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“What did you get Mom?”
“What did you get her?” Dane countered.
By the look in Champ’s eyes, he didn’t get anything, which was why he had bothered him all weekend. He wanted to hoard in on his gift like he always did, instead of going out and buying something himself.
“Add my name to the damn card.”
Then Champ walked out of the room as well.
Dane sat at the table, surrounded by a mess, and a massive hole in his heart.
Screw his brother.
Damn his father.
But bless his mother. For she was the only one trying to stop Gabriella from leaving him with an empty heart.
* * *
Gabby took a sip of wine,even though her feet itched to jump up out of the—very nice—plush patio chair. But it was Mrs. Holloway’s birthday, and it felt wrong to leave her in the lurch when she asked her to join her outside.
Of course, she also knew why she asked her to join her. To dispel the icky tension. Maybe even warn her away from Dane.
It was quite transparent that his father and brother did not like her. His brother, Champ, sure, she understood. She ruined his chances with Mia by discovering his lecherous behavior.
But his father…
She couldn’t fathom why he didn’t seem to like her. Probably had something to do with Champ as well.
The weather was beautiful. Not too cold, especially with a light breeze. The sun was going down, leaving a gorgeous hue of colors during its descent—a mixture of pink, purple, and orange. Blending so well, she imagined it as a painting. One hanging in Dane’s outer office. It would fit nicely next to the one that held the splashes of paint. She didn’t know why she thought that or why her mind even went there, but it would look perfect together.
“Dane cares for you.” His mother took a small sip of wine. “The best birthday present I received today was him bringing you as a guest.”
Gabby wanted to snort as if saying, “give me a break.” How could him bringing a woman to supper be considered the best present ever? Especially at this supper table.
His mother continued. “Bryan’s not a cruel man, even if he displayed some very unsavory behavior inside. He can be hard on Dane. I will admit that. And Champ,” she laughed in a motherly sort of way, “he’s the youngest. What can I say other than he was coddled a bit too much as a baby, and it just…continued. He had a heart defect as a baby. It was scary for a moment we’d lose him. Bryan gets very protective of him because of that.”
Interesting. Gabby wondered if Dane knew that piece of information. He hadn’t mentioned it. Besides the one night he shared about his brother, he didn’t talk much about his family. She could see why. Of course, just because Champ might’ve had poor health as a baby, it didn’t give him—or his father—a right to act the way they did.
“I imagine that was a stressful time in your life.”
His mother looked at her as she reached out a hand and gently settled it on her arm, a wistful smile on her face. “So stressful. I pray when—or if—you ever have kids, you don’t have to go through something like that. It can put a strain on your marriage. It can affect your job. It’s…hard.” Her hand drifted away. “But, he’s healthy as an ox now. A bit too spoiled, I’m afraid. I apologize for any hurt he may have caused you or your friend.”
“It’s not your apology to give, Mrs. Holloway.” She smiled. “But I thank you for it.”
She turned her direction to the sinking sun once more. Any more talk like this and she might burst into tears. And why? She wasn’t prone to tears that often, even though she had in the past month a little too much.
But it had been a helluva weekend so far. Her emotions had been put through the wringer, and she honestly didn’t know how much more she could endure. She wanted to leave.
“I’ve never seen him so happy.”
Gabby shifted on her seat and looked back at Mrs. Holloway. “What?”
“Dane. I’ve never seen him so happy before. You make him happy. You make him focus on more than work.” Mrs. Holloway smiled. A bright, beautiful smile that lit up her features. Her eyes crinkling with slight wrinkles. But they did nothing but enhance her beauty, not deter it.
“He doesn’t work as much anymore. Bryan’s noticed. Dane tended to do most of the work. I knew this. Bryan knew it. But he thinks it’s better Champ doesn’t exert himself too much, in case, you know, with his health. But with Dane not working every weekend and late into the night recently, Bryan’s seeing how much work he was doing for Champ.”
Oh, here it comes. The part where she warned Gabby off. To stay the hell away from her son. All because poor Champ had to pick up his pretty little fingers and put them to use other than pleasuring a woman.
