“Really.” I land my mouth over hers and indulge in an achingly sweet exchange. Her tongue touches mine, and I lose it. Reese and I lounge this way for what feels like hours. I dot kisses all the way to her ear. “This is real. What we have is something special.”
“Something special, for sure.” Reese presses out a mile-wide smile. “I want to share something with you. I hope it doesn’t freak you out.” She reaches down to her bag and pulls out a stack of envelopes.
“Did you get your letter?” A spike of adrenaline courses through my veins, and I’m happy for Reese more than I would be if it were me.
“Yup.” She plucks one out from the pile and waves it in the air. “My dad left it on my pillow before I went to bed. I saved it. I wanted to read it with you—safe in your arms.”
I tighten my grip around her, and my throat locks up with a knot the size of a fist.
Reese pulls the letter out and smooths over it with her hand.
“DearReese,” her voice breaks as she starts, and I rock her into me.
“Another year is under your wing and you’re already so much wiser. I’m sure with your father’s guidance, you’re shaping up to be the woman I always knew you were destined to be, strong, independent—knowing yourself so well you’d follow your heart to the ends of the earth if you thought it was the right thing to do. Sometimes in life we’re asked to make hard choices, sometimes that means not agreeing with what everyone else thinks and going out on your own to do the things you need to do, to be with the people you need to be with. A long time ago, I had two great loves. I followed my heart and chose one over the other because I knew he was the one I was truly meant to be with. I broke the other boy’s heart. He accused me of not loving him because he didn’t have the nice things your father did, but that wasn’t true. At the end of the day, your father’s warm heart and kind smile won out over the dark-haired boy who was a little rough around the edges. Some days it felt as if he liked the bottle more than he liked me.The reason I’m telling you this is because you might find yourself between a tender hearted boy and someone else, and I won’t be there to tell you to follow your heart and do the right thing—to pick the boy with the kind smile because he will always love you best. Never compromise who you give your heart to. Once you give it away it’s hard to get it back. Give your heart away once and to the right person—to the one who loves you more than himself and lets you know how amazing you are each day, because if I can’t be there to say those very things then it’s my wish for you to find someone who will.
Be strong.
Be brave in all you do.
Put school first. Prepare yourself to be the success I know you will be. I’ll be watching over you, until we meet again.
I love you with my whole heart baby girl,
Love,
Mommy”
Reese breaks down and sobs into my chest, and I cry silent tears right along with her. I pull up the sheets, holding her all night like that, the letter folded in her hand as if it were a part of her mother herself.
A light knock vibrates over the door, and I rouse to find Reese in my arms, the early morning sun spraying over her beautiful face.
“Ace?” Dad’s voice thumps from the other side. “Mr. Westfield is here to see her.”
“Got it,” I moan, sealing a kiss over Reese’s temple. Her towel dislodged in the night, and she’s lying naked in my arms like a work of art. My boner tries to pop up to greet her just as she blinks into me. “Your dad’s here.”
“Crap.” She scrambles out of bed and throws on her dress from the night before. She rakes my comb through her hair and steps into her shoes.
I hop up, and we hit the living room together.
Dad and Mr. Westfield are standing awkwardly in front of the TV. Neva’s already at the kitchen table primed and ready to watch the show.
“Daddy!” Reese speeds over to him. “You’re going to be late for your trip.”
“Don’t you worry about it. I’ve canceled. You’re much more important to me than some business meeting.” He takes up Reese in his arms, and for the first time I can see the resemblance in their eyes. “I talked to the police last night and they said anytime you want to stop by today you’re welcome to press charges.”
“What will happen if I do?” Reese glances over at me for a second.
“He’ll most likely turn around and press charges against Ace.” He gives an apologetic nod. “Warren’s father will bail him out—your friend may not be so lucky.” He gives a bleak smile to Dad. “But I’d do it. In fact, if you want, I’ll throw the book at Warren. I’m sick at the thought of him trying to force himself on you.”
“He was drunk!” Neva belts it out at the top of her lungs.
“That doesn’t excuse him. And neither should you.” Mr. Westfield doesn’t hesitate in reprimanding my sister. It makes me like him more. “Being a drunk gets you nowhere and most certainly doesn’t give you the right to put your hands on anyone.” He shakes his head. “Nevertheless, the McCarthy’s and I aren’t seeing eye to eye on the matter, but they say they’ll respect whatever we decide.”
“Go ahead and throw the book at him.” Reese sags into his chest. “Even if his dad does make sure he doesn’t spend an hour behind bars, at least he’ll learn not to mess with me or anyone else for that matter.”
“Can I make a suggestion?” Dad interjects and Reese gives a nod. “In addition to whatever you’ve got planned, make him take an anger management course—put him in a sober living home to detox. Life will be a whole lot easier for him if he breaks down his demons right now.” He glances out the window a moment. “The more you wait, the more you lose.”
“That sounds good.” Reese offers her dad another hug and pulls back with a solemn expression. “I read my birthday card.”
