Page 25 of Blue-Eyed Hero

“Continue living your life, brother. If I hear anything, I’ll get in touch.”

“How’s Marla?” Reid asked. While he wasn’t able to go to Angel’s wedding, he’d had the honor of meeting his new bride during a weekend trip to New Hampshire. It had been good to see his old friend and nice to meet the woman who had flipped his world on its head.

“Great actually. Pregnant.”

Reid froze mid fork to mouth. “No shit, huh?”

“Just found out last night. It’s early still, but fuck. I’m going to be dad.”

“That’s really great. Congrats, man. I’m so happy for you.” And he was, but for some reason an empty pit opened in his stomach. He accepted long ago he could never have a family, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want one.

“Thanks. Still getting used to the idea. Never saw this for myself, you know?”

Neither of them did. It was probably why they grew so close so quickly. They both came from fucked up backgrounds, and they swore they’d never drag any innocents into their lives. But when Angel met Marla, he was as good as gone.

“You’re going to be a great dad. You had the worst, so you know everything not to do.”

“Damn straight. I’m going to be nothing like my old man. I’m going to treat my kid right. Give him a good life. Make sure he’s happy and shit.”

“I have no doubt you will. Now don’t let me keep you any longer.” Any contact with him put Angel in danger. They’d gone years walking a tightrope by staying in touch, but now that had to end. With a baby in the mix, Reid couldn’t chance it.

Pregnant. Angel’s word echoed in his head as if it taunted him. Reid would never have the chance to prove he was nothing like his father. But by staying single, not dragging someone he cared about into the messed-up web of his life, that was his proof he was better than his father.

Still, Reid longed for companionship, for someone to hold after a long day at the station, to argue with over whose turn it was to empty the dishwasher. He closed his eyes, imagining a life he would never have, though he was surprised when the woman of his dreams turned out to be the one and only Allison Winters.

It was Marco’s fault for putting that stupid thought in his head.

He laughed. Their personalities wrapped together in one tiny package would be a nightmare, but… it would also be one hell of an adventure.

Chapter 9

Another boring day in Willow Cove. Not that she completely minded. Allison loved the small town, but when she was trying to snag a seat as news anchor, she needed something juicier. Something that would cement her name as one of the best this town had ever seen. That was never going to happen reporting on the missing stop sign at the intersection of Stepping Stone Lane and Wild Goose Road. She had the pothole story lined up next, which was going to round out her riveting day of reporting.

Too bad there wasn’t another scandal like when Harley Love moved to their small town to escape harassment and internet trolls, but the trolls followed her, escalating the harassment. Or when Victor Turner held her and his cousin hostage over an inheritance dispute. Now that was riveting stuff, award worthy content that got her national attention. Now the only attention she had was Larry as he pointed the camera at her and motioned for her to begin speaking.

She went through her rehearsed narrative, explaining the situation of the missing stop sign, then signed off to her viewers. “This is Allison Winters for WC News.”

Sandra took over at the station, and Allison dropped her camera smile along with her hand holding the microphone to her face.

“One down, one more to go,” Larry said, taking the camera off his shoulder and heading to the news van. He was in a hurry to get done on time so he could take his youngest to a three o’clock showing at the movie theater. It was fine by Allison. She wanted to hit a spin class around the same time, anyway.

Though the most recent letter she received weighed heavily in her pocket. She should have called Reid, reported it to him, but he was already up in arms about the first one. She didn’t need to add fuel to that fire. This letter was also typed, no return address and no identifiable markings to trace its origins. Allison checked. She might not have a lab to dust for fingerprints, but she was thorough in her investigations. Still, she saved the envelope in a sandwich bag just in case and would have slipped the letter in with it, but Sonny had popped up to talk to her, and she’d panicked and quickly shoved it in her pocket.

“Ready?” Larry called through the passenger window from the driver’s seat.

Allison shook her head, getting her mind back in the game, and hopped in the van. “Ready. Onto the next.” She took her phone out and scanned through her social media feeds, responding to comments, and ignoring the rude ones that questioned if she’s pregnant.No, just ate a lot of carbs the last few days, but thanks for noticing.

Lots of comments asked how Larry was doing, so she turned her camera onto him. “Larry, say hi to the followers.”

His cheeks reddened as they always did when she turned the tables and put him in front of the lens. He waved. “Hi everyone.”

“What are you going to see today?” she asked.

“The new Marvel movie. Heard it’s great. Really looking forward to it.” Larry gave a thumbs up, and Allison laughed.

She turned the camera on herself and explained where they had just left and why and where they were off to now. “So hopefully, bringing media attention to the stop sign and the pothole, we’ll be able to get things fixed for you sooner rather than later. If you have any issues you need help with, please message me and Larry, and I just might wind up in your area of town.” She waved at the camera and posted the video.

Messages immediately started coming in, and Allison jumped right on them, responding and making notes for issues to look into further for future stories.

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