Page 61 of Mine to Love
I spoke to my attorney, but he told me it would be an uphill battle. That I’d have to put Gabriel through the wringer to prove I was the better parent. I didn’t want to do that to him. I decided it was better for you kids to hate me and have each other than go through the mess that your mother would have done to us all.
But I wanted you to have the truth, which is why I left the note. I knew you’d never do anything with it because it would have hurt Gabriel. But for some reason, I don’t know why, I thought maybe you might have at least spoken to me about it. Given me a little credit for trying to protect you, even if I was a dick about how I did it. Okay. There. It’s out in the open. Do with it what you want. Know that I’ve never stopped loving you. I think about you and Gabriel every day. I get that makes up for nothing. I hope you do well without Charlie in your life. He’s a jerk and you can do much better than him.
Love, your dad.”
“That’s a lot,” Miles whispered.
“There’s another one, supposedly from me dated almost three months ago stating that Charlie and I were working on our fucking relationship,” she said with her heart in her throat. “Charlie played my father. He manipulated both of us, driving that wedge even deeper.” She pushed the computer to the side, dropped her head to the counter, and sobbed. It was guttural, out of control, and there was no stopping it. She didn’t knowif she felt sadness, pain, anger, or this was a simple purging of years of not knowing or understanding.
All she knew was that the man who pulled her to his chest and ran his fingers through her hair adored her more than any other human could.
Miles understood her wants, needs, and desires before she did half the time. He was the sand to her ocean.
He was hers to hold when she needed comfort and right now, she needed it more than ever.
“Let it all out, babe.” Miles lifted her into his arms and carried her to the family room where he eased onto the sofa, still holding her in his lap. His hands ran up and down her arms. His lips kissed her temple. Her forehead. Her neck. He whispered kind, loving words in her ear.
There was no judgment.
No words telling her what she should or shouldn’t do. He was just there.
“I don’t know how to respond to any of this,” she whispered.
“Do you want a little piece of advice?”
She lifted her head and stared into his soft ocean-colored eyes. “Yes.”
“Don’t do anything with it right now.” He traced her jawline with his finger. “When Jameson found out the truth, he basically cut my mom out of his life. He barely spoke to any of us unless he had to. While he had every right to be angry, he held our mother to the fire more so than our dad, who lied to his face every day.”
“But it was your mother who cheated.”
Miles nodded. “However, that wasn’t on Jameson. Or on us. That was between my parents. Granted, it produced a child, my brother and one of my best friends. But at the end of the day, we’re all now glad it happened.” Miles shifted, pulling his cell out and glancing at the screen. “Your father just rolled into town. I can tell him to meet at my house or at the café if you’re not up forthis.” He lifted her chin. “I need to ask him some questions that might help my mother nail Charlie.”
“How come we haven’t heard from her yet?”
“Because she hasn’t found Charlie, which makes me nervous,” Miles said. “And because she put Emmerson in a car outside your house.”
“What about Rumor? Emmerson should be with his wife.”
Miles palmed her cheek. “I’m sure Rumor kicked his sorry ass out of her hospital room and told him to go take care of the rest of our family.”
“I’m not family,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “Today, you and Gabriel are. That’s how the Kirbys roll and right now, you’re stuck with the lot of us.” He waved the cell. “What do you want me to tell your dad?”
“To meet at your place,” she said. “But I want to check on Gabriel and take a few moments alone to collect myself.”
“Are you sure?” He lowered his chin. “If you change your mind and want me to handle it all, I can do that. Just text me and let me know.”
“I won’t back out. However, if I don’t take a little time, I might come in hot and that’s not going to get me any of the answers I need. Both for me and Gabriel, and for what your mom needs to make sure my asshole ex-husband goes to prison.” She pushed from his warm embrace and stood. “It’s time to end this madness once and for all. It’s the only way I’ll ever be able to stand on my own two feet.”
“I’ll see you shortly.” Miles kissed her so sweetly she melted in his arms.
It was the kind of kiss that told a woman she would be loved and protected for the rest of her life. It was a kiss laced with the promise of a future. A kiss filled with the truth of what real love was all about.
It was a kiss that glowed in the dark, showing her safe passage home.
Miles had felt like an outcast and misfit his entire life, except when he was in the auto shop. That’s where he shined. He knew his way around any engine. Any vehicle. Whether that be a car, a truck, a motorcycle, or even a boat. Granted, he couldn’t read an owner’s manual to save his ass, but he didn’t need to. Not anymore.
