Chapter 13
The door slams and the sound reverberates, intensifying the nasty headache I suddenly have. I jerk my blood-spotted tie off and clean up the mess.
“The woman is certifiable,” I grunt.
“Can you think of any reason that might have to do with it?” I glance over to Maisyn standing by the door.
“Not the point. She needs to stay away from me.”
“What’s so wrong with wanting to be with you, Walker?” She crosses her arms, leaning against the wall.
“I’m not getting into that with you, and I’m definitely not discussing it here.”
“That’s fine, but at some point, you need to come clean. Not just to Reese but to yourself, Walker.” She pushes from the wall, swinging the door wide as she exits. Reese a witness in the hallway.
“Great! What a fucking day.” I toss the trash and head out to get my client.
I spend the evening dodging Reese. For her, not me. I also waste a ton of time explaining to domestic violence victims why I have a cut over my eye. Good day, I tell ya. I hide out doing paperwork until the place grows quiet. Latifa comes through, searching for me.
“Hey, Walker.” She taps on the door to gain my attention. “We’re the last ones here. When will you be ready?”
I start straightening my work, shoving the papers into my briefcase. “We can go now. I’ll finish up tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying to make it to my daughter’s basketball game,” she explains, her smile as wide as her face.
“What position?”
We walk out, making our way to the back door. “Forward. Her dad says she’s got a great jump shot.”
“I bet she does.” I hold the door for us. “Let me know when her next game is. I’d love to come watch.”
“Really?” She spins to look at me, her mouth hanging open. “I mean, sure. I’ll do that.”
“I love basketball. Wouldn’t mind catching a game or two.” After closing the door, I check to make sure it’s locked. Something catches my eye. Reese, sitting in her Jeep.
“What’s up, Reese?” Latifa yells at her.
“The ignition sticks once in a while. I’ll get it started in a couple of minutes.” She wrinkles her nose.
“I can take a look at it if you don’t mind?”
She chews on her lip, contemplating my offer. “Naw, it’s all good. She’ll flip over in a few.”
“Let him take a look, Reese,” Latifa pleads. “I’ve gotta run. I’m sorry. Y’all okay on your own?”
“I have my pepper spray if I need to use it.” I wink at her.
“Good to know you’re safe. She’s got a mad right hook.” Latifa giggles when Reese rolls her eyes.
“He’ll be fine because he’s leaving with you. I’ve got this,” Reese snarls at me.
“Go, I’ll take my chances with Rocky Marciano over here.”
“For the record, I did not hit him. Although, the night’s young.” Reese leers at me.
“Okay, okay.” I raise my hands in defeat. “Raging Bull.” I side-eye Reese when Latifa bursts into laughter.
Reese shakes her head, pressing her lips into a fine line. “You’re not funny. And for the record, I can kick your ass without the use of objects.”
“What’s your obsession with my ass?”
She jumps from the Jeep, her face flaming. “I do not have an obsession with you. You ass.”
“Again, you’re talking about my ass.” I smirk.
She steps closer. “I think I might hate you,” she says through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think so, hothead.” I step around her, sliding into the Jeep.
“What are you doing? Don’t you dare lay a finger on anything that belongs to me.”
“Too late.” I wink, drawing a sneer from that gorgeous face.
“Would you please just leave?” I turn the key, listening for the telltale tick.
“No.”
“Why are you tormenting me? Can’t you see you’ve already won? I’m done.” At first glance, I don’t see the glaze forming over her eyes, but there’s no mistaking the waver in her voice.
I swallow past the knot forming in my throat and step from the vehicle. “Reese, it’s never been my intention to cause you pain. I apologize for kissing you. It was outta line.”
Tears brimming her eyes, a line forms between them. “What are you talking about? You not only kissed me, but you then left with another woman. How could it not cause pain?”
“I’m sorry. I crossed the line. Besides, you’re in love with someone else.” Her mouth opens and shuts several times, bringing me up short. “What is it? Candy? She means nothing to me.”
