“I doubt you have to worry about that, of course, I won’t remember any of it. After this I plan on getting completely wasted.” He discloses.
“Be careful Trent.” My voice is serious.
“Always” he smiles at me.
I open the barn door tracing my steps back to my mom’s car when I see Gabe making his way down from the house. I quicken my steps hoping he hasn’t spotted me yet but I fail to consider Gabe’s keen sense of always knowing when I am close by. I shouldn’t have been surprised when his hand grasps my arm just as I am about to hit the tall grass.
“Maddy?” He questions clearly surprised to see me there.
“Hey Gabe.” I try to keep my voice casual.
“What are you doing here?” His eyes don’t have that sparkle in them today and I wonder if it’s because of me or the stories going on in the press.
“I was talking with Trent” I honestly admit.
“Oh.” He puts his hands in his pocket. I sense to keep them from touching me. His hands have always found ways to touch or caress me no matter what we are doing.
“You got the letter?” I change the subject.
“Yes, thank you. You’re friend Ian is very convincing. Here” He digs it out of his pocket handing it back to me. “It reminded me of how important my brother is to me.”
“Good, I’m glad. I hope you both can make amends and have a friendship again.” I confess stuffing the letter in my back pocket.
“Well…Thanks again Maddy.”
“You’re welcome, Gabe.” I turn around finding my way back. I sense his eyes on me until I am swallowed up by the trees, like the protector he has always been.
When I am safely in my mom’s car, I let myself weep. I weep for the boy I have loved for so long and the man that will never be mine. Gabe’s arms will never securely wrap around me. His soft lips will never hit mine again. The idea of those things never happening make me sob harder as I hang my head down in the driver’s seat unable to move away from the man who holds my entire heart.
Chapter 25 – Present Day
I go back to my mom’s house to drop off her car. Mitch’s car is missing from the driveway so I assume they went somewhere together. Ian is helping the boys with the bachelor party arrangements. I can’t bring myself to be in the house by myself so I back out of the driveway.
I decide to go see Mackenna, I haven’t seen her enough this trip and since diapers and feedings will soon consume her life we need to make the most now. Driving through town I see her in the window of her studio. Parking the car I walk up to the window knocking. She excitedly waves to me making her way to the door.
“I’m so happy to see you. Come in” she motions with her hands but she sees my eyes instantly alarming her. “What’s wrong Maddy?” She walks over to me hugging me.
“Do you have time to talk?” I manage to get out in between sobs.
“For you, anytime.” She puts her arm around me bringing me into her shop. I see her glancing around the streets checking if anyone is around. I guess she has already read the gossip sites.
She sits me on a couch and hands me a bottle of water. “You know as well as I do you can’t let those people get to you.” She thinks I’m upset about those ‘reporters’.
I shake my head back and forth. “No…” I swallow. “I told Trent today.” I disclose.
“Finally Maddy.” She leans back on the couch releasing a breath. “So, are you and Gabe?”
“No, I let them both go.” I cry harder into her shoulder.
“Why? You love Gabe.” She continues to hold me but I feel her head moving insinuating she doesn’t understand my decision.
“I can’t have him without hurting Trent. I won’t let them ruin their relationship because of me.”
“Maddy, Trent has hurt you more than anyone. You can’t forego your happiness for him.” She argues never being a fan of Trent’s.
“I’m not doing it for Trent, I did it for Gabe. He needs his brother in his life a lot more than he needs me.”
“I think you are wrong on that. If Trent loved you like he tries to act like he does he would accept you and Gabe knowing how happy you both are.”
“Kenna…” I look up at her knowing we both are aware how selfish Trent is.
“I know. I just think it sucks. You and Gabe should be together. I am going to call Bryan, he can talk to Trent.” She reaches for her phone.
“No Kenna. I don’t want Bryan to talk to Trent. It was hard enough telling them both I don’t want to deal with it anymore. I have two more days and then I will back in New York and the Basso brothers will continue their life. Please, I’m begging you let it rest.”
“What will happen to you?” She asks raising her eyebrows.
“I will manage.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Oh Maddy.”
“So, what are you getting ready to do?” I change the subject.
“I’m getting my cameras ready for the wedding tomorrow.”
“Are you sure you can do it?” My eyes drift her to swollen stomach.
“Yes, god you sound like Bryan. He is insisting on being my assistant. He is going to drive me crazy.” She rolls her eyes.
“I love how protective he is of you.”
She doesn’t respond but she is giving me that sorrow look. The look telling me you could have it too. Quickly, I grab onto another topic to divert her, I am lucky Mackenna can be easily distracted.
I stay there for about an hour and then hug her good-bye letting her know I will see her tonight at the Bachelorette Party. I am happy to find my mom and Mitch back when I return home. They are in the family room discussing something. I peek around the corner, not wanting to interrupt them. Mitch’s arm is around my mom and I see she is crying while he tells her it will all work out and be ok. I turn around to walk upstairs, I know why she’s upset and I don’t have it in me to talk about it anymore.
Walking by my room, I see Ian is lying in Jack’s bed fiddling with his phone. “Hey you.” I say plopping on the bed.
“Hey.” He continues to stare at his phone.
“What’s up? Why do you seem so down?” I ask. He shrugs in response.
“Ian?”
“You’re plan worked.” He admits.
“It did?” I animatedly question.
“Yes. They eventually came back to the house to help with the bachelor party together. I never knew them before the Madeline Jennings feud but Jack and Doug seemed really happy about the way they were with each other.” His voice is flat with no emotion.
“I’m glad. Ian, why are you so upset?” I place my hand on his knee.
“I don’t know, I guess I am too empathetic. I feel bad for you. Although they seemed to make amends Gabe’s eyes still seemed empty. I understand why you did it Maddy but is Trent’s happiness really worth you and Gabe’s misery?” He looks at me for the first time since I came into the room. He is concerned for me as his friend. He saw firsthand what Trent did to me in New York so of course he doesn’t understand.
“Thanks Ian.” I pat his knee. “I’m happy I have you in my life. I need to remind you though Gabe ended it with me. I never had a choice in him leaving my life.”
“I know but it’s all because of Trent. If he wasn’t his brother.”
“If he wasn’t Trent’s brother I might have never had him in my life at all. I will always love them both, in different ways but it was an impossible situation.” I finally seem calm about my decision almost at peace especially since Ian told me Gabe and Trent are better now.
“You’re too selfless Maddy.” Ian says.
“Thank you, I take that as the biggest compliment.” I smile up at him. “Now, I have to find a dress to wear tonight.” I go to stand up.
“Let me help you.” He stands following me out the door. “Did I tell you how unfair it is that you girls get to go clubbing and I’m stuck playing poker in some barn?” He sternly looks at me making me laugh for the first time all day.