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“I let my disbelief, anger, frustration, and all the other emotions moving through me cloud my judgement and love for you.”
Hearing him confess all this was almost too much, but she needed to hear it.
“I wanted to be there for you, even if it didn’t seem that way. It took me too damn long to realize I had pushed away the only person who means anything to me.”
She wanted to wrap her arms around him, but she stayed right where she was.
“I’m taking that first step. I don’t know if you will let me back in your life after being a total fuck-up, but I have to try.” He looked down and then brought tortured eyes back to her. “I know you don’t work at Tiny’s anymore, know you are trying to move on with your life. I’ve been a shitty friend to you, Kid. I said hurtful things and pushed you away. I can’t live without you in my life.” He moved closer to her and took her hands in his. “I love you, Sophia, but it is so much more than that. I’m in love with you, have been for as long as I can remember. I want to be there for you and the baby.”
“Abe—”
He continued on as if she hadn’t even spoken. “I remember it all, Sophia,” he whispered. “You, me, and that night. I remember it all, baby. I took your virginity, got you pregnant, and then pushed you away, not facing the truth that you’ve always been mine, were meant to be mine, and that I’m yours. I’m so, so sorry.” He brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed them.
Pulling her hand away, she stood and started pacing. Tears spilled down her cheeks as his words penetrated her. She opened her mouth, but instead of telling him anything, he spoke again.
“Just tell me, Sophia.”
“Tell you what?” Her voice sounded strained.
A beat of silence passed, and then he whispered, “Tell me that you’re in love with me too. Tell me that you can forgive me.”
Everything around her crumbled.
As she stared at him, her stomach clenched, and she turned and rushed to the bathroom. Slamming the seat up, Sophia hunched over it and threw up. Abe stood behind her and lifted her hair away from her face as she emptied her stomach. When she was finished, she took a deep, fortifying breath.
“Are you all right?” he asked, concern clear in his voice.
She chuckled despite the fact that this was the least humorous situation. “Perfect,” she whispered sarcastically.
“I’m sorry, Kid. I’m so fucking sorry.”
Sophia pushed away from the toilet. Abe handed her a wet washrag, and she wiped off her mouth. She glanced up at him and couldn’t help but smile. It was always so automatic when she looked at Abe. He smiled and slid down beside her. They sat there in silence, their backs to the bathroom wall, both of them staring straight ahead.
Exhaling loudly, she rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t be mad at you when you genuinely didn’t remember, Abe. I miss you in my life.” She opened her eyes and turned to look at him. For long seconds, they stared at each other, and then she finally whispered, “I’m in love with you too.”
He lifted her hand and placed it over his heart, the expression on his face as if she’d just taken the air from his lungs. “This beats for you.” He closed his eyes, and she could have sworn he was savoring the moment. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you too, Kid. I love you. So fucking much.” When he opened his eyes, he lowered them to her mouth, and she knew what was about to happen. He was going to kiss her.
She covered her lips with her palms and shook her head. “I just threw up.” He chuckled, and they both stood, Abe wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her in close.
After a quick brush of her teeth and a gargle of mouthwash, they made their way back into the living room. She picked up the book he brought and smirked. “Were you really going to read this?”
His back straightened. “Damn right.” All of the sudden, he got extremely serious. “Come here, Sophia.”
She licked her lips and went over to him. He curled his hands around her hips and brought her close to his body. She tilted her head back and looked up at him.
“Please say you forgive me. Please say you’ll give us a chance.” Before she could answer, he dropped to his knees, pulling a gasp of surprise from her. He pushed up her shirt slightly, exposing her belly, and rested his forehead against her skin. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Soph. I just want you and this baby. I need you both in my life.”
