Page 94 of Reckless
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Kelly
What the hell is going on?
My pulse raced as I slammed on the brakes so I wouldn’t run over any of the dozens of reporters hanging out in my driveway. When they realized it was me, they perked up and whipped out their cameras and microphones. I parked on the street and was trying to figure out how to get through them and into the house when they swung as a group to the car in front of me.
My eyes had to be playing tricks on me. It looked like Gage climbing out of the black Toyota. I took in his dark hair just before he was surrounded by reporters. I shook my head. It couldn’t be, it was wishful thinking.
But then, the crowd parted, and a second later, he was tapping on the passenger side window.
I popped the locks, and he flung himself in, saying, “Drive!”
I just stared at him for a second as the car was swarmed.
It had been challenging enough knowing he was here without actually seeing him, so challenging that I could barely keep myself contained at work. Millie had been covering my ass all day long. I’d been jittery since I woke up this morning, looking forward to the moment I could go home and block this day out.
“Gage,” I said as the shock wore off.
“Will you please just drive? I’ll explain.”
My foot hit the gas automatically, and the reporters got out of the way or be run over.
“I couldn’t be here and not see you.”
I shifted uncomfortably, focusing on getting out of the neighborhood without running any stop signs. Wasn’t he supposed to be angry at me for leaving? Dating other women and forgetting about me? Oh yeah, he was dating other women. I frowned. “But aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?” I checked my watch. “The show starts in just an hour or so.”
“Your mom came to see me.”
“She did?” My heart did a hard thump. I would have to tell him now. There was no way around it, no way to avoid. But first, I needed to address the elephant sitting on the front lawn. “Look, I’m sorry for the way I left, that was wrong of me. I probably should have talked to you, but I was—”
“No, I get it. I understand. New York was a total shit storm, not the best way to introduce you to my life.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” I automatically turned away from town. “It was me who couldn’t hack it. I guess I’ll always be too much of a small-town girl to have everything I do examined under a microscope.” I tried to smile so he’d know there weren’t any hard feelings between us. I never hated Gage, even when I thought he’d moved on quickly. I just wished things weren’t as they were.
“I shouldn’t have expected you to hack it. It’s nuts.” He twisted in his seat, facing me. “I just…wanted you to know that I’ve been talking with my dad.”
“You have?” My eyes popped wide. “Wow, that’s huge.”
I should’ve known all that talk about not caring was just bravado. He had to be curious, he wouldn’t be human if not. I was sure every single person had a need to know where they’d come from.
This was good. He brought me and my mom closer together while I brought him to his father…we were in each other’s lives for a reason. And would be, because of the baby. It didn’t matter that we weren’t together. My heart gave a lurch. It wouldn’t matter someday. “And has it…been good?”
“It has actually. He wants me to meet my siblings soon.”
“Wow…are you going to?” He nodded, and I couldn’t stop tears from welling up in my eyes. “You’re going to have a new family soon.”
One I wouldn’t know at all.
“Yeah, it’s pretty wild.” He stuffed his hand into his pocket. “All thanks to you.”
“I just took the envelope from your mom. Nothing more.”
“Yeah, you took it when I refused. You knew what was good for me even when I didn’t. And you brought it to me at just the right time as well.”
“Well, I’m glad then.”
He wasn’t alone now. He had his band and his father in his life. Good for him.
