As distraught as Sky was she laughed. “I thought you only dated black guys?”
“Unlike you, who has dated a colorful assortment of men, my preference has always been chocolate, but I’d make an exception for him.”
“My preference has always been a damn good man. I don’t care what color he is, but I have to admit, Remington does it for me.”
“Then, fight for him! You’ve been searching for the right man for years. He’s the first one I’ve ever seen you show emotion over. It was weird having you get drunk and cry on my shoulder. The role reversal really had me shook!”
“He’s not answering my calls.”
“Aren’t they at some new rehab facility?”
“Yeah, I haven’t been able to find out which one. I think they are using an alias.”
“A little birdie told me that are currently at Serenity Rescue Rehab Center under the name Nahla Incredibles. Now, aren’t you glad we are besties?”
“Are you kidding?”
“Nope, I am so serious.”
“Is that a mash-up of characters from the movies The Lion King and The Incredibles?”
Nia giggled. “Yes. And, my advice to you is to get in the shower, put something cute on, and head over to that center before they leave. That same birdie told me they will be moving Charlie to a rental at the end of the week. At the rehab center, he can’t technically keep you out. Once he moves into the rental, he can keep your ass out by the curb.”
*****
Sky was wearing a baseball hat and wearing a dark pair of glasses as she stood outside the Serenity Rescue Rehab center. Her intention was to be incognito just in case the media was lurking somewhere around.
She walked inside with no problem. Once Sky entered the building she began to second guess herself. Then, shook off those feelings. She was willing to do whatever it took to get Remington to forgive her.
As she walked down the hall looking for the room number that Nia’s little birdie gave her, Sky stopped short.
Remington was standing in the hallway with his arms folded across his chest listening intently to someone who looked like a physician. Sky quickly took off her glasses and hat. She ran her fingers through her hair as she approached them.
The man spoke. “Mr. Kneeland, Charlie hasn’t been working as hard as I feel she can. She’s making progress, but it’s slow.”
Remington nodded. “I’ll talk to her.”
“I suggest we try to get her to physical therapy tonight to make up for the session she missed earlier today.”
Sky knew the moment he noticed her. His chin lifted slightly as he looked at her over the man’s shoulder. His eyes never left hers as he addressed the man in front of him. “We’ll finish this conversation later.”
It must have been the insidiousness of his voice that caused the physician to walk away. His jaws clenched. “What are you doing here?”
“Charlie’s not going to therapy?”
“Charlie is no longer your concern, so again—why are you here?”
“Right. She’s not.” But, I still care about her. Sky swallowed. “I’m here because you won’t answer my calls.”
“I’m not answering your calls because I don’t want to talk to you.” He moved to enter Charlie’s room, but Sky touched his arm.
It was as if her touch shot pain through his arm. “Don’t.”
“I know I messed up, but just give me a minute, please.” Sky pleaded.
Remington didn’t answer, but he didn’t move either.
Sky new she had about thirty seconds to make her case. She swiped her sweaty palms down the front of her jeans. “I realize that I should have told you about my suspicions. But, you know that already. Still, I’m so so sorry that you feel like I betrayed you. If I could go back in time, I would make a different choice.” Sky took a deep breath. “In my wildest dreams, I never would have expected for a twelve-year-old girl and her father to steal my heart. But, that is what happened. Remington, we connected like I’ve never connected with another human being. We have something special. We have something real. I made a mistake, but everyone deserves a second chance.”
Remington thought about her words.
Nervously, Sky watched him closely. She had laid her feelings bare and could only hope he was willing to give them another try.”
“Charlie is my one and only priority right now. She’s been through enough by people who claim to care about her. When it comes to her, I don’t have the luxury of giving anyone a second chance.” He pushed lightly on the door and walked inside closing the door behind him.
The loud click was symbolic of so much. But, mainly the crushing of her heart and the ending of a relationship with a man she had fallen in love with.
Chapter 24
Omara Johnston-Reid-Hall sat across from her daughter at her favorite restaurant. She whispered. “So, what did you think of Sam? He’s great isn’t he?”
He actually did seem like a good guy. Maybe her mother had met her prince charming after all. “I like him.”
“It’s a shame it took an emergency for us to finally meet.”
Sky was about to disagree but changed her mind. It was true.
“Don’t try to deny it. I’m just glad you called me. It feels good to be needed. Granted, it’s been almost two weeks since that fiasco with the hospital, but I don’t care why we’re
