Read Online OtherSide Of Fear (Outside The Ropes #3) by Ashley Claudy - Free Book Online
Authors: Ashley Claudy
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a little longer to realize some things.”
I stepped out of his hug with a nod before he could squeeze the tears from me. It felt like I was the one who was taking too long to realize things, to realize that things weren’t going to change. Walking back into the kitchen, I pushed everything back down and picked up the watermelon tray, smoothing out my features.
“Rea.” Dexter paused me with a hand on my shoulder. “If you ever need a place to stay, or just to get away for a while, you are always welcome here.” He made sure I was looking at him before he continued, eyes clear with sincerity. “No matter where you stand with him, you’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” I could barely respond. Hot and cold clashed in my stomach, worry and relief mixing.
I didn’t have much time to think about it. The second I stepped out the door, I had to lift the watermelon high above my head as water soaked my shirt. Jace was holding a laughing Felix, helping him pump a water gun at me.
Dexter ran past me and grabbed a super soaker from a nearby child to chase after them.
***
“Do you want some, Regan?” Ms. Lawson held up a glass of dark red wine. “You deserve it after prepping, organizing, and cleaning up today’s festivities.” She tilted her drink towards Leona. “We all do.”
“I can drink to that.” Leona plopped in a chair at the kitchen table, picking up her own glass.
“Sure.” I took a glass from the cabinet, pouring a little wine into it. One drink couldn’t hurt, if anything, it might allow me to actually sleep tonight, to mute the thoughts of Gage running around my brain.
“Maaaa Maaaa,” Felix’s baby cry echoed around the house.
“Dexter’s putting him to bed.” Leona stiffened, waiting for the cry to quiet down.
“Lee, we need you,” Dexter’s voice rose above Felix’s cry.
She downed her glass and then rose to her feet, leaving me alone in the kitchen with Ms. Lawson.
An uncomfortable silence fell over us. The past day had been filled with things to do, helping us to break the awkwardness, but now, all we had was conversation.
“How do you like New York?” She sipped her wine.
“I like it.” I shrugged, then reached for more to say. “I spend most of my time on campus. I’m really enjoying my classes.” It was the truth. After I earned my GED, I was able to enroll at a community college and transfer to the university. I think Gage pulled some strings to get me accepted, but he denies it.
“And what about Gage?” She jumped right into her main concern with a smile, but all I could see was pain under it. “What is he doing? How is he?”
I hadn’t expected the polite talk to end so soon. I took a large drink from my glass, forcing the bitter taste down. I couldn’t meet her eyes. Instead, I focused on the deep purple liquid in the glass. “He seems to like it.”
“The club is doing well? It keeps him busy I guess.” She slid her hand over mine on the table.
Shocked by her touch, I slipped my hand away, tangling it with my other hand in my lap. I looked up at her, sorry that I had reacted so cold. “He stay’s busy.”
“I saw an article about him after his win, that he made appearances at some school programs for kids. I’m glad to see he still has that passion.” She stood, walking to the wine rack by the refrigerator and grabbed another bottle. Undoing the foil, she placed the electric wine opener over the top. The machine hummed as it removed the cork. “He reminds me so much of his father.”
I held my breath, unsure of how to navigate this conversation. I was curious, but wary of this lady.
She brought the bottle to the table, pouring herself a full glass and gesturing to my cup. I flicked my fingers over the top, signaling I didn’t need anymore.
“Did his father, Aaron, work with the community?”
She raised her eyebrow as she took a sip. “Among other things. I’m afraid Gage follows in his father’s footsteps a little too
I stepped out of his hug with a nod before he could squeeze the tears from me. It felt like I was the one who was taking too long to realize things, to realize that things weren’t going to change. Walking back into the kitchen, I pushed everything back down and picked up the watermelon tray, smoothing out my features.
“Rea.” Dexter paused me with a hand on my shoulder. “If you ever need a place to stay, or just to get away for a while, you are always welcome here.” He made sure I was looking at him before he continued, eyes clear with sincerity. “No matter where you stand with him, you’re always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” I could barely respond. Hot and cold clashed in my stomach, worry and relief mixing.
I didn’t have much time to think about it. The second I stepped out the door, I had to lift the watermelon high above my head as water soaked my shirt. Jace was holding a laughing Felix, helping him pump a water gun at me.
Dexter ran past me and grabbed a super soaker from a nearby child to chase after them.
***
“Do you want some, Regan?” Ms. Lawson held up a glass of dark red wine. “You deserve it after prepping, organizing, and cleaning up today’s festivities.” She tilted her drink towards Leona. “We all do.”
“I can drink to that.” Leona plopped in a chair at the kitchen table, picking up her own glass.
“Sure.” I took a glass from the cabinet, pouring a little wine into it. One drink couldn’t hurt, if anything, it might allow me to actually sleep tonight, to mute the thoughts of Gage running around my brain.
“Maaaa Maaaa,” Felix’s baby cry echoed around the house.
“Dexter’s putting him to bed.” Leona stiffened, waiting for the cry to quiet down.
“Lee, we need you,” Dexter’s voice rose above Felix’s cry.
She downed her glass and then rose to her feet, leaving me alone in the kitchen with Ms. Lawson.
An uncomfortable silence fell over us. The past day had been filled with things to do, helping us to break the awkwardness, but now, all we had was conversation.
“How do you like New York?” She sipped her wine.
“I like it.” I shrugged, then reached for more to say. “I spend most of my time on campus. I’m really enjoying my classes.” It was the truth. After I earned my GED, I was able to enroll at a community college and transfer to the university. I think Gage pulled some strings to get me accepted, but he denies it.
“And what about Gage?” She jumped right into her main concern with a smile, but all I could see was pain under it. “What is he doing? How is he?”
I hadn’t expected the polite talk to end so soon. I took a large drink from my glass, forcing the bitter taste down. I couldn’t meet her eyes. Instead, I focused on the deep purple liquid in the glass. “He seems to like it.”
“The club is doing well? It keeps him busy I guess.” She slid her hand over mine on the table.
Shocked by her touch, I slipped my hand away, tangling it with my other hand in my lap. I looked up at her, sorry that I had reacted so cold. “He stay’s busy.”
“I saw an article about him after his win, that he made appearances at some school programs for kids. I’m glad to see he still has that passion.” She stood, walking to the wine rack by the refrigerator and grabbed another bottle. Undoing the foil, she placed the electric wine opener over the top. The machine hummed as it removed the cork. “He reminds me so much of his father.”
I held my breath, unsure of how to navigate this conversation. I was curious, but wary of this lady.
She brought the bottle to the table, pouring herself a full glass and gesturing to my cup. I flicked my fingers over the top, signaling I didn’t need anymore.
“Did his father, Aaron, work with the community?”
She raised her eyebrow as she took a sip. “Among other things. I’m afraid Gage follows in his father’s footsteps a little too
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