Chapter 27
Deep breaths. In, out, in, out. Shit, I’m just going after my guy, not going into labor. Calm down. -Reina
Reina
I don’t feel at the top of my game in Amit’s huge Atlanta Falcons t-shirt and the sweatpants I’ve folded five times at the top so that I can keep them up as I approach Brian’s hotel room door.
I had put on my big girl panties about an hour ago and called Sophie to tell her what happened. She was a wreck when I reached her.
“What’s going on, Reina? Brian sounds more upset than I’ve ever heard him, and he’s wanting me to come up to Atlanta tonight to get him. I told him to stay his ass where is and settle things with you first. He won’t tell me what happened.” I could tell by the tone in her voice she was trying very hard not to jump to conclusions, but she was having trouble not feeling protective over her brother.
“I just need to explain some things to him. My mom wasn’t the nicest to him, and I should apologize.” That may be the understatement of the year. But she gave me the name of his hotel and his room number and wished me luck.
My phone vibrates and I pull it from my pocket. It’s my mom again. I can’t. I can’t deal with her at all until I’ve done this. I’m still so damn angry with her.
I knock on the door. Nerves jiggle in my stomach and I take a big gulp of air.
Brian answers the door, looking tired and rumpled. My heart goes out to him when he sends me a confused and exasperated look. He’s probably tired as hell, and here I am running after him.
“We need to talk,” I say in a voice that doesn’t leave room for argument. “Please,” I add softly.
“Okay, but I’m tired. I’m not sure how long I’ll make it,” he says and opens the door wide.
I glance around and take note of the wrinkled bed sheets and his wet clothes scattered about. I look over at him. He’s wearing gray sweatpants now, and they look a hell of a lot better on him than mine do on me. They frame his dick in a way that…
“Reina, up here, where my eyes are,” he says in an amused voice.
“Um, well,” I start, then stop. “Can I sit down?”
He crosses his arms and nods towards the bed. “Knock yourself out.”
I sit down on the bed and run my fingers over the soft sheets, seeking comfort. How do I start this? I guess at the beginning.
I tell him about Kyle and what he did to Amit. I tell him about how I’ve tried to guard against falling for anyone because of it.
“I guess the worse thing is that Amit and I let our families continue to believe something could happen between us, especially my mother. She’s always so disappointed in me. I wanted her to think maybe I would finally be able to do something she wanted me to do. I should have made it clear that her dreams of a happily blended family with Amit’s weren’t going to happen. And when she said that stuff to you, I should have walked out with you. I should have taken a stand.”
I sigh and chew on my bottom lip. “There’s more. After the stuff with Kyle, I acted out. I slept with people I shouldn’t have. I snuck out and became wild and reckless.” I shrug. “For a while, I didn’t care what happened to me. Amit pulled me out of that way of thinking. I owe him everything.”
He lifts my chin up and stares deep into my eyes. What I find there gives me hope. What I find there is acceptance, understanding and I think…love.