Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
He grins.
“And you have Carter, who thinks you’re a jerk face sometimes but also pretty cool,” I say.
Dylan laughs.
“And,” I say, holding my breath, “if you’ll accept my apology for walking away from your family, maybe you can have me.”
His smile wobbles.
“I don’t want to replace your dad, Dylan. He sounds like an amazing guy. I hope, although I doubt that it’s true, that someone out there is reminding Izzy of how much I love her. And that’s what I want to do for you and Carter.” I sigh. “Christopher built a hell of a good man in you and Carter. I want to have a chance to have the honor of being a part of your lives.”
Dylan sits taller in his chair. “Let me ask you a question.”
“Sure.”
“If I have all of that, what all do you have?”
The smirk on his lips lifts my spirits, and I realize I’m not dealing with a little boy. I’m dealing with a young man—one who understands a lot more than people give him credit for.
“You want to be there for me and my brother, but what about my mom?” he asks.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll have to grovel, but I’m hoping she’ll accept my apology.”
“Does this mean you’ll make my mom stop crying?”
Together, our lips part into a grin.
The silence in the room isn’t so deafening now.
I stand, and Dylan follows me to his feet. The air between us isn’t so tense. I think we’re both a lot lighter than before.
“No pressure,” I say, leading him to the door. “But you can talk to me anytime. I’m not trying to be your dad—”
“Jay.” He turns to me and stops by the doorway. “I know.”
“I’m glad.”
He sighs. “I better get home before Mom does check on me. I wouldn’t put it past her to call the police and have everyone in Alden looking for me.”
“It’s just because she loves you.”
He smiles the first real, wide smile I’ve seen on him. “I know.”
I open the door, and he steps into the darkness.
“You are going to fix this, right?” he asks over his shoulder.
“Let me get a plan together. Your mom deserves more than a simple I’m sorry.”
“Well, don’t take forever.”
I laugh as he jogs across the lawn.
I wait until he’s safely back inside his house before I close the door. Then I walk to the kitchen window and gaze across the yard.
My heart is warm, almost full, as I watch the light turn on in Gabrielle’s bedroom. There’s one final piece that I need to click everything in place. I need her. My girl. The love of my fucking life.
No matter what it takes, I’m going to fix this. I’m going to convince Gabrielle to take me back. It might have taken me a long time to get here, but I’m not going back.
They are mine—all three of them. And I won’t let them go again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
GABRIELLE
Feelin’ a little froggy today,” I say, eyeing the outlet covers that need to be changed in the kitchen. “But do I feel froggy enough to leap?”
I clean up the boys’ breakfast mess and try to keep myself distracted so I don’t open the curtains and look at Jay’s house. I thought it would get easier as each day passed, but it hasn’t. Even when Della asked me to go to Murray’s last weekend, I turned her down. Whereas I was so eager to go out and live again just a few weeks ago, I have no use for it now.
It’s almost as if I found what I was looking for.
Too bad I can’t have it.
My eyes are a little puffy from crying last night. I told the boys I have allergies. They were only too happy to take my explanation and continue their lives. I’m happy they don’t know how wrecked I am over Jay. It would disassemble the progress I’ve made with Dylan over the last few days. Let’s hope that lasts.
I rummage around beneath the sink and find my pink tool bag.
How could Jay walk away from me like that? Was I misreading the situation? Or is he truly just that nervous to get involved again?
“To hell with Jay,” I say, finding my screwdriver. “If he can just toss me aside and not realize that I am afraid, too—that it’s hard for me to consider losing another man I love—then fuck him.”
I wipe my face with the end of my shirt.
“Let’s roll the dice today and try a little electrical work,” I say. “What’s the worst that can happen? I know how to find the breaker box.”
My eyes instantly fill with tears as I remember the only time I’ve been down there. With him.
I’m reaching for the outlet when my doorbell sounds, filling the house with the melody of a dying fox.
“Gotta get that changed too,” I say, reaching the front door. I pull it open, and all the air vacates my lungs.