The Beginning of Us (183 page)

“What do you have going on in that pretty little head of yours now, Reid? You’ve got that scheming look in your eyes.”

Damn, she knows me too well. “Oh, this one’s a good one, though, Mel, and you’re definitely going to want to help me out.”

Please, please, please with a cherry on top!

She glares at me, but it’s a playful glare. I know she can’t say no to me.

“ Okay, what do you need me to do?” she sighs.

“When were you planning on leaving for Thanksgiving?”

“Maddy and I are done with class at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Then we we’re stopping here to grab our bags before the three-hour drive home. Why do you ask?” She arches a conspiratorial eyebrow at me. She knows I’m up to something.

“We were just talking about it, and she sounded like she was really disappointed that she’s never had a huge family gathering for the holidays, and I want to give that to her. I know that Jack is already planning on staying here for the holiday because he’s got too much work to do.”

“Which means that Cammie is staying, too. And if Cammie is staying, then Lia is staying,” she chimes in, as awareness of my plan dawns on her.

“Right. So I can talk to Logan tonight and you can invite Bryan, and it’ll be the eight of us, which is more than she would ever expect.”

“ Okay, but where are we going to do this? We can’t fit that many people in the suite. We don’t even have a dining room table.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, momentarily distracting me. It’s the same number that’s been calling for weeks. I hit “ignore” and return to my conversation with Mel.

“Well, we could do it at my house.” A look of disgust creeps across Mel’s face. She’s trying to be tactful in searching for the right words, but I know what she wants to say, so I beat her to the punch.

“I know. I know. The house is disgusting. But…” I drag the word out, trying to convince her, “what if I cleaned the place top to bottom?”

“Reid, you guys would need a power washer and a steam cleaner to even begin to scratch the surface on the filth in that place.”

Damn, she’s right. I guess three college-age men don’t make for good housekeepers. Then the idea dawns on me.

“I’ll hire someone. I call a maid service and have them come in while we’re all out, and it’ll all be good.” See? Simple.

“Okay, but where on earth are you going to get that kind of money? You’re going to need a couple hundred bucks for the maid alone. Add in the cost for food and everything else – you guys don’t even have real silverware or plates! I doubt you even have any pots and pans to cook with, do you? And I’m sure Logan and Jack aren’t going to be keen on coughing up that kind of money for your girl. Can you even cook?”

“If I cover all of the expenses, will you help? I’ve got the money. Believe me, I’ve got more than I know what to do with, and I just want to make this special for Maddy. Help me write out a list of everything I’ll need, and I’ll go buy it all. Fuck, I’ll hire the most expensive caterer in town if it means that I can give her the Thanksgiving she’s always wanted.” My words are sincere, and Mel knows it. I’ve got her hook, line and sinker.

It’s about time all that money went to a good cause.

“But what about my mom, Reid? I can’t just leave her all alone. She doesn’t have anyone, either, and, as much as I love Maddy, I can’t do that to her.”

My phone buzzes again – the same damn number – at the same time that Maddy gently knocks on the door and through it says, “Now, I know I’m okay with you guys being friends and all, but you’ve been in there forever. We’re going to grab something to eat. Want to come with us? Or are you guys too busy plotting to take over the world in there?”

I quickly answer Mel’s concerns about her mom, wanting to end this conversation before Maddy gets too suspicious. “I’ll take care of that, too. I promise. We can work out the details later. I also want this to be a surprise, so don’t tell Maddy, either.”

“Okay. I’m in. Let’s do this.” She claps her hands and jumps up and down a little. She’s just as devious as I am; she just hides it a little better, that’s all.

She responds to Maddy, saying that we’ll be right there, to which I’m certain Maddy just rolled her eyes and scoffed out a “whatever.” I put part one of my plan in motion and sneak Maddy’s psych textbook into my bag. As we’re walking out the door, my phone buzzes again, and I immediately hit “ignore.” I can’t be bothered with it now. I’ve got way more important things to do than figure out who is calling me from that god-awful place I used to call home. That place hasn’t been home in forever.

