Page 18 of Finally, Our Forever

I stare at my feet, not knowing what to say. I know he’s right, but I also know that doesn’t change much. I hated the way David spoke to me, especially in front of Reece. I can live with it, though.

“Are you hearing me, Maci Kate?”

I shake my head, and he sighs. I look up and see that he’s leaning against the island across from me. Something is still bothering me about what David said. “Reece?”

“Angel?” I smile at his name for me. “How did he even know you were here? Do you think he’s watching me?”

Reece shakes his head sadly. “I’m not sure, baby. Maybe he—shit, never mind. I’m not sure. I’m going to have some guys come out and look around. They’ll put in a security system too, and change your locks. They’ll be here tomorrow when you get home from work.”

Did he just tell me what is going to happen to my house? Like he has some right to it? I hate it when people tell me what to do. My daddy did that to me my whole life, God love him. David did it while we were married, always over stupid shit. I only hated him more for it.

“You cannot just come in here and—”

He cuts me off mid-rant with a quick kiss on my lips and shocks me silent. He puts his hands on each side of me and cages me in against the counter. Leaning his body into mine, he cups my jaw with one of his hands and asks, “Has he ever hit you before, angel? Or has he only ever been verbally abusive?”

My eyes go wide, and I’m startled by the question. “David has never hit me. Reece, he’s not abusive; he’s just a dick.”

Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath. “Maci Kate, the way he talked to you was wrong. Talking down to you, making you feel bad about yourself, and calling you names repeatedly is abuse. He’s controlling you through Bennett, and is trying to exert his power wherever he can.”

I huff. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Reece. He can just be an asshole sometimes.” I step away from the counter and go to walk out of the kitchen, and away from this conversation. As soon as I pass by Reece, he has other ideas, and pulls my back to his front, both his arms circling my chest.

Leaning his forehead on my shoulder, he lifts his head, skims his nose up my ear, and gently says, “I’m sorry, angel. I didn’t like seeing him talk to you like that. You deserve so much more.”

I nod my head. He’s right, I do deserve better than David. A tear rolls down my cheek, and I let it go. “I don’t even know why he won’t let me go. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“God, I’m so fucking sorry, Maci Kate.” He pushes me away enough so he can turn me in his arms and pull me into his chest, nuzzling my neck.

“Why are you sorry, Reece? It isn’t your fault.” I lean into his chest, rubbing my face all over his shirt, and inhale his cologne. God, he smells good—clean and masculine.

“Oh, it’s my fault, baby. If I hadn’t pushed you away, you wouldn’t have ended up with David, and we’d have been together. Bennett would be mine, not his.”

Bennett. Fuck, he’s going to try to take Bennett away from me if I try and date someone. This is total bullshit. I wouldn’t pay attention to it, but I know in the end it’s going to hurt Bennett. He doesn’t need that. Plus, David has an uncle who’s a judge in our town, and his daddy is a hotshot lawyer. David might be an asshole, but he does know people who can make things difficult. I push out of Reece’s arms and pace in front of him.

“Reece, as much as I want this to happen, it can’t. I’m not going to risk losing Bennett. Thank you for today. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but I’m not going to put my son through this.”

His jaw tenses. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? You are mine, Maci Kate. Mine. I’m not losing you because of him. Do not let him bully you into this. We will figure it out together.”

I sigh, willing myself not to cry. “No. I will figure it out, Reece.” I say, pointing at my chest. “Bennett is MY son. This is MY life. I will not be putting him through this. He’s been through enough already. For a minute, I thought maybe we could finally be a possibility, but we can’t. I’m sorry. Please leave.”

Reece walks up to me and pulls me into his chest. “This isn’t right, and I’m not going to let him take you away from me. I’ll give you some time to think about things.” He kisses my forehead, then pushes me away gently. When he gets to the door and opens it, he adds, “He’s not the only one with reach in this town, Maci. Remember that.”

With that, he walks out the door, and my life. I need to keep my mind on what matters, and that’s Bennet. A family that will not include Reece Atwood, the only man to whom I have ever wanted to give my whole heart.

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