TWELVE
1765 Words
Lizzie’s POV
The very next morning, I could swear Reed would bring down his condo with his booming voice.
“Bits! Get here!” he thundered just as I stepped out of the room.
“What the f**k, Reed? Quit calling me like I’m some kid,” I whined, making my way into the kitchen where he stood.
“I made breakfast,” he stated matter-of-factly, nodding towards the counter.
I glanced over to see a breakfast platter that looked straight out of a five-star hotel. There were fluffy scrambled eggs garnished with chives, crispy bacon, golden hash browns, fresh fruit neatly arranged in a bowl, and slices of toast lightly browned, with a selection of jams and butter.
“You want me to believe you made these?” I asked, popping an eyebrow and smiling skeptically.
He shrugged.
“Believe what you want.”
“No way,” I countered, shaking my head with a grin.
“I don’t buy it.”
“Who needs you to?” he retorted.
“Now sit.”
I rolled my eyes as I sat down.
I couldn’t stop eyeing the impeccable breakfast spread, and to think I was going to savor this.
“Seriously, Reed, you expect me to believe you made all this?” I gestured to the food.
“You don’t strike me as the domestic type.”
He crossed his arms, leaning against the counter with a cocky smirk.
“Why? Because I’m a man? Or because I’m me?”
I snorted.
“Because you’re you. Mr. High-and-Mighty, with a condo in every city.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You think I can’t make a decent breakfast?”
“I think you ordered this from some fancy restaurant,” I retorted, picking up a piece of bacon.
“It’s too perfect.” I ate it.
Reed chuckled.
“Believe what you want, Bits. But I don’t need to prove anything to you.”
I rolled my eyes.
“So you’re admitting you didn’t make it?”
He shrugged nonchalantly.
“Does it matter? You’re eating it, aren’t you?”
I glared at him, but my stomach betrayed me with a growl.
“Fine. But next time, don’t pretend you slaved away in the kitchen.”
He smirked.
“Who said I did? I never claimed to have made it, you just assumed.”
“Assumed correctly,” I muttered under my breath, reaching for a piece of toast.
“Just eat, Bits,” he said.
“You’ll need your strength for today.”
I glared at him one more time before focusing on the food.
I had to admit, breakfast was delicious.
Reed took his place next to me, a black coffee in one hand and his phone in the other. He kept typing away, occasionally smiling at whatever was on his screen.
It didn’t take a genius to guess who he was messaging. I rolled my eyes, trying to focus on my breakfast, but curiosity got the better of me.
“You seem kinda excited to see her,” I commented, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.
He shot me a look.
“Is there a point to this, Bits?”
I shrugged, stabbing at my scrambled eggs.
“Just making an observation. You’ve been smiling at your phone like a lovesick teenager.”
He scoffed, setting his phone down.
“And what’s it to you?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Just wondering if she knows you’re having breakfast with someone else.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“If you’re trying to make a point, spit it out.”
I met his gaze.
“Just curious if she knows about last night, about you playing the noble hero who can’t stand me but still feels responsible.”
Reed’s jaw tightened.
He should have leaned closer but he didn’t.
“What Irene knows or doesn’t know is none of your business. And if you’re trying to stir up trouble, don’t. It won’t end well for you.”
I glared at him.
“I’m not trying to stir up trouble, Reed. I just don’t get why you’re so hot and cold. One minute you’re pushing me away, the next you’re all concerned.”
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“It’s complicated, Bits. You’re too young to understand.”
“Stop saying that!” I snapped.
“I’m not a child, Reed. You don’t get to decide how I feel or what I understand.”
He didn’t reply, just stared at me with that infuriatingly calm expression. It was like talking to a brick wall. Finally, he took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Finish your breakfast, Lizzie.”
His tone was final and I didn’t know what to say next.
I clenched my jaw and turned back to my plate, seething quietly.
Reed eventually rose from his stool, his phone tucked away.
“Finish up and meet me in the car. We’re leaving for the hospital,” he said, his tone brusque.
Great. Now he’s dropping me off.
I stared at my half-eaten breakfast, my appetite suddenly gone.
I didn’t understand why Irene’s presence in his life bothered me so much, but it gnawed at me.
