Page 74 of Reclaim Me

“What about what’s fair to you?” I ask, pushing even though I know I should be pulling back. “You’re not happy, Sunshine. Even a blind man can see that. I just don’t understand why?—”

“You don’t have to understand, Hunter,” she whispers, focusing her attention on the door because there are now footsteps and voices on the porch. “Look, I want this to be a good weekend for Ri, okay? Let’s just concentrate on her.”

My opportunity to respond is stolen by the sudden appearance of Riley, Taurin and the rest of the crew. I take one look at Riley’s hand, which is clutched in Taurin’s, and smile.

“Your plan worked, huh?”

He smirks. “Like a charm.”

“I wish I would have packed my bathing suit,” Riley says, pouting as she walks over to hug Rae around the waist. She’s clearly laying it on thick, trying to get Rae to offer a solution to a problem she hasn’t even fully voiced yet.

Rae runs a hand over her head, smiling down at her. “Your bathing suit is in your bag, Nugget.”

“Really?!”

“Yes, it was the first thing I packed.”

“Yes!” Riley shouts, pumping a fist in the air as she turns to Taurin and his friends. “Are you guys going to get in the pool too?”

They all look at each other, none of them wanting to break the bad news to Riley.

“They can’t this time, Ri,” I say, swooping in to save them. “They’re about to leave for a trip.”

“Sorry, Ri,” they all say in unison, clearly regretful.

“Oh, man.” The pout is back in full effect. “I don’t want to get in the pool alone.”

“You won’t be alone, Nugg. I’ll get in with you,” I tell her.

“Me too,” Rae adds, which immediately makes our daughter’s face brighten while my mind struggles not to conjure images of Rae in a bathing suit.

“Alright, well, we’re going to get going,” Taurin says.

“Don’t forget to share your location with me,” I remind him, walking over to give him a hug. “And make good decisions,” I say, keeping my voice low so only he can hear. I’m sure his friends know about his struggles, but I don’t want to embarrass him. “Call me if you need me.”

“I will,” he promises, maintaining eye contact with me even as we let each other go. “Bye, Ri. Bye, Ms. Rae. I’m sorry we didn’t get much time to talk.”

Rae smiles brightly. “Just Rae, please, and that’s okay. I’m used to coming in second to this little one. We can get to know each other better next time.”

“I’d like that a lot.”

“Me too, so have fun on your trip and get back safe, okay?”

Something in Taurin seems to come to life under the warmth of Rae’s kind words and the maternal lilt of her voice. It makes my heart hurt for him, knowing that his own mother won’t even pick up the phone for him.

“Yes, ma’am,” Taurin says finally, stepping back to allow room for everyone else to say their goodbyes to Riley, Rae, and me. When they’re gone, I turn back to Rae and nearly melt under the heat of her gaze.

“What?” I ask, trying to decipher her mood.

“Nothing,” she shakes her head. “Taurin seems like a good kid.”

“He is. He’s just had a rough go of it.”

She’s still looking at me. Her eyes warm and steady on my face, making it feel like I’m bathing in sunlight. “I’m glad he has you.”

I don’t know what to say to that. In fact, I can’t find a single, proper response to her words, her eyes, or the way the combination of the two makes me feel that doesn’t involve grabbing both sides of her face and kissing her, so I just nod and exchange her confusing expression for Riley’s curious one.

She’s still standing by her mom, looking around the house like she wants to explore but doesn’t feel comfortable enough to just yet.

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