been a bold person, but I should have listened to Sophie and Luke. I should have been the bigger person since another life was in the equation.
Guilt overwhelms me. Not for Reed, but for the child in the other room. My parents taught me to be a kind person, but Grandma Katy instilled compassion and forgiveness. Reed may have hurt me but Davis should not suffer because of my pain and mistakes. I would never forgive myself. I stare at Reed for a minute and watch the emotions across his face. His mind is made up. He wants this.
“Alright then, have a seat. Let’s go over some of your questions. First up, birthday is September 15th.”