“You leave with a woman and honestly expect me to believe she means nothing to you?”
Fuck, I keep putting my foot in my mouth. “No, I’m not gonna pretend it doesn’t mean anything.”
She squeezes her eyes shut, making her cheeks wet when she tilts her head. “I’m not with Alden. I’m not in love with him, not the way you think.”
“I don’t understand. What are you saying? You told me you love him.”
“I love him, yes. But I’m not in love with him.”
Adrenaline rushes throughout my body as her words begin to sink in. “You’re not with Alden?”
“No, he’s my best friend. That’s all.” A line appears between her brows.
“Why did you tell me differently?”
“I didn’t… exactly.” Her forehead furrows. “I wasn’t truthful because I wanted you to think I was dating someone.”
I lift my brows in recognition. “So I wouldn’t hit on you.”
“No! Honestly, it was stupid.” She shrugs, waving me off.
“Well, then. Please explain. I have all evening.” I lean against her truck, waiting for her.
She fidgets, and her eyes dart from me to the building. “I–I wanted you to think we were together. As in, together.”
I study her. “I get that but why?”
She glares at me for a full minute before blurting it out. “Because I like you and wanted to make you jealous.”
I can’t hide my foolish smile with her confession. “You like me?” Warmth radiates through me.
She squints at me. “Yeah, don’t let it go to your head.”
“Can I ask you something?” My palms sweat, and I suddenly regret the question. “Forget it.”
“You might as well. I couldn’t be more embarrassed than I am right now.”
My stomach flips a million times. I straighten, moving closer to her. When I’m mere inches away, she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. I watch it turn crimson upon contact.
Breath ragged, I stutter my words. “The k-kiss?”
She flushes. “Um-hum.”
“Did you want it? I mean, was it okay?” I struggle to find my words, and her mouth twitches. She completely undoes me.
“I’d be open for you to do it again.” Her eyes burn into my soul.
My nostrils flare at her admission. Leaning in, I run the tip of my nose along her jaw. “In case you didn’t know, I wouldn’t mind doing it again. Ya know, practice.”
She tips her chin to me, laying her cheek against mine. “Practice is good.”
“Reese, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m crazy about you.”
“Really?” The corners of her eyes crinkle with a shy grin.
“Yeah, I don’t know what in the hell to do about it.” My chest constricts when the words fall from my mouth.
“What do you mean, Walker?” She lifts her eyes to mine; her beauty leaves me breathless. Her green eyes see beyond what others see.
“I’m drawn to you. I fight the urge to take you in my arms every day. And as much as it hurts me to stay away from you, the pain it would cause to be with you is too great.”
She pushes away from me. A shudder runs down my spine from the loss of heat. It wasn’t just her body that made me warm. “There isn’t anything about what you said that I understand.”
“You don’t want me, Reese. No one needs me in their life. No one who’s good to the core, like you. You deserve a love of your life, not a life of anguish.” Her face goes ashen, and my heart breaks into a million pieces.
“Why can’t you just admit how you feel? This little game you think is so funny—isn’t. It’s demeaning and deplorable.” I reach for her, but she jerks away, hurrying to her Jeep. She slams the door, throws it into gear, and leaves me in a cloud of dust.
I hang my head in disgust. “Well, Walker. You fucked that up pretty damn good.”
I wander over to my truck, sitting in it for a while before I start it up and head down the road. I need a drink. I flip on the signal light, and my phone buzzes. I look down to see it’s Riley. Just the man I need. I hit answer.
“Hey, brother.”
“What’s up?” Riley’s scary intuitive.
“I keep fucking up.”
“Man, you need to give yourself a break.” His voice lowers as if he’s speaking to a child.
“No, I don’t. I need to stop wrecking every damn thing in my life.”
“So stop.” The knots in my stomach hurt. “Let things happen the way they’re supposed to, man. Let it come to you and don’t hold on so tight. If it stays, good. If it washes away with the tide, so be it. If there’s one thing I know, you can’t control love.”
