Page 64 of Call it Reckless

“As you can see, I’m here. I’ve been busy. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

“Too busy to answer my calls or texts?”

She snapped her mouth closed and glared at me.

I leaned closer. “Listen, if you have regrets about last Friday, that’s one thing, but don’t take it out on my daughter.”

Her head jerked backward as if I’d slapped her. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she sent you an email days ago that you haven’t answered. She’s upset.” I ran my hand through my hair. “She’s just a kid. Even if you don’t want to talk to me, don’t ignore her. If you want, I’ll call her teacher and ask for Lexi’s assignment to be changed.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But I heard the doubt in her voice. “It was for a school project. You volunteered for it. Ring any bells?”

She paled, enough that I was worried I was going to have to catch her mid-faint. She mumbled something as she pulled her phone out and moved her thumb over her screen. “Oh, god,” she whispered. “Is she Alexis?”

“Yes.”

She chewed on her finger as her thumb scrolled across her phone.

“Oh, god,” she repeated. “I’m so sorry. I forgot I gave the teacher my personal email since the business one hadn’t been set up at the time she contacted me. I hadn’t checked it in days, and when I saw the word interview and didn’t recognize the name Alexis, I ditched it along with a few others.”

“Whatever you currently think about me, don’t you dare think about letting that little girl down over there. She doesn’t deserve to get caught up in adult drama.”

“Reid, I’ll apologize to her at once. Of course, I’ll meet with her. Whenever the time works for you.”

“And me? Did you ditch my messages, too?”

“About as fast you ditched me,” she snapped, all signs of apology vanishing.

“Not everything revolves around you, Bristol. I’m sorry I had to leave in the morning. I had to get Lexi, but I thought after a late night, you might appreciate sleeping in. I left you a note.”

“A note that said you’d call me later.”

“And I did.Youdidn’t answer. Don’t pin this on me.” I looked over and saw Lexi staring at us, biting her lip in confusion. I lowered my voice. “You know what? I don’t have time for this drama. I thought maybe we shared something special that night, but I can see that I was wrong. I should have known better.”

“I—”

But I wasn’t interested in her excuses. I used my foot to push her box closer to her. “I’d offer to help you carry your box, but I already know what you’ll say.You don’t need anyone’s help. Have a good evening, Ms. Allen. And read your goddamn email.”

I spun on my heel and walked toward my daughter. I made up an excuse as to why we couldn’t stay for dinner, and we headed to my SUV. The entire time, I felt Bristol’s eyes burning a hole in my back.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Bristol

My fingers clenched by my sides, even as I bit my lip to keep from calling out to him. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to apologize or continue the argument. Either way, Lexi didn’t need to be a witness. She was a sweet girl, and I had made a mistake by not opening my emails.

I scooped up the box at my feet and stomped to my car. The more I walked, the angrier I got. Sure, he called me, but not until after he’d spent time with another woman. If she was no one important, why hadn’t he taken time to text me earlier? Was I a secret? Was she?

Good lord, this is why I hated relationships. There was always too much drama. Why couldn’t I find someone easy to be with? Someone with shared interests.

I’d never met Abby Braxton, but by all accounts, she was sweet, gentle, and unassuming. A paragon of charm and femininity. The complete opposite of me. Reid said that’s what he wanted for his daughter when we were at the dance.

That was wonderful. But it wasn’t who I was. The physical attraction between us was in abundance. Friday night had proved that. But that’s all it could be. A one-night stand that I knew I wouldn’t forget for a long time.

But he was right about Lexi. I wouldn’t let her down, no matter what had happened between Reid and me.

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