Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Cara had Owen at her place, so I had at least the next few hours alone with Stevie. When I reached her apartment and she opened the door, her face lined with worry, all the tension and stress I’d been carrying with me since Alyssa’s appearance at the club finally evaporated.
As soon as I stepped inside and the door closed behind us, Stevie slipped her arms around me and held me tight. I didn’t hesitate to return the hug, grateful to have her support. The emotional and physical distance she’d put between us was now gone. I didn’t know what had happened to change things, but I was beyond relieved to have the Stevie I knew and loved back in my embrace.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, pulling back just enough to look up at me. “Confronting Alyssa’s parents with the truth of their daughter’s addiction couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t,” I agreed, “but it had to be done.”
She nodded in understanding and took my hand, leading me into the living room. “Valerie is out for the evening with Jack,” she said, letting me know it was just the two of us as we sat down side by side on the sofa, her hand still holding mine. “Tell me what happened.”
I exhaled a deep breath, and while she quietly listened, I told her the details, starting with Alyssa’s parents’ initial denial that their daughter had relapsed. But there had been no refuting the proof I had and I’d informed them if they didn’t finally do something about Alyssa’s addiction and get her back into rehab so she could get the help she needed, then it would be the family court judge who would be viewing the photos next.
That was the last thing her parents wanted, and I’d given them three days to get Alyssa checked into rehab. They’d also assured me that they would get Alyssa to drop the custody case, again because they didn’t want those photographs exposed. I was fine with that, but assured them that it would be a good long while before Alyssa had joint custody of Owen again. Maybe, in time, supervised visits would be approved, but that wasn’t a discussion I’d even consider until I knew with absolute certainty that Alyssa was clean again.
“Are you okay?” Stevie asked once I was done with my story.
I nodded. “Yes. I feel better knowing that I have her parents’ cooperation, which is important because I think they are the only ones who will really be able to convince Alyssa she needs to go back to rehab for a longer treatment. They were shocked to see all the prescription drugs she had on her, and they understand my concern is for Owen, and theirs is, as well.”
“Good.” Stevie squeezed my hand and gave me a soft smile. “I’m glad they were receptive.”
I was equally relieved, but now that I’d taken care of that issue and knew I had Alyssa’s parents’ support, my sole focus was Stevie and getting us back on track. “So, can we talk about what happened between you and me at brunch this morning, before Alyssa arrived?”
She bit her bottom lip a bit nervously and nodded. “Yes. I meant what I said when I agreed that we needed to talk.”
“Then tell me what you have to say, because this past week has been pure hell for me without you around,” I told her, meaning it. “I don’t know what happened for me to get you back today, but I’m thankful that you’re here and no longer shutting me out. Tell me what changed,” I prompted.
She paused, collecting her thoughts. “A conversation with Raven put things into perspective for me and quieted those fears and insecurities of mine,” she said softly, quietly. “I can’t say that they’ve disappeared completely, but what I do know is that I’m not willing to let those issues define me when it comes to you, and us, together.”
I cocked my head curiously, wanting and needing to know more. “How do you mean?”
She swallowed hard. “You’ve never made me feel less than beautiful, and perfect. You’ve never judged me, and you’ve always made me feel like I belong in every part of your life, despite our differences.”
“That’s because I don’t see differences. I see you for who you are, Stevie,” I said truthfully, and reached out to skim my fingers along her jaw. “Not where you’ve come from or what has happened in your past. I don’t give a damn about any of that. All that matters to me is right here.” I tapped the left side of her chest, where her heart resided, making my point.
“I know,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. “You’ve proven that to me, in so many ways, but I couldn’t see those actions for what they were, or believe that I could truly fit into your life, until Raven made me realize that my insecurities were going to end up costing me the best man I’d ever met.”