Chapter 31
“Honey, I’m home.” The sound of Reese’ voice brings a smile to my face. I toss the file I was working on to my desk, rounding to meet her at my office door.
“Hey, baby.” She greets me by pressing her soft lips to mine. Her dress clings to her curves, making everything south of the belt stir. “I’m happy to see you. How was your day?”
She shakes her head, blowing out an exaggerated breath. “He’s dying,” she confesses with glossy eyes. “He comes back to tell me he’s leaving me. I can’t believe it.”
“I’m sorry.” I take her in my arms, and she clutches onto me. Reese hangs on like I’m her lifeline, trembling beneath me.
“I promised him I’d go back.” Her body goes rigid, and she pulls away. “I also agreed to take that damn case. Why would I do those things?”
“Why do you think you agreed?”
“You’re an attorney, Walker. Not a damn psychologist.” She wheels around, stunning me with her animosity.
I shove my hands in my pockets. “Wow.” I pause, hoping it will help her gather her thoughts.
Her head snaps around. “Oh, God. I’m sorry.” Her tear-filled eyes search mine for understanding.
I decide to tread lightly. “I can’t imagine how this must feel.”
She steps away, averting her eyes. “Why is this affecting me this way?” She shakes her head, wandering around the room.
I lean against my desk, letting her have plenty of space. “I’m not sure my opinion counts here.” I fold my arms across my chest, my forehead creasing.
She spins on me, her eyes wide, mouth hanging open. “Of course, it counts.” She drags her hands through her hair. “You should know that.”
“I think having your dad’s love, no matter how you can get it, is important to you.”
“Maybe it is. Is that so bad?” She leers at me. “The fact is, you could never understand. Your parents are amazing.”
“I fully comprehend how you must feel, Reese,” I say, parting my lips as my breath quickens. What the fuck is going on?
She rounds on me, shaking. “How could you? Let’s look at this from my point of view. You have supportive parents.”
“How is any of this about me or my parents?”
“You’ve never had to work for their approval. Your parents love you,” she seethes, her face deep red as she runs her hand over her wet cheek.
“I’ll be damned I’ve never worked for their approval,” I snap, scowling at her.
“Oh, that’s right. You fucked up the perfect engagement and had to run away until you could fix it.” She levels me with a glare.
I step back, holding my breath and my words for a moment. “Where the fuck is this coming from?”
“Maybe this is how I feel. Maybe I’m tired of your perfect life. Fuck, I’m tired of my own life right now,” she screams, pressing her hands to her head, frustration written on her face.
I drop my hands in defeat. She’s hurt beyond anything I’ve seen. The strong, beautiful, intelligent woman I know is reduced to ashes.
“Reese?” Her eyes flash to mine, tears on her face. “How can I help, baby?”
She throws her hands in the air, her entire body trembling. “I don’t even know.”
I step toward her, placing my hand on her shoulder. I caress her face, slipping my hand around her neck. I pull her to me, holding her to my chest, and she breaks. Reese falls into me, crying. She’s angry, scared and, most of all, hurt.
“Why did he wait until he’s dying to find me?”
“I don’t know. Maybe circumstance stopped him. You can only make the best of it if that’s what you want.” I hold her close, swaying to calm her.
“How am I supposed to know what to do? I’ve never done this before.” She’s right. Mistakes are bound to happen the first time you try anything,
“Me either. I suppose we’ll figure it out as we go.” I lay my head against hers. I’ve never seen Reese this unhinged. “I love you, Reese.”
Her body jumps as she chuckles. “What if all I can do is yell?”
“I’m here for anything you need. Though I do prefer you not yelling. Makes me nervous.” I snicker.
“Sorry. I’m just… everywhere.” She grips my shirt with both hands, holding me to her. “Can we go to bed?”
“We can, and I’ll make you a hot cup of cocoa.”
“I’m not sure what to do, Walker. I want to help him, I want to be there for him, but then again, I don’t.
I made it this far without him. I don’t understand why he’s acting as if he can’t make it without me.
” She searches my eyes for an answer, answers I don’t have.
And I sure as hell don’t know how to get them.
Bright light streams in from the crack in the curtain. I pry my other eye open with determination. I’m closing that damn window. Sitting up, a chill runs down my spine, making me shiver. I stagger over, yanking the material together. When the cold surrounds me, I’m frozen in place.
Where’s Reese?
I look over my shoulder to the bed. Empty.
Turning, I look at the bathroom door. It’s open, but the lights are off.
