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At this point, I realize that Reed and I could never be friends like Dane and Lettie. Neither of us could stand by and watch the other get kissed or touched—not when his touch lights the fuse to embracing my sensuality.
Dane’s parents insist that Lettie go to my house and take a shower. They top it off with, “Bring us some goodies from Magee’s Bakery. You know how much Dane loves their cookies.”
After checking in on Caleb, Annie says they’re going to see the new kids’ movie, and she’ll bring him home in a couple of hours.
Lettie always says, “When it rains, it pours.” This weekend is a prime example. While Lettie is in the shower, I have time to reflect on the weekend, starting with the setup of the Evy Brown Cheer-Off. Excitement doesn’t begin to describe how it feels to have one of my dreams come true. Yes, it’s local but being the stage manager for an event that will help hundreds of families in need, as well as give me experiences outside of the academic world, is thrilling.
Harper has given me the order of appearance, and Logan has given me a script he will follow as the master of ceremonies. Now, it’s my job to coordinate the lighting, sound, and the backstage. I made notes on Saturday, but our first run through is Tuesday night, which is where I will give the sound and lighting personnel the specifics, On Thursday, we have a full dress rehearsal, and Saturday, it will be live.
I leave my apartment to meet Reed. Contrast the high of pleasuring Reed until he muttered my name repeatedly, with the gut punch of finding out Reed transferred here because he was accused of sexual harassment, my emotions are all over the place. In the end, I will never believe that Reed would put his hands on a woman who didn’t want it. There’s something so raw about his reaction to the guy in the bar.
But when I heard the panic in Lettie’s voice, I knew something bad had happened. Flashes of smoke and the raging fire are forever seared into my memory. And the way Reed ran in to get Dane has to be the dumbest but most heroic thing he’s ever done. When he came out, and the paramedics took over, there wasn’t a single corner of my heart that wasn’t filled with love for him. It’s early, and there’s so much we need to discuss. It’s not enough that I know his favorite color is purple. I need to know why. Or that he twirls his spaghetti onto a spoon. Who taught him to do that? He’s not Italian.
On instinct, I said he was my boyfriend, and I ruined our timeline of revealing our relationship. My dad is upset that both of us lied. I don’t know if I’m willing to fix things with my dad right now. I was so angry when I left his office. The fact that he was going to talk to Reed before he talked to me and found out how I felt is simply wrong. In fairness, I should have buckled up and told my dad beforehand. Sometimes in life, we do the wrong things for the right reasons.
I had bought Reed a gift for the foundation fundraiser, so I ran home and picked it up, hoping to prove that I’m all in. When I dropped it off at his house, I gave Harper a few details, then placed the gift on his bed. Reed should know I’m not giving up. By the sound of Reed’s voice, he feels guilty for betraying my dad’s trust—the only person who has helped him in his hockey career.
I sigh when Lettie emerges from the bathroom, clad in a dinosaur-covered towel that is too small for her, and her hair twisted into a bun on top of her head. Tears stream down her face as she crumples onto the floor, overwhelmed with emotions. I wrap my arms around her and sway gently, comforting her. "You'll be all right. The doctors said Dane will make a full recovery, and that's all that really matters."
“Everything is gone. My clothes, laptop, my makeup, contacts, and…” She’s listing items so fast, she stumbles over her own words until she starts crying again.
"I want you to know that the material possessions can be replaced," I say, gently redirecting her gaze towards me. "But you… are irreplaceable. You've always been there for me, never judging me for having a child. You chose to be my best friend regardless." Tears well up in my eyes. "I cannot express how much I needed you and how grateful I am that you called me and managed to escape from the apartment."
The doorbell rings, and Reed cracks the door open and calls my name.
“Come in.”
Lettie gets up and walks to the couch, staring out the sliding glass door.
“How’s she doing?” Reed asks, stuffing his hands deep into his black athletic pants.
“She’s in shock. I’m going to make her stay with me. Can you imagine having nothing but the clothes on your back?”
He shakes his head and then goes back out the front door, bringing in a few bags. “My roommates went shopping so Lettie would have a few things. They also called their parents, and they’re donating enough money to cover housing for everyone in the complex until the end of the semester.”
He sets two shopping bags down full of clothes, makeup, toiletries, and at the bottom, is a new laptop in rose gold. “It’s beautiful. She’ll love it.”
“It won’t replace the photos and documents that were on hers but at least when she’s ready, she can go back to school.”
He pulls me into an embrace that feels different, but I can’t pinpoint why it feels like something is missing. I shake it off because emotions have run high for the past two days.
“The other bag is for you.”
I put my pointer finger in the center of my chest. “Me?”
Reed rewards me with a soft smile as he reaches for my hand.
“Can we talk? I really need to get some things off my chest.”
“I really can’t leave Lettie alone right now.”
“Right, I’m sorry. I’m being selfish. Look inside.”
On top is a Stallions hockey t-shirt for Caleb and two Hot Wheels. A layer of gold tissue lays between Caleb’s things and what’s underneath. I look at Reed with wide eyes when I pull out two tickets to Comedy on Main.
“How did you know she’s my favorite comedian?”
“You mentioned her one night on the phone. As soon as I heard she would be performing here, I bought tickets, hoping for an honest date. But now, I want you to take Lettie. She needs you right now.” He twists his lip and then tucks them in his mouth. “I mean I need you like I’ve never needed you before, but a comedy show isn’t what I have in mind.”
