As soon as I got home, I called Brynn to come over. I had to talk to someone. That bond I was clinging on to? It just snapped, leaving me one step closer to losing him. Reid’s father isn’t a forgive-and-forget kind of man, so I’m certain my little outburst won’t soon be forgotten.
“Brynn, it was horrible.” Tears stream down my face, along with snot, and God knows what else.
She leans across the sofa and pulls me into a hug. “Oh Maks, I’m so sorry, love.”
I sniff and try to control my crying. “He acted like I was just hoarding it all for myself.”
“Well we both know better. Forget him. He’s a jerk. Even Reid thought so.”
Memories of late-night stories told under the covers flood my mind in vivid color. At one time the relationship between Reid and his father was so bad, Reid threatened to leave home. It was the sudden intervention of his mother that devised the plan for him to stay in the pool house instead.
“I know. I just feel like I’ve lost another part of him now, you know?” I say.
“You only lose what you choose to lose.” She pulls away and grabs my shoulders, looking me in the eye. “Reid will always be with you. Nothing his father can do will ever change that.” Her voice is firm. Then, she smiles. “Listen, I wasn’t going to say anything, but you obviously need a distraction and a night out. I have this gig, a Mardi Gras ball, in two weeks and I need a date.”
Growing up in New Orleans, you would think I would have had more experience with these types of things but in reality, the only Mardi Gras ball I’ve ever been to was with Reid. His parents served on the court of Endymion. It was a huge celebration at the Superdome, and Reid insisted we both wear masks with our formal wear for an added thrill. He looked impeccable in a tux. We spent the entire night dancing and playing hide and seek among a crowd of strangers. Then finally, he snatched me from the crowd and whisked me into an empty suite upstairs. Even though the suite was dark, the windows looking out on the arena below gave the impression we could be seen at any given moment. That was my Reid. Passionate and impulsive. I have a feeling this ball won’t be quite as exciting.
“I knew you’d give in to the lesbian idea sooner or later,” I tease.
She laughs. “Ha! Not a chance. I like the D too much. But I do want you to come with me.”
And so, it’s settled. I have a date to the ball.