“That sounds intense, Fletch. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this on your own.” She paused, and I could hear the sound of fabric rustling, and I pictured her walking. “As for Keaton, I think he’s more upset the competition was hiding in front of him.”
“Yeah. It’s so not like that. I promise.” Giving a dry chuckle before sobering. I wasn’t done yet on my apology tour. “Are Dax and Reed there?”
“Mmhmm. Do you want to talk to them?”
“Please. I need to apologize to them too. I owe them.”
“Will you let me know when you’re headed back?”
“Absolutely, Baby Shaw. Reese has their phone now. So there won’t be any more disconnection. I’ll make sure of it.” My voice was full of command. I would never willingly put myself in a position to hurt the people I cared about again.
“Thanks, Fletch. I do trust you with Reese’s life. Hurry back to us. I need to kick you in the shin in person.”
Chuckling, I smiled. “Deal.”
“Here are the guys.” I heard her hand over the phone and waited for them to answer. When no one said anything, I knew it was up to me to start.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you both. You trusted me with your shit, and I didn’t do the same. As my brother boyfriends, I owe you an apology for being an idiot. Can you forgive me?”
“I dunno. What’s in it for us?” Dax asked, making me chuckle. He and Reese were so alike at times.
“Whatever you want.”
“Tickets to see the Ice Devils,” he responded quickly, and I wondered how long he’d been thinking about it.
“Done. Reese asked for a car, so you’re really underselling yourself,” I teased.
Reese smiled at my comment, and it finally felt like things would be okay now. I still had a lot of apologies to make. I’d underestimated the family I’d built around myself, not giving them credit for their character. They weren’t interested in what I could give them. Reese and Dax had asked for things, but I knew it was in jest, a fun way of teasing me.
And the funny thing was, I’d give them both anything they wanted without question. It wasn’t the same as people using me to get a step up or being kind to my face in the hopes I’d lavish them with gifts. I had to trust in the relationship I’d built. There was a huge difference, and I needed to remember that more.
“Damn. I should’ve gone bigger,” he teased. “I’ll just run you through the ropes during training when you get back. Sounds fair to me.”
“Fine.” I groaned, already anticipating the pain my body would feel. I heard him hand the phone off, silent breathing filling the space. Of course, Reed would make me work the hardest.
“I’m sorry I kept it from you. I asked you about your past but didn’t disclose my own. It’s a shitty thing to do. Can you forgive me, Reed?”
“You don’t need my forgiveness, Fletcher. I understand your need to ask, but you already have it. We’re family; our bond is deeper than superficial friendships. You didn’t purposefully lie to us or omit something out of spite. Already you’ve led the four of us through the ups and downs we’ve encountered, never complaining or asking for anything in return. You would’ve told us if the time presented itself and you had planned on doing it tonight. I know you’re an honorable man, Fletcher Cromwell, and I’m proud to be your brother.”
Stunned, I blinked at all the words Reed had just said; ignoring the small tear that formed in my eye. Allergies in New York were horrendous this time of year. I cleared my throat of any wayward emotion before responding.
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Thanks, Reed. I’m proud to be your brother, too, man.”
“Don’t think I won’t use this to my advantage to gain more time with Henley. Plus, I’ll live up to my nickname and punch you for not believing in us to accept you.” His voice had lost the emotion, and without seeing his face, I couldn’t determine if he was teasing or not. Gulping, I rubbed my beard.
“Um, okay. That’s fair, but why would you tell me you’ll punch me?” I asked, confused.
“Because the fear of it coming, of not knowing when I’m going to do it, and constantly being on edge is the true punishment. And it will stop you from doing anything this dumb in the future.”
I blinked. He had me there. I was already thinking about the punch, and we weren’t even in the same state. Reed might be a man of few words most of the time, but when he did speak, he blew me away and scared the shit out of me equally. I was suddenly glad he was on our side and that I never had to play against him on the ice. The dude was one scary motherfucker.
“Yeah. Okay. Good talk.” I cleared my throat, Dax yelling something about Punchy in the background, and a pang of homesickness for them hit me. The phone was handed off again, and I assumed Henley had retaken it.
“Reed said it best. I’m hurt, but that’s my baggage to deal with. I hate how this came out, but you were trying to tell me, and I can respect that.” She took a deep breath, her voice sweeter. “Hurry back to us, Daddy Fletch. We miss you.”
I swallowed, turning my head slightly away from Reese to whisper. “Did you just call me Daddy?”
“Would you prefer, Sir? Sir Fletch?”