Page 120 of Gabriel & Skye

The idea that she could come and take Trinity is what gave me the most anxiety. But she doesn’t even care enough now. I’d given her so many chances, but she didn’t want to take them. She didn’t want to know our daughter. And that’s on her.

Half an hour later, we’re throwing stones off the trail where I took Skye stargazing.

“Do you think she’ll go without a fight?” Gray asks.

I laugh. “Mrs. Buckley evicted her, so the answer to that is yes.”

“Why now?”

“I really don’t know, but it scares me that she said she’s moving to Ireland.”

“Hartley told Travis, just to be on the safe side.”

I nod, not that I think she was going to snatch her. But you can never be too sure in these situations. “Appreciate it.”

“You deserve better,” he says. “You were always the giver. I hope you can see what a piece of shit she is and what an amazing job you’ve done with Trin.”

“I did what I had to do. I had no choice.”

“That may be true, but you don’t give yourself enough credit.” He grips my shoulder once more. “You never do. You have integrity and loyalty, brother. Something that clearly a lot of people in this world are lacking. Someday soon you’ll find the right woman. You just have to open your heart. Let those walls down.”

“Like you did?”

He chuckles. “Yeah, kinda like that. It’s easier to carry all this hate around inside of you, but that gets you nowhere. I never thought I would ever trust anyone again after my divorce, and the whole ex-wife-trying-to-kill-me thing, but it turns out I was wrong.”

“I’ve already met someone.”

Our gazes meet.

“Do not tell me…”

“It’s Skye.”

“Your nanny?”

I nod. “Yeah, she and I… we’ve been hooking up, but it’s not even about that. I knew when I brought her out here to look at the stars one night that she was different from the other women I’ve spent time with. We’re on the same page. We have the same values. Like she understands and gets me,” I say. “And I get her.”

“So GB was right after all?”

I turn to him and frown.

“We all had bets going on how long it’d take you to fall into her arms.”

My face drops. “What?”

“Brook lost. The idiot thought he had a chance.”

“I think Brook needs to look a little closer to home.” I chuckle.

Gray frowns. “Don’t tell me, him and Eden…”

I wave a hand. “It’s a long story. I’m sure he’ll tell you himself. All I know is that when the walls are down, it’s not as scary as I thought.”

He throws another rock off the edge. “Does she know that?”

I glance at him. “Well, she kinda does but it’s early days. We’re just getting to know one another.”

“Don’t let time pass you by being afraid.” His words of wisdom hit me in the chest. Gray and I have had our ups and downs, but he’s always there for me when I need him. And I can’t fault him for that. “Life’s too short to play guessing games. If you love her, then go for it. Fall, brother. Don’t waste a single second doubting yourself or how you feel. Not everyone is gonna do what your ex did. Good women still exist, and I think Skye is wonderful.”

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