Page 23 of Mine to Love
Liberty dug into her bag and lifted her cell. “Shit. It’s Miles and there’s an issue at the shop.” She stood. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I know that leaves you?—”
“I’ll deal with it. Just let me know if you can come back or not.” Lucy Ann rose and took her by the arms, pulling her in fora hug. “When you work for me, you become family. Remember that.”
“Thank you.” She fumbled with her phone, her fingers barely able to hit the screen.
Liberty:I’ll be right there. Walking. It will be faster.
Miles:I’ll meet you at the corner.
What the fuck? Where was Gabriel? No time to text back. She raced out the door and down the street. Miles’ auto shop was only two blocks away. She came to the light at the center of town. It was red, but there were no cars, so she ran across the street.
Miles waved as he rounded the corner.
“Why did you leave Gabriel alone with Charlie?” she asked, trying to catch her breath.
“I didn’t.” Miles kissed her cheek and placed his hand on the center of her back as they walked the last block. “He’s going for a joy ride with Emmett in his patrol car.”
She skidded to a stop and glared at Miles. While she’d mentioned Gabriel struggled with authority, she hadn’t said why. “Being in a police car is going to freak him out and he doesn’t know your brother that well.”
“I wouldn’t have sent him if he didn’t want to go, but he was excited.”
“I find that hard to believe,” she mumbled. “How did you get him away from Charlie?”
“He doesn’t even know Charlie’s here.” Miles ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair. “I was out back talking with Emmett when I saw the Porsche coming. I called for Gabriel and asked him if he wanted to go for a ride with Emmett. He jumped at the chance. They might go see Emmerson and Rumor. I told Emmett not to come back until I texted him.”
“I think Gabriel has a bit of a crush on Rumor.” She squared her shoulders as the body shop came into sight.
“Doesn’t everyone?”
She chuckled. “That’s your sister-in-law.”
“And my brother’s a lucky man.” Miles turned his head and winked.
“If you’re trying to settle my nerves, it’s working.”
“Good.” He tugged her tighter and kissed her temple. “Just so you know, Charlie says he’s here to have me service his car.”
“It’s brand new. Why would he need that?”
“He told me he wants to take it on the racetrack, but he needs two thousand miles on it first. He’s only got three hundred. I told him to bring it back when he hits the right mileage and I’ll certify it, but that didn’t satisfy him. He asked about Gabriel and I told him he was out for lunch. I believe he’s waiting for him to return.” Miles pointed toward Charlie, who leaned against his precious Porsche. It wasn’t the first one he owned, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.
She paused on the sidewalk and turned. “I think I need one of your brother’s or maybe your mother’s help.”
“With what?”
“This.” She pulled out her cell and pulled up the text string from last night and this morning. “I want him out of my life. And Gabriel’s. For good this time.”
Miles took the phone and scrolled through the messages. He didn’t arch a brow or show any emotion at all. “Emmerson went through something similar with his ex. I’ll text my mom to come down. She’ll document this. Unfortunately, for now, that’s all we can do. Until she gets here, I don’t want you saying too much. And I certainly don’t want you getting into an argument with him. Save it for when she gets here.”
“This isn’t going to go over well.” She turned, sucking in a deep breath, and rubbed her hands down her jeans.
“It never does.” Miles looped his arm around her waist, guiding her across the pavement.
“Hey, babe.” Charlie smiled. “Where’s Gabriel? I thought I’d take him to lunch.”
“He had plans,” she said. “And stop calling me that.”
Charlie narrowed his stare, glancing between her and Miles, whose arm was firmly planted around her body.
