The pieces of a puzzle I hadn’t known existed fell into place.
I rose, leaving everyone in the silence that settled over them, and grabbed the scotch from the kitchen. Returning, I filled Gabe’s cup and took a long drink, trying not to cough since I wasn’t a hard liquor drinker.
“God, how do you stand this stuff?” I said, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Years of practice,” he said, snatching the glass from me and finishing it.
“So…,” said Brandi. “Does that mean he’s staying?”
She was so sweet it was hard not to smile. The complete opposite of my brother with his overbearing temperament.
“Yeah,” my father answered, and the anxiety that had been building since Cindy put the idea in my head and Gabe accepted fled my body. “Gabe, I’d like a few minutes with you.”
He nodded and rose as my father gestured for him to follow. Cash stood and stepped into his path. The two had a moment that caused my tension to return before Cash held his hand out. “I still hate how you hurt her, and I hope she’s making you work to get her back, but if that’s her choice, I’ll stand by her.” Gabe took his hand. “But don’t think I won’t make you work for it, too. You weren’t there to pick up the pieces and put her back together.”
“Neither were you,” I heard Cindy say. “I was the one who was there in the beginning, wiping her snotty nose and telling her she still looked pretty even though she has a really ugly crying face.”
“Shut up, Cindy,” I said as she sauntered over to me and gave me a big hug.
“The kids are playing dress-up in your room. Hope you don’t mind. Your prom dress has seen better days.” She cringed, then walked over to Gabe. Holding her arms out, she said, “Hey. If anyone had asked me last night if I’d be happy to see you, I would have punched them.”
“Don’t worry, Cash has already done that for you,” Gabe said, rubbing his jaw.
She gave him a hug, which he returned with some hesitation. “You hurt her again, and they’ll never find your body.”
“Warning noted,” he said, clawing his hand through his hair.
“Come on, Gabe. Let’s talk.” My father gestured for him to follow. After giving me another glance, Gabe trailed him.
“When you said he had a story, I thought it would be a bunch of bullshit excuses,” Cash said.
“So did I,” added Cindy.
My mother came behind me and gave my shoulders a squeeze. “Our Tori is smarter than that. I knew it had to be something big to get her to take him back.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Mommy, what does this say?” Reid and Shelby came running down the hall, a slip of paper in Reid’s hand.
I took it from him and unfolded the note. My hand flew to my mouth, tears flooding my eyes. “Where did you find this?” I managed.
“In the big white fluffy wedding dress,” Shelby said.
A sob came out as I stared at Gabe’s writing. I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you, but if I stay, I will. Ti amer? sempre, luna mia.
Cindy took the note from me as the tears continued. He had left me something, and I’d never known, locking it away with my heart and my wedding dress all this time.
“Is that Italian?” she asked.
I nodded.
“What does it say, Tor?”
“I will always love you, my moon.”
“Luna mia,” said Reid, taking my hand. “That’s what Gabe calls you.”
I stooped down to him. “My moon.” I sniffed as his tiny hand wiped away my tears.
