Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(64)

He takes my hand into his, and threads our fingers together.

His large hand enveloping my small.

“I kissed that girl in the bar. I didn’t even know who she was. And then when I woke up in the morning, she was next to me in the bed,” he says. I gasp and pull my hand out of his.

“You f-”

“Let me finish, baby. We were both fully dressed and I spoke to her, nothing happened. I promise. She said we came home and passed out because I was drunk. The only thing we did was what you saw in the bar, and I know that that’s bad enough, because it would absolutely kill me so see you be like that with someone else, but it didn’t go any further than that,” he says.

I curse. “I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”

“Give me a chance to prove myself. I know I’ll have to work for it, and I’m willing to do anything I can,” he pleads softly.

“What about River?” I ask, biting my bottom lip.

He looks at me strangely. “I love River. He’s my nephew, and I’m still gonna be in his life. I’m gonna take care of him.”

“Good,” I whisper.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me right now, but at least let me know you'll give me a chance to make it up to you,” he says, placing his hand gently on the side of my face. I don’t answer, but move aside for him to hop into the bed. I can’t make any promises, so I won’t. His eyebrows go up and I know he was sure I was gonna kick his ass out. He smiles sweetly, and hops into the bed. With an arm around my waist he pulls me in close to his body. I know we could both use the rest, because we both look like crap right now.

“I’m so in love with you, Summer. I don’t think that will ever change,” he says into my hair.

My eyes close as I fall into deep sleep.





*****


I wake up groggily, feeling like I didn’t sleep at all. Sitting up in the bed, I rub my eyes, and then stretch lazily.

“Morning,” I say, when I see Reid sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. He’s taken his shirt off, and is wearing nothing but his jeans. The muscles on his back flex as he stands up, but he still doesn’t face me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. I grab my phone and check the time. Holy shit, I’ve been asleep for five hours. He finally turns to face me. He looks stricken, and a little pissed off.

“What is it, Reid?” I demand.

“Your phone rang and I answered it,” he grinds out.

“Okay? And?” I ask, shaking my head in confusion.

“It was Quinn. Asking if you got home okay,” he says. I pretend I don’t see his clenched fists or set jaw.

“Really, well, that was nice of him,” I say, getting out of bed.

“That’s all you’re gonna say?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“You went and spent the night with your ex?” he asks, and the flash of pain on his face is my undoing.

“Could you blame me if I did?” I ask quietly.

“No, I guess not. But it still hurts,” he admits, exhaling deeply.

“Yes, I saw him. Nothing happened. We just hung out,” I say.

“Thank f*ck,” he mutters, taking me into his arms, almost squashing me. “The thought of someone else touching you. Fucking hell, beauty, you drive me crazy.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual, trust me,” I say dryly.

“Good to know,” he says, a faint smile making an appearance.

“You going home now?” I ask.

“Yeah, you wanna come with me? Ryan’s been calling non-stop,” he says, sounding a little unsure.

“Using your brother as a weapon, huh?” I tease.

“I’ll use anything and everything I can to get what I want, you know that,” he says, smirking.

“And I’m what you want?”

“Always.”

“Okay, let me have a shower first,” I say.

“Okay?” he repeats.

“Yeah, okay,” I say, offering him a small grin.

I start to walk down the hall, and turn back to find him leaning against the wall, smiling.





Chapter Twenty Six


A woman walks out of Ryan’s room, a smile on her pouty lips. Ryan walks out behind her, his face lighting up when he sees me.

“You’re back.”

“I am.”

“Good,” he says, leaning in to kiss me.

“Who knows where those lips have been, Ryan Knox,” I say, making a face.

Ryan and Reid laugh, while the woman makes a stealthy exit. “Glad you two sorted your shit out, babe.”

“Well, we’re working on it,” I say, smiling up at the both of them.

“Good, give him hell,” he says, smirking. Reid slaps him on the back of the head. “I gotta get to the bar. You coming in tonight, Summer?”

“Yeah, I’ll come in for a few drinks,” I say.

“Perfect.” He grabs a green apple from the fruit bowl and taking a huge bite out of it, then points it at me. “I’ll see you later, then.”

Ryan leaves, and I look at Reid who is already watching me. “What are you staring at?” I ask playfully.