Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
I think about Chrissy and can totally see her being a nurse. She’s always been a caring, helpful person. To be honest, I always thought there was something between Gabe and Chrissy. He never let her out of his sight.
Violet picks up her phone and sighs in relief. “Josh is almost here, which is good because the babysitter needs to leave soon.”
“We’re about to leave, Gabe. You good?”
I’m about to stand up when he puts his hand over mine. “Can we talk for a minute?”
Violet’s eyebrows lift, and she holds up her phone. “Take your time. I’m going to wait for Josh by the door.”
I nod, and she walks away. I’m not sure what Gabe wants to talk to me about, but I can only imagine. “Shoot. What’s up?”
He releases his hold on me. “I wanted to ask you to take it easy on Dom.”
Of all the things I would have imagined him saying, that wasn’t it. I lean back in my seat with my mouth hanging open. “Excuse me? Dom is a big boy. I don’t think he needs you fighting his battles.”
He waves me off. “I’m not fighting his battles. I’m just saying, he’s not the same guy he was back then.”
I couldn't hold back the laugh if I tried. It’s a maniacal sound that draws the attention of the people sitting at the table next to us. “Really, that’s funny because I think he looks exactly like the man that ripped my heart out of my chest and trampled on it.”
Gabe is not smiling. There’s a story in his eyes, and I already know he’s not going to tell me what it is. Gabe’s always been a man of few words, and I doubt he’s changed much since I knew him. But he dips his head toward me. “It may have been a long time ago, but I remember the two of you together.”
I shake my head and hold my hand up. “Stop. Let’s not go there.”
But Gabe is insistent. “He didn’t want to end things with you.”
“Whatever, Gabe, it’s ancient history, and I’m over it.”
I go to stand up, and he does the same. He raises his hand to sit on my shoulder but changes his mind and pulls away. “Look, all I’m saying is he knows he fucked up, and he’s regretted it ever since. Yeah, prison changed him, but losing you almost destroyed him. I never thought he’d pull himself out of the black hole he was in.”
My forehead creases. Surely Gabe is wrong. I doubt Dom even thought twice about ending things with me, but I’m not going to argue that with his brother. All I can do is nod my head. “Okay, I’ll be nicer to him.”
It’s his turn to laugh. “Oh, I’m not saying be nicer. You should give him hell for what he did. I’m just saying don’t get mixed up with him again… and then leave. That’s all. He won’t make it through losing you twice.”
Before I can respond, he leans down and hugs me. “It’s good to see you again, Lucy. Let me know if I can do anything while you’re in town.”
I’m speechless as he pats me on the shoulder and walks away.
I get to the front door, and Violet and I walk outside to where Josh is waiting for us.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” I tell her.
I listen to her and Josh talk as we go across town. Every now and then, I pop in to answer a question, but for the most part, I’m thinking about what Gabe said. Could he be right? Did Dom regret the way he ended things? If that’s true, why wouldn’t he have come for me?
As we pull into my mom’s driveway, the first thing I see is my car. I thank Josh and Violet for the ride home and practically jog to it. As soon as I see the note on the windshield, I look at it anxiously.
I should be happy that I have my car because it sucks having to hitch rides with people, so why am I upset? Because now you don’t have a reason to see Dominic again.
The thought comes in swiftly, and as soon as it crosses my mind, I know it’s the truth.
I reach for the paper and unfold it slowly. Is he going to say he doesn’t want to see me again and to stay as far away as possible from him? I wouldn’t be surprised after how I’ve treated him since I got back.
I read the letter and then have to read it again.
Lucky,
At the bar tonight, you were smiling until you saw me. More than anything else, I want you to be happy. Please keep your car and don’t worry about the money. You don’t owe me anything. I know I’m the last person you think you can depend on, but if you need anything - anything at all - please call me.