“Crap. I forgot about that.”
“Hearing a child’s heartbeat is special, Izzy,” King instructs me, frowning. I know it’s because I look upset. He probably thinks I’m upset about the baby—although I have no idea why. Gabby will have to teach him not to jump to conclusions.
“King, stop! Izzy is looking forward to being an aunt.”
I laugh. Yep. Gabby will teach him. “I’m only upset because I made plans with a guy and I forgot Mom wants a family dinner tonight.”
“Oh yikes. Is that why my mom called me?” Gabby asks me.
“I have no idea, but?—”
“It was. She told me while I was visiting there with Etta. She’s making her hamburger casserole.”
“Shit,” Gabby and I both say together. Then we look at one another and start laughing our asses off.
“Do you think we can get BB and Carlos to help us get rid of it?”
“With your dad’s help, maybe,” I giggle.
“Are you bringing Caleb?” she asks.
“Gabby!” I squeak, making her cackle. “Oh, come on. You know me. I’m going to give you hell every chance I get. It’s your penance for not coming and seeing me sooner.”
I sigh. “I’m sorry, Gabby. I got so caught up in my finals that I just didn’t make the time. That sounds so horrible. I’ve been a shit friend.”
“You were there at Diego’s funeral. You never turned your back on me, even if I deserved it?—”
“Gabz, stop.”
“You also tried to tell me to get my head out of my ass. I wish I had listened, although maybe if I had, I wouldn’t have met King, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
“We would have met, Sunshine. No fucking way what we have is by chance. We were made for one another. We would have found each other. We’ll always find one another in this world and the next.”
To look at King, you wouldn’t think he could ever be a romantic. You wouldn’t even think he could be sweet, but my breath stalls in my chest. I swear, to see the look of pure love on his face, to watch the way his hand slides against Gabby’s cheek, and to feel the absolute love between them, is breathtaking. I thought my parents had the ultimate love, but this might be the next level. This is love. Love that has been fought for and endured darkness. It’s beautiful. My heart hurts a little. I always figured I’d settle for a comfortable love. I’m just not the type of girl to inspire a man to move mountains for her. Still, when you see this kind of connection right in front of you … it’s just beautiful. There are no other words to explain it. I know I’m never going to come close to experiencing that kind of love in real life. Honestly, that’s probably why I’m going into this arrangement with Caleb. Being with him is the first time I find myself looking forward to every second I’m around him.
I spend a little more time with Gabby, King, and little Etta. I’m feeling like a third wheel though. So, I say my goodbyes with a promise to Gabby that I’ll stay in touch more. I need to call Caleb and let him know about dinner tonight and that I’ll be late.
I hope he doesn’t just cancel meeting up with one another tonight. I really need time with him. I know whatever we share will be for a very limited time. I want to make the most of every minute I get with him. If I can store up enough memories, I’ll live on them.
It’s really the only choice I have because there’s no way I can claim him …
No matter how much I wish I could.
11
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?
CANDYMAN
I lean back in my seat at the Devil’s Blaze clubhouse, taking a drink of my beer, hating how slow the damn clock seems to be moving. I was at the hotel waiting for Izzy when her text came through that she had a family dinner she had forgotten about. As I read the words, fear hit me hard. I was sure she was canceling on me. It fucking felt like I couldn’t breathe. Then, she asked if I would be pissed if I didn’t make it over until later, promising she should be able to get away and be there by nine at the latest. It was only then that I could literally take a breath. I told her to go, just make sure to get her ass over here as soon as she could. I assured her I’d go out and grab something to eat before coming back to wait on her.
After she sent me a quick emoji with a kiss—that made me smile ridiculously big—I was at loose ends. I didn’t want to wait around in the hotel room by myself. So, I decided to drive by the Devil’s Blaze clubhouse. I’ve met several of the guys, so I thought I could pass some time while drinking a beer and shooting the shit with them. It sounded like a good idea in my head. Getting here, I’m not so sure. The place seems kind of dead. There’re only a few prospects—Pez, Apex, and Sabre. I would have done better waiting in the hotel room alone.
“Sabre, man. Why don’t we go and get some dinner?”
“I’m good,” Sabre says, his words more than a little slurred. I’m no judge, but he seems anything but good to me.
“Man, you are supposed to go to Daphne’s tomorrow for little Cammie’s birthday party. You show up with a hangover and she will have your ass.”
