After dinner, Reed went outside to shoot some hoops with his uncle and dad. I figured it was a male bonding thing and hung back with his mom.
“Come, let’s sit.” Andie took a seat on a beige couch.
I sat on the opposite cushion. “Dinner was lovely. It’s great to meet you.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “I can’t express in words what tonight has meant to us. I can’t thank you enough for everything.”
“What are you thanking me for?”
“Bringing my son back.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
“I appreciate the credit, but it wasn’t me.”
“Yes, it was. After five years, he’s finally willing to talk to us. I know it isn’t a coincidence. Al told us Reed only agreed after you encouraged it.”
“I just thought he’d waited long enough.”
“It’s been far too long. It’s hard enough losing one child, but practically losing a second…” Tears streaked down her cheeks.
I wasn’t sure what to do, so I let her keep talking. “I don’t know what Reed’s told you, but it wasn’t as black and white as he thought. Shannon never told us she was that unhappy. If we’d known—”
I reached out an arm and then pulled it back. I had no idea what the proper response was. “I’m sure.”
“Is he happy?”
The question came out of nowhere, but I realized the answer was important. “Sometimes. Sometimes, he’s so happy you can’t stop him from grinning like a little kid.”
“I bet that has to do with you.”
I shrugged. “He makes me happy, too.”
“I’m glad. I’m glad he has someone.” Her tears fell heavily, and I had to hug her.
“I know he might not want it, but I need him back in my life. I can’t do this anymore.”
“He wants it.” I knew my words were true. It was fear more than anything that held him back.
“Thank you.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to her thanking me yet again, but luckily Reed walked into the room. He sat down between us. “Have I been missing an interesting conversation?” He only said it to ease the tension. He must have seen his mother’s face and realized she was crying.
When he reached over to wipe a tear off my face, I realized I’d been crying, too. It wasn’t my place to cry—but hearing his mom just made me feel so lucky. I had an amazing family, an amazing boyfriend, and amazing life. I felt embarrassed for spending so much time moping around over something as stupid as my relationship with Dylan.
“Do you kids have big plans tonight?” Al slumped down into a recliner. His athletic body looked out of sorts in such a relaxed position. I’d barely ever seen him sit down. Even during dinner, he’d gotten up every few minutes.
He must have caught me looking at him. “What? Your boyfriend just schooled me. I’m too old for that.”
“Quit complaining, old man. I went easy on you,” Reed ribbed. “But to answer your question, we do have plans. We’re going to a party an alum from my house is throwing.”
“Nice. If I were your age, I’d go.”
“You need to find a girlfriend, Al.”
“What, now that you’ve decided to end your bachelor days, I should too?”
“It’s a good experience. Trust me.” He put an arm around the back of the couch behind me.
***
“Do you want to get out of here?” The party had been a nice idea, but it wasn’t really our scene. Reed knew some people, but it got boring pretty quickly.
“Sure. I have the perfect idea of how to ring in the New Year.” I got excited just thinking about it.
“What?”
“Airplane gazing.”
He grinned. “That sounds perfect, but will you be warm enough?” He gestured to my short dress.
“You have blankets.”
“And I’ll do my best to keep you warm.”
“You’d better.”
We pulled into the field at eleven forty-five. That didn’t leave much time before the New Year. We cuddled up under some blankets in the back of the truck, and although it was colder, it felt a lot like the first time.
I snuggled in closer to his side. “I wanted you to kiss me so bad last time we were here.”
“I wanted to kiss you, too.”
“Why didn’t you?” I brushed an eyelash off his cheek.
“I didn’t want to push you. I wanted to let you set the pace.”
I laughed. “What would have happened if I hadn’t asked you to my semi-formal?”
“I was planning to ask you to mine anyway.”
“Cutting it kind of close, weren’t you?” I lifted my head off his chest to look at him.
“Maybe just a little.” His expression suddenly turned serious. “I love you.” He looked right into my eyes as he said the words for the first time.
“I love you.” I kissed him as soon as I saw the expression of pure happiness on his face.
Maybe it was the words, but I knew I needed a lot more than a kiss. I started unbuttoning his shirt.
“Dare I ask what you’re doing, Oakley?”
“Undressing you.”
“I could ask you to expand on that, but instead I’m going to do the same thing.”
A few minutes later, he was on top of me. I giggled as a plane took off. We were really about to have sex outside with airplanes flying over us. It was kind of surreal.
The sex was even better that night. It was as if our bodies had really become one. Afterward, I wondered if it was because he was finally able to give me all of him. He was done holding back.
“Do you realize it’s 12:02?” Reed asked after he rolled off me. He had me wrapped up in his arms. I was most definitely not cold.
“That’s a nice way to start a New Year.”
“I was hoping for a New Year’s kiss, but New Year’s sex was pretty good too. Maybe we can make it a tradition.”
“I don’t know. I might be busy next year.” We were setting up our second tradition. Not bad for two and a half months.
He tickled me. “Okay, okay. I’ll be available.”
For some reason, that tickling got me in the mood again. I moved my hand down to grab him, loving the groan it elicited. We didn’t get any further before a bright light blinded me.
“Oh no.” Reed’s groan of pleasure became something else entirely.
The car stopped right next to the truck. Reed made sure to cover me up with the blankets before the police officer reached the bed of the truck. He shined a flashlight on us.