Page 66 of Absolution

“Man, do I have so much to tell you!”

Drew guffaws. “So, the rumors are true! You know what that means, get your ass in here.”

“Will do, I need a day or two more.”

“Tuesday, and not a day later.” Drew’s determined to stay on top of my anxiety. This is his ‘daddy knows best’ attitude.

I crank my SUV. “You’ve got it.”

“I want to hear everything about her. I’ve been told, you were in a covert mission the other day.” He cracks himself up, even though I’m not laughing.

“What the fuck ever, needle dick. I’ll give you details if you can produce the pretend girlfriend you have, and she can’t be a blow-up either!”

“Fuck you, you jerk-off!”

“Not anymore, but you keep dreaming of me all you want.”

Drew can’t help but laugh, he loves me. “Whatever, asshole. Tuesday.”

“I’ll be there.” I end the call, tossing my cell in the passenger seat. I glance in the mirror before I back out, and I’m stunned at what I see. My reflection is different because of the smile on my face.

Chapter Twenty

Scarlet

“I love Sunday’s, don’t you?” Reese lays back in the hammock, enjoying the breeze.

“I do, it’s our family day.” I watch as our three little ones run through a sprinkler, laughing wildly. “Baby giggles are the best.”

Reese peeks at them through her lashes. “The sound is amazing, but damn if they’re not like the cutest kiddos in the history of cute kids.”

“Sometimes, I question if you’re really an attorney.”

She frowns. “Same, wench. But you ain’t gotta rub my face in it.”

“Who you callin’ a wench, ya redheaded stepchild?”

“How is that even a comeback, we both have red hair!” She gaggles, almost tipping out of her seat.

I nod, grinning. “See, you’re gonna bust your ass.”

“Only because I’m jealous you got yours tapped last night, and don’t say you didn’t. You’re still glowing from the aftermath, so spill!” She sips her wine, twirling her hair as she waits on the details.

“I don’t have a clue what happened, it’s like I didn’t have any control over myself.”

She raises up, gaping. “Are you tellin’ me, you fell on a dick and couldn’t get up?”

“Shut up!” I throw a ball at her head.

“Scar… are you happy?”

I nod. “Yeah, but it’s not something I’m used to, and I keep waiting for the hammer to fall.”

“Why, because of the past? Do you think that’s fair to Creed or to yourself?”

I hear her, but what she doesn’t understand is this situation is different, and I’m afraid no matter how I handle it, in the end, I’ll still be alone. And that’s what terrifies me.

“No, but I’m proof that life’s not fair, and before you ask, yes, I know how I sound. It turns out, I’m sick of being the poster child for what not to do in a relationship and making bad decisions.”