Page 6 of Rematch
“Don’t. I’m fine.”
He walked around his desk and leaned against the edge. “What’s so important you’re ready to rush out of here like a bat of hell?” Cocking his head, he asked, “Is your mother alright?”
Like you care. I bit the words before they could dart out. “She’s fine,” I said. If something were wrong, he’d probably know before I did. With the eyes he had all over this city, he practically knew everything. “I have an errand I need to run. It’s personal and urgent.”
He cracked a grin. “Personal? Meaning a girl?”
“Dad,” I kept my voice firm. I was not in the mood for one of his stupid attempts at a father-son bonding moment. He could shove all of them right up his ass.
“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Go. Use protection.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned on my heel and rushed out of the casino.
I drove through every red light towards our old neighborhood. Something told me to check there first. I didn’t know if Audrey was staying with her fathers, but it was worth a try. If it was a bust, then I could always put an ear to the streets and see where that leads me.
A red Mazda sedan I didn’t recognize was sitting beside the curb in front of their house when I arrived, and I hoped my intuition was right.
I parked in front of the car, closer to my mom’s front yard. She wouldn’t question peeking out the window and seeing it in the middle of the night. She preferred mine over the others I often send to keep an eye on her. Since it was late, I wouldn’t have to hear her fuss about wishing I’d stopped inside.
I needed to be better at spending time with her, but I didn’t like talking about the shit my father often had me doing. She tried to hide it, but I could see the glimpses of disappointment in her eyes. I didn’t want her to feel like she’d failed. She’d done a good job shielding me from the dark side of his world. The blame for falling into his trap was all mine.
I climbed out of the car and followed my old route towards the Davis’s backyard. I scanned the windows, searching for her lavender curtains.
Soft beams of light shone through the translucent color. Another good sign. Maybe she was still awake.
The makeshift ladder I made years ago was still hooked to the wall. Grabbing a hold of one of the handles, I tested my weight on the thick wood. It didn’t budge, still sturdy beneath my foot.
I climbed up until I finally reached the window. Peering inside, I caught a glimpse of Audrey’s silhouette. She was layingon her bed with her back against the headboard and her laptop on her lap.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Her head shot up at the sudden sound. It whipped back and forth as she glanced around.
I gently tapped my knuckles on the glass again.
She hesitantly rose from her spot on the bed and tiptoed over to the window. Her fingers curled around the edge of the curtain as she leaned her knees onto the cushion of her window bench. Pulling it back some, she revealed her face. Bare of any makeup with glasses on her nose and her curls pulled up, she was still every bit of the girl I’d fallen in love with.
Her light brown eyes instantly darted in my direction and widened at the sight. “Max?” She asked. Her brows stitched together. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I motioned to the window. “Are you gonna let me in or are you going to leave me hanging here?”
Audrey glanced over her shoulder. Uncertainty flew across her face, and for a moment I worried she was going to say no. Sighing, she unhooked the latch and pushed the window up. She moved aside, so I could swing my legs through the opening and shimmy inside.
The familiar scent of her favorite perfume, light and floral, wafted through my nose and warmed my belly. Seeing the lavender walls covered with hand painted flowers and posters of horror heart-throbs transported me into a different time. Back when life was simple.
My gaze fell on Audrey, and I almost gasped at the view.
The moonlight illuminated the tiny freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks. Beneath her chin, the diamond necklace I’d gifted her almost ten years ago sparkled in the silver light. An oversized tee swallowed her torso and fleece pajama shorts barely covered her legs.
“Wow,” I murmured, raking over her body again. She’d aged like wine, growing finer by the year.
Audrey followed my stare. Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms and legs in a feeble attempt to shield herself. “What are you doing here, Max?” She repeated.
I stood up and took a step towards her. “I needed to see you. I had no idea you were in town. Why didn’t you call?”
She lowered her eyes. “I didn’t know what to say…”
“Well, I do.” I reached out to caress her face. “I’ve missed you.”
