Page 60 of Rumor Has It

Chapter Twenty-three

ISAIAH

I pace Gracyn’s office, pinching my chin so I won’t tear out my hair waiting for Gatlin to return from upstairs. He hardly has the chance to close the door behind him when Vespa attacks.

“Well, that took you long enough. Did they sign it?” she demands.

“Like you haven’t had your finger on the refresh button and already know?” Hard to rattle, he tosses a chin at her. “Check your email. Gracyn sent two out of the three.”

Whereas I’m wound like a top, Gatlin’s had Vespa’s number all morning. Since we arrive on the tarmac, her repeated attempts to strong-arm every-fucking-body associated with Kingsbrier into signing one has grated on my nerves. Thankfully, Gatlin truly fucking understands the importance of keeping your personal life out of the press.

I made the decision to come back to Kingsbrier quickly, but I don’t take it lightly. I knew I needed help smoothing things over with Cassidy. That’s where Gatlin comes in.

When my entire entourage showed up at his new house with little warning, he understood the complexity behind me leaving in a rush. The guy didn’t ask why I’ve been keeping a baby a secret. He asked if he could hold Aria and then he asked what he could do for me. If that’s not a sign of a genuine friend, I’m not sure what is. I’m uncertain if I can ever repay his or Bellamy’s kindness.

They both understand how hard it is to be a single parent.

Gatlin meets me halfway across the room. He smacks my arm. A reassurance that I’m doing the right thing despite the hair on the back of my neck standing on end.

“Listen, Cassidy is the holdout. I tried to convince her she’ll want to hear what you have to say, Isaiah. But she’s not feeling especially well. And reading through a non-disclosure with a hangover like the one she’s nursing is rough.” The tone he uses makes me worry I’m acting like a wounded animal he’s coaxing out of a hole.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Vespa’s unveiled disdain for my choice is apparent. “I told you this was a ridiculous idea. We’re better off in Nashville. The holiday was the issue. I found you a new nanny to start tomorrow.”

The argument is moot. Gatlin and Bellamy offered to share Chesney’s while we’re in town. Their sitter is vetted. Gatlin even suggested that as long as anyone but me drops Aria at their house, no one will be the wiser.

I widen my stance and push back my shoulders. Lifting my palm, I run it over Aria’s wispy, blonde head. She’s asleep in the front carrier that I’m attempting to get used to wearing. For the light weight that it holds, my back sure is tired.

“Go wait outside with Monty, Vespa,” I say, weary of the excessive disagreements.

She’s made her position clear when I packed up the baby shit and told her to charter a return flight and so have I.

Gatlin and I watch Vespa snap her laptop shut and storm out.

I turn to him. “I thought you said Cassidy didn’t go to the country club last night?”

“She didn’t. Cassidy and Rhiannon stayed in, and I don’t think the drinking they did was celebratory, if you get my drift.” Gatlin looks at me with sympathy and a hell of a lot of how-could-you-be-so-stupid for not understanding why his cousin is in such rough shape. I ruined her evening.

My brow furrows. I hadn’t considered my soul had room for more regret before blowing it with Cassidy.

“Breaking our date feels more like breaking a promise.” My voice is low. “I don’t know how to make this up to her.”

“What you’re going through, raising a kid on your own, it’s a big deal. Things between Belle and me weren’t any less complicated. At least you’re trying to make amends for missing Christmas with Aria and explaining why to Cass.”

I keep my disagreement to myself. For everyone’s sake, I need to try harder. Not to mention, almost a year after Gatlin and Bellamy met, Chesney showed up on Gatlin’s doorstep. Their situation was entirely different.

“Do you mind if I go?” Gatlin rubs the back of his neck, hesitating to ask.

The same way, we shared a table for Christmas dinner, Cassidy and I were supposed to celebrate alongside Gatlin and Bellamy last night. They’d gone to the club and stayed past midnight. Gatlin is bushed. Bellamy deserved a quiet day home with her family. Instead I dragged her man into my drama.

“Yeah, go on. Go. Tell Bellamy I said thank you for letting me take you away. And thank you again for letting us crash at your place while we waited. I really don’t think I can ever make this up to either of you.”

Gatlin slaps me on the back, gripping my shoulder. “Life’s messy, but it’s worth it.”

“I hope you’re right.”

A few moments later, I hear the Tudor’s large front door close. Not long afterwards, there’s commotion outside in the foyer.

“Sign it or you’re not going in there.” My viper assistant demands.

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