Page 24 of His End Game

I arrive five minutes early, unable to hang around waiting any longer. Kristen has Rayna sat on the counter; the hamper all packed up.

“Holly!” Rayna beams.

“Hey, did you eat all your sandwich today?”

“Yep, yep, yep.”

I grab the hamper and remember what I had to ask Kristen today.

“I want to ask you something and I hope I don’t upset you,” I start, remembering the last time I asked about India. She broke down crying and asked me to leave. “I was wondering if you have any home videos of India when she was around Rayna’s age?”

She stares at me, her coldness reaching me. I quickly rabble on, “Leo only has a couple of her when they had Rayna, but I thought it might be nice for Rayna to see her mom at all ages. Everyone keeps saying she looks so much like her mom. I thought it might help her to see the connection between them herself. Know what she sounds like, you know. I think it will be good for her to know her mom for herself, rather than what she grows up hearing from everyone else.”

A tear rolls down her cheek and I brace myself for being marched out of her shop with her sharp tongue lashing me all the way to my car.

Only, she stumbles and grabs onto the counter for support. I move closer to Rayna and pick her up.

I shouldn’t have asked. I should’ve kept my fucking mouth closed and left with Rayna. This is going to be awkward for months.

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave. I won’t mention her again.”

I’m halfway across her shop when she grips onto my arm, and I’m surprised by how warm her touch is. I always assumed she was as cold on the outside as she is on the inside.

“Don’t be sorry. I, and forgive me for it, but I always think all sorts is going on between you and Leo and you wouldn’t want to keep the memory of my daughter alive.”

Gasping, I step back and my heart breaks for the woman standing in front of me.

“Kristen, I assure you nothing has ever happened between us.” It kind of feels like a lie as we have shared a bed but in the way she’s thinking, I’m not. “I care for Rayna and when she’s upset, I’m upset. She’s the only reason I smile these days. Her happiness is important to me.”

“With all my heart, I thank you. It’s important to me that she feels like she knows India. I spend most nights believing she won’t ever think of her as she has no real memories of her.”

“I’m sure between us, we can make sure she feels her around, always.”

Another tear rolls down her cheek and this time, I drop the hamper and wipe it away for her.

“It doesn’t matter India isn’t here. As long as I’m around, Rayna will feel she is.”

I’m about to pick up the hamper, making sure to keep Rayna tight on my hip, when Kristen’s arms fling out and she hugs me. Freezing, I get over it and use my free arm to hug her back.

“I’ll be sure to drop off everything I can find.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the day flies by and just as I’m getting Rayna settled in bed, my phone rings.

Leo’s name fills the screen on a video call. I answer and make sure to aim the camera solely at Rayna.

“Daddy,” she chirps.

“Hey, you, you in bed already?” he asks her.

I roll my eyes. Already? She goes to bed at the same time every night and we’re not early nor late tonight.

“Where are you?”

“I’m with Grandpa. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, yeah?”

“Okay.” She huffs.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com