~ Chapter 38 ~
Reed had played in championship games.
He had stood in front of crowds that screamed his name.
He had taken impossible shots with seconds on the clock.
None of that compared to the quiet, steady nerves sitting in his chest as he pulled into his childhood driveway with Eva in the passenger seat.
His hands were gripping the steering wheel harder than necessary.
Eva noticed.
Of course she did.
She reached over and slid her fingers through his, squeezing gently.
"You okay?"
Reed nodded.
"Yeah."
It was technically true.
He just hadn't realized how badly he wanted her to be loved here until this exact moment.
His house wasn't huge.
Not flashy.
Warm brick exterior.
Lights glowing in the windows.
The faint smell of garlic and herbs already drifting into the cold evening air.
Home.
Eva shifted in her seat.
Reed glanced over.
She was wearing a soft, deep green dress that hugged her curves without trying too hard, falling just above her knees, paired with tights and ankle boots. A cream cardigan hung open over it, sleeves pushed slightly up her arms.
Her hair was down.
Loose.
Shiny.
Framing her face.
She looked... beautiful.
Not in a polished, intimidating way.
In a she's mine and she chose me way.
Reed swallowed.
"You look really good," he said.
Eva's cheeks warmed instantly.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
She smiled.
That soft one.
The one that always did things to him.
Before he could say anything else, the front door flew open.
"REED!"
Matteo came barreling out like a human missile.
Twelve years old.
All elbows and energy.
Reed barely had time to brace before Matteo slammed into his chest.
"You're late," Matteo accused.
Reed ruffled his hair. "Miss me?"
"No," Matteo lied.
Then he noticed Eva.
Stopped.
Stared.
"Is this Eva?"
Eva blinked. "Uh—hi?"
Matteo's eyes widened.
"You're pretty."
Reed groaned.
"Jesus, Mat."
Eva laughed.
Not polite.
Not awkward.
Real.
"Thank you," she said. "You must be Matteo."
Matteo nodded aggressively.
"I'm his favorite person."
Reed snorted. "You're my only little brother."
"Exactly."
The front door opened wider.
"Reedino."
His dad stood there.
Same calm presence.
Same steady eyes.
Same sharp, but warm blue eyes. Black hair.
Same quiet strength Reed had modeled himself after his whole life.
Reed stepped forward.
"H-hey."
His dad pulled him into a hug.
Firm.
Grounded.
Then his gaze shifted to Eva.
"And you must be Eva."
Eva nodded nervously.
"Yes, sir."
His dad smiled.
"You don't have to call me sir. Call me Marco."
Eva relaxed a fraction.
"I'm glad you're here."
Reed hadn't realized how badly he needed to hear that.
Then came the voice.
The one that ran this house.
"My bambino!"
Nonna appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, eyes already glossy.
She stopped.
Looked at Eva.
Gasps dramatically.
"Madonna mia."
Reed closed his eyes.
Nonna walked straight past him and took Eva's face gently in her hands.
"You are beautiful."
Eva froze.
"Oh—thank you."
Nonna turned to Reed.
"She is too thin."
Eva blinked.
Reed choked.
Nonna wagged a finger at Reed.
"You feed her."
Reed nodded solemnly. "Yes, Nonna."
Eva laughed.
Nonna pulled Eva into a hug.
"Welcome home."
Something in Reed's chest cracked open.
Dinner was chaos.
Loud.
Warm.
Italian voices overlapping.
Matteo arguing about soccer.
Nonna trying to feed Eva every five minutes.
His dad asking Eva about school.
What she liked.
What she wanted to do.
Eva answered politely.
Thoughtfully.
At one point, Reed reached across the table and took Eva's hand.
Not dramatic.
Not performative.
Instinct.
Eva squeezed back.
His dad noticed.
Didn't comment.
Just smiled into his wine.
Matteo leaned across the table.
"So do you kiss my brother?"
Eva nearly died.
"MATTEO," Reed barked.
Eva's face was bright red.
Nonna laughed.
"Of course she kisses him. Look at him."
Reed buried his face in his hands.
Eva peeked at Reed.
Then leaned over and kissed his cheek.
Soft.
Sweet.
In front of everyone.
The table went silent.
Then exploded.
Matteo gagged.
Nonna clapped.
His dad raised an eyebrow.
Reed stared at Eva.
"You okay?" she whispered.
Reed nodded.
He felt ten feet tall.
Later, Eva helped Nonna in the kitchen.
Reed leaned against the doorway watching.
Eva listened.
Asked questions.
Let Nonna show her how to stir sauce.
Let her talk.
Let her hover.
Nonna adored her.
Reed saw it.
Felt it.
His dad joined him quietly.
"She's good for you."
Reed didn't hesitate.
"I know."
His dad nodded.
"That's rare."
Reed swallowed.
That night, Eva sat on the couch between Reed's legs, leaning back against his chest while Matteo played video games and yelled at the screen.
Reed's arms were around her.
Easy.
Protective.
Eva reached up and absentmindedly traced circles on his forearm.
Reed felt it everywhere.
Not sexual.
Not only that.
Bonding.
Claiming.
Later, when they were alone in his room, Eva sat on his bed, cardigan slipping slightly off one shoulder.
She looked up at him.
"Your family is really nice."
Reed sat beside her.
"They like you."
Eva smiled.
"I like them."
She paused.
"Your dad is kind."
"He is."
"And Nonna is... intense."
Reed laughed.
"That's putting it lightly."
Eva leaned into his side.
"I like where you come from."
Reed kissed the top of her head.
"I like where I'm going."
Eva tilted her face up.
Soft eyes.
Open heart.
She kissed him.
Slow.
Sweet.
Sure.
Reed kissed her back.
Deeper.
Warmer.
Not rushed.
Not hungry.
Full of meaning.
When they pulled apart, Reed rested his forehead against hers.
"You're my person," he said quietly.
Eva's breath caught.
"You're mine too."
Reed knew it then.
Not in a dramatic, movie-moment way.
Not in a lightning strike way.
In a steady, grounded, irreversible way.
Eva Winter was the woman he was going to build his life with.
And he had never been more certain of anything.