Page 44 of Finding Solace
I don’t ever get tired of being amazed by her kindness. I wrap my arms around her and hold her for amoment.
Come lunchtime we all paused long enough to eat the sandwiches Lisa had fixed for everyone. By late afternoon the women have everything wrapped and boxed. Looking more mentally exhausted than physically, I told Mila to head home for the day with Ava and I'd catch a ride back once wefinished.
By the time I got home, after me and the guys hauled and put everything into storage, it was late. Jake dropped me off, and I dragged my tired ass inside lookin' for nothin' but a hot shower and the comfort of my woman by my side. Quietly, I make my way to the kitchen and grab a slice of room temperature pizza from the box sitting on the counter and eat it as I walk down the hallway. I stop long enough to peek in on Ava who is sound asleep holding her teddy. When I get to our bedroom, Mila is sleeping in the bed with one bare leg stuck out from under the covers. Taking the last bite of my food, I strip from my clothes, walk into the bathroom and turn the showeron.
I sit under the spray of hot water until it starts to run cold. Once I've dried off and taken care of all my other nightly shit I head to bed. I feel Mila's body shift as I ease myself under the covers. Lying on my back I pull herclose.
Mila isn’t much of a spooner. She prefers to drape her body over mine. Sometimes to the point of sleeping on top of me. As soon as her head is tucked under my chin and her body melds into mine, I relax letting the feel of her warm, wispy breath across my skin lull me tosleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
MILA
Last night I brought up the subject of paying Reid back for my new car. He argued it wasn't going to happen. He said my car was a piece of shit death trap and it was his job to take care of Ava and me, to make sure we were safe. "My car may have been a piece of shit, but I paid for it myself, and it has gotten me where I need to go," I had fumed. Reid's face had softened at my words. He knows I struggled at times, and I did the best I could for being a single mother. I didn't have much, but Ava has never wanted for anything, even if that meant I had to drive a shittycar.
Later that day I told him I hadn't meant to get so worked up. I knew he didn't mean for his words to come across the way I took them. Reid would never intentionally hurt my feelings. I had already planned on going down to the dealer to at least look at a newer used car; Someday. He went on to tell me he wouldn't accept any money for it in return. When he said it I made sure to keep my temper in check; this time, as I calmly informed him, I was perfectly capable of paying himback.
He knows I can afford it now, at least once I have access to the money Grams left me. He had already informed me when we moved in he would be paying all the household bills. I don't have anything to spend my moneyon.
"I don't want to be a kept woman, Reid. I want our relationship to be fifty-fifty. I appreciate that you want to take care of me, I do. But I can still take care of myself and Ava," I stressed mypoint.
He had let out an exasperated sigh, telling me, "I'm tryin' not to fuck shit up, babe. I'm kinda winging things as I go. Being in a committed relationship is new for metoo."
That's when I walked over to him and placed my palm on his cheek. "You're not messing anything up. We're both trying to navigate the ins and outs of this relationship together. I imagine all couples who are starting out face the same obstacles. If we keep doing like we are now and talk things through with each other, we'll be fine. So long as I don't go on the defense about every little thing and you try to keep your alpha male tendencies in check, we're good," Iteased.
"What's got you thinkin' so hard over there, Kitten?" Reidasks.
Lost in thought, I tear my gaze from looking out the car window, and I turn my attention towardsReid.
Lots ofthings.
We are in my car on our way to the clubhouse. Reid said all the guys along with Bella and Alba are there and he asked me if I want to go hang out with everyone for a bit. When we were getting ready to leave the house, we argued over who was going to drive. I insisted he take his bike because I know how much he missed riding after his accident. Reid has been spending more time in my car than he has on the his bike. I have Ava, so unless she is staying with someone, I never get the opportunity to ride with him like I would love to do. Reid lives to ride, all his brothers do. I don't want to take any of that away fromhim.
"Wherever you and Ava are, is where I'll be." That's what he toldme.
I decide to keep last night's reflections to myself and bring up a different topic altogether. "I was thinking about the charity event the hospital is having, and how I've decided to give this year'sspeech."
"Really? That's great, babe. I'm proud of you," Reid says, reaching across the center console to hold myhand.
"Yeah, Grams would have wanted me to do it. And even though I'm terrified to stand up in front of all those people to deliver the speech, I feel it's something I need to do. The cause is too important to me to turn down the opportunity to tell my story and bring more awareness to thedisease."
Bringing my hand up to his mouth, he kisses it, "You're an amazing woman, MilaVaughn."
I break our connection when I hear my phone ringing from somewhere in my purse. Reid snickers from the driver's seat when the phone stops ringing because I didn't find it intime.
"Shut up," I giggle. I know my purse is a never-ending abyss. Reid is always joking about how I have everything but the kitchen sink in there. I argue back saying I need all my stuff until I pull out not one, not two, but three hair brushes. And don't ask me why I just pulled out a potato peeler. Seeing sight of me holding the peeler in my hand Reid's head rears back letting out a bark oflaughter.
"It's not the kitchen sink, but it's pretty damn close, Kitten," he jokes, and I narrow my eyes athim.
A second later I find my phone at the bottom of my purse. Seeing I have a new voice message I tap the screen and listen. Once I've finished listening, I toss my cell back into my bag. "That was the realtor," Idivulge.
"What did the lady have to say?" Reidinquires.
"Grams’ housesold."
"How do you feel about that?" Heasks.
I shrug my shoulders, "I'm okay with it. I didn't expect it to sell so fast considering how old it is. But I'm okay. It's bittersweet. I love that house. I have so many fond memories in that house, but selling it was the right decision. I could not imagine living there without my grandmother. It wouldn't feelright."
