“Don’t cry, I will call you when I land.” He says bringing me into an embrace.
“I’ll miss you. I can’t thank you enough Gabe.” I say.
“I am only a phone call away.”
“I would have never gotten through this without you.”
“You are stronger than you think, but I was happy to be here for you.”
“Good luck with the house thing. Tell Grady and Ryan I said hi.” I pull away.
“I will. Have a great senior year. Think about coming down after you graduate.” I see the anguish in his eyes, he doesn’t want to push me.
“We’ll see.” I roll my eyes, he has been trying to convince me to move to Florida after graduation but I told him Florida isn’t really the place for aspiring Interior Designers.
“Bye Gabe.” I give him one last hug.
“Bye Madgirl” he puts a hand on each side of my face placing his lips on my forehead to kiss me good-bye. His lips linger and when he pulls away I see doubt run through his body. He is reluctant to leave me. Abruptly turning around he walks to the security area but turns around one last time and winks to me before being swarmed up in the crowd of people.
Chapter 18 – Present Day
The elevator doors open to Trent standing in the hallway still half naked. I pick myself up from being sprawled across the elevator floor walking past him.
“So, what happened?” His voice cocky.
“What do you think? He left.” I say not turning around.
“Figured much. Maddy, you have to stop fighting this. We are meant to be together, always have been.” He has caught up to me now walking along side me.
“Trent. Not now.” Tears are still streaming down my face.
“Let him go.”
“I can’t,” I whisper. I don’t know if Trent heard me or not but when I open the door all the glass and alcohol is spewed on the floor. I step over the mess walking back to the bedroom.
I dress back in my clothes from yesterday taking my pajamas with me; shoving them in my oversized purse. Feeling around for my phone to figure out how I am going to get home from here. The last person I will ask is Trent.
“Stop it Mad, I will take you home.” He stands in the doorway then enters walking into his closet. He comes back out wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
“You don’t have to, I can call someone or catch a train that will get me closer to Belcrest.” I start walking out but he grabs my arm pulling me back.
“Jesus Maddy, what do I have to do?” He asks.
“You don’t have to do anything.” I spout.
“I said I was sorry, I’ve changed. Why is that not enough for you?”
“God Trent. You just don’t get it. You have been everything to me for half my life. The love you gave me was so big and great but the other half of my life…” I can’t stop the tears anymore so I let them fall. I can’t change who they are for even if I try.
“What Maddy?” He speaks so soft I barely hear him.
“You destroyed me. I don’t want to pick myself up from you again. One of these times I won’t survive it.”
“I’m sorry. I know I have been a jack ass to you but I swear if you give me a second, third or whatever chance this is I will prove it to you.” He sits me on the bed and gets down on his knees in front of me holding my hands.
“Trent, that’s not the only reason.” I silently say.
“Gabe?” He confirms pulling his hands away from me.
“When you were destroying me he was picking me up. You both hold a place in my heart and I don’t want to lead either one of you on but…” here comes my rambling.
“What do you want from me Mad? Anything just name it.” He picks up his head placing his hands on each of my hips.
“Nothing. Trent…you are who you are. I either have to accept it or not.” I put my hands on his face, the sweet face that gave me my first kiss and my first sexual experience and most of all my first love. Now all grown up with blonde stubble on his cheeks I can’t break his heart not like he did mine.
“Please don’t choose him.” He shakes his head back and forth.
“Trent” I sigh.
“Give it time, think about it Maddy. You have always been the one for me. You take care of me, believe in me and love me no matter who I am. You know how great it is to know you don’t love me because of my money or that I am a soccer player for the Soccer National League.”
“There are girls that don’t care about that, you just don’t hang out with them.”
“No girl compares to you. I will spend the rest of my life making this up to you.”
“I can’t make this decision now Trent, please don’t make me.” I beg him.
“No but I can’t wait forever Maddy. It kills me when you are with him. The way he looks at you.” He stands up taking my hand.
“How does he look at me?” I bite my lower lip unsure of my question.
Trent looks back at me and then flicks his eyes forward again. “Help me clean this mess up.” Not answering my question.
A few hours later Trent drops me off at my mom’s house.
“Finally girl. I have been calling you all night.” Ian runs towards me embracing me.
“What’s all that?” I ask looking over his shoulder to the scattered pictures across my living room floor.
“Your mom and I are trying to find a picture of your dad.” He walks back over to the coffee table.
“Why?” I ask placing my purse on the new bench in the foyer and following him.
“Jack and Lindsey want to display a picture with a lit candle at the church and reception in honor of him.” My mom answers caring two glasses of ice tea. She is wearing another new Capri and button down shirt outfit and her hair is perfectly styled in the bob. Where was this woman when I was growing up?
“That’s nice.” I pick up some of the pictures thumbing through them.
“Your mom said she is having a hard time finding the right one.” Ian said. “I must say though, your dad was a gorgeous man.”
“Like Jack” my mom and I say at the same time. We look at each other and she smiles at me but I don’t. I am not ready for some grandmother daughter relationship she seems to want.
Everyone who knew my dad when he was younger saw the resemblance of Jack turning into him as he got older. The dark hair and striking green eyes is the first thing people notice but if you truly knew both of them it was their high cheekbones and narrow nose they shared as well.
“Yeah, I see it. Both complete hotties.” Ian smiles over to me and I smile back. “Such a shame. Which brings me to my next question?”
“Do I even want to ask?” Picking up some more pictures looking at the family photos. I can’t believe my mom even kept these.
“Are there any men in this town that play for my team?” He asks. “Kenna has been taking me around since you have been busy with the Basso brothers and I haven’t seen one and trust me I know when I see them.”
I roll my eyes in his direction for the Basso brother comment. “I guess I never noticed. They are probably hidden in the closet still.” I shrug.
“I can tell you where to go Ian. There is this bar about twenty minutes out of Belcrest. In my high time I went in there and couldn’t figure out why no one was hitting on me and then the bartender told me to look around.” My mom divulges. Of course she would know of a bar.
“Let’s go tonight Maddy.” He is up on his knees clapping his hands in excitement.