Page 86 of Reckless
“Is Kelly okay?”
I snorted. “She’s incredible. I’m an ass. Thank you for organizing her coming to San Francisco. And I can’t remember if it was you or Ben, but thank you for picking me up off the floor that night.”
Why had I put off saying that for so long?
“Yeah, that was Ben. And we’re a team, aren’t we? A family. We take care of each other.” Andy reached in his back pocket for his cell. “Speaking of which, I think this is the type of situation that calls for liquor.”
“Go ahead, man. I’m going to head back upstairs.”
I might not have a biological family, but I had the one I’d created for myself. I’d surrounded myself with some incredible people who’d help me through anything.
Right now, I just wanted to be near Kelly. I’d been a colossal jerk, leaving after the funeral, never taking her calls. And the minute Andy called her, she came across the country for me.
“Oh, okay. I don’t blame you for wanting to be alone. Text me if you want later.” Andy slapped me on the back on his way out.
I frowned as I headed for the elevator, the meaning of his words seeming off. I didn’t want to think about Ron anymore, only wanted to think about the woman waiting for me upstairs.
I had put my music first. The band first. Touring first. The fans first.
I’d never put her first.
If myfatherhad taught me one thing, it was that I needed to put the woman I loved first.
Tomorrow I would bring Kelly with me. I wanted her to see how things worked in the studio. Wanted her to be a part of everything in my life. With Kelly on tour with me, I could finally show her the world. I wouldn’t expect her to travel with me the whole time if she didn’t want to, I knew better than anyone how grueling it could be, but there were many places she’d enjoy.
I wasn’t going to pressure her, I promised myself that much, but maybe tonight I could subtly bring it up. I was probably getting carried away with myself, but I couldn’t wait to bring the future in my mind to life.
Back in my penthouse, I wandered into the kitchen, thinking to pour two glasses of champagne. There, I spotted a note on the counter.
Gage,
You have worked so hard to get where you are, and I’m so proud of you. I’m just sorry that I can’t fit into your life. If I stayed, I’d only end up hurting you more.
It’s better this way.
You will always be my first love. I hope one day you can forgive me.
Kelly xxx
I stumbled back from the counter, the room spiraling as her written words sank in. It was happening again. All our lives, we’d both ran when things got too hard, and it was clear that she blamed herself for what happened today when it was only my fault for not taking that damn envelope when Mom tried to give it to me.
I grabbed my cell phone and dialed, but her phone immediately went to voice mail.
My chest burned, the new reality I’d discovered making me feel like I was walking on a fault line. Any moment the ground could open up and swallow me whole.
“I never thought I’d be here, Mom.” I closed my eyes, tilted my head back. “I honestly thought I would be asking her to marry me. Now she left. Why is one of us always leaving?”
I could almost hear her yelling back at me, telling me not to be such a soppy asshole and to go get what I wanted.
But Kelly had gone. And I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to go after her.
