Chapter 46 #2
I press a finger to his lips to stop him from saying more, needing to get it all off my chest. “I lost the baby at thirteen weeks. And I blamed myself for that loss. I didn’t want a baby.
I thought I was doing all the right things, but maybe I wasn’t because I didn’t care for it like I should have. ”
I frantically wipe my eyes until Sal removes my hands, replacing them with his own as he softly swipes his thumbs across my cheeks.
“No, Keeley. That’s not on you. A miscarriage isn’t your fault.
None of it’s your fault.” He pulls me tighter into his hold and kisses my forehead, bringing about more tears.
I thought I’d shed the last of them years ago.
I was wrong. Like everything else, I’d bottled it up, waiting for the right person to share it with.
I curl into him, letting myself be vulnerable until my emotions subside.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, Keeley,” Sal whispers softly before falling quiet, waiting for me, giving me all the space that I need.
I’m not sure how much time passes before I finally pull away, sniffling with a smile. “Thank you. For letting me break a little.”
“You don’t need to thank me for that. I’m here for anything you need. Always. I hope you know that?”
“I do. I promise. And the same goes to you.”
“Good.”
“Do we have any other hurdles to jump over?”
“You mean besides the fact that I’m your brother’s father-in-law and you’re my daughter’s best friend?”
“Yes, besides that.”
“No, I think we’re good.”
I snort out a laugh when he delivers his words with a straight face, and Sal cracks a smile. His first since I started telling him about my past.
“Anything you need to get off your chest?”
“Ahhh. Yeah. I might be in a little trouble with the Mikklesons. They’re not happy about Camilla testifying against them.”
“Yeah, Paige mentioned that.” I frown momentarily and silently curse Paige. She needs to tell him she’s testifying too. It’s going to kill him to know she’s been hiding that fact. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m not sure yet. My girlfriend kind of threw my plans into disarray when she broke her ankle.”
“Your girlfriend?”
“Yeah. It sounds strange saying that at my age. But it’s what I want. If you do.”
“I do. I actually like the sound of it.”
“Good.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips then glances down at me, his expression serious.
“Anything else you want to tell me about?”
“No, you pretty much… Oh, actually.” I grimace as I remember the only other thing I hid from him.
Sal stiffens, quickly trying to hide it. “I’m listening.”
“Remember the first GM you fired? Tray.”
“I do…” Sal draws out the words, his voice hesitant.
“I told you I agreed with your plan to fire him because he was a sleaze. He hit on me and pretty much every other girl who worked for him.”
“Motherfucker.” Sal jolts and I have no doubt that if I wasn’t sitting in his lap, he’d be up out of the chair. “I knew he was a piece of shit; I just couldn’t work out why.”
“Yeah, well, you’re the only man who noticed that. Most of the guys thought he was amazing. One of the boys.”
“Fucker. I wish I could fire him again with that knowledge. I wouldn’t have given him such a nice send-off.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re cute when you’re angry?” I throw his words back at him and he laughs incredulously.
“Funny. Is that it?”
“I think so. What about you?”
“Nothing,” he rushes out, his pitch rising, making it seem like a lie. Only when I study his features, he seems calm.
“Good.” I give him the benefit of the doubt. “So…are you going to take me to bed now?”
Sal half coughs, half laughs, and I hope I never lose the ability to fluster him like that.
“Not a chance,” he rasps, shaking his head. “You heard the doctor. Limited movement for at least another twenty-four to forty-eight hours.”
“You’re joking, right? Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m not. You need to rest, and I need to work for a couple of hours.” He stands with me in his arms and positions me back on the couch. “I promise I won’t be long.”
At the mention of work, excitement builds in my chest. “Can you bring me my laptop?” I hit Sal with a wide smile while he raises a brow, his gaze questioning, giving me my answer.
“Ugh. You suck.”
“I’m not actually going in. I have my laptop in my bag.”
“What? And you didn’t get mine?”
“Nope. But you love me.” He smirks and I laugh like he’s joking, even though I think I do. At least I would if he’d take me to work, instead of leaving me here to suffer.
“Fine.” I roll my eyes, making him chuckle until his expression turns serious again.
“Thank you for sharing your story. I promise to never question your feelings, but at the same time, if those feelings change, I want you to know you can talk to me about it. I don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped, if you ever change your mind.”
“I can promise you that’s not going to happen. But also… I’m not the kind of girl that would ever allow myself to feel trapped. You don’t have to worry.”
“I will always worry.”
“I know. Thank you.”
“Want me to put on one of those crime shows you like?”
“Nah, that’s okay. I’ll find something.” I stretch to reach the remote, and Sal rushes to grab it, passing it over.
“If you need anything, call out. Please. I’ll be at the kitchen table.”
“I will.”
“Thank you.” He kisses me again before turning around to leave, and I smile until he’s gone, already feeling the boredom set in. What the hell am I going to do for a few hours?
And why the hell didn’t I ask Sal to bring me my phone?