Epilogue: Matt
Reagan is teaching a class on self-defense at the recreation center, and all of us Reed brothers were told to be there. None of us knew she wanted to use us as practice dummies. “Aren’t we supposed to get face masks and some padding for this?” Paul asks as he tries to block a kick to his groin from Friday. He succeeds but only barely.
“I could have so had you!” Friday cries. She pumps her fist in the air, and Paul wraps an arm around her waist and swings her around playfully. She shrieks and bats at his hands, but he doesn’t let her go.
Reagan looks at Pete and winks. She’s not afraid for any of us to touch her anymore. She’s never been afraid of Pete, but now she’s calm and content around us all, and sometimes I pick her up and hug her just because I can. She makes Pete so f*cking happy. “Come attack me,” she says. “Pretty please?” she adds when he hesitates.
He groans and pushes to his feet. He’s still on the ground from the last time he pretended to attack her. He comes at her, and she spins around and flips him onto his back. He groans and rolls into a ball. “Enough,” he cries. “Someone else has to take a turn.”
Reagan’s dad laughs. Her parents are here for the weekend. Pete is kind of pissed because he had to come home while they’re at her apartment. He lives with her almost all the time, now that he’s off house arrest. Reagan’s dad is enjoying Pete’s discomfort way too much. Her little brother, Link, is pretty good at martial arts, too. He goes at it like he goes at everything else—with passion, forethought, and caution. He doesn’t speak often, but we’re all okay with that. He is who he is, just like the rest of us.
Sam steps up, and Reagan works out some moves with one of the girls from the assault program. Sam takes what Reagan gives him, and the girl grows more confident with each move. It’s good to see this. It’s good to see Reagan in her element, and I know she’s doing good work with these girls.
One of Pete’s friends from the prison program, Edward, came with his sister. He’s wasn’t charged for his participation in that man’s death, and he’s spending a lot of time with his sister, even though she can’t live with him. He keeps an eye on her. She’s timid as a mouse, but she’s a sweet girl, and I feel like she can get through this. She’s not participating in class yet. She’s sitting on the edge of the row of bleachers beside a boy in a wheelchair. I think his name is Gonzo. He’s another of Pete’s foundlings. They hang around him like they need him. Maybe they do. I know I do. Pete has become the man he was always supposed to be now that he has Reagan. I have never been so proud of him.
Gonzo laughs, and I know the boy can’t talk because of his trache. So, Gonzo is using a computer so he can communicate with the Edward’s sister. I wish I could remember her name. She speaks to him, and he grins and types something really quickly. Her face colors. They’re the same age, and there’s definitely a spark there. There’s a lid for every pot, Pete always says. I mentally shrug my shoulders.
Reagan motions me forward. I see Sam lying on the floor in a heap. Shit. She’s going to emasculate all of us. “I had cancer,” I toss out, as she smiles at me. “I almost died,” I remind her.
She laughs and uses me to show some moves. She goes easy on me. Or so I think. Then I’m on my back on the floor, too. She puts her hands on her hips and grins down at me. “You didn’t really think I’d go easy on you, did you?” she asks.
Logan tosses Emily over his shoulder and starts to run around the gym with her squealing. Paul does the same with Friday, and Sam comes to stand beside me. “Something going on with Paul and Friday?” he asks.
“Paul still thinks she’s a lesbian,” I say.
“Should we tell him she’s not?” Sam asks.
I shake my head. “Nah.” I grin. It’s more fun this way.
I look toward the door and see Skylar, the woman who is taking care of Kendra’s kids. She’d promised to bring Seth today, and I’m glad to see her. My heart stutters at the sight of her. She’s wearing gym clothes, and I can see her belly. I want to lick it. Or pierce it. Or climb on top of it. My dick twitches, and I walk over to her. “Hi,” I say.
She blows her bangs up with an upturned breath. “Hi,” she says.
“Things going okay?” I ask. She shoots a glance toward Seth.
“Not really,” she says on a heavy sigh. “I was hoping I could ask you for some help.”
“For those kids?” I ask, jerking a finger toward them. “Anything.”
I look around the gym. This is my life. And I f*cking love it.
Dear Readers,
This book was a journey but I hope you remember that this was Reagan’s journey, and every victim of sexual assault will have a different one. No matter the story, we all should be aware of the facts:
1 in 4 college age girls will be sexually assaulted during her college career
20% of women when asked if they have ever been forced to commit a sexual act will say “yes.”
If you are a victim of assault or know someone who is, there are national resources you can contact for help.
The National Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network can be reached at 1800-656-HOPE.
Remember, even if you’re not a victim, you can volunteer to help someone who is. Your local rape crisis center will have more details.
I hope you enjoyed Reagan and Pete’s story.
Please remember that silence changes nothing.
Best regards,
Tammy