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“I really don’t need to know the details, sis,” he muttered, lifting his hands in surrender. “And you don’t have to explain yourself to me. I don’t even know the guy, so I’ll trust your judgment on him. I was just wondering about the rumors is all.”
Dad stood, but instead of snarling at either of us, he pulled me for a tight hug. “Lexa, if Davis is who you want, I’m not going to stand in your way anymore. The two of us had a…chat. And I told him if you choose him, then I’d respect that. But if you didn’t, he needed to respect your decision and leave you alone.”
Stunned, I just stood there, letting Dad hold me. What Ben said was true, then. He’d spoken to Dad. And survived. Maybe I should go to his place later and give him a chance to explain about that Paige woman after all.
“And I really am sorry for the way I talked to you. I couldn’t wrap my head around Raven’s cancer, then there you were with a guy for the first time. I lost my mind, and I reacted badly. I hate that I hurt you.”
Something I’d noticed about my dad over the years was that he rarely apologized. Unless it was to Mom. He was Bash Reid, Angel’s Halo Motorcycle Club president. He didn’t need to say sorry, ever.
Yet there he was, apologizing to me.
It didn’t make the sting of Max’s throwaway comment about Mom not being my real mom hurt any less, but it went a long way toward healing what Dad had scraped raw weeks before.
“Do you mean it?” I asked hesitantly as I looked up into those eyes that were identical to my own. “Do you really not care if I’m with Ben?”
He sighed heavily but nodded. “I don’t care, Lexa. After our talk, I realized Davis would be a better ally than an enemy.”
As apology presents went, that was the best one he ever could have given me.
Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”
Max jumped to his feet. Even at fifteen, he was almost as tall as our father, just a leaner version of him. “Does this mean you forgive me too?”
The smile that had started to form on my lips died, and I glared at him standing there with his arms open wide to embrace me. “You’re still on my shit list,” I told him as I walked toward the stairs. “And don’t you ever say that again, asshole!”
“Lex, I really am sorry,” he whined as I stomped upstairs. “Come back. Love me!”
“Dude, you gotta get smoother. If that’s how you are with the chicks, your game is lacking.” I heard Dad admonishing him.
“Gross, Dad. I’m not talking about the action I get with you.”
Snickering to myself, I went to my room to shower and change. There was still plenty of time before Ben got off work, and I wanted to look my best when I showed up at his place.
But excitement was making my blood zing, and I couldn’t wait to see him again. I couldn’t remember ever feeling so…freaking giddy. As I washed my hair, I even found myself humming a little, a smile glued to my lips as I laughed at myself for being so off-key.
When I was finished, I dried my hair and put on a little makeup. I didn’t contour like I’d done earlier in the day because I’d noticed Ben hadn’t seemed to like it. I didn’t know why, but the way his eyes had skimmed over my face told me h
e wasn’t a fan of that look on me. That made me wonder if he’d stopped seeing the scar, if he just didn’t care about it now.
I could hope.
Once I was ready, I walked down to Mom’s room and knocked lightly before sticking my head in to check on her. She was sitting up in bed, a new tray across her lap, this time with spaghetti and garlic rolls.
“Lexa,” she greeted me with a tired smile as I entered her bedroom. Seeing I was dressed to go out, her eyes lit up. “You look beautiful, baby.”
Crossing to her bed, I climbed in beside her, snuggling against her like I used to when I was a little girl. “How are you feeling?” I asked as I tucked the covers over both our legs.
“Those damn pain pills make me so tired. Flick just made me take another one after she brought my dinner. Between her and your dad, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, honey.” She blew out a frustrated sigh and leaned her head against my shoulder. “You’re the only sane one right now, kiddo.”
Kissing the top of her head, I closed my eyes, thankful she was there with me. “I don’t know how sane I am, Mom. I…I need to tell you something.”
Her head snapped up, her eyes going from tired to assessing in an instant. Before my eyes, she went into mom mode, and I wanted to cry then and there because I never wanted to lose her. “You know you can tell me anything. No matter how bad, I won’t judge you, and I’ll do whatever I can to help. Even if it means having to get rid of a body.”
“I know,” I whispered before clearing my throat. I didn’t want to cry in front of her, not when everyone else was driving her bonkers. “I love you, Mom. More than any person in the world. Please know that.”
“I do, Lexa.” She caught my hand, entwining our fingers. “And I love you just as much.”
“I like Ben Davis,” I confessed. “As in, I could maybe fall in love with him.”