The noise in my head pounds out a relentless beat.
I force myself to the living room, stumbling as I try to keep myself upright.
I scan the room quickly. She’s not here.
I take off, full-on running down the stairs.
Hitting the doors, I bump into them. They’re locked.
She’s gone. I flip the switch, bolting outside.
Her Jeep’s gone. I fist my hair because I know she’s running.
I feel that shit in my gut. I race inside, taking the stairs two at a time.
I grab the first thing I can find, jerking it on as fast as I can.
I whirl from side to side. “Where’s my fucking phone? Goddammit.”
I see it on the table. Grabbing it, I haul ass out the door with my keys in hand. Opening my truck door, I pause long enough to consider calling her. My gut tells me she’ll never answer.
“Calm down, Walker,” I say to myself, sliding into my seat. I rest my head against the seat. “Maybe she needed to think. Or had an appointment she forgot about.” I try to steady my shaking hands, typing a text to her.
Hey, baby. I woke up cold and alone.
I wait a few minutes. There’s no reply.
Reese. You okay?
Several more minutes pass and I’m ready to scream again.
Tell me you’re okay.
Tell me you love me.
Tell me something.
Ten minutes, still no word. I start my truck, jamming it into gear. “What in the literal fucking hell is going on?” I stomp my foot on the gas, driving like a freaking lunatic to her place. Pulling in, I can see her Jeep isn’t here, but Alden’s car is.
I haul ass over to his door, pounding hard on it. My heart is in my chest as I wait. He jerks the door open, looking like hell.
“Try to calm down.” He walks away. “Come the fuck in.”
I do as he says, shutting the door behind me. “Where is she? Is she all right? Did her dad die or something?” I put my hand on my chest, hoping the pain will go away.
“You might be better off if he would.” He scratches his head.
“Sorry, I’ve been here the entire time. I’ve seen firsthand what her parents do to her.
Don’t get me wrong, Danielle isn’t half as bad as Jeffrey is but damn, they need to let the girl be happy.
Man, she’s fucked up,” he huffs, shrugging.
“What in the hell is going on?” I rub the back of my neck. Tension hangs around it like a barbell.
“I’m not entirely sure. She came back around three this morning, hysterical. Mumbling something about ‘there’s no way you two will make it, you were doomed from the start.’ I begged her to talk to me, but she wouldn’t say anything.” He folds his arms across his chest.
My knees go weak, panic and nausea sweeping over me. I fall back into the wall, bracing myself. “She was a mess last night. I—I didn’t have answers for her. Nothing I said was right.”
“My understanding is it started about her dad. Right?” Sitting back on my heels, Alden eyes me skeptically.
“Man, she came home from the hospital upset. She was talking about his health and how he wants help with her stepbrother. She was reeling, upset because she wasn’t sure what to do.” I rub my palms into my eyes. “I tried to talk to her, and I thought she was okay when we went to bed.”
“Walker, if it helps, she didn’t talk to me either. She blew in, exploded and ran. I’m as lost as you are.” He sits down across from me.
“Things have been going so good for us. I don’t get it. Why run?”
“She grew up running. It’s her go-to when she doesn’t want to face things. I never saw it coming with you. She loves you.” Alden tips his head to me, a silent acknowledgment that he’s accepted me.
My shoulders slump from the weight of my pain. She’s running from me. I haven’t changed a damn thing. “I love her. I’m not sure what I’ve done wrong, but I’ll walk through hell to fix it.” My voice is heavy with despair.
His head drops, shaking it minutely. “Walker, I’m not sure she knows what’s happening.” His head raises, staring me in the eyes. “But I’ll be damned if I allow her to fuck this up. Y’all are good together and for the first time in our lives, I’m not on Reese’s side.”
“No. Don’t say that. She needs you. It would kill me to think of her alone. I’m grateful she has you. At least there’s one person on her side.” I choke back my tears, rubbing my hand over my face.
“If I hear from her, I’ll let you know. She texted me your number when she was staying with you one night,” he explains.
“That’s all good. I appreciate you watching out for her.” I stand upright. “I’m gonna call in today and go visit my brother. I can’t take being home without her.” My stomach flip-flops.
“Hang in there, buddy. I know she loves you.” He stands, offering me his hand.
I take it, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay. I clutch my chest. “She’s fucked me up. I’m gonna give her a day or so. Thanks, Alden.”
“You’re welcome. Hang in there.” He pats my back as I walk away.
