Page 129 of Under Her Skin
“Because I love you. I can’t stand to see you cheating yourself out of a love that can bring you so much peace and happiness. You asked about my angel and she was the one who made me stop being stubborn and push past my insecurities and seek Lexi out. So I’m going to be your angel, because frankly, you needone.”
Ilaughand give him a tiny smile. “Since you’re not taking no for an answer what choice do I have, Max. But don’t be surprised when Blake tells me to get lost. I don’t even know what his address is,anyway.”
“He lives next door to Lexi’s brother, if you will recall. So I can put the address into the GPS of whichever car you want to take and boom, you’ll be there in notime.”
“Boom! Just like that, huh?” I ask as I shake my head. “You really are going to make me put myself out there, aren’tyou?”
He nods. “I am, tomorrow morning as a matter offact.”
“What can I do to get out of it?” I ask as he pulls me off the bar stool and back out to Lexi and theirkids.
“Not a damn thing. It’s time to face your fears and deal with the damage you’ve done. If nothing comes of it, but the fact you pulled up your big girl panties and faced the things you’ve done and find you can live through that, then so beit.”
Lexi smiles at me as we get to the table. “Did he get his way?” sheasks.
“Doesn’t he always?” I ask with a laugh. “Seems that I must face the music with Blake. Hope he wants to dance to it and not sit this oneout.”
Blake
The remodel team took only a couple of days to demo out the master bathroom and put in a new jet bathtub and a beautiful, tiled separate shower, big enough for two people. It all looks gorgeous and I only wish Mom and Dad could’ve enjoyed usingit.
I moved out of my childhood bedroom and have the remodeling crew working on it today. With the master bedroom all redone and now the attached bath finished, I’ve moved into it, a new large, four post bed andeverything.
A huge flat screen hangs on the wall. I plan on leaving every stick of furniture and all the things I’ve bought new for this house when I give it away. I’ll be taking my clothes and that’sit.
I have a box full of my memories of Mom and Dad that I’ll take too. Everything else is going to stay to welcome some unfortunate family get back on their feet. I do think it’s what my parents would’ve wanted me to do with theplace.
In the back yard I sit, sipping on a frosty, cold beer and relaxing in front of the little swimming pool I had put in the small backyard. There’s a nice, relaxing waterfall that I hope some lucky kids find fun jumping offof.
The back door opens as the last little bit of sunlight leaves the sky. “Hey, boss, we’re heading out,” the foreman of the remodeling crew tellsme.
“Thanks, man. See you guys tomorrow,” I say and give him awave.
He leaves and I turn back and click the remote to turn the lights on in the swimming pool. I imagine a little family cooking in the outdoor kitchen I had put in as they have fun with a little family time out by thepool.
The doorbell rings inside and I sigh as I get up to go see who is interrupting my dreamtime. “Who is it?” I holler as I walk through the kitchen and into the livingroom.
“Me,” the light lilt of a feminine voice calls out from behind the closeddoor.
The sound of her voice stopsme.
Why is shehere?
I’ve beenfine without her and now she’s here to rope me back in. I don’t think I should open the door. My feet move forward anyway. My hand touches the doorknob and I pull itback.
“Blake?” she asks on the other side of thedoor.
It’s all that separates us and I need the thick wood to keep her from me. I look at the lock and see it’s not latched and I need it to be latched so damn bad. I turn back and try to walk away. I try to open my mouth to tell her to leave mealone.
“Blake, I’m not here to beg you to give me another chance, if that’s what has you leaving me out here like this. I only wish to see you and tell you I’m sorry, in person. I don’t expect you to even accept my apology, but I want to face you as I should’ve done a long timeago.”
Is she being sincere? Can she even besincere?
Iopenthe door and look down to find her wearing a little, white T-shirt and some old blue jeans and flip flops. Her hair is in a ponytail. She’s not even trying to look all evil seductress like I thought shewould.
Instead she looks tiny and sweet like she always does. “Hi,” I manage to get out of my dryer than hellmouth.
“Hi, Blake.” She looks up at me and her eyes shine like a beacon in the night. So blue and gorgeous. “I just wanted to tell you, face to face, I’m sorry for being acoward.”
