Page 16 of Beautiful Life
Gabby tips her head to the side to take in my demeanor. She knows me better than anyone, I can tell she sees it. Or, she sees something. “What’s going on, Tone?”
I lower my voice. “Gabba, you think I’d go there with Leigh knowing what she means to you? What she meant to your parents? But especially after what she’s just been through if she didn’t mean something to me?”
Gabby jerks as if I’ve struck her. Shit, is it that surprising? “What does she mean to you?”
“She means a lot to me. I’m taking a mind to her. I’m being patient. Shit, since I’m handling her divorce now, I’ve read the police records. I probably know more than you. None of it’s good, Gabby. It’s all a shit load of bad. So yeah, I’m doing everything I can to make sure she’s mine, but I plan on handling her with care in the process. What I will not do is stop. She was tied to that asshole by the time I got out of school, I missed my chance. I’m not missing it again.”
“Really?” Gabby breathes. “You wanted a chance back then?”
“Well, by the time I was ready, she was taken, but yeah. I just took too long to get my shit together.”
“You and Leigh?”
“I hope.”
“Oh, I’m going to cry,” she exclaims and starts to wave her hand in front of her face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said that. I had no idea. You know I love you. Shit! I hate crying.”
I get up and go around the desk. She walks straight to me and plants her face in my chest and I put my arms around her. “It’s okay.”
“I’m really happy for you.” She tips her head back to go on with a teary face. “You know, she crushed on you all through high school.”
“She did?”
“Yeah.”
I shake my head. “Well, fuck me.”
She smirks. “I can’t wait to tell Jude. And I’m making dinner tonight, you have to come.”
“Gabby, shut it down. I’ll handle it. I don’t need any help.”
“Okay,” she agrees a little too enthusiastically as she wipes her tears away.
“I’m serious. I need to handle her in my own way. Do you know she dreams?”
“Dreams?”
“Yeah, nightmares.”
“No. Did she tell you that?”
“No, I heard her. I’ve slept on your sofa for the last three nights. Every night she’s had a nightmare and she won’t talk about them. You’ve probably never heard because your room is far away from hers.”
“You stayed all weekend?”
“I didn’t want her to be by herself.”
Gabby tips her head and her face softens. “You stayed with her. I’m so glad you were with her. I don’t know what to do. I can’t get her to go to a therapist. I’ve tried.”
“I don’t know. But something’s gotta give. I’ll be over tonight for dinner, but you need to play it cool for her sake. And I hope Jude likes Sex in the City.” I shake my head, knowing since he’s like me, he has no clue what he’s in for.
Gabby frowns. “I don’t think Jude’s going to like Sex in the City.”
“Trust me, he won’t.”
“Okay, let me know what you need from me. You have to get through to her, Tone. She can’t go on like this much longer.”
“I know, but for now you need to go. I’ve got a shit load to do.”
