Page 22 of Burned

Sadie leaned into her sister until she had no more tears to cry, and when she was done she had a splitting headache. This day couldn’t have been any worse. This was the weekend that Carys was supposed to be spending with a girlfriend and she was really looking forward to having Rhys come over and chill with her, to get their relationship back on the right footing. Things had been strained between them lately mainly because she was scared to do or say anything that would be perceived as bad against his daughter. When Carys was around it took a Herculean effort to bite her tongue. She’d never actively disliked anyone so much, and that was a feat considering how incredibly horrible Terrell’s baby’s mama—wife was.

When Rhys called to cancel, sighting that he needed to spend more time with Carys, she saw the writing on the wall. This was the beginning of the end. She knew she should have walked away the minute he said he had a daughter. Hadn’t she learned from the Terrell incident? Granted the problems were different this time around but they basically all boiled down to the same issue. His child interfered in their relationship. Once again someone was coming in the middle of a relationship that meant a great deal to her, but this time around, she wasn’t sure she had the will to fight.

Sadie never thought herself to be a selfish person, but maybe she was. She adored children but being with a single father complicated things when relationships were difficult enough as they were. Instead of sticking to her guns about not dating a man with children she fell for the first guy who came along with gorgeous green eyes and a killer smile. And now here she was where she’d been after Terrell had discarded her: heartbroken.

Breaking away from her sister, she walked over to her couch and plopped on the cushion. Lily took a seat next to her and put her head on Sadie’s shoulder. “It’s okay little sis. You didn’t need that jerk anyway. If he couldn’t see through that demon seed then who needs his ass.”

“Yeah,” Sadie said listlessly. Maybe her mother, who had called earlier that day, sending her spiraling further into a depression, was right. She wasn’t the kind of woman men settled down with. Something was wrong with her. There had to be.

“Although….”

“What?”

“It’s just… from the brief meeting we had, he seemed like a nice guy. Not an asshole like his brother. And from, what you’ve told me, he sounds like a pretty decent guy. He’s nothing like that jackass Terrell. And he’s pretty cute. Is he not worth fighting for?”

Sadie shrugged, not wanting to talk about this anymore. “What’s to fight for? It’s probably over anyway. Besides, it’s not like I can make him choose between me and his daughter because I’d be the loser in that battle every single time.”

“If only there was a way for him to see what a little hellion she is. I mean….hmm, you know I have a mini tape recorder. Use it the next time you’re alone. That way, when she says something foul you’ll have it on tape.”

“Lily, I appreciate the offer but I think we’re beyond that at this point. I doubt Rhys wants to talk to me ever again. And I’m not really sure I liked the way he came at me with that accusation. Sure I don’t like the little gremlin, but I never treated her anywhere near as bad as she’s treated me. I’ve put up with her for his sake and frankly, I’m tired of it. I need a break from this whole relationship thing.”

“Is this what you really want?” Lily rubbed the back of Sadie’s neck.

Was it? She wasn’t sure what she wanted to be quite honest but how much longer could she take this abuse? “I guess it is.”

“Well, then I have the perfect cure for you.”

“What?”

“Get your ass up, showered and dressed. We’re going out dancing and barhopping.”

“We’re too old for that.”

Lily snorted. “You’re only twenty-eight and I’m thirty-five. Neither one of us has their foot in the grave. Sheesh. Now you get your butt up before I drag you to the shower.”

There was no point in arguing with Lily once she got one of her ideas. With a sigh, Sadie got off the couch although she didn’t feel much like dancing.

* * *

Rhys tossed and turned in bed, wondering what the hell happened. Had he and Sadie broken up? He’d known something was going on, but what? He shouldn’t have accused her of not liking Carys, but he was so desperate to find out what the matter was, he asked the question that had been plaguing him since Carys had bought it up. And now he felt guilty as fuck. His stomach literally ached with worry. After hanging up with Sadie, he’d rejoined Carys in the restaurant where they’d had dinner. Carys expressed disappointment over Sadie’s refusal to join them and again he had to wonder why Sadie wouldn’t want to spend time with them together. In his mind, this was the woman he wanted to settle down with or at least he thought he did, so why not do things as the family he wanted to be.

As much as he tried he couldn’t enjoy the rest of his time with his daughter. And after a certain point, he just said fuck it. But later that night not able to take it anymore, Rhys broke down and called her. There was no answer on her landline or cell. Was she ignoring his call?

The thought killed him. Had he lost the love of his life? Even though he didn’t know why?

* * *

Sadie stumbled to her door the following afternoon, still slightly hungover but happier than she had been for a while. Lily knew exactly how to make her feel better. They’d gone out to a club and met four guys at a bachelor party who bought them drinks and danced with them for the rest of the night. When that club closed, they went to a different club and they danced until four in the morning. Afterwards, the six of them went to a 24-hourdiner, ate and got a little rowdy. Sadie couldn’t remember when she’d had such a good time. She and Lily had even collected a couple phone numbers.

Afterwards, she crashed on Lily’s couch for a few hours and headed home. It was nearly two o’clock and she intended to sleep for the remainder of the day. A lazy Sunday was just what the doctor ordered.

After a long leisurely shower and slipping into an old ratty t-shirt that fell to her knees; she grabbed a light blanket, turned the air conditioner on blast, flipped the television to the Lifetime Movie Channel and lay on the couch. One of her favorite Lifetime Movies, She Woke Up Pregnant, happened to be on.

Bliss.

Halfway through the movie with her eyelids heavy from sleep, she heard the doorbell ring. Crap. She wasn’t expecting anyone and Lily had a key to let herself in. Grumbling she got up not caring what a mess she must have looked. When she looked out the peephole she groaned. What was Rhys doing here?

The second she opened the door, he pushed his way through and slammed the door behind him.

“This seems to be the only way we’ve been able to communicate lately,” he said gruffly before taking her in his arms and covering her mouth with a rough kiss.

She could always be mad at him later.

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