Chapter 28 #2
She disconnected, and I stared at the phone, too stunned to move until my phone buzzed with an incoming video call. With a relieved exhale escaping me, I answered, seeing her angry face pop up. Her blonde hair was in two braids, and her green eyes were lined with charcoal.
“That’s better. Now I can yell at you face to face.”
My lips pursed.
“Are you insane? You do not want that man back in your life.”
“Cindy, you don’t understand.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then help me understand why you would let a man who destroyed you back into your life. Into Reid’s life. What if he does the same thing again?”
“I don’t think he will.”
“You don’t think he will, but you don’t know it.”
I let my head fall back again. “He had no choice but to leave me.”
Her laugh was cruel. “Is that what he told you? He had a choice, and he took it.”
“It’s more than that.” And I wondered if I was trying to convince myself or Cindy.
“Like what?”
“He was protecting me and my parents.” I explained what Gabe had told me, my belief in him rising again, the swell in my chest returning because I had seen the emotion in him, the anguish he’d suffered along with me.
Cindy’s body dropped back in her chair, and she rubbed her hand over her face.
“He didn’t know about Reid, and he…he still loves me.
” He had remained faithful to me through all the years, and I believed him.
There was too much truth in his eyes, pain in his voice.
“Do you remember the paper flower I wouldn’t let you throw out?
The one he made for me?” It was in Reid’s baby book.
The only piece of his father I could offer him.
“Yeah.”
“He still has the one I made for him. He’s been carrying it in his wallet all this time.”
She sighed, and I could see the change in her. “This sounds like something out of a movie, Tor. This stuff doesn’t happen.”
“But it is.”
“And the other woman? The one who answered his phone? How many women has he been with while he’s been in love with you?”
“None. It was his sister. He never knew she talked to me. But, Cindy, he never moved on. Just like I never did.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“You. I believe him. If you could talk to him, you’d see it and hear it in his voice.”
“God, you’re a pain in my ass,” she teased. “Did you seriously call me because you’re thinking about going back to him?”
“Yes, and we’re taking steps.”
“Did you kiss him?”
I couldn’t fight my smile at the thought of Gabe’s kisses. They had ruined me for any other man, and now I had them back.
“Damn it, Tori. You hoe. Did you sleep with him already?”
“No, we’re taking it slow. And I’m not a hoe, bitch.”
She let out her usual laugh, the one that came from deep in her belly and told me she was considering the same things I was. “What about Reid? Does he know?”
I shook my head. “I’m not ready to tell him. Just in case. I don’t want him hurt, but he adores Gabe and…” I thought about Gabe with him, the looks of wonder, pride, and love that were there. “…Gabe adores him. They look and act so much alike. You should see them together.”
“Why did you call me, Tor?”
“Because I needed a voice of reason.”
She frowned. “You wanted me to give you the answer. I know you, Tor. You fell head over heels for him all those years ago, and you never stopped loving him. I saw it. Even when you were at your worst, you refused to throw that damned flower out. Refused to sell your wedding dress, which is still hanging in the closet at your parents’ house.
Do I want to ask where you have the bracelet? ”
The bracelet Gabe had given me that Christmas. The one I’d held over the trash ready to throw away but couldn’t. Instead, I had tucked it into my jewelry box, where it remained buried below enough pieces to keep it from my sight.
“No, you don’t.”
“You never let him go, Tor.”
“I couldn’t.” I’d given up trying to because he had taken up too much space, and even with the void he’d left, I knew no one could ever fill it. Reid had taken up some of it, but the rest remained a hollow core that no man could reach.
“Do you really believe him?”
“Yes.”
She was quiet for a minute, and I could see her thinking about something. “You’re going home this weekend, right?”
It had been my plan. My parents wanted to give Reid his birthday present, and my father’s birthday was the following week. We’d planned to celebrate. Even Cash and Brandi were coming.
“Yes. Are you and Noah able to make it?”
She shook her head. “No, Noah has a gig. I need to be there to fend the groupies off.”
This time I laughed. Noah was in a local band that was earning a loyal following. Their shows sold out, and Cindy always teased him about the groupies. But Noah worshipped her, so there was no chance another woman was a threat. Still, she insisted on attending every show.
“Bring Gabe with you,” she said.
My mouth fell open. “What? I can’t do that. It’s too early.”
“And your family hates him. Especially Cash. Shoot, maybe I should go so I can watch the fireworks.”
“Cindy, I can’t throw Gabe into that.”
“Why not? If he really does still love you, he’ll go. Let him defend his actions to your family. If he goes, you’ll know he’s sincere and willing to do whatever it takes to win you back. If he refuses, then you have your answer.”
Noah’s head popped over hers. “She’s right. Any man worth his salt will face the fire if he really loves his woman. If he really gave you up to protect you, he’ll do this to keep you.”
“When did you become so philosophical?” I asked him.
“Who cares?” Cindy said, tugging him to her. “I think it’s sexy.”
I rolled my eyes. “You two are gross. I’m hanging up now.”
“Bye, Tor. Text me with all the scoop!”
Shaking my head, I hung up before I had to witness more than I wanted.
Throwing my phone onto my bedside table, I laid back down, smoothing my hand over the empty side of the bed.
The engagement ring glittered in the dim light from the moon, a reminder of what I stood to gain if this worked out.
Would Gabe accept an invitation to be crucified by my family?
He had hired me, knowing the wrath he faced from me and the pain it would cause him.
Was I worth what he would go through with my family?
I closed my eyes, intent on finding out because this would flush out any remaining doubt I had about him.
And I wanted it gone so that the empty side of my bed was no longer empty.