I race to stop him, wishing I hadn’t let my anger get the better of me. Wishing I’d been able to reason with him. “Please, don’t go! Gabriel! Please!”
But he slams the door and pulls away before I reach him. My hand smacks into the side of his truck as it passes. The pain erupts over my skin and down my leg. My chest caves in. It’s like I’m burning alive. Dropping to my knees, the hard concrete grounding my pain. Gravel crunches under his truck tires as he gets farther and farther away, andI bury my face in my hands and let the weight of his words drown me.
Gentle arms wrap around me as my shoulders shake, and Gran’s soft voice filters through my cries. “You’re gonna be alright.”
“I love him,” I choke out.
“I know, but you deserve so much more than this.”
I sob harder. I don’t care what I deserve. I don’t even care about the horrible things he said. I want him to come back.
I feel like I’ve been stranded in the middle of a desert. He was the only person who’s ever truly seen me. Truly loved me. He made me feel special and worthy. Now, I feel empty, and abandoned, and alone. His last words slowly soak in, and I feel like every bone in my body is cracking open. I’m raw, equally exposed and invisible, if that makes any sense.
I sit in the parking lot for what feels like an eternity, sobbing and secretly hoping he’ll come back for me.
But he never does.
32
GABE
AUGUST PRESENT DAY
Finding Shane waiting for me in my office this morning is the last thing I need.
She walked in wearing that damn sundress last night, and I was screwed. Then her husband showed up. I don’t like him. To be fair, I wouldn’t have liked him anyway because he got her, but I especially didn’t like how he was talking to her. I kept drinking, hoping after a few shots I’d be able to brush it off or pass out. All it did was make how much I want her very fucking clear.
I knew I was pushing things by bombarding her in the hallway, but I didn’t plan to kiss her. When she said she loved him, it did something to me, and I couldn’t stop myself.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I needed a break from Nik asking if I’m okay. I know she means well, but the constant worry is driving me up a wall.”
“I’m sure she’ll chill once you’ve been home for a bit,” I say, sitting at my desk.
He leans back in his chair. “Heard you were prettyfucked up last night.” There’s a hint of a question in his tone, and I grit my teeth.
“I’m just stressed with this club shit. It’s fine.”
He quirks a brow.
“What?”
“I’m just not buying it.”
“Well, it’s the truth so drop it, okay?”
“Look…” He leans forward. “I know I have no room to talk after everything I’ve done. But I’m begging you, please don’t fuck with her. I appreciate you being there when she needed you. Especially since it saved my life. But she’ll let you back in if you ask. So, I’m begging you… don’t. Just leave her be.”
“I came because you needed me. That’s all it was.”
He nods, sitting back in his chair.
JT knocks, poking his head in the door.
What the hell. We’re not even open yet and these fuckers are already up my ass.
“What?” I ask.
