LOVE THY ENEMY - REECE WALSH.

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑬𝑵

A/N I don't know Freda and Reece's relationship (obviously 😂) nor do I know much about her other than.. She's really pretty wowza reece fumbled thaaat, anyways for the fic she's chill and becomes besties with Tatiana so no there won't be any beefing (with each other however they gang up on Reece when he being silly)🙏💙

———[1️⃣]———

"Thank you— for having Leila this week." Freda said with a smile. Reece nodded, gently ruffling Leila's hair as she cuddled against him. "No problem," he replied casually, though his words came out a bit tensely. He shifted awkwardly against the couch, gathering the courage to speak on the subject he really wanted to discuss. "Something on your mind?" Freda spoke out to Reece, a look of concern in her eyes.

Reece's gaze darted away for a moment before he met Freda's eyes again. "Actually, yeah," he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. He paused, gathering his thoughts, and then blurted out, "I need to talk to you about Tatiana."

Freda sat up with a nod, pleasantly surprised by his words. "Tatiana Bennett?" She asked, looking at him, while Freda hadn't personally met Tatiana, she heard of her. "Yeah, Tatiana Bennett," Reece confirmed, his gaze now fixed on Leila, who was slowly dozing off in his lap. He continued, his tone almost hesitant. "I've known Tatiana for a long time. We had a bit of.. A complicated situation back in school."

He looked up to meet Freda's gaze again, his expression serious. "I've realized that my feelings for her aren't just friendly anymore. I have feelings for her, real feelings." Freda chuckled softly and gave a nod. "So what's the issue?" The woman breathed out, tilting her head. "Your mouth mess things up?"

Reece couldn't help but let out a snort, knowing full well that Freda had hit the nail on the head. "Yeah, my mouth is definitely the issue," he admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Every time I try to tell Tatiana how I feel, I either choke up or say the wrong thing and we argue. It's like I can't help myself and I end up pushing her away."

Freda gave a nod, showing she understood. "She doesn't feel like you're serious about her." The woman spoke with a knowing smile. Reece let out an exasperated sigh. "You're not wrong," he acknowledged. "I've sent her mixed signals, and I was pretty shitty to her in the past. It's like she can't trust what I say or do, and frankly, I can't blame her."

"Wouldn't blame her either." Freda gave a chuckle, listening to him talk. Reece groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I know, I know," he replied, a hint of irritation in his voice. "But that's why I'm here, talking to you. I want your advice. How can I make her believe I'm serious? How can I convince her that I really care about her?"

Freda cleared her throat and sucked in a breath, looking into Reece's eyes. "It's not that hard Reece," she smiled with sympathy. "For one, maybe don't downplay things about her on television." She half joked to him. Reece's face instantly reddened with embarrassment as he recalled that disastrous interview. He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Yeah, that was a pretty stupid move on my part," he admitted, feeling the heat of shame creeping up his neck. "I was trying to be cool and lowkey about it in front of the cameras."

"Why though? If you like her, date her." Freda sighed softly, shaking her head at him. Reece's reasoning was such a mistake had been for this talk they were currently having, Reece wanted to let Freda know first that things were going to get serious with Tatiana, out of respect and a mutual understanding they shared, on top of co-parenting Leila with Freda.

Reece nodded, recognizing the truth in Freda's words and frowned. "I guess I was just being an idiot," he confessed. "I thought I could play it cool, act like I wasn't interested in Tatiana when deep down, I really am." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I want to do things right this time. I want Tatiana to take me seriously and I want you to know too. I'm not just messing around or trying to impress anyone. I care about her."