Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3) by Karen Renee (comprehension books .TXT) 📕

me on the couch. She cupped my cheeks. “I love you, Raegan. I hate what happened to Wynnie. But I stand by what I said to Clint weeks ago. If Wynnie’s death can bring some good into the world, then it should. And you and Clint reuniting is definitely bringing good into the world, my Rae-of-sunshine.”

Tears pooled in my eyes. “I just miss her so much. Her death shouldn’t have happened. It should’ve—”

Her hands tightened on my cheeks. “You stop right there, missy. That’s why I’m telling you this. With what he said, and as well as I know you, you’re going to blame yourself until kingdom come for Wynnie’s death. But you can’t do that.”

“She’s right,” Clint said, from the arm of the couch.

I sighed.

“It’s the fault of those three assholes. Nobody else, you hear me?”

I nodded. “I hear you, Mom.”

She let go of my face. “Good. Now, when I leave with Tanya, you two go to Clint’s. I’m good.”

My head tilted. “You’re good, but not that good. I’m not oblivious to the fast-food toys Jared carries in here, so you’re not fooling me. Tanya takes you for fast-food, Clint gives you salty snacks, but your pressure is finally starting to regulate, so whatever. Doesn’t mean we won’t be here for dinner tonight.”

“Well, you two are not spending the night.”

“Done,” Clint said.

I glared at him for a moment.

“Fine, Mom. But one more thing. I have some things we need to discuss about renovating the house.”

“Renovations?”

“Front door is first on the list,” Clint said.

She glanced at the offending door and shrugged. “You’re right. Glass doors are on their way out, aren’t they?”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re being way too agreeable about this.”

“Life is short, Rae. Besides, two criminals broke into my house. Screw that! We’ll replace all three doors, front, side, and back.”

“You got the money for that?” I asked.

She grinned. “Not exactly. But if you think I’m not filing a civil suit against that weasel and your ex-friend, you’re crazy!”

“Mom,” I drawled on a sigh.

Clint chuckled. “Rae, give it a rest. I think that’s the best plan I’ve heard all day.”

Clint

WE ATE AN EARLY DINNER with Penny before we came back to my place. I let us inside and turned on the hallway light. Raegan walked past me as I closed and locked the door.

She stopped in the dim foyer. “Do you really think Mom will be all right?”

With a nod, I slung my free arm around her neck. “She’s gonna be fine tonight.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

I sensed something else weighed on her.

“Tell me what else is bugging you.”

She pulled away so she could look in my eyes. “It’s not something that’s bugging me. It’s just something I want to do, and I suspect you’re going to tell me not to do it.”

“What is it?”

“I want to have Brock, Cecilia, Gabe, and Cassie over for dinner. And Mom too, since I know she wants to thank Brock and Gabe for all their help.”

I smiled. “I won’t tell you not to do that, Rae. I would say you don’t need to do it.”

A stubborn look crossed her face. “Well, I want to do it.”

I nodded toward the living room so she would follow me as I walked that direction. “I hear you, mamita. Let’s give it a week, and we’ll find out—”

“Surprise!” three female voices cried out, and Mamá, Laura, and Erica jumped out from behind my couch.

The lights came on, and Brock, Gabe, and their girlfriends strolled out from my kitchen.

When I got my heart rate under control again, I glared at Mamá. “What the hell? You used my key to set this up?”

Before she could answer, a knock came from the front door, followed by Tanya calling out, “Knock-knock. Can we come in? Sorry we missed the big surprise.”

I turned around to see her guiding Penny inside.

Laura’s voice pulled my attention back to the living room. “Seriously, Clint! You’re alive, she’s alive, you two are back together. There is so much to celebrate. So, are you really mad?”

“No,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Then let’s get this party started,” she said, and cued up my stereo with “Good Day” by Nappy Roots.

I looked for Raegan, only to find her with Brock and being introduced to Cecilia.

Gabe and Cassie sidled up, and he whacked me on my good bicep. “How long you gonna be outta commission for the gym, man? I got nobody to spot me.”

I gave Cassie a pointed look and back to Gabe. “Pretty sure she can spot you.”

She scoffed. “I can’t lift what he does.”

“It’s not about lifting but helping him get it off his neck. Or at worst, screaming bloody murder when you can’t.”

“More like convincing him he shouldn’t try to show off,” Brock muttered.

Gabe narrowed his eyes. “I don’t have anyone to show off for anymore, I got Cassie. But I’m serious, how long you gonna be in PT?”

I sighed. “They said at least six weeks, but the physical therapist will have more to say about that tomorrow morning.”

Raegan craned her neck to see past Brock. “Good grief. Look at all those empanadas!”

I looked and realized why things smelled a little funny. I groaned. “And she brought lumpia. My favorite.”

Mamá skirted us and put her hand on my back. “Sit down, Clint. I’ll fix you and Raegan plates.”

Rae shot me a surprised look. “She’s going to fix me a plate? I better enjoy this!”

THREE WEEKS HAD PASSED since the surprise party.

Raegan and I came back from New York two days ago. We had spent five days up there, and it was a blast. Her mom’s advice to pitch or sell everything and only bring back the more sentimental and important items, like pictures and such, was the right thing to do. By the second day we’d sold most of her furniture and we spent the other three days visiting places Raegan loved the most. It had been more fun than any of my previous visits to the City, even though I occasionally caught