Page 13 of His Ex's Little Sister
“No need to apologize. I kind of liked the song,” he says. “The crowd surelovedit.”
It’s not the reaction I wanted from him, but at least I got my apology out without making the situation worse. “Thanks.”
“Isn’t that what good country music is all about? Pain, sadness andregret?”
He sure caused enough of it, but I won’t touch that comment with a ten-foot pole now that I’m so close to having him out of my hairforgood.
“Uh, sure. Anyway, what you need to know is that she was in a bad place for a long time after you left. She doesn’t need to be reminded of you or the tough time she had. I want you to stay away from her. I thinkthat’sit.”
He can’t seem to mask his confusion. His eyes narrow, his brows knit together, and his head tilts to one side. “Really? That’s it? You asked me to meet you here, so you can tell me that Danielle wasin a badplace?”
“Look, I thought about it, all right? It’s best if you leave well enoughalone.”
“The fact that you sang that song suggests to me there’s something more. Just tell me what it is. You have my word that I won’t try to track her down or reach out to yourfamily.”
“She was depressed,” I blurt out, although truth be told, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. My gut tells me that if I give him this sliver of what happened to Danielle, it will be enough. It has to be. “Clinical depression. That was her diagnosis, which translated to frequent therapy sessions, prescription anti-depressants, and many other consequences. She ended up having to quit college, got fired from countless jobs around town, and she couldn’t live on her own. She still can’t. Meanwhile, there you are, off wherever you disappeared to in the Middle East, serving in the military, being celebrated and decorated with medals for protecting our country, when you couldn’t even grow a pair to tell my sister you were leaving. And now, look at you, doing well for yourself while she can’t hold her own. Why else would I beupset?”
Reid nods. He’s been staring pensively at a spot above my shoulder, avoiding eye contact for the latter part of this heart-wrenching update. “I’m sorry she had a hard time,” Reid says. “You’re right. I was a jerkbackthen.”
“Add immature, inconsiderate, selfish, and arrogant to the list, among other things,” Itellhim.
“Okay,thosetoo.”
“Damn rightyouwere.”
“Is there anything else you want me to know? Or something you want me to do forDanielle?”
“No!” I blurt out way too quickly. “I mean, it’s too late for that. Water under the bridge, and all that. Just don’t be surprised if one or two of us use a picture of your arrogant face for target practice. Oh and by the way, be sure to steer clear of Josh. My brother has been saving up an extra-special can of whoopass justforyou.”
“I get it. You’re all hoping I don’t cross paths withDanielle.”
“That’s right. The best, kindest thing you can do for her now is to leave her alone. She doesn’t need to go through another downwardspiral.”
“I understand. And what about you,Robin?”
“Whataboutme?”
“Am I going to have to face your musical wrath every time you perform here? I’m asking because my friends and I spend a lot of time atthisbar.”
“Got it. No. You won’t ever hear me perform that song again.” I shake my head. “I’ll make a point of leaving it off the program fromnowon.”
He leans forward, bringing his face close to mine. “Do you want me to leave you alone too? I have to ask, because yesterday I got the feeling there was more to your reaction to me than plain oldhatred.”
“What are you talkingabout?”
“There’s no shame in admitting you’re into me,Robin.”
“That’s just plain wrong,” I stammer out, irked that I myself don’t even believe the words I’m saying. “You’re out ofyourmind.”
“AmI?”
Reid takes my hand and places my palm against his black designer button-down shirt. He’s crowding me, invading my personal space. I should be putting some distance between us, but I’m mysteriously fixed in place. The force of his hand keeps mine plastered to his firm chest as it gives off waves of heat that radiate to my core and soak mypanties.
I’m almost glad he’s holding my hand in one spot, because I’m tempted to inch my fingers down to his abs, which I have no doubt must be just as tight and rippling with rock hard muscles. Dazed and off-balance, I push against his chest, hoping at least one of us is not stuck in a forbidden moment. Reid doesn’t move an inch. Well, he moves, but in the wrong direction. He’s closing inonme.
His light hazel eyes darken as he gazes down at me. My eyes roam his face, taking in each feature while a tiny voice buried deep in the recesses of my mind fails at getting my full attention as it tells me this is all levels of wrong. I’m too distracted by Reid’s square jaw line, his short dark hair framing his face, full lips that are just inches from mine, and those eyes thathypnotizeme.
“Just tell me to leave you alone, Robin, andIwill.”
