Thanks for the support.
Chapter Twenty-Seven:
Stephanie didn't say anything to her rest of the weekend. Rayburn spent a good hour next to her bedroom door fruitlessly begging for her to talk. She left meals at her door and Stephanie grabbed them before she could say a word. On Sunday she once rushed past her to get to the bathroom. It was a miserable experience.
Rayburn next tried to get ahold of her ex. He had left explicit instructions that he was not be interrupted unless it was an emergency. She thought this qualified as an emergency but she got no answer at first. Finally after her third phone call to his cell, fourth text, and second call to the hotel lobby, she got a text just after dinner: "Deal with it when I get home." She could scream.
She was about to bury her head under her pillow for the night when she got a second text. It was from Reid. It was just a time: "6:30"
Rayburn didn't let her think about Reid because she was afraid if she did would burst into tears in front of Stephanie. She quickly texted a friend to pick up Stephanie in the morning. She then tacked a note to Stephanie's door and placed an extra one in front of her door along with a box of Pop tarts and a banana. Setting her alarm on high, Rayburn finally let herself relax as much as she could while not knowing what the outcome could be.
…
She couldn't help but check her hair and her makeup in the mirror this time. Her nerves were on fire. The halls were completely vacant. The light was on in his office. She knocked twice.
Then he appeared. He was already dressed for class in a suit and tie. They didn't say anything at first.
"Hi," she finally said softly.
"Hi," he said and gestured for her to come in.
"So how is Jenna," she asked.
"She's has a massive bruise but other than that she is going to be okay."
Rayburn paced around nervously. "Who won the game?"
"Jenna's team. They were a little relentless and a few girls got red cards."
"That's not surprising," she said.
Finally she raised her hands wide. "Spencer why did you text me? Why am I here?"
"I think you're here because you don't want this to end. I don't think I want to end this either."
"But our kids hate each other!" she said. "This would look great in the divorce deposition. I am dating the guy whose daughter beat up mine."
"But then yours punched mine. Your daughter has serious anger issues that I don't think you can control."
"I know," Rayburn said. "She's doing all of this to make a case that she should live with Dean and Talia. Maybe I should just let her," she said bursting into tears.
"Addison, do you really think that is what's best for her?" Reid said gently, "And you?"
"No, but I'm fighting an uphill battle," she cried.
"Addison I think I'm crazy but I think I want to make this work."
Slowly wheels began to spin in Rayburn's mind.
"The rage you showed towards me on the field, that wasn't real was it?"
"Some of it was," he admitted. "But most of it was false."
"To throw your team's attention off of us," she said.
He nodded and tears formed. "I can't stand your daughter for what she did, but you make me feel things I haven't felt in years, I enjoy your company. You make me feel, feel—"
Rayburn kissed him. He kissed her back with such intensity that she forgot to breath. His hands flew into her hair and undid her neat bun. She stroked his (it was softer than she imagined). It was agreed upon that they were crazy, crazy in love.
A little while later they finally they put themselves back together.
"Is there lipstick on my collar?" he asked.
"No," she said. "Does my hair look okay?"
"It looks perfect."
They were back on awkward silent terms.
"So where do go from here?" Reid asked.
"Some place more comfortable," Rayburn suggested with a grin.
"You know what I mean," he said.
"When is the next time Jenna is staying overnight somewhere?"
"The Smithsonian next weekend."
"Dean has Steph that weekend."
"So let's make plans to discuss things."
"And more," Rayburn said with an idiotic grin.
Reid smiled in return. "We'll find away, Addison. We have to."
"Agreed," Rayburn said.