The softness in his eyes disappears, stony resolve replacing it. His jaw ticks as he rubs my shoulders in silent support. No words even need to be exchanged between us for him to know exactly what I need right now.
Just like how it’s always been between us.
I never had to ask Reid to do anything for me when we were in the foster home together. If anything, he’s the one person who didn’t owe me a single thing. He was a kid himself.
And yet, he stepped up. He taught me guitar. He made sure I got to bed on time. He helped me with my homework. He snuck me leftovers he brought back from his friend’s houses that their mother’s lovingly made.
I never asked for any of it. He just did it.
Because he knew what it was like to be young and not have someone do it for you. To not have someone care about you.
“I don’t need you.” My voice is quiet, but not weak. Linda’s silent on the other side of the line. “I don’t need anything from you. For so many years, I wished to know you. Wished for you to come back for me. But you never did.”
“I—”
“No, I’ve heard enough of what you have to say. And now it’s my turn.” Reid brims with pride. “I didn’t need you as a child because you gave me up. You chose everyone else over me. And you were mymother. You were alwayssupposed to put me first. But I guess blood doesn’t make family. And you giving birth to me doesn’t make you my mother. I don’t have one of those, and I’ve been just fine. I have a good life with people who choose me.”
Reid opens his arm to me and I sink into his side. He’s the one who I know will always show up for me. Always choose me.
Linda’s subdued as she says, “That makes me happy to hear.”
I don’t really give a fuck what it makes her. It’s never mattered to her.I’venever mattered to her.
“Don’t try contacting me again. I don’t care whatcallingyou feel. I don’t want anything to do with you. And I truly hope you are there for your children in all the ways you were never there for me.”
Without allowing her another word, I hang up. The moment the call disconnects, all the frustration, hurt, anger that were flooding my brain washes back in a single wave. My shoulders sag, but Reid’s there to hold me up.
“I’m proud of you,” he says quietly. “Did you get what you needed from her?”
I hug his waist, listening to his heartbeat. He brushes a kiss against the top of my head. “Yes. Yes I did.” And before we get in the car, I block her number.
41
Reid
Aspen seems lighter the last couple of weeks. I catch her singing around the house, her voice filling the space with her soft, sultry tone. She’s been bringing more of her things over little by little. An extra toothbrush, a few changes of clothes, her favorite shampoo and conditioner.
With the issue of Macaroni solved, and by issue, I mean he gets to stay at my place when she does, there aren’t many nights we spend apart. Even with us both being busier.
Aspen’s been loving her new job at the shelter, while still remaining at On Tap. I’d love for her to be able to quit there one day, but she likes the independence her jobs give her.
I’ve been over at Hayden or Nikolai’s every day pretty much, the four of us working on music together. Arun’s plan seemed to have worked, even though we haven’t made any promises to return just yet. We’re still figuring out our new dynamics and putting our relationships first before we sign another record deal.
I’m fresh off of a studio session with the guys as I drive through the city to the shelter. Aspen should be done any minute, but when I pull up out front, she texts me to come inside.
An older woman greets me when I walk in, and when I tell her who I am, she points me back down a hallway. As I round the corner, my favorite shade of red comes into view.
Penny is hunched over with a handful of treats. Two huge cats meow in front of her, pressed up against the walls of their little cubicles.
“It doesn’t look like they need any more treats,” I say.
Penny jumps at the sound of my voice, shooting a glare over her shoulder. “Don’t fat shame them! This is their favorite part of the day.”
“Clearly.” The white one with black spots rubs Penny’s hand, sucking up for more. She practically melts into a puddle and gives it another one.
They have her wrapped around their little paws.
“I’ll be done in a few minutes. I just have a couple more litter boxes to change out.”
