Chapter Thirty-Five
Gray
According to the schedule on the screen America and Dove’s flight is due to arrive shortly. I took the first flight I could and caught a connecting one to make it here, not anticipating that their flight would be delayed.
The rental company found my car the next morning, and lucky for me, my passport and laptop were still in the bag in the trunk, so I booked a flight and hightailed it to Chicago.
The carousel starts to move, suitcases pouring out from a hole in the wall, but I only have my carry on. America on the other hand will probably have at least one big case if not two. She never travels light. So I should be able to spot her when she comes to collect them.
I find a place to sit for the next thirty minutes and work my way through my emails. The task keeps my brain occupied and helps to keep my nerves from getting the best of me. It’s going to be a long day if I’m going to show America how much she means to me.
I can’t just tell her that I love her. I can’t smooth the issue over and pretend it won’t come up again. “You can fix this. You love fixing things.”
I give up on my emails and buy a cup of coffee. They’ll land any minute, and I turn my wrist to check my watch for the thousandth time in two days. But that’s just another thing I lost along with my wallet and phone.
A body smacks into me, and coffee—hot enough to scald my fingers—bubbles out of the plastic lid on my takeaway cup as I lock eyes on the top of a woman’s head.
“I’m sorry. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going.” Stepping back, she looks up and her whisky eyes stick to mine. They grow round. “Gray?”
“Indy.” She still likes her cowgirl boots. And that blue hair stuck. The tattoos are new. She’s not the girl I used to love. She’s someone else now. A stranger who once broke my heart.
I feel flustered and hot under the collar, but I don’t hate her. And the anger I felt for so long when I thought about her doesn’t come. All I care about is America. I’m here for her. I’m willing to try forgiveness for her.
Indy lifts a hand to reach for me before she remembers herself and curls her arms around her waist.
“Gray.” Her voice wobbles with uncertainty. “What are you doing here?”
“America.” I didn’t plan this part. I thought I would see America before I would have to deal with Indy. I figured she would deal with Indy.
“You…” I didn’t think her eyes could grow any bigger, but somehow, they do.
“We’re seeing each other.” I don’t want to dance around what I’m doing here.
“You’re the guy?”
She’ll need to get used to it. “I’m the guy.”
“This is a joke.”
“No, it’s really not.”
Her hand cracks across my jaw. She gasps.
People stare at us as they pass.
“How could you? She’s my best friend.” She cradles her hand, which is no doubt stinging as much as my face. “And you hurt her. If you wanted to hurt me there are a million ways you could have—”
“This isn’t about you.” I press a hand to my cheek. I should have seen that coming. If EJ warned me of one thing it was that Indy would feel like I did this to hurt her. That’s just not the truth. “I love her. I screwed up. I’m going to fix it.”
Indy spots America and Dove before I do. She marches over to where the two women are collecting their suitcases. She takes America’s bag and locks arms with her. “You and I need to talk about what you’ve been keeping from me.”
“Gray?” America gapes at me as Indy starts dragging her toward the exit. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you.”
Hurt crosses her face. “I can’t do this right now.”
“I was mugged. They took my phone. EJ had to buy me a new one and have it delivered to the police station in Amsterdam. By the time I was released you were on your way home.”
“What the hell?” Indy scowls at me.
“I said some things. I know I did.” I follow them outside. Dove falls into line beside me, wheeling her case behind her. “Things that I wish I could take back, because I didn’t mean them. Some simply aren’t true, like telling you that I would never move back to Chicago. That was bullshit. I would do it for you. I am doing it for you.”
“You came home for her,” Dove says.
Even Indy whips around to stare at me.
America’s brittle gaze warms, but she keeps her distance. “You did, huh?”
“I did.”
That motherfucker Indy married climbs out of his truck, and I get flashbacks to the last time we were in this sort of scenario.
One bridge at a time. I have a long way to go until I can make some kind of peace with him. I focus on America. “You healed my heart, Rica. You took a wounded man and made him whole. I didn’t think I would ever want to love anyone ever again, but you didn’t give me a choice. And I am so grateful for that. I love you. Nan ni-kkeoya.”
She stares at me with wonder. “Do you even know what that means?”
“I looked it up,” I say.
“I know what it means.” Indy frowns. “I remember when you learned that. How you said it to…”
“It means I’m yours,” I tell America. “And I am… yours. I’m not going to say I’m not apprehensive about being here. Or that we won’t have blow out arguments sometimes, but as far as I’m concerned you own this heart of mine. You put it back together. You get to keep it. That means we’ll work through everything else. Including those two.” I glare at Indy and Theo.
She glances at Indy who doesn’t look happy. At Theo who scowls at me while shifting closer to his wife.
Yeah, we have a long way to go.
“I love you too, Gray. You know that.”
“I know that.”
“You also know I have to ride with Indy, right?” America asks me. “She and I need to talk. I have so much I need to apologize for.”
“I understand.” I clasp her cheek and press my lips to hers. “We have lots of time to make up later.”
“I hope so.” She gives me a wobbly smile.
“I’ll ride with Gray,” Dove says.
“Thanks.” America hurries to join Indy while Theo loads her suitcases in the back of his truck.
“Those two have a lot to talk about, babes. It’s going to be so noisy and emotional.” Dove links arms with me. “It’s better to give them their space to go through it all.”
America climbs into the backseat of Theo’s truck. All three of them slam the doors. I can only imagine the immediate barrage of questions from Indy. And I hate leaving her to face it entirely alone. Even when she said that’s what she wanted.
“When you get out of your own way you are one of the good ones.” Dove pats me on the back and pushes giant owl shades onto her nose. They cover half her face. “How are you getting to the Dells?”
“Rental.” I show her the keys I picked up. I knew there was no way I would be offered or want to ride with Indy. And EJ thinks making my own way there proves something about my commitment.
I send America a text as we make our way across the lot to the vehicle on my key tag. She might need to deal with Indy alone, but I want her to know I’m right here.
Gray: Whatever happens with Indy. Whatever it takes. I’m in it with you, my sweet girl. We’re in this together. I’m happiest when I’m with you xx