Here is my home because Maddy is here - she is my home. If things go according to plan, here will finally feel like home for her, too.

Chapter 11

Maddy

I stand in Mel’s doorway and yell, “Melanie Elizabeth Crane,” in the hopes of getting her to move her ass. We’re already supposed to be on the road to go home for Thanksgiving. She knows I hate driving in the dark down those winding, narrow mountain roads. And as much as I love her, the girl has a serious problem with getting anywhere on time. “Come on, Mel! We’re going to be late.”

“Would you just relax, Maddy? We’re just driving home. You can’t be late when you’re going to your own house, silly. Besides, I’m almost done. Do you have everything you need? What about your psych textbook? I know that’s your first final when we get back.”

“Oh, crap! You’re right. I don’t think I packed that.” I retreat to the living room, where I’ve been waiting patiently for over an hour for her to get ready. I rifle through my bag, and my book is not in there. I scan my desk, only to find that it’s not there, either. I could’ve sworn I had it the other night when Reid and I were studying. Where the hell is it? Shit, maybe I left it at Reid’s house. I text him quickly just to be sure.

Me: Hey, baby – I can’t find my psych book anywhere. Is it at your place?

Reid: Yeah, it’s right here. Want me to bring it over?

Me: No, it’s okay. We’ll stop on our way and I’ll pick it up.

Reid: You mean I get to see that sexy body and kiss those sweet lips one more time before you leave me here all alone all weekend?

Me: Quit making me feel guilty. I said you could come with us.

Reid: Okay, fine, you win. I’ll see you in a bit xx

Me: k xx

There is just something about him texting me kisses that makes my knees go weak. I knew I was falling hard for him pretty much since the first time I saw him, but now I know for sure – I love him. He is everything I originally thought he wasn’t. He’s kind and sweet and so loving. I have a very distinct feeling that he loves me, too, but I guess we’re both just too afraid to be the first to say it. I know that my walls have come down where he’s concerned. He’s in my heart, and even though it can be crazy scary at times, it’s pretty much everything I’ve ever wanted. I just wish he would let his guard down a little more. I know he loves me, but he’s still hiding something. There’s some wound that hasn’t healed, and he’s keeping me from it. I can’t push him to share it, though; it’s his to share. I’m sitting on my bed, lost in my musings about Reid, when Mel comes in to tell me she’s ready to go.

“Finally!” I huff at her.

We load up the car with our bags and tons of snacks, and then head over to Reid’s to grab my book. It’s not a long drive at all, so we just listen to some music and sing along for the ten minutes that we’re in the car. As we park in front of the house, I notice a change in Mel. She’s extra bubbly – if it’s even possible to be bubblier than she already is on a daily basis.

“What are you up to, Mel?” I ask, leering my eyes in her direction.

She just shrugs in return and says nothing. She hops out of the car, and I follow right behind. She knocks on the door, which is so odd; we never knock here. As the door opens, she steps to the side so that my view is unobstructed. I am stunned at what I see. Reid holds out his hand to grasp mine, and he brings me into the house.

“It’s…it’s so clean. What the hell? What is going on, Reid?”

They’re definitely up to something, but neither Melanie nor Reid is saying anything. They’re just sharing glances with each other, laughing secretly. Shock is giving way to frustration at this point, and I nearly yell, “What the hell is going on, guys? I’ve put up with your little secrets for almost two months now and it’s getting a little old.”

Why not stomp your feet and huff and puff while you’re at it, Maddy?

They look at each other once more, and Reid pulls something out from his back pocket. “Trust me?” he asks. I’m confused by his question, but when I see that he’s holding a blindfold, I understand.

“Of course I trust you, Reid, but if you don’t start talking soon, I’m going to freak out a little.”

