Page 82 of Stick Play

“How did you find me?”

“I hired a private investigator a few months ago. It wasn’t until you were photographed with Ash….” Her gaze strays to me for a second. “Well, he was able to track you down after that.”

“Fuck,” I curse. This is all my fault. From the way Gina is looking at me, it’s easy to tell she thinks so too. “I guess that’s who’s been following you.”

Maria looks horrified. “I hope he didn’t scare you.”

“What do you want?” I don’t even recognize the cold defensiveness in Gina’s tone. “I won’t let you take?—”

“I don’t want to take Zoe from you,” she cuts in quickly. Her shoulders lift, tightening around her ears. “I just wanted to know her. I wanted the boys to know her. She seems like a lovely little girl. You’ve done a great job…by yourself,” she adds quietly.

Gina folds her arms. “Lucian didn’t want anything to do with her.”

“I know, and after I found out that he had a child in the world that he’d discarded, I didn’t want anything to do with him.” Her mouth twists like she’d just eaten something disgusting. “How can a man abandon his own child?” Tears fill her eyes, and Gina softens.

“I’m sorry, Maria. I never wanted to come between you two, and…I never ever meant to hurt you or your children.”

“You didn’t know. I understand that. I found out about his affairs a few months ago, and believe me, there were many.” She shakes her head, glancing at the polished floor, and Gina pushes off the counter, and takes her hand. “I asked around, at the hospital,” Maria begins quietly. “There were rumors…” She lifts her head. “About you, and a baby. You’d left abruptly, and when Lucian and I had a big fight, and I pressed him, the truth came out.” She sniffs. “I’m so sorry he did that to you. I’m sorry you had to run away like that. If I’d have known…”

“I’m sorry for what he did to us all,” Gina responds quietly as tears fill her eyes. I stand there, helpless, not knowing what to say or do. When they hug, and tears fall harder, I grab a box of tissues and hold them out.

“Thank you,” Gina whispers and pulls a few from the box to share with Maria. “At least now I know why Lucas was angry when he met me.”

“He’s going through a lot,” Maria explains. “We’re leaving California, and he’s a teenage boy, with teenage angst and hormones. He’s angry at his father, and the entire world, to be honest.”

Gina wipes her eyes. “Are you moving to Boston?”

“I don’t know. We’re in limbo, trying to figure things out. I have my boys and my mom to consider and need to do what’s best for all of us.”

I take in the dark circles under Maria’s eyes. “Did you travel in today?” I ask. She nods. “Where are you staying?”

“I haven’t booked anything yet. I came straight here. Our luggage is in the rental car out front.”

I catch Gina’s eyes and we know each other so well, she can tell what I’m thinking. “You’ll stay with me,” Gina says.

“How about we all go to my place,” I suggest. “There’s plenty of room, and the kids can get to know each other in the games room. I think they’d all like that.” As Maria glances down thinking about it, I eye Gina. “Gina?”

“I think it’s a good plan,” she agrees.

Maria dabs at her eyes. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Gina gives her a comforting smile. “It’s no trouble at all and I think Lucas and Josh are going to lose their minds if they get to stay at Ash’s place.”

A small smile turns up the corners of Maria’s mouth. “I didn’t expect you to be this nice to us.”

“You’ll stay?”

She nods. “Yes, thank you. Maybe Lucas won’t be so angry with me for dragging him to the east coast if he gets to stay at your place.”

“Good, it’s settled.” I drop the box of tissues. “Let’s get out of here before the roads get bad.”

Maria nods. “Okay.”

With that, I open the door for them to leave the kitchen, and the boys and her mother watch us with curiosity.

“Mom, this is Gina and Ash.” Maria glances at us. “This is my mom, Elena, and you’ve already met Lucas and Josh. Boys, we’re going to be staying at Ash’s place tonight. What do you think about that?” They high five each other, and instantly start texting. I guess that’s a good sign. Elena stands up, her hands linked together as she studies her daughter. “It’s okay, Mom. We all talked and I think it’s going to be okay.” She eyes Gina, looking for support.

“It’s going to be okay,” Gina assures her. “Come on, let’s go up to my place so we can talk to Zoe and get some things packed for a sleepover.”

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