Page 61 of Finding Redemption

“So she really gonna marry you? I mean, she could be gettin’ with me.” I chuckle.

“Fuck you. She’s mine, even she knows it now.” I imagine him pounding his chest at the fact.

“Well, hell, little brother. She’s owned your ass for long enough, it’s about time you get some.”

“Fuck you again,” he grunts. “I’m flipping you off by the way.”

“No doubt. Later.”

“Later.” He ends the call.

I’m still hung up on what went down between Reese and myself. There’s no way she’ll trust me again. Pretty sure she shouldn’t want to. But then again, she doesn’t know everything I’ve done. She just thinks she wants to be with me. Maybe it’s time she sees why being with me isn’t an option.

I’m sure she already thinks I took Candy home from the gala. Reese thinks Candy means something to me. At this point, the fact that she lied about Alden doesn’t even matter. There’s nowhere to go from here for either of us.

“Get through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the wedding, and hopefully the New Year will be better.” I give myself a pep talk that fails miserably. It’s the same one I gave myself last year, minus the wedding.

It didn’t work then, either.

“Did you get enough to eat?” My mom sits beside me on the couch.

“I did. Too much if I’m being honest.” I rub my belly.

She snickers. “I’ve fixed you some leftovers. Please take them back to the office with you.” She gestures to the kitchen where a stack of plastic containers stands on the counter.

“You didn’t have to do that, Mom. Thank you.” I lean over, kissing her head.

“You’ve been looking slim. I thought you might benefit from some good home cooking.” She pats my leg.

I smile at her. “I surely can, Momma.”

“Are you seeing anyone or are you working yourself to death?” That’s my mom. Straight to the point.

“I’m working. There is no one.”

“I thought Ava said you were talking to a beautiful redhead?”

I’ll kill her. “Not exactly.”

Her eyes narrow. “So, how is it?” A crease forms between her eyes, and her face softens.

“Mom,” I hesitate for two seconds, “I’m afraid.”

“Don’t be. She won’t break your heart.”

I scratch my hair, then the side of my face. “But… what if…” I can’t even look at her. “What happens if I slip?”

“Oh, please. Walker, you’re one of the finest men I know. Not because I’m your mother, but for the fact that I’ve met a few assholes in my life.”

I have to laugh. “She calls me an asshole all the time.”

“Is she right?” She quirks her brow.

“Every time.”

“I bet she doesn’t mean it. Or are you trying to be?” She eyes me.

“He’s trying to ‘warn her off’, or so he says.” Ava plops down on the other side of me. Andi slides into my lap, all smiles, melting my heart.