“I think I’ll just go home,” I reply, shifting in my seat.
“You know I need to be near you after a fight,” he says, his voice pleading.
“Why don’t you stay at mine?” I offer.
He exhales in relief and nods twice. “Okay.” He rests his hand on my thigh, his long fingers spread out.
“I’ll stop by mine and grab some clothes,” he says.
“You sure you’re okay to drive?” I ask. I’m pretty sure I saw him take a few kicks to the stomach.
“I’m good.”
When we arrive at his apartment Reid parks and runs inside to get some clothes while I wait in the car. I drum my fingers on my thigh, thinking over everything that I’d learnt tonight. I don’t expect Reid to come without a past, without his own baggage, but this is getting a little ridiculous. One question is foremost in my mind.
What else is Reid Knox hiding?
And does it matter? As long as he’s good to me, and faithful, can I take any curveball thrown my way? Reid enters the car, pulling me from my thoughts.
“You okay?” he asks, his hand on the keys.
“I’m fine,” I say a little shortly.
“Right.” He turns the key and starts the engine. He runs his other hand along his scar, looking like he wants to say something.
“I needa know you’re in this with me, no matter what. I know I’m gonna f**k up sometimes, but I’ll always try and fix things. I’ll never hurt you intentionally, Summer. I just need to know you aren’t gonna run. You can’t run,” he says, and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as we swallows.
“Where am I gonna run to?”
His eyes dart to mine before he replies. “You know what I mean. If something happens you can’t handle, you’re gonna want to run from my bed, from me.”
“Reid-”
“I just need to know if you want this as much as I do,” he says. And there it is, the question I was just asking myself.
Apparently I take too long to answer.
“I see,” he grinds out.
“Reid-”
He makes a dismissive sound in his throat, and keeps his eyes on the road.
“Are you going to listen to me? Or just be a dickhead?” I snap, losing my patience.
He doesn’t reply, his jaw set.
“I want you. But you need to let me in more. You think I like finding out all of this shit from other people? Or from the lipstick on your neck? How would you feel if this situation was reversed? If I was caught with an ex of mine that you never even knew existed?”
I ignore the growl that escapes his lips and continue. “My point exactly.”
“Tell me about your exes,” he demands.
“Well, there are only two. I dated Liam for a couple of months, he was my first boyfriend. Then I dated Quinn for about a year. We broke up a month before I moved here.”
“Who did you lose your virginity to?” he asks boldly, earning a glare from my direction.
“Quinn, and he’s the only boy I’ve slept with other than you.”
“Not a boy, beauty,” he grumbles.
“Man,” I correct, rolling my eyes.
“Where can I find this Quinn?” he asks in a suspiciously calm tone.
“Reid,” I say, trying not to laugh but failing.
“What?” He shrugs his broad shoulders.
“So, this is the first time we’re gonna make love after a fight,” I say huskily, changing the subject.
“Who says that’s what we’re gonna do tonight?” he asks, playing coy.
I sigh dramatically. “I thought I was in for a treat tonight, my man winning his fight, adrenaline pumping through his body…” I trail off.
Reid grins widely, showing his straight white teeth. “Be careful what you wish for, beauty.”
“Why? Cos I just might get it?” I bat my eyelashes at him.
“Just hope you can handle it,” he teases, his lips curving into a crooked grin.
“Oh, I can handle it,” I scoff, leaning over slightly and running my hand up his thigh.
He shakes his head at me, and as he parks on the grass in front of my house, I can feel the anticipation building. He walks around the car and opens the door for me, and I step out and stare up at his handsome face. A little battered, but handsome all the same. I smile and put my hand out, which he takes into his. He closes the car door, and locks it with a press of a button. Hand in hand, we walk to the front door. Before I can even open the fly screen door, Xander pulls the door open, grinning when he sees us.
“I was wondering what the hell happened to you two, I just rang Ryan,” he says, stepping back for us to enter.
“You okay?” he asks Reid, giving him a once over.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he answers, slapping Xander on the back.
I pull Reid towards my room. “Night, bro!” I call out.
“Night. I’m heading out,” he says.
I spin around. “Where are you going?” He just smiles cheekily and walks out. He locks the door behind him.
“Stop fussing over him,” Reid says, cupping my ass with his large hand.
“I don’t fuss over him,” I lie.
“I’m gonna take a shower,” he says, pulling off his hoodie. I don't miss his wince, and I know that he’s in pain, no matter how much he tries to deny it.
“Wanna join me?” he asks in a deep low voice.