Page 119 of Gabriel & Skye

I try to reign in my anger. “That her mother didn’t want her? Yes, I’d agree that you did the right thing.”

She sighs. “You always were a bull. Protective. Loyal. I’ve often asked myself if I did the right thing.” She looks down my body and I can’t believe it when she adds, “Maybe I was wrong, but I guess now we’ll never know, will we?”

I hear Grayson step out of the car. “Gabe.”

I wave a hand over my shoulder, telling him to back off.

There are things to say, and she’s going to damn well listen to them.

If it’s the last thing I do, she’s going to hear it.

29

Gabe

“You’re right,” I say. “We will never know. Because the only good part I got of you was my daughter. That’s it.”

“I could fight you for custody, if I really wanted.” Her voice waivers and I narrow my eyes at her. She’s unbelievable.

My hands clench into fists. “Why? To hurt me?”

“You’d never get shit,” Grayson says from the front of the truck. He folds his arms over his chest. “We have the best lawyer in town. So don’t even use that as a threat.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m saying I could’ve, but I didn’t. I’m moving to Ireland. It may be the last time I see her.” She tucks her curls behind one ear and I stand and stare at this creature I used to love. I married her. Did I ever really know her? “It’s obvious you’re an amazing father. I know you question if I have a heart, but leaving was the best thing I could’ve done for her. I wasn’t in the right headspace to be a parent…”

“Or a wife,” I mutter.

“I was scared, Gabe. I was terrified of being stuck here, in this one-horse town.”

I shake my head. “I would’ve gone anywhere with you, you know that. You couldn’t wait to ditch your husband and child to live a single life. And you know what? You’re right, it is the best thing that’s ever happened. To me and to Trinity.”

She stares at me unsmiling, and I don’t care. She hurt me in ways that can’t be put into words. “No matter what I say, it won’t be right, so I think we’re done.”

“No, we’re done when you pack your shit and drive out of town. You saw her, your curiosity is satisfied. There is nothing more to say. Ever.”

She nods. “I understand you’re still bitter.”

I laugh without humor. “I’m not bitter. Don’t make me out to be the bad guy in all of this. I can’t even put into words how things were after you left, but now I can finally see it was all part of a bigger plan. It really was for the best. You missed out on everything.” My voice breaks. I feel Gray’s hand on my shoulder as he comes to stand next to me. “You missed out on our baby girl, and you’re the one who has to live with that.”

I turn as Gray stares her down. I know he wants to fire off at her too, but there really is no need.

“Gabe, I deserve that,” she cries. “I want you to know I’m sorry. I truly am. Please tell her… please tell her that her mother was a shit person. Selfish. Wrong. I never meant to hurt either of you.”

I turn and look back at her, and now all I feel is pity. “I forgive you,” I say. “But I never want to see you again.”

She wipes her tears, nods and stares at me for a few more moments. Then she closes the door.

Gray walks back over to me.“Hop in, I’ll drive.”

“I don’t want to leave my car here. She’ll probably key it.”

“Fine, dump it outside the Stones Throw. We’ll go for a drive.”

I nod, looking up as his hand grips my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Gabe,” he says, his eyes hard. “She isn’t worth it.”

I swallow hard and climb into my truck. I don’t realize, until I’m pulling out of the motel, that my hands are shaking.

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