“Few weeks ago. She said she was getting married,” owlish eyes blinked up at him. “The condo is for sale. Someone viewed it yesterday. They have children and a yappy dog. I hope they don’t get it.”
Gabe turned back to the condo door in frustration. He could only think perhaps Britney was either with friends or family. Mrs. Crawford wasn’t exactly his greatest fan and he doubted she would give him any information as to her daughter’s whereabouts. It meant Tara was his best chance of contacting Britney. Tara who was married to Rex Hudson, both of whom were not impressed with Gabe at the moment. He could go to her workplace but wasn’t certain of the reception he would get. It probably wouldn’t be a good one, considering the confrontation with Hudson this morning. The man had the audacity to say Gabe wasn’t good enough for Britney.
No one had ever expressed such an opinion to him before. To say he wasn’t good enough for something, for someone, it was a shock to Gabe’s system. He was the guy who got picked first for sports, for debate, for projects. He was the guy who had it all.
With an oath, Gabe pulled out his phone, dialing a number. He needed to talk to someone who was happily married. Someone who would give good advice. Gabe immediately interrupted the person who answered. “Just how important is it to know stuff about the person you are in a relationship with? Things like their favorite color, how many kids they want, if they are a dog or cat person?”
“Pretty important,” answered Max sleepily. “It’s also pretty standard in a relationship to want to get to know the likes and dislikes of the person you’re with. That way you can find out what you have in common. Plus, you can surprise them with things they like every once in a while.”
“Why?” Gabe frowned at the ugly picture on the hallway wall. He didn’t like surprises. Surprises were often difficult situations. “What would be the point?”
“Because it is nice to give to the person you love. It makes you feel good to make her happy,” Max’s voice grew concerned. “Trouble in paradise?”
Gabe rolled his eyes at the antiquated phrase. There was no paradise in his world. “Brit’s gone.”
“Good for her,” replied Max.
“Excuse me?” Gabe snapped back, annoyed at Max’s response.
“No offense Gabe, but you’re not exactly relationship material. You are a bit too self-orientated to do well with putting another person first which is what you need to do in a successful relationship,” Max warmed to the subject. “For instance, I love my job. It’s the best job I have ever had, despite the paperwork pain and dealing with city council on occasion. I get to blow things up which is every guys’ fantasy. Now, if Piaget were to tell me we’re not making enough money and the boys need to go to Harvard or some other expensive college, I would quit my job and work some other job I hate to make her happy. Because I know she loves her broadcasting job and I’m not going to make her give it up. I would make myself miserable at work if that would be what it takes to make her happy. Fortunately, Piaget loves me and would never ask me to give up what I love to do for work.”
“You just called me selfish,” Gabe glared at the picture since he couldn’t glare at Max.
“Is that all you got out of what I just said?” questioned Max. “Being in a relationship means loving the other person. Putting their feelings, wants and needs first. If it’s an equal relationship, your girl will do the same for you. If you can’t do that, you don’t deserve to be in a relationship.”
“So, you don’t think I can put Brit first?” challenged Gabe.
“Honestly?” Max’s tone was doubtful. “The way you treat her is like an afterthought. You don’t want to be with her, but you don’t want anyone else to have her either. It’s a rough place to put her. It is borderline abuse.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Gabe didn’t like what Max was saying at all.
“You could have let her go a long time ago,” Max told him. “Instead, any time she happened to date anyone, you showed up to give her just enough attention so she would dump the other guy. Then when she was focused on hoping you would finally ask her out, you left her in the cold. It’s cruel.”
“I didn’t,” protested Gabe.
“Tom Milford,” Max put out a name.
“He wasn’t any good for her,” Gabe ground out. “He was seeing another girl on the side.”
“Charles Thames,” responded Max.
“Who dates a guy named Chuck?” said Gabe dismissively.
“Elton Whiteman,” Max kept speaking before Gabe could interrupt. “They had a lot in common. He was very sweet on her.”
“He made laminated life plans,” Gabe spoke in derision. “What sort of nerd does that? He penciled Brit in for marriage seven years down the road like it was a dentist appointment.”
“Brit makes life plans,” a quiet Max told him. “And if you’d let her go, she and Elton might have been happy with their two planned kids by now.”
“I didn’t interfere,” Gabe floundered a little. “I just…”
“You did interfere,” reiterated Max. “You’ve interfered every single time.”
“I didn’t,” Gabe protested uncertainly with a frown. “Did I?”
“Yup,” Max confirmed it. “Even when you and Britney were avoiding each other, you still knew exactly who she was and wasn’t dating. Honestly, I think you’ve been just as obsessed with her as she is with you. You just didn’t want to admit you might have feelings for her.”
Now Max was out of line and going too far. Gabe leaned against the wall. “I am not obsessed with Britney Crawford.”
