Maybe This Time(57)

“I feel happier today,” I tell him. And I do. I’ve thought about Reid, River and Mia a lot since I found out the news, and I think that I love Reid enough to make this work. If he still wants me. I plan on heading to his house after this to talk, and move forward. Sure, I don’t know anything about kids.

But I could be River’s friend.

I could support Reid. It’s not like he’s asking me to act like River’s step-mother.

I realise I’ve hurt Reid, and I haven’t been there for him because of my own jealousy and insecurities.

First things first, I need to finish this damn assignment.





**


The drive to Reid’s apartment is filled with nervous energy. I park my car a little crooked, jump out and rush up the stairs. Ryan answers the door after several knocks. He smiles when he sees me.

“Hey, babe.”

“Hey. Reid here?”

“He’s at the park with River,” he says, stepping back so I can enter.

“I’ll wait for him.”

“Good. He’s been moody as hell, you two need to make up. For the sake of my sanity. Even Jade won’t go near him,” he says as we walk into the living room.

I sink down on the couch, and slip my thongs off my feet. “How’s River doing?”

“Good. He loves me,” he beams. He runs his hands through his hair, the blond locks falling right back into place.

“Loving the stubble, Ry,” I say honestly, checking out his scruffy look.

“Really? Hmm, maybe I’ll leave it,” he says, a gleam in his eyes.

The door opens, and Reid walks in. He’s holding River up in the air, the both of them smiling. Mia walks in behind them, and seeing me, lays a possessive hand on Reid’s chest.

That one move has me seeing red.

I watch as Reid smiles widely as he sees me, putting River down carefully and practically running to me.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, beauty,” he whispers in my ear, before he pulls back and kisses me on the lips.

“You’re in front of your son, Reid,” Mia scolds, her face going an unattractive shade of red. Reid ignores her and kisses me once more, soft and sweet.

“We needa talk, baby.”

I nod. He trails his gaze over my face, as if memorizing each individual feature.

“I’m going to go then, Reid,” Mia says sternly, trying to pull the attention back to her. Reid turns towards her, but only has eyes for his son. He picks River up and hugs him close to his chest.

“I’ll come and see him tomorrow, alright,” he says to Mia. “I’ll go walk them out, Summer.”

Ryan chuckles and I look at him, curious. “What?”

“Mia wanted to stay here and cook dinner for Reid tonight. She didn’t expect you to be here.”

I scrunch up my page. “She better get used to it.”

He laughs again, clearly amused. “I should get some popcorn, watch how this plays out.”

“You’re meant to have my back! Some BFFL you are,” I complain.

“What the fuck is a BFFL?” he asks, looking baffled.

“Best friend for life,” I say. Duh.

“That term is so overdone. I’m more like your pole,” he says after a few thoughtful seconds.

I blink twice. “Did you just call yourself my pole?”

“I did,” he says, looking pleased with himself.

“A pole.”

“Yes, a pole.”

“Are you gonna explain that, or just leave me sitting here with my ‘what the fuck’ face on?”

“I’m here for you whenever you need to lean on me. Like a pole.”

I look at him for a few full seconds before I start laughing so hard, my stomach starts to hurt.

Ryan actually starts to look offended. “I’m pretty sure a BFFL isn’t meant to laugh at you so much.”

“What’s so funny?” Reid asks as he walks in.

“Your brother is hilarious,” I say, looking at Ryan again, and immediately erupting in another fit of laughter.

Reid loses his patience and lifts me into his arms, bride style. I’m still giggling when he lays me down on the bed.

“God, you're even more beautiful than when I last saw you,” he says reverently, taking my hand in his and kissing my knuckles.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you, Reid. I was scared, and a little jealous, to be honest.”

He instantly looks over and gives me his full attention. “Why would you be jealous?”

“You’re connected to Mia now, for life, and she still wants you. I’m not your priority anymore, and I get that, your son should come first. I just couldn’t help the way I felt, though. I went from being your everything, to you not even having time to come and see me. I know it sounds selfish,” I say in a small voice.