Page 7 of My Girl
“I will. If I can see he needs it, I’ll encourage him to go and see someone. I promise.”
“I’m really worried about him. Something’s off.”
“I know you are. I’ll see what I can do. Okay?”
“Thanks, sis. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. I care about him too.”
“I know.”
After another few quick words, they said goodbye, and Sheridan went to find a spot to wait. It wasn’t long before they were announcing Gabriel’s flight was landing.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, she spotted him coming through the doors in the arrivals hall. Her breath caught. She hadn’t seen him in the two years he’d been on the road with his band, and he while he was still gorgeous, she could see the damage the accident had wrought.
It took her a moment to gather her thoughts, watching him all the while. She noticed him search the hall and made an effort to pull herself together. Stepping forward, she put her hand up. She saw the moment he spotted her. Despite the obvious fatigue, he gave her that lopsided grin she’d loved for as long as she could remember.
He wheeled his luggage trolley over to where she stood, coming to a stop in front of her. “Hey, Sheri.”
The sound of his voice alone made her knees weak – it always had. That husky note in his tone almost made her think of whiskey and sex. With a mental shake, she returned his smile. “Hey yourself. How was your flight?”
“The flight was okay, thanks. You know I could have rented a car, right?”
Sheridan laughed. “Yeah, I know. But I also know Jay would have my head if I wasn’t here to welcome you home. You’re family. Besides, it’s not a biggie since I am now the proud owner of two cars.”
The sudden piercing scream of a toddler had Gabriel flinching, the colour draining from his face. He reached out a long, well-muscled arm and shoved Sheridan behind him in a protective gesture.
“You okay there, tiger? It’s a little girl who’s spotted her dad.”
She watched as he took a deep breath, running a hand over his hair before offering her a poor imitation of his earlier smile.
“All good, yeah. Just tired. It’s been a long trip.”
Not to make a big issue of it, she nodded. “Well, come on then. Let’s get you home so you can unwind some.”
“Yeah, sounds good.”
Sheridan led the way to the parking garage, keeping up a steady flow of chatter as they walked. A lot had happened in her life in the years he’d been gone. She was sure it was the same for him, but he was quiet the whole walk to the car. Had it been the little girl screaming that upset him that much? She was reluctant to ask, though. So she kept the conversation light.
When they reached her car, she disengaged the locks so they could stow his gear. She heard Gabriel’s low whistle of appreciation. Pride washed through her as she ran a loving hand over the body of her 1967 Shelby GT500. She’d seen it in a movie as a teenager and had fallen in love instantly.
She’d saved for years afterwards to buy one. When she eventually found one she could afford, it had been neglected and in need of a lot of love. She’d begged her dad to teach her how to restore it, and it had becometheirproject. They’d spent years restoring it to its original condition. The only modern addition they’d made had been the electronic locking system. Her car was her pride and joy. Clearly, Gabe appreciated it too.
“Bit of a change since I last saw this baby.”
“I forgot you saw it at the beginning of the restoration. Yip, somewhat of a change, I guess.” She laughed.
“You guys did a good job. It looks amazing.”
“Thanks.” Sheridan felt the momentary twinge of sadness that sometimes still came when she looked at her car. It had been the last thing she and her dad had done together before he’d become too sick. Before cancer had stolen him away from them.
A gentle squeeze on her shoulder told Sheridan that Gabriel knew exactly where her thoughts were. Shaking it off, she popped the boot, and he loaded his luggage.
“Come on, Gabe. Let’s get you home before big brother’s on my ass again for taking too long.”
Gabriel
Parking ticket in hand, Sheridan sashayed over to the pay point. Gabriel eyed the plump globes of her ass, perfectly hugged by a pair of snug jeans. He loved that she wasn’t some waif-thin stick figure. He liked his women with meat on their bones. Sheri had the perfect amount, unlike so many of the painfully thin groups that flocked to their concerts.
