Page 25 of Love Restored

Blake sighed and told Maya the whole timeline, starting with meeting Graham at the jobsite, though she didn’t go into details there. Maya’s eyes sparked at that, clearly interested, but Blake moved on to the shop with Murphy’s piercing, the Avalanche game, and the grocery store.

“That’s kind of sweet that he asked you out like that. Unique, anyway.”

Blake sighed. “Yeah, kind of. I guess. I mean, I said yes to going out again because of it, so it worked. But then we were texting tonight, and he asked me over.”

“For sex?”

Blake shook her head, remembering the comments about riding his dick. “No, it was explicitly stated that that would not happen. And it wasn’t even for food. He just asked me over to hang I guess, and I couldn’t help myself. I stopped by.”

“I get it. I’m marrying his brother. There’s just something about those Gallaghers.”

Blake shook her head at the wicked gleam in Maya’s eyes. “When I got there, though, there was a woman standing on the porch.”

Maya’s eyes went fiery. “Excuse me? He was with someone else when he asked you out? What the hell? That’s not the Graham I know.”

“That’s not the Graham I thought I was getting to know either. It turned out it was his ex-wife, Candice. Though when I introduced myself to her—since Graham wasn’t doing it—she didn’t bother to shake my hand and called herself his wife, sans ex.”

Maya stood up and paced. “That bitch. I hate calling women bitches because we use it to degrade them and shit, but that fucking bitch.”

Blake sighed. “I didn’t even know he’d been married. I mean, I suppose that might be why he was such an asshole to me before? Because he’s broken over her or some other shit, but I don’t know.”

Maya shook her head. “It could be that, but it could be because he has the hots for you and he’s never been good at figuring out what to do with that, too.” She sighed again. “I can’t tell you his secrets, Blake. He’s my man’s brother and a good friend. But I can tell you he’s been through shit and back and has come out somewhat whole. Or at least as whole as you can be after that. As for Candice, he’s not with her. I know that. She’s been gone, out of state for a couple years now. If she’s back, it’s probably because of the—” She shook her head, sadness filling her eyes. “I can’t say. It’s not my place, and even though others call me a gossip, that’s something he should tell you.”

Worry settled over Blake’s skin. What could be so bad, so hard, that Maya wouldn’t dare speak of it?

Blake didn’t say anything for a moment while she tried to get her thoughts in order.

“What did you do when you saw her?” Maya asked quietly. “What did Graham do?”

“He told me to get inside while he dealt with her, but I left. I don’t need that, Maya. I have so much crap on my plate. Crap I can’t tell you. Crap that needs to stay between me and mine. But no matter how good Graham’s dick is, it can’t be worth the drama.”

Maya bit her lip. “Sometimes, it’s not about the dick, Blake. But you’re old enough and have lived long enough to know that.”

Blake looked at her cake, trying to think. Instead of thinking too hard, however, she blurted, “I have a kid, Maya. Rowan’s ten years old and the light of my life. Everything I do is for her. It’s why I needed to work at your shop because you guys know what you’re doing. It’s why I never go out unless I know she’s safe. I keep her close to me and out of other’s lives for reasons I can’t get into. I’m only telling you now so you get me. I can’t risk her, Maya. I can’t risk myself because of her. And the drama surrounding Graham is too much. I need…I don’t know what I need, but I know my baby girl deserves the world, and I’ll be damned if I let anything else touch her.”

Maya kept silent during all of that, and Blake was happy for it. If the other woman had interrupted her, she’d have broken down or stopped speaking. Something lifted off her chest, forcing her to take a deep, ragged breath.

“I’d love to talk about your baby girl. Maybe even meet Rowan one day. I didn’t know you were a mom, and might not have even guessed it if you hadn’t mentioned something about my pregnancy before.” Her eyes brightened, and Blake winced. “I remember you saying something about cravings or new babies, and I wondered how you seemed to know. As for why you keep her a secret? If it’s to keep her safe or to keep things separate, I get it. But Blake? We Montgomerys take care of our own. And hell, so do the Gallaghers. You need us? Any of us? We’re here. You’re not alone now. Not unless you want to be or feel you have to be.”

Emotion clogged Blake’s throat, and she forced herself to swallow. “Maybe,” she whispered. “I…Rowan’s my everything.”

“And if that’s the case, let her be everything.” Maya paused, worry clouding her face. “If you and Graham talk again and things work out—” She held up her hand as Blake opened her mouth to say that wouldn’t be happening. “You don’t know that, Blake. You don’t know what’s going on exactly, and things could shift. But if you get close to him, you need to tell him about Rowan. I can’t tell you why, I can’t tell you how you should do it, but I’m telling you that he needs to know.”

Blake frowned. There was so much secrecy between them. Surrounding him. And yet she knew she shouldn’t get closer.

But the world had already put them in each other’s orbits over and over again. Graham Gallagher wouldn’t be easy to forget, but in the end, it might be better if she tried.

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