Page 48 of Collide

“Oh my God, Tommy. I said some really terrible things.” I bite my lip with the threat of more tears. I don’t deserve to cry. I was so mean, and I never answered him.

What do you want? Him. Only him.

“Then you’ll need to say you’re sorry.” His lips twist, and he exhales. “Family does that.” I stare up at him, hoping I’m not misinterpreting his meaning.

“Does this mean you’re giving me your blessing? If I say yes.”

Tommy opens his arms, and I step into him. “I’d never be able to tell you no, baby girl. Never.” He squeezes me tight to his chest before releasing me. “And remember, family loves unconditionally, too. Keep that in mind.” I don’t know what he means, but the doorbell rings, preventing me from asking.

He steps around me and opens the door. Then he steps back to reveal a hesitant Gage, hands in his pockets and a sheepish look on his face. I don’t speak. I don’t move. I just stare at him. He’s so good looking—dark soulful eyes, deep scruff, and a fresh haircut to his chin. He takes my breath away, and I rush forward, hoping he’ll catch me.

“What are you doing here?” I say, breathing him in as my arms circle his neck, and he holds me against his chest.

“I called Tommy.”

I peer over Gage’s shoulder at my uncle who leans against his open door, head bent in thought. “You knew?” I ask.

“Family,” he mouths and winks at me. His smile is sad, but he isn’t unhappy. My uncle needs someone to match his goodness and give him love like Gage gives me. “I’m going out,” he says, leaving his place and closing the door behind him.

“I’m so sorry,” I mutter into Gage’s neck. “I am a crazy woman.”

“Hey.” He chuckles, pulling back from our embrace. “Never call a pregnant woman crazy.” His lips curl in a slow smile, and I press up to cover them. His mouth opens, instantly meeting my tongue, twirling ours together. His hands cup my face like he does, and he holds me to him through the connection of our lips.

I love this man. If I didn’t realize it before, I accept it as the truth now. I love him.

But there’s one thing left to tell him about me before I admit my feelings. I draw back from the kiss, and when he goes for my forehead with his lips, I toy with his T-shirt.

“Can I ask you to go somewhere with me?”

He presses me back by the shoulders, peering down at me with a questioning look. “Anywhere,” he offers without hesitation although he’s curious.

“Just don’t ask any questions until we’re there, okay?” He nods, and I walk to the kitchen area, leaving a note for my uncle and grabbing a set of keys out of a drawer.

21

IVY

My mother’s car is a baby blue 1969 Mustang convertible. It was a gift from the man who loved her, and she denied. I look over at Gage as I drive, not wanting to give him directions and explain where we are headed. As we work our way up the hills beyond LA, Gage combs his fingers through his hair. His hand rests on my thigh while I drive, not wanting me to release the steering wheel to hold his hand. He seems nervous without knowing why. I, on the other hand, have all the reasons to be frightened.

As we pull up to the iron gate, I announce myself, and the security fencing opens. The slant of the driveway keeps passersby and nosy neighbors from seeing the front entrance. I know Gage will notice the wheelchair ramp leading up to the door first. His fingers stop moving as his brow pinches. He hasn’t looked over at me, but I’ve been sneaking glances at him. As we park, I watch his reaction to the house.

He isn’t impressed with the size or the landscape. It’s a rather dated looking building. A sprawling raised ranch in white brick. It’s Hollywood glam from the 70s and needs an update. Tommy doesn’t want to invest the money, and I’d sell the place if I could.

“This is my mother’s house. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” I’d like to warn him to keep an open mind, but I don’t want to taint his opinion. If Gage can’t accept what’s inside, we’ll have an issue I can’t bypass. I press open the car door but struggle a little with the weight of it and my size. Pregnant women and fancy sports cars aren’t really made for each other.

“Wait,” Gage warns and hops out, rounding the hood and helping me with the door. He then reaches for my hand and helps me step out of the car. I cover my belly with two hands as he holds my elbow and we walk up the thick set of stairs leading to the dark double doors. Gage’s eyes shift to the wheelchair ramp and back to the entrance.

I knock as if I don’t have a key and wait for someone to answer the door.

“Ivy!” The housekeeper shrieks, reaching out for a hug before even offering to let me inside. Luella Bates has worked for my mother as long as I can remember. She pulls back and runs a hand over my belly. I’d be upset if she were a stranger, but she’s almost as familiar with me as my mother. With cappuccino skin smooth as a grape and eyes as big as the juiciest of them, her bright smile and her chocolate chip cookies could cure any sadness I felt as a child.

“Luella.” I sigh with a warm smile that matches hers as we step inside.

“You look just as beautiful as your mother did when she was pregnant.” I pause at the comment as my mother didn’t have Luella when I was born. Mother was a struggling singer with a deadbeat husband and duet partner, trying to make it in LA after leaving Texas. She didn’t have the money she would later have when I was little, which means Luella is referencing the person I want to introduce to Gage.

“Luella, this is Gage Everly.” Luella grabs his offered hand with both of hers and shakes it several times.

“I’m so happy to meet the father of my beautiful girl’s baby.” I open my mouth to clarify the truth, and then I stop myself. Gage gives me a curious look until he notices I’m not correcting her.