Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I scowled at him. “Okay, yes, given what I know now, my reasons are dumb, but I didn't know any of this at the time! How was I supposed to know how he felt?”
“I mean…you could have asked him.”
My brows furrowed deeper. Wade was making perfectly valid points and I didn't care for it. I was supposed to be the level headed, responsible one with sage fatherly advice. But I'd acted like an idiot, and my son was happy to point that out.
“Like you said, Gavin is a good guy,” he said after several moments of silence. “He'll understand. You two just need to sit down together and hash everything out.”
“I hope you're right. And you're sure you're okay with this?” As much as I wanted a future with Gavin, I also didn't want to upset my son.
“I'm sure. You two are the most amazing people I know, and you would be great together…as soon as you get your head out of your ass.”
“Harsh, but fair.”
Wade laughed, but stopped abruptly as his face went pale. “He's probably got a dozen guys drooling over him right now.”
I felt the color drain from my own face as my stomach churned. “Where did he go?” I'd go pick him up and beg for his forgiveness.
“I'm not sure. It's a big city and there's loads of places he’s talked about checking out.”
“Damn.”
“But I can call him.” Wade was full of good ideas today. Why didn't I think of that? He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed, but he didn't receive an answer. He tried again, but he still couldn't get in touch with Gavin. “He must not be able to hear his phone over the music. That, or he has his ringer turned off. Hopefully, he will see that I called him and try back.”
“I hope so. What happens if he doesn't?”
Wade gave me a pained expression. “We wait until he gets back.”
I added my worst fear, “And hope he doesn't find someone else.”
*****
I hadn't moved from the recliner for hours. I barely ate anything for dinner. Wade and I had a long heart to heart, but then we'd been silent for the last couple of hours as we waited for Gavin’s return. I sent Wade to bed about thirty minutes ago; I wasn't very good company, and this was something I needed to do on my own.
My heart leapt when I heard the crunching of gravel outside, followed by a car door. But it took a nosedive when I heard two voices just beyond the front door. After a quick jingle of keys, the door opened, and in staggered a disheveled Gavin, followed by a tall, thin stranger.
“Where's your bedroom, sexy?” the mystery man slurred too loudly.
I jumped up from the chair and stomped to the door. “That's none of your concern.”
Both men blinked in surprise, apparently not noticing me in their drunken state, but it was Mr. Lanky who spoke up, hiccuping, “You didn't tell me you lived with your dad.”
“I'm not his father,” I replied with a bite.
“Then who the fuck are you?”
“The man who's paying for your cab home.” I retrieved a twenty from my wallet, which I plastered into his hand before spinning him to face the door.
“Wait a minute; we were gonna-”
“And now you're not,” I cut him off. I couldn't bear to hear his plans with Gavin. I guided him out the door before closing and locking it behind him. Good riddance.
When I turned around, I found Gavin glaring at me with fire in his stare. “What the hell, Richmond?” Even though he was pissed at me, I still savored hearing my name from his lips.
“I couldn't stand seeing you with someone else,” I answered honestly, but it didn't calm him down.
“Well, too fucking bad!” He firmly poked my chest as he added, “You don't get to decide who's in my life when you've made it clear you don't want to be in it! I'd rather hook up with a stranger and know it means nothing to both of us.” I could hear the pain in his voice, and I hated that I was the one who put it there.
“What happened between us wasn’t meaningless,” I argued. “It meant a lot to me; you mean a lot to me.”
Gavin broke his glare to rub his palm across his forehead. “I’m too drunk for this conversation. Or maybe not drunk enough.”
“This isn’t the best time,” I agreed. I wanted his mind to be clear when we spoke. I wanted to hear his true feelings, and for him to understand mine. “You need rest, and we can talk in the morning. I’ll help you to bed.” I placed my hand on his lower back to steady and guide him, but Gavin pushed me away. He understandably didn’t want my touch.