I clench the steering wheel, trying to steady my breathing. “Ain’t that the fucking truth.”
“It is. If given the opportunity to control their lives, I don’t know a single living person who wouldn’t jump at the chance. But that isn’t living. It’s surviving. You deserve more than to just make it. You have every right to love.”
I hold back the tears before answering him. “Aren’t you the little brother?”
“Yeah, but you know you fuckin’ wish you were me.” He chuckles.
“I couldn’t be the younger one if I tried.”
“Damn right.” We laugh. “Ava wanted me to tell you we’re having Thanksgiving dinner here this year.”
“Shit. Is it already Thanksgiving?”
“Next week.” He pauses. “There’s room for one more.”
“Huh! Fat chance of that happening. I fucked it up about an hour ago.”
“You never know until you try. Let’s get together this weekend and work out the bachelor and bachelorette party details,” he says.
“So she really gonna marry you? I mean, she could be gettin’ with me.” I chuckle.
“Fuck you. She’s mine, even she knows it now.” I imagine him pounding his chest at the fact.
“Well, hell, little brother. She’s owned your ass for long enough, it’s about time you get some.”
“Fuck you again,” he grunts. “I’m flipping you off by the way.”
“No doubt. Later.”
“Later.” He ends the call.
I’m still hung up on what went down between Reese and myself. There’s no way she’ll trust me again. Pretty sure she shouldn’t want to. But then again, she doesn’t know everything I’ve done. She just thinks she wants to be with me. Maybe it’s time she sees why being with me isn’t an option.
I’m sure she already thinks I took Candy home from the gala. Reese thinks Candy means something to me. At this point, the fact that she lied about Alden doesn’t even matter. There’s nowhere to go from here for either of us.
“Get through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the wedding, and hopefully the New Year will be better.” I give myself a pep talk that fails miserably. It’s the same one I gave myself last year, minus the wedding.
It didn’t work then, either.
“Did you get enough to eat?” My mom sits beside me on the couch.
“I did. Too much if I’m being honest.” I rub my belly.
She snickers. “I’ve fixed you some leftovers. Please take them back to the office with you.” She gestures to the kitchen where a stack of plastic containers stands on the counter.
“You didn’t have to do that, Mom. Thank you.” I lean over, kissing her head.
“You’ve been looking slim. I thought you might benefit from some good home cooking.” She pats my leg.
I smile at her. “I surely can, Momma.”
“Are you seeing anyone or are you working yourself to death?” That’s my mom. Straight to the point.
“I’m working. There is no one.”
“I thought Ava said you were talking to a beautiful redhead?”
I’ll kill her. “Not exactly.”
Her eyes narrow. “So, how is it?” A crease forms between her eyes, and her face softens.
“Mom,” I hesitate for two seconds, “I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be. She won’t break your heart.”
I scratch my hair, then the side of my face. “But… what if…” I can’t even look at her. “What happens if I slip?”
“Oh, please. Walker, you’re one of the finest men I know. Not because I’m your mother, but for the fact that I’ve met a few assholes in my life.”
I have to laugh. “She calls me an asshole all the time.”
“Is she right?” She quirks her brow.
“Every time.”
“I bet she doesn’t mean it. Or are you trying to be?” She eyes me.
“He’s trying to ‘warn her off’, or so he says.” Ava plops down on the other side of me. Andi slides into my lap, all smiles, melting my heart.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Walker. I’ll marry you.” She wraps her arms around my neck, planting a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you, but I don’t think it works like that.”
“You can’t marry anyone until I say it’s okay.” She puckers her bottom lip.
“Deal.” I hug her tight. “Ladies, I’m interested, and I promise, if and when I decide to make a move, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I think they’ve already kissed.” Ava smirks, leaning around me to look at Mom.
“Well, at least that’s something,” Mom says, ignoring me.
“Seriously, I’m right here.” I sigh. “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving is on.” I reach for the remote and everyone settles in.