“So, why are you here?” Garrett motioned to the run-down rafting business, which was about as far from the stuffy banking world as one could get.
“Oh, well, I love the river, and it’s a great way to stay in shape and meet beautiful women,” he said with a wink.
Garrett’s hand tightened on mine.
Brent pointed at our joined hands. “I thought you two were just friends?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but Garrett beat me to it.
“A slight oversight, which has been corrected—permanently. In fact, did you happen to hear anything last night as you were stepping out of the restaurant?”
My eyes widened, remembering his heated words as his fingers had grazed my core.
Maybe Brent will hear you screaming my name from down the street.
Garrett and Brent shared angry stares that were about to escalate, and I had no idea what to do.
“Well, it’s probably for the best anyway. It’s not like I could take you home—not after your parents made such spectacles of themselves, fleeing town with their tails between their legs.”
My eyes flew to his. The light flirty glow he’d greeted us with was now replaced with ice and menace.
“What are you talking about?” I asked softly.
“Oh, come on, Mia. Everyone knew. A teenage girl can’t puke her way through the last few months of high school and have it go unnoticed. When you bailed right after graduation, the rumors only got worse. That’s why I was so surprised to see you two together yesterday. I figured he was done with you after that.”
I felt nauseous. Everything in my stomach suddenly wanted to defy gravity and purge out of me. This couldn’t be happening. It was my secret—mine and Garrett’s. Now, I find out that everyone had known. If that were true, Liv would have said something. Wouldn’t she?
I heard the crack seconds before my eyes recognized the force of Garrett’s fist colliding with Brent. With little effort, Garrett quickly had Brent pinned to the wall.
“Listen to me, you piece of shit,” Garrett said with gritted teeth.
Everyone in the store was now eerily silent, afraid to make a peep.
“You’re going to apologize to Mia, and you’re going to do it quickly.”
Brent began to protest, but he quickly changed his mind as Garrett tightened his grip.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry what?” Garrett pushed.
“I’m sorry, Mia. I’m sorry for saying what I did,” Brent said.
Garrett released his hold on Brent, and he slumped to the floor. Garrett’s eyes found mine, and he was instantly by my side, wrapping me in his arms. We vacated the store. Tears I hadn’t realized were there were streaming down my face.
“Shh…baby, it’s okay. It’s over.”
He helped me into the car and even fastened my seat belt. Once he was strapped in and the engine roared to life, he looked over and gently swept away my tears.
“We didn’t pay for my shoes,” I said quietly.
He gave a hint of a smile, and his eyes softened. “Consider them a parting gift from Brent.”
I didn’t think we would be going rafting anytime soon.
Chapter Nineteen
~Mia~
He’d held me all night, soaking up my tears as they fell onto his chest. His arms had encased me in warmth, and I’d never felt more precious.
When we awoke this morning, he wanted to call in sick again, but I was adamant. I would not be the reason for the demise of his career. He’d already taken one day, a first for him. If he took another, I was sure they’d send out a search party or a HAZMAT team.
“But I can’t leave you like this,” he’d said.
I could tell he had been conflicted.
“I’ll be fine, really. I have Sam. There is also ice cream in the freezer and plenty of horrible daytime TV to keep me occupied.”
His eyes had searched mine, and he’d finally relented. “Fine, but I’m not working a minute past five. I’ll be home right after, and we’ll order a pizza or something. We can watch one of those horrible chick flicks you used to love.”
I’d smiled, realizing he’d referred to my home like it was ours. I didn’t think he’d even noticed it, and I definitely wasn’t going to point it out, but it had made my heart flutter, seeing how easily we had fallen back into place.
We were so different. Eight years had changed us both, yet we were still the same.
I’d offered to make him breakfast, but he’d wanted me to stay in bed, saying he would much rather have that vision in his head for the rest of the day.
After a long, lingering kiss that left me dizzy, he was out the door, and I was alone.
For about ten minutes, I seriously contemplated going to work, but then I realized I didn’t have a job where I could do that. Shift work didn’t allow me to just pop in and work whenever I wanted. I couldn’t be a workaholic like Garrett even if I tried.
I took a long, hot shower, letting the hot spray work my muscles until the water turned cold. I spent a ridiculous amount of time rubbing lotion into my skin, remembering the way Garrett’s fingers and hands had massaged and moved along my body.
Once dressed, I dried my hair and threw it up into a ponytail, and then I checked the clock.
One hour.
That was all that had passed.
Damn. This is going to be a long day.
I needed to find something to do to keep my mind off of yesterday. Why did I ever think Brent was nice? I should have known better.
Everyone at school had known I was pregnant, which means everyone knew what I eventually did. It didn’t take a genius to put it together. Girls didn’t run away to have babies anymore. It wasn’t the fifties. Girls ran when they wanted to start over, and I’d run.
I’d run, which meant I hadn’t been around to deal with any sideways glances, stares, or whispers. Had Garrett had to endure any of that? Had he known about the rumors, too? If it were only me involved, I honestly wouldn’t have cared if everyone knew. Let them drag me through the mud. But Garrett? I didn’t want anyone thinking for a second that he’d forced me into a decision I didn’t want or that he hadn’t been there for me.
That was what hurt the most about people knowing. I’d always hoped that I had protected Garrett by disappearing.
Letting out a huff of breath, I realized I was doing a terrible job of distracting myself. My trusty four-legged sidekick and I headed downstairs, and I started searching around the kitchen for something to eat for breakfast. Besides the small amount of pasta fixings Garrett brought over the night before, I was out of almost everything. I seriously needed to make a run to the grocery store.