I wasn’t sure what to say or do next. I really wanted to believe him, but I was afraid to. What if he was the master-manipulator? What if he was just trying to hurt me?
“Spring said you hated me because I was the reason our dad left,” I whispered.
“That fucking cunt!” Reed swore. “I don’t have any memories of the man she claimed was our father, so how could I hate you for something I don’t even remember?”
I sucked in a breath hoping to calm myself, but it had the opposite effect and a sob burst from me before I could choke it back. I covered my face with my hands and then I was wrapped up in familiar arms.
“It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I’m sorry,” I cried.
“Nothing to be sorry for. Just know, I will always love you, Raindrop,” my big brother said and kissed the top of my head.
“I love you, too, Reed.”
When I managed to get my emotions under control, I stepped back and looked around the room. “Where’s Jonah?”
“He left the room a while ago,” Reed said. “Judge! You can come back now!”
Jonah entered the room and looked between the two of us. “Y’all get things worked out?”
I nodded and Reed put his arm around my shoulders. “We did,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.
Jonah smiled widely. “Good. Now, let’s eat.”
Reed stayed until it was time for me to leave for my shift at the hospital. He said he would take care of everything regarding Spring and asked Jonah and I to come visit him and his family in Croftridge over the weekend.
“I would love to,” I exclaimed excitedly.
Jonah cleared his throat and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Sorry, I already made plans for us this weekend. Maybe the next weekend that you’re off?”
“Just let me know when you guys are coming,” Reed said. “If we’re not at home, we’re at Phoenix’s house. Raven is still too small to really go anywhere else.”
“I typically work every other weekend, so maybe weekend after next?” I suggested.
“Sounds good. I better get going. Don’t want you to be late for work,” he said and headed for the door.
We hugged again before he climbed on his bike and rode off. I stood on the porch looking in the direction he’d gone until I could no longer hear his pipes. Sighing, I went back inside and got ready for work. Who would’ve thought my mother’s death would be the thing to reunite my brother and me?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Judge
After River left for work, I went over to my mom’s house to have dinner with her and make sure she was doing okay. I knew Layla had been spending a lot of time over there, but I wanted to see for myself.
I rang the doorbell with my hip since my hands were full of bags from her favorite restaurant. To my surprise, Splint’s dad, Dean Montgomery, opened the front door.
“Hey, Judge. Oh, let me help you with that,” he said and reached to take one of the bags.
“Hey, Dean. What’re you doing here?” I asked, not bothering to hide the suspicious undertone in my voice.
He held his hands up in a placating manner. “The relay switch went out on the compressor of your mom’s fridge. She called and asked me if I had time to replace it.”
“Why’d she call you? I could’ve done it for her.”
“Jonah Jackson, mind your manners in my house,” Mom scolded.
“Sorry, Ma. My apologies, Dean. It caught me off guard when you answered the door.” I held up the bag of food I was still holding and grinned. “I brought dinner.”