Page 19 of My Girl
He brooded all the way to the airport, going over everything they’d said to each other. Now that he was calmer, he acknowledged he’d said things he hadn’t meant. He’d seen the hurt in Sheridan’s expressive eyes, and he knew she lashed out when she was hurt or angry.
God, he was such an ass. She’d only ever had his best interests at heart, always been there for him. And he’d repaid her by treating her like shit. He dropped his head, blowing out a breath as he contemplated what to do.
The shuttle driver interrupted his thoughts as they pulled up at the drop-and-go area of the airport. He climbed out and went around to the back of the vehicle to collect his bags. Once inside the building, he checked the information board to see which desk he needed to report to for check-in.
Once done, he cleared security with no hassles and made his way over to the VIP lounge to wait for his flight to be called. He definitely needed a drink. As he sat down with his much-anticipated beverage, he heard his phone chime with an incoming message.
Sheridan:Have a safe flight. Be happy.
It felt like a blow to the solar plexus. Despite his anger and how much he’d hurt her, she still thought of him. He dashed off a quick reply and waited for it to go through. It remained undelivered. He picked his phone up and dialled her number. He wanted to tell her he was sorry. She had turned her phone off.
He felt like a world-class dick.
Just as he was about to send another message, he heard them call his flight. Heaving a sigh, he gathered his things and made his way to the boarding gate. Ahead of him in the queue stood a mature couple. They looked to him to be in their late sixties.
They chatted animatedly. It was clear to see they adored each other. The man said something to his wife, and she laughed up at him. It was when she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder that it hit Gabriel like a runaway train. He was running.
Sheridan had known it. He’d known it back in Texas, but particularly after his stint in the clinic, one of the main things he’d had to take ownership of was his bad habit of running when things became too much. During his stay, Sheridan had visited him daily. She’d shown him in a million different ways she cared. And without conscious thought, he’d been falling deeper in love with her.
When his head had finally caught up with his heart, he’d stayed true to type and run. Now he was standing in an airport surrounded by strangers, watching love in its purest form and grasping just how royally he’d fucked up. He wanted what the older couple had, and he was too afraid to reach for it.
“Sir?”
“Hmm?” Gabriel responded absentmindedly, his thoughts still focused on his current dilemma.
“Sir, you’re next. Your boarding pass, please?” the woman at the counter asked impatiently.
He pulled the boarding pass from his pocket, and as he started to hand it to her, he had a sudden thought.I can’t do this. Idon’t wantto do this.
He jerked his arm back. “I’m sorry. I’ve changed my mind.” He turned and hurried away from the gate back towards the exit.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialled. Once answered, he said, “Hey Jarrod. How’s it going, dude?” Pleasantries over, he steeled himself. “Listen, bud, the reason I’m calling is to let you know I missed my flight. I’m going to head back to Sheri’s place, and I’ll let you know once I’ve got a new flight arranged.”
Yes, he’d told a white lie, but he wasn’t ready to say the words out loud yet. And when he did say them, he wanted Sheridan to be the first one to hear them.
He searched his phone for the shuttle driver’s number to request him to come back. While he waited, he ran through all the things he wanted to say. By the time he reached her house, his nerves were riding him hard. He didn’t think he was even this nervous the first time he played in front of a crowd.
There was every chance Sheridan was going to tell him to go to hell. And if she did, well then, he had no one to blame but himself. He prayed she wouldn’t. Once again outside her front door, he rang the doorbell.
He heard movement inside and then a muffled, “Hang on.” The sound of her unlocking the door had him holding his breath. He had no idea what he would do if she refused to let him in. The door opened a crack, Sheridan remaining partially hidden behind it.
Sheridan gasped.
“Hey, sugar bear.”
“Er– hi.” She frowned, and his heart sank. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be on an aeroplane about now?”
“Can I come in?” She hesitated. “Please.”
Eventually, she stepped back and opened the door completely. He stepped inside, and she closed the door behind him. She shuffled into the living room, stopping in the middle of the space, her back to him.
He put his bags down next to the breakfast bar before joining her. She stood with her arms wrapped protectively around herself. It pained him to know he’d caused her to feel she need to protect herself from him.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she jerked as if he’d jabbed her with a branding iron.
“Easy, baby. I didn’t mean to give you a fright.”
Without turning around, Sheridan said, “Why are you here, Gabriel?” To his ears, her voice sounded scratchy, as if she were sick or had been crying. Slowly, gently, he turned her around. His gaze roamed over her, taking in her puffy eyes and red nose.
