Chapter 58
—Kasey—
Banks arranged for the Gatlin jet to fly down to Denver and pick me up, and I met Peter at the private airport early that afternoon.
The arrangement was a godsend. I still didn’t have clearance to drive and didn’t want to fuck around with the repercussions of taking Mom’s car without her permission again. As it was, my parents weren’t thrilled about me traveling alone with an open-ended return date but hugged me and wished me the best before I boarded.
An hour and a half later, Simmy greeted me at the private airstrip just outside of Gatlin Falls.
“Welcome back,” she said as we teetered from side to side while hugging hard.
“Thanks, babe. I have no idea what I’m walking into, but I hated not doing anything.”
Understanding softened Simone’s smile. “To be honest, we don’t know the full extent either. He seems so lost all of a sudden.”
I bit back the ache in my throat. Reed had fought for me in my greatest time of need. He didn’t give up and didn’t back off. He’d shown me what it was to love someone at their lowest. At their weakest. No matter what. I’d grown to love him again—the kind of love that survived against the odds and conquered everything life threw at it. It was that passion burning in my belly that brought me back to Gatlin Falls. I refused to stay in my dormant world while he struggled in his.
It was my time to fight for him.
For Posie.
For all of us.
I blinked back tears and linked arms with Simone. “Is Banks in the car?”
“No. He’s on a callout.”
Relief relaxed my shoulders. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Banks, but I don’t think I can handle his smart-ass right now. I’d snap.”
Her arm tightened on mine, and she snickered. “He’s subdued at the moment and worried like crazy about Reed.” Simone’s mouth then pressed into a tight downward arch. She visibly searched for words before turning her bright hazel eyes on me.
“I don’t think you’ll be walking into daisies and sunshine, Kase. Just… prepare yourself for that. He’s not the same Reed at the moment.”
“It’s no wonder. Even the thought of what happened makes me want to be sick.”
“It has everyone in town shook.”
I hummed and trailed off as the valet brought Simone’s car around. We made small talk as we headed for Gatlin Falls, and by the time she pulled into Reed’s driveway, I was both feeling ready to walk into the eye of the storm and nervous about his mental state.
I puffed out a sharp exhale.
Simone shot me an empathetic smile. “You okay?”
“Yes. No. Fuck, I don’t know.” I ran my tongue over my lower lip. “Just not sure how this is gonna go down.”
Simone’s warm, grounding touch landed on my arm. “You and me both, babe. And if you need help in a hurry, we’re only a phone call away.”
She glanced at the house. “He’s at work at the moment, but Connie’s inside. Would you like me to walk you in?”
Indecision had me pausing with my hand on the door latch. “Have I met her before?”
Her lips twisted in thought. “I’m not one hundred percent sure, but even if you haven’t, she’s the sweetest old lady you’ll ever meet. She’s Posie’s nanny and like a godmother to the Gatlin Boys.”
From what I’d already seen and experienced of Reed’s parenting, he wouldn’t leave her with anyone he didn’t trust with his entire soul.
“I think I’ll be okay. If she kicks me out, I’ll call,” I joked.
Simone’s pretty face lit up with amusement. “She won’t. She’ll be making a pot of coffee before you get both feet in the door.”
“Urgh, I think I’ll need something stronger than coffee!”
My bestie laughed and met me at the trunk. “Just don’t get shit-faced.”
“Girl, please,” I sassed.
After grabbing my suitcase and giving Simone one last hug, I pulled my shoulders back, let out a sharp exhale, and walked toward Reed’s front door like I was heading into battle.