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“I want you to feel that forever.”
“I will.”
“Let’s get you up.” He rolls onto his back. “I made a salad earlier. You should eat some of that and then let me wash you in the shower.”
I swing my legs over the side of the bed. Spotting my blue silk robe on the floor, I reach for it. “Do you remember when you used to wash me in the
shower?”
Silence fills the room.
“You’d pretend that you wanted to soap me up, but it was a ploy to feel me up.”
There’s still no response. Glancing over my shoulder, I see him standing with his phone in his hands.
“Is everything all right, Gage?”
His head pops us. “Everything is perfect. I’m with the woman I love.”
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” I move to stand. “Take your time.”
I tie the sash on the robe and walk out of the room, knowing that everything is far from all right.
Chapter 54
Gage
“It’s not my birthday.” Gus looks down into the brown paper shopping bag that contains a new raincoat, four pairs of socks, a pair of new shoes and a sun hat.
“It will be one day this year,” I quip. “Call it a friend doing another friend a favor.”
“I’ll call it what it is.” He places the bag on the bench. “You’re a saint.”
“Far from it.” I laugh.
I don’t know what the hell I am.
Selfish fits the bill.
I left Katie last night so I could stop in at Tin Anchor. I bought the bar months ago as a way to build something for my daughter.
The plan has never been to get her behind the bar serving drinks once she’s old enough.
I wanted to double or triple my investment in the place so I could leave her something when I’m gone.
I named it after her.
The first time I called her Tin, her face lit up, so it stuck.
She’s been my anchor in the storms of my life these past five years. She kept me grounded when all I wanted to do was bolt.
I don’t want to give up the bar, but I might have to in order to fund bi-monthly cross-country trips to see Kristin.
“Trouble has found its way back to you.” Gus pats my shoulder. “What’s weighing you down?”
I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
I didn’t feel up to working out this morning, so I put on the jeans and a Tin Anchor shirt. I needed kindness more than exercise. I knew Gus could provide it.
