Chapter Twenty-Five
Gabi
Gabi awoke to the sound of Walker’s contented snores.
Confused for a moment, she reached a hand behind her and hit cold, empty sheets, before opening her eyes to see the phone beside her on the pillow.
She blinked and rubbed her eyes, smiling at the snuffling, putting a hand over her mouth so her laugh didn’t wake him.
She checked the time; it was well past nine.
He’d had a good eight hours after his nightmare.
That should set him up for the day. She carefully lifted the phone and pressed red to end the call.
Downstairs, Amber was already home. Gabi pushed the kitchen door open to see her friend wearing the same clothes she’d had on yesterday. Her grin told Gabi everything she needed to know about how her night had gone with Alex.
‘Someone’s in a good mood,’ Gabi teased. Amber winked, making Gabi laugh.
‘You guys want coffee?’ Amber asked as she turned down the music, holding up two cups.
‘Just one for me,’ Gabi replied, pulling out a stool and propping up her leg.
‘Walker’s gone already?’ Amber asked, putting one cup back on the shelf. ‘Got an early shift?’
‘Coffee first, then I’ll tell you the full story,’ Gabi said. When they both had a cup in front of them, she told Amber what had happened: from the best sex of her life to the worst wake-up call ever in the middle of the night.
Amber’s face fell as she cupped her coffee with both hands. ‘Poor Walker,’ she said. ‘He must see some awful things in his job.’
Gabi went on to tell Amber about the pillow talk.
‘Well, that’s a different kind of late-night call,’ Amber said, with a tilt of her head. ‘Not one I’ve had before.’
Gabi sipped her coffee. ‘Same here.’
‘Kind of you, though,’ Amber said.
Gabi shrugged. ‘I was just looking forward to round two,’ she said with a laugh. ‘What about you and Alex?’
‘I gave in to the force . . .’
‘Again.’ Gabi smiled.
Amber rolled her shoulders and stretched. ‘What can I say? It’s a strong force.’
The front door opened, and Jayden skidded in, throwing his rucksack at the hook, not caring that it hit the floor. Amber pulled him in for a cuddle, but he brushed her off.
‘Was it a fun sleepover?’ Amber asked and he stopped mid-mouthful, frowning, and signed something quickly to his mum.
She started to respond, but Jayden was determined to finish his story.
Only when he finally finished did she reach over to stroke his cheek and sign again.
She held up two fingers and then a gesture that looked like the roll of a dice.
He sighed in frustration but then nodded in agreement.
Amber passed him her phone and he slouched at the kitchen table, watching street dance videos as he ate his second breakfast of the day.
Amber rolled her eyes and turned back to Gabi. ‘He’s had a falling out with his friend. Apparently, he took Jayden’s phone and used up all the battery.’ Gabi glanced at Jayden, but he was oblivious, focused on the screen.
‘What did you say to him?’
‘I just reminded him that everyone deserves second chances.’ She signed it again as she spoke.
Jayden laughed out loud at something he was watching, the argument already forgotten.
The doorbell rang and Gabi couldn’t help but think it might be Walker. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, slipping off the stool. She ran her fingers through her hair and pulled her dressing gown around her before setting off down the hall.
Alex stood on the doorstep, shy grin on his face, guitar on his back. Gabi felt her shoulders drop but managed a smile in return. It wasn’t like Walker would be running round first thing in the morning, was it? He might be getting ready for work for all she knew.
‘I’ve got something for Jayden,’ Alex said, holding up a plastic bag.
‘Come on in,’ Gabi said. ‘They’re in the kitchen.’ He followed her down the hall, chatting about the dinner the day before.
As he entered the kitchen behind her, she saw the look on Amber’s face, and knew she’d done the wrong thing. She stopped dead and Alex bumped into her back.
‘What are you doing here?’ Amber asked, eyes wide and flicking quickly from Alex to Jayden and back again. Jayden remained absorbed by his film, spooning the remnants of his cereal into his mouth. He didn’t look up.
Alex smiled hopefully at Jayden before turning to Amber, but on seeing her expression, the smile disappeared. ‘I brought the egg boxes . . .’ He held up the bag as if showing evidence. Amber frowned.
‘You mentioned last night Jayden needed some for a school project . . .’ he trailed off and dropped the bag back down by his side.
Amber moved directly in between Alex and her son.
If Jayden looked up, he would only see her back and not be able to read her lips.
You could cut the atmosphere with a knife.
‘He does,’ Amber said carefully.
Alex shifted under her gaze and a flush was creeping on his neck.
‘We had loads so I thought I’d drop them in.
’ His voice wavered, and Gabi felt a rush of sympathy for him while simultaneously wishing she was anywhere else than in the kitchen with them.
Amber took the bag and managed it without touching Alex at all.
He stuffed his empty hands back into his jeans pockets and rocked on his heels.
‘I wondered if you guys wanted to come to the park?’ he asked. ‘We’re doing an afternoon set from the bandstand.’
Gabi wondered if Walker would be there. Perhaps they could all go. But any thought of that was dashed by Amber with the next sentence.
‘Not happening, Alex.’ She crossed her arms and shook her head. Gabi was impressed. Amber was a protective mother above everything, even if she and Alex had just spent the night together.
‘It was just a thought,’ Alex said, adjusting his guitar strap as if it was throttling him.
‘Well, don’t have any more of them.’ Amber held his eye. ‘This isn’t anything serious. To be even more clear, when I think of you, I think fun. Not family.’
Alex slumped, looking deflated.
‘I think you should go now.’ Amber nodded towards the front of the house. ‘We don’t want to confuse the two.’
Alex nodded. ‘I don’t want to confuse him either, Amber. I’m sorry.’ He dipped his head in deference to her decision.
‘See you around,’ said Amber, turning away to the kitchen sink. Her back was bristling and her head held high. He was dismissed.
‘Hope so,’ Alex replied quietly, just as Jayden lifted his face from his screen. Gabi watched as the little boy’s face split into a grin to see Alex there, and Alex beamed back.
Alex signed something across the kitchen, putting two fingers to the base of his throat and then pointing at the boy. Jayden looked shyly surprised and then repeated the sign back, before glancing at his mum, making sure she hadn’t seen.
Alex waved at Jayden, smiled sheepishly at Gabi and was gone. Gabi once again wished it had been Walker that had turned up before heading off to get dressed and get on with her day.