Was it because she was older? A working-class woman?
Reed seemed like the type who dated women with their lives together, women who were financially independent and settled, everything I wasn’t yet.
I finally abandoned my plate and walked out the door.
The car engine was still running when I climbed in, and the ride to the hospital was quicker than I’d anticipated. As soon as Reed parked, I was out the door, shutting it firmly behind me and heading straight for the entrance. I didn't care if he was walking behind me; he could be with Irene for all I cared.
Once inside, I made a beeline for the elevator. Reed caught up, and we ended up waiting together, trapped in the same awkward space. He glanced at me and clicked the button for our floor.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, refusing to acknowledge the sigh I heard from him.
The silence was auspiciously heavy.
When the doors opened, I resumed my pace, practically barging into Dad’s ward.
Dad was propped up in bed, looking more alert, and Mom was sitting beside him, spooning some broth to his lips. He turned his head and smiled broadly when he saw me.
“Hey, there’s my girl!” Dad said, his voice hoarse but fine.
I rushed to his bedside, my heart lifting at the sight of him awake and smiling.
“Dad,” I breathed.
He reached out with his free hand, and I took it, squeezing gently.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
“Don’t worry about that, Lizzie,” he replied.
I glanced back briefly, seeing Reed standing by the door.
“I brought you two breakfast,” he said.
That’s when I noticed the bag.
Dad’s eyes lit up, and he grinned.
“Look at that! Breakfast from Reed? Must be my lucky day.”
Reed chuckled, moving to place the bag on the small table by the window.
“Don’t get too excited, John. Just some bagels and fresh fruit from a café nearby. Figured you could use something other than hospital food.”
Dad raised an eyebrow.
“Bagels and fruit, huh? You’re really spoiling us here.”
Mom laughed softly, glancing at the bag.
“Honestly, Reed, you didn’t have to.”
Reed shrugged, setting out the food.
“No big deal. Better than what they serve in here, I bet.”
Mom leaned in, examining the contents of the bag. “Well, it looks like you’ve outdone yourself, Reed. Sandwiches, fruit cups… even some orange juice.”
“Wow, fancy stuff,” Dad teased, accepting a sandwich. “If this is what recovery looks like, I might just take my time getting better.”
Reed chuckled and his eyes flickered to me briefly, then back to Dad.
“Don’t milk it too much, John. The sooner you’re back on your feet, the better.”
Dad gave a mock sigh, unwrapping his sandwich.
“All right, all right. I’ll behave.”
Mom looked at Reed.
“Thank you, Reed. Really. For everything.”
Reed nodded.
“Just checking in on John. Making sure he’s okay.”
Dad nodded in agreement, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Appreciate it, Reed. More than you know.”
Reed glanced at his watch, then back at us.
“Actually, I have to get going. I just wanted to see how you were doing and make sure you had something decent to eat.”
My heart sank.
Dad’s smile faded.
“Already? You’re not sticking around?”
Reed shook his head.
“I have some things to take care of. But I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
“All right, go on then. We’ll survive without you for a few days.”
Reed shot him a lopsided grin. “You better.”
Reed turned to leave and caught my eye. He paused and straightened, then walked over, stopping just short of me.
“Bits, a quick word,” he said.
“You and your mom can stay at the condo while your dad’s in the hospital. I’ve already arranged for Hemmings to stock up the place with everything you might need.”
I blinked and mum said.
“Reed, we don’t need—”
“It’s no big deal." he interrupted.
“It’s safer and more comfortable than a hotel or anywhere else. Besides, your John would want you close by.”
I frowned.
He wasn’t wrong, and I could see the practicality in his offer.
“In two or three days, after your dad’s discharged, my jet will be ready to take you back. You need to start your internship. You can’t afford to miss that.”
I crossed my arms.
“You think I’ve forgotten about my internship?”
He sighed, rubbing his temple.
“No, but your priorities are split. This way, you get to be with your family and still keep your future on track.”
I looked away, biting my lip.
“I get it. I’ll do it.”
“Good.”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat.
“Thanks, Reed.”
He gave a curt nod, then turned to leave.
“I’ll check in later,” he said over his shoulder before walking out.
- Writer
