“You don’t think it’s true?” Nick said.
“I think people make mistakes,” Logan said. “Ivy tried to talk to you. You ignored her. She tried to reach out to each of us, and we didn’t listen. This was something really important to her. She lost a lot after making that post. You lost one contract.”
“Yes, I feel like an asshole. What are you trying to do, make me feel worse?” Before he knew it, he was in Marrock’s space, standing chest to chest.
The giant man towered over him and stepped forward, placing his hands on Gabe’s shoulders. “I think there’s a punching bag in the office if you ask Zee nicely. Otherwise, you should probably leave now and figure out what you’re going to do with your girl.”
“She’s not my girl anymore.” Gabe shook off Logan’s hands, stepping back.
“Then why does it bother you so much?” Logan raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t have time for this, anyway. Good luck with your device.”
“You can borrow it for Ivy when she’s wearing your collar again.” Logan grinned.
“Sorry to drag you out. It wasn’t meant as a confrontation,” Nick said.
“It’s fine. Ivy showing up tilted my world a bit.”
“I want to see you happy again, Doc. And I think Ivy is good for you.”
Gabe shook his head. “There’s no going back, right?”
“Nope,” Nick said.
“Find a girl to play with, have your own fun.” Gabe clapped him on the shoulder.
Nick gave his one-shoulder shrug. “Are you working for Stone tonight?”
“Yeah. I haven’t heard from Axis Management.”
“Go talk to them, Gabe. Tell them you need in. I’m sure they would rather have you than you moonlighting.”
“Okay. See you.” Gabe gave Nick a man-hug, got in his car and drove to their condo. He had hours before his gig with Stone Security tonight.
He wanted to see Ivy. Wanted to see the light in her green eyes, see that sly, sexy smile.
Ivy had been the only person who encouraged him to play his guitar, to take his music seriously. When she came across a band needing a new guitarist, she urged him to go audition. But he didn’t have the nerve. His father’s voice telling him he was okay, but Cole was better than him, was a loud echo in his head he couldn’t shake.
His past wasn’t Ivy’s fault. She had embraced him, despite it. Despite only being a medic and before the offer came from Axis Management, she didn’t comment on how much money he made.
Hell, they were so young then. Pulling into his parking space, he shook off the memories. Maybe it was possible to start over.
He hoped Ivy was there; he smiled as he rode the elevator up to his floor. Turning the corner to the hallway, he stopped.
He stopped in his tracks. Cole was leaning on the doorway, crowding Ivy. But it was the expression on his face that had Gabe curling his hands into fists. Ever since they were kids, Cole wanted what Gabe had. If Gabe got a new pair of jeans, Cole wanted them, even if they didn’t fit him. Gabe went to science camp one year, and Cole begged their dad to let him go even though he hated science.
When Cole got serious about hockey, the relief Gabe felt about his brother’s attention being off of him was like breathing clean air after inhaling smog.
Cole did nothing other than belittle Ivy. Gabe’s stomach churned. But did Cole want her? He shook the thought away. Cole had been with his girlfriend, Chantal, for over a year, and she came with money and connections, not the kind Ivy had.
Gabe marched over to them. His brother turned, the easy much-photographed smile flashing across his face.
“Hey, Gabe. What’s up, man?”
“Cole. Didn’t know you were coming by.”
Ivy’s eyes darted from him to his brother, and Gabe wondered why she was acting so nervous. She leaned against the wall beside their door.
