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“Gabby would love to hear that. In fact,” Jaxson said with the sarcasm lacing his tone, “she’d love to hear anything from you. She’s a mess, dude. She won’t admit it, but it’s been hell working with her. She misses you. She needs you.”
But did she? She survived much worse without him in her life. Was he really that important to her? She didn’t even last after one supper with his family.
Not that he blamed her. It had been a brutal affair. He barely survived the meals himself. It took a strong mental strength to deal with his father and brother.
“Do you love her still?” Brick asked as if they were talking about going to a baseball game and how good of seats he got.
He stared at the label on the beer and started to pick at it. “I love her so much it hurts she told me it wasn’t going to work between us. She could be right.”
“She’s dead ass wrong. And she lied.” Jaxson leaned even closer. “She lied to you.”
Dane looked at him. “What?”
“You know what I’m talking about.”
Damn it. Dane knew Jaxson was baiting him. Gabriella swore she’d never lie to him, and he believed her. Yet, maybe she had lied when she said it wasn’t going to work between them. He should’ve asked her why. Why would she say that? Why would she think that? Why would she lie and say words she didn’t mean?
Or maybe he was a fool for trusting her. Maybe she believed they wouldn’t work out in the long run.
“Get off your ass and go to her.”
That sounded like an order from Jaxson. The fierce look from Brick said he’d kick him out of the bar using the muscles stretched across his chest and arms.
Fine.
He’d go to her.
And beg her to give them a chance.
Because Jaxson was right.
She was perfect for him.
* * *
Gabby curledher legs underneath her and stared at the TV. She had no idea what was even on. She had flipped the switch, yet her eyes hadn’t processed anything.
It had been a long week of work with barely processing much. She had a short temper, little patience, and she didn’t even organize the two filing cabinets the idiots at work purposely messed up.
Just to get her out of her funk.
It didn’t work.
Nothing seemed to make her feel better. Not Jaxson’s comforting presence. Not Mia’s consoling words. Mia didn’t pry as much as Jaxson had. He wanted to know what happened. She refused to talk about it. To explain why she ended it.
She knew Jaxson figured that out on his own. He was smart, plus a damn good detective. And one of her best friends who happened to read her very, very well.
But it was for the best.
Dane needed someone stronger in his life. Someone who could let things slide and choke back their words when his father and brother were being complete assholes. For Dane’s sake. For his mother’s.
She was not that kind of person. She still wanted to issue more slurring words in their direction for their callous remarks and behavior. Not for the things they said about Mia, but the way they treated Dane.
Okay, fine. Poor Champ and his health problems as a baby. But he was a grown-ass man now who made conscious decisions to cheat on women. To treat his brother like an asshole. To act like his shit didn’t stink. He wasn’t some helpless child who needed coddling. He was an adult who needed a good ass-kicking.
She was more than happy to apply for the job.
Since that wouldn’t be wise to beat his ass within an inch of his life, she did the only thing she could.