It’s early but I know Riley will be up. I hope he has a day he can take because I can’t go home. I’m not sure how I make it to their place. I fought tears all the way here. She still hasn’t answered my texts, and I have the worst feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I park, gathering myself before I step out. Closing my door, I find my best friend waiting for me.
“Hey, brother, come on in.” Riley stands by the door, pulling me into a bear hug as soon as I get to him.
“She’s gone,” I mutter as he squeezes me one good time before letting me go.
Ava slams into me, holding me tight. God help me, but I’m about to lose my shit. From the time Reese walked through the door last night, I’ve held myself together, but these two know me better than anyone and can see through this tough exterior.
I grit my teeth, pushing back the ache in my chest. Ava locks her arms around my waist, walking me to the couch. She sits beside me, like I did her not too long ago when she was lost and broken. Riley brings me a bottle of water, sitting on the floor by our feet.
Just like when we were kids, huddling together to tell horror stories. They’re by my side, waiting for it to all be over. Ava leans her head on my shoulder with her hand in Riley’s hair. Her belly, round and perfect, makes me smile for the first time today.
“How’s Storm doing?”
“He’s his father, driving me insane and making me love him fiercely.” She smiles at me, fisting Riley’s hair as he chuckles. “What happened, brother?”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head in disbelief, my chest heaving. “She was upset last night, off from the time she walked through the door. Her dad asked her to come see him; their relationship is hard. He’s dying and wants her to help her stepbrother.”
“Stepbrother?” Riley cocks his brow.
“Reese was three when her dad left them for her stepmom and stepbrother. Her mom has resented him the entire time, making the situation worse.” I rub my temples. My head is pounding so fucking hard, I think it’s trying to take my dead heart’s place.
“What does the stepbrother need help with that has her upset?” Ava raises her head to look at me.
“All I know is he’s in prison. She also found out yesterday about her dad’s health.”
“She had one helluva crazy day.” Ava presses her mouth into a thin line.
I crane my neck; tension rippling off me.
“She was trying to sort through it but damn, if she wasn’t angry.
I felt several times like she was mad at me.
I’d step back, thinking she’s worried and hurt.
She’s not thrilled he wants her to help the kid that kept him from her and the fact that he waited until he was on his deathbed to call her.
It’s all sorts of fucked up, y’all, but damn, what did I do?
“We went to bed and I woke up without her. I’ve tried texting her.
She hasn’t answered. I drove to her place.
She’s not there. Alden talked to me, said she showed up around three this morning.
She was crying and ranting about us not making it and the shit about her dad.
” I prop my elbows on my knees and bury my face in my hands.
“Did she leave Alden’s?” Riley turns to stare at me.
“Yeah, she was going off the rails and wouldn’t stay. He’s not happy with her but isn’t sure what to do.” I throw my hands in the air, disgusted.
“I wish she talked to me. At this point, until you know what’s going on, there’s not much that can be done.” Ava throws her arm over my shoulder, pulling me to her.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind, seriously. I’m doing my best to hold it together.” My hands shake. I swallow past the knot in my throat. “What in the hell did I do wrong?”
“Doesn’t sound to me like you did anything wrong.” Riley glances at me. “You haven’t… tried to help her with the situation with her dad?”
“I know what you’re thinking. No. No fucking way was I gonna mess this up.” I shake my head. “I’ve never loved another person the way I love Reese. She’s the only person to look past what others only see.”
“She needs some time. She’ll come around.” Riley hits my leg.
“Yeah, you Pennington boys have a way of making us fall in love and never being the same.” Ava bumps my shoulder with hers.
“Apparently, we have a way of scaring you into running away.” I smirk.
“Well, yeah. That, too.” She giggles. “But we find our way home.”
“I’m gonna give her plenty of room and pray like crazy she comes home.” I wring my hands. “Maybe she doesn’t love me after all.”
“Not possible.” Ava stands, kissing the top of my head. “Even my sorry ass knew what y’all meant to me.”
“This pain, does it stop?”
“No, but it does get better.” Riley reaches for my hand, pulling up. “Until then, there’s alcohol.”
“Is it too early?” I raise my brows.
“Hell, no. Not when your heart hurts.” He punches me. “Or your arm does.”
“Dickhead.”
“I’m skipping work. Let’s hang.” Riley bows his head.
“Sounds like a plan.” I look up at him. “Thank you.”
“Walker, it wasn’t too long ago that you held us together. I’ve got plenty of duct tape.” He winks.
“Keep it handy. I may kidnap her ass.” He laughs with me, both of us knowing I’m broken.