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Holden rose from his seat and joined his brother. “Reid’s right, Mom. Don’t leave,” Holden said, his voice raw with emotion.
“Are you sure, Holden?” Her hand trembled beside her as she searched his face for the truth.
“Absolutely.” Holden grabbed Catherine in a big hug.
Once Holden released her, Catherine dropped her purse on the floor and ran to Reid, throwing her arms around him. “Oh, my God. My baby is home.”
Reid wrapped his arms around her and finally broke down crying.
Holden sank into his chair, I crawled into his lap and kissed him, then wiped away his tears. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” I smoothed his hair. “I didn’t think it was possible, but I fell more in love with you today.”
He pressed a sweet kiss to my mouth, his lingering tears tasting salty on my lips.
Over the next several hours, Reid opened up to Catherine and his brother. He answered their questions honestly, but he also asked about his new family. He had a sister he didn’t remember at all. Catherine’s phone was loaded with pictures of all the kids and a few of Reid when he was little. If anyone asked, she had told them it was Holden. It was easy to play off since they looked so much alike.
I had a front-row seat, watching wonderful people in my life cry and heal. It was the most amazing thing I’d ever witnessed. Granted, they had a long way to go, but this was a huge step in the right direction. Out of all of them, I was most concerned about Reid. With his past, I wondered how it would affect him in his relationships. Would he choose the wrong people and open up quickly? Or would he have so many walls in place he wouldn’t be capable of truly growing close to anyone? Only time would tell.
At least I realized where I stood with Reid, and maybe I could help him navigate the muddy waters of his new world. I owed him that. Holden had believed in me and given me a new life, but Reid had been my rock at the compound. No matter what, he had my love and loyalty. The tricky part, though? Not sending the wrong message to Reid and helping him manage his expectations as we all moved forward. The guys were making strides already, but there was definitely contention between the two.
Exhausted, Catherine left that afternoon. She gave me a huge hug and whispered a heartfelt thank you before she walked out of the door. I think all of us were in an emotional crash, but at least it was good to have learned the truth, finally.
“Baby, I need a drink. Probably a strong one.” I pushed up on my tiptoes and kissed him, hooking my fingers in the waistband of his fitted, low-hung jeans.
“I’ll make us something. Reid?”
Reid had stretched out on the couch and turned the television on. He’d discovered the remote, and I was pretty sure he would never surrender it again. I grinned at him as he flipped channels. In some ways, he was like a little kid, exploring and seeing things with the innocence of a child.
I ran over and snatched the control away from him.
“Hey!” He sat up, scowling at me.
A giggle slipped free. “You’re so focused on the television you didn’t hear your brother ask if you wanted a drink.”
Reid gave me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, it’s just all new.”
I gave him the remote back. “I know, and I’m going to tease you, so get over it.” I put my hand on my hip. “Drink or not?”
“What’s available?” he asked Holden, who was already working on ours.
“I’m making some Long Island iced teas. Have you ever had one?” Holden glanced over at us before he returned his attention to the glasses.
“Nope, but I’m game.” Reid winked at me, then focused on the program he was watching.
I laughed before I turned away.
“Hey.” Reid grabbed my wrist, and I faced him.
“Yeah?”
His eyes misted over. “Thank you for today. I’m not sure it would have ended well if you hadn’t been there with us.”
I smiled at him. “I’m glad it did. It will take everyone some time to adjust, so please be gentle on yourself.”
Reid kissed my knuckles before focusing on the basketball game again.
I smiled and joined my boyfriend. “It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had alcohol. I’m ready to relax. Everything with Catherine was a huge fucking deal.”
“No shit,” Holden responded quietly. His heated gaze fell on me. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