He just laughs and moves to tie the blindfold over my eyes. He pulls my hair out of the way as he does so, and I can feel his breath, hot and sweet on my neck. He kisses me gently right under my ear before nibbling lightly. Shivers course over my entire body, and my nipples harden. He knows he has this effect on me, and I can feel him smiling against my neck.

“I hope you like your surprise, Maddy.” And with that he finishes his assault on my neck. I have to squeeze my thighs together to try to tame the inferno that he causes in me.

I nod, and he leads me into what I believe is the direction of the living room, which was hidden from my view by the wall of the entryway. It smells of cleaning solution – some fresh pine scent. I can sense other people in the room; I can feel their collective nervousness, and I’m jittery to take this blindfold off and see what the hell is going on.

“Can I take this thing off now, Reid? I feel like an ass.”

His response is a chuckle and an “okay.” He is standing behind me, and as he unties the blindfold, he wraps his arms around my waist. Tears fall from my eyes at the scene before me. That pine scent wasn’t from the cleanliness of the room. It was from a Christmas tree, a huge, real, gorgeous tree. My eyes go to that first because it takes up the majority of the large living room, but eventually I catch people in my periphery. Jack and Cammie are here, fingers interlaced at their side; Lia’s here, too, smiling away as usual. I’m surprised to see Logan and Bryan as well.

“What are you guys doing here? Aren’t you all supposed to be traveling today?” I can’t hide the shock in my voice. I really don’t understand what is going on.

Lia pipes up for the entire group. “Well, your sweet boyfriend here talked us all into changing our plans so that we can spend the weekend together.” She pauses a beat before adding, “Here at home.” She wraps her arms around me and squeezes tightly, and then looks up at me. Unshed tears are shimmering in her chocolate eyes. “We all wanted to be here together, like a family, for you.”

Big, fat crocodile tears fall from my eyes. I turn to look at Reid and smile. “You did this for me?” My voice is shaking with emotion. I am in love with this dear, sweet man before me.

“Well, I had some help, as usual.” He winks at Melanie, and I can’t help but swell with love for her, too.

“You guys, all of you,” I make brief eye contact with everyone in the room, “are amazing. You’ll never know how much this means to me. I’ve never had a big family holiday…” My words trail off behind my thick emotion. I can’t speak past the lump in my throat. When I finally rein in my emotions, I look at Reid. “What’s with the tree, though? You know Christmas isn’t for another month. Did you get your holidays mixed up or something?” My sarcasm always gets the best of me. 

Logan responds rather than Reid. “Well, I couldn’t be here for Christmas, and Bryan has to fly home, too, so I thought we could all do both holidays together now, start a new tradition. You know?” He stands next to me while he’s saying all of this. When he’s done, he pulls me into a platonic hug and says, low enough so that no one else can hear, “Plus, I was a real jerk for lying to Reid about us, and I really wanted to make it up to you.”

I’ve been really angry with him about that whole situation even though he’s said he’s sorry a bunch of times – even though Reid’s already kicked his ass. This gesture of thoughtfulness causes me to soften toward him. I can’t stay mad at him when he’s played a part in all of this, so I hug him back and tell him thank you.

“So here’s the plan,” Cammie chimes in. “Tonight we’re going to trim this monster of a tree and drink cheap wine and eat pizza. That was always the tradition at my house, so now I’m sharing that with you. Come on,” she says to Mel and Lia, “and help me in the kitchen with some drinks, and we’ll order for delivery while the boys bring in all of the decorations from the car.”

At that everyone scurries off to their task. Reid stays behind, though, and sweeps me into his arms, and he starts dancing with me, just like I remember my parents doing – no music, no beat, no dance floor. Just us. I am most definitely in love.

I rest my head on his chest and inhale his perfectly masculine scent. He is my home, and I feel so safe in his warm arms. He kisses the top of my head, and I look up into his ocean-blue eyes, which are shining with emotion.

“You’re not mad at me, are you? I wanted to surprise you and give you something that you’ve always wanted.”