Forgiven (14 page)

I am about to head into the library to study when my phone rings. I almost press ignore, but it’s Bradley. The only time he ever calls me is when something’s wrong or when he needs help with something special for Gabby. I swipe the screen to answer. “Hello.”

“Sam, it’s Bradley.”

I always think it’s funny how he announces who he is when he calls. As if I don’t recognize his voice by now, never mind that I have caller ID. “When will you realize I know who you are when you call?”

“Hey. I dunno.” It’s clear that there is something wrong. I don’t have time for drama tonight. What has he done now? “Listen, I found something out today, and I need to talk to you about it.”

I’m just picking on him because he’s like the big brother I never had, but he’s not digging it tonight. “Sounds serious.”

“Yep. Got a few minutes?”

“Yeah, a few.” As much as I hate to study, I really do need to get my butt in the library.

There is a pause, and then he clears his throat. “Um. I have no idea what the right way to tell you this is, so I’m just going to spill it. I need to know what to do with this information.”

What information and how to tell me what? “Is it Gabby? Is she okay?” My heart feels like it’s beating five thousand beats a second. I back over to the bench that’s behind me and plop down.

“Gabby’s fine. Sam...”

Relief floods my body about Gabby, but he’s killing me. “Dammit, Bradley. Just spit it out already.” I can’t take this. He’s about to give me a heart attack.

“I met your father today.” I swallow hard.

I swallow hard. “You what?” I think I’m in shock. I really thought this part of my life was fully behind me.

He starts to answer me. “I-”

Then my thoughts turn to Gabby. “Was Gabby with you?” I interrupt.

“No. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Did you tell her?”

“You can’t be fine, Sam. And no. I didn’t tell her yet.”

“Yet? You’re not going to tell her ever,” I hiss. He may be her fiancée, but she’s my sister. No one knows her better than me. She can never find out about this. It will destroy her.

“I thought I should tell you first. I don’t know if I should tell her, especially since I found out because I was following her.” At my sharp intake of breath, Bradley sighs. “It’s a long story that I don’t want to go into at the moment. But when it all boils down to it, I just don’t like keeping secrets from her, Sam.” There’s a pause. “Secrets destroy lives.”

“Well you know what will also destroy a life? Introducing her to the bastard. That’s what will destroy her. So help me, Bradley...” I take a deep breath. He’s never seen this side of me, and it’s not a side he’s going to want to see again. “Just trust me. You can’t tell her.”

“All right, all right. I won’t. But Sam, he’s seen her. She studies at his coffee shop.”

“She needs to stay away from him. He’s dangerous.”

“I know, but for what it’s worth he appears to have gotten his life together.”

“It’s not worth a damn thing to me. He’s dead to me. I buried him a long time ago. Gabby would be better off if you would do the same thing.”

“Okay. Fine. I just thought you should know. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Nothing. That’s what you do. I gotta go,” I grumble and hang up the phone. I feel like crap as soon as I do it. I am sure that he means well. I shouldn’t have hung up on him. Thoughts of my dad stir emotions that aren’t welcome. I really need to call Dr. Harrison for a session.

I stare down at the phone completely taken aback. She hung up on me. I don’t know how to handle all of this. Women. I sarcastically laugh and recall why I had made it my mission to avoid them before Gabby. Shaking my head, I stand and make my way to the door so I can lock the office and leave. I have made it halfway across the floor when my phone rings. I look at the caller ID and see it’s Sam.

“Sam,” I answer.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“I know.” And I do. I know that was totally out of character for her. She’s never acted like that before. I know that is a sensitive subject. I can’t judge her because I don’t know how I’d react if I were her. “I forgive you for what it’s worth.”

“A lot...it’s worth a lot. I’m ashamed of my behavior.”

“Don’t be. I think I somewhat expected that kind of response.”

“It was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken my frustration and aggression out on you,” she confesses.

“You’re human, Sam. It’s hard to contain that kind of emotion.” No one understands that more than me. I struggle to contain myself in situations similar to these. “Sam, I’m not going to lie. I watched my father keep secrets my entire life. I still do. They destroy people. I just don’t like keeping this from her, but if it’s that important to you and you think it’s what’s best for her, then I’ll do it.”

“I do, Bradley.” I can hear her voice crack, and I can tell she’s fighting back tears. Sam never cries. I’ve met a lot of tough girls in my life, but none quite like her. She can be tender, sweet, and fun loving, but she’s not someone you want to cross like I just did. You can trust me about that. “I really don’t think she’ll be able to make it through it.”

“You don’t think so? I mean, she’s stronger than she used to be. She has me.” I know that sounds cocky, but it is what it is. She’s no longer alone. I refuse to let her fall.

“I don’t know. I just think it’s best if she doesn’t know. I don’t know why. Maybe because I remember.”

“All right. I’ll do my best, then. Are you going to be okay? Not like I can do much for you from so far away.”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She sniffs. “I’ve gotta go study. I’ll bury my head in anatomy and medical terminology.”

“Okay,” I chuckle. “Call me if you need me. I’m here.”

“I know. Bye, Bradley.”

“See ya.”

It’s been about a week since I found out about Gabe. I’ve been able to keep my promise to Sam, but it’s been eating me alive. I haven’t had time to really talk to Sam much. I’ve been covered up with trying to talk Gabby into switching her study locations to be closer to our house. I’ve also gone every night to check on Roni.

They’re hanging in there. The doctors are more and more optimistic each passing day. I’m still not sure how I feel about that whole ordeal. Part of me is positive this isn’t my child and the other part of me is growing attached already. Every time I hear that heartbeat and see Roni’s stomach move, I become more intrigued with being a father. I just wish it was being the father of mine and Gabby’s child.

I haven’t been sleeping well since I found out about her father. Even though I had been getting up with her some after she moved here, she refuses to wake me up if I’m not already awake. My cell phone starts to ring and I know this is my morning wake-up call even though I was already awake. I heard her leave, and I couldn’t go back to sleep. I swipe the screen to answer. “Morning, Gabby Girl.”

“Morning, Mr. Banks.”

“What do you have planned today?” I ask as I climb out of bed and make my way to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee.

“Emmi had to cancel a study session next week so we’re doing an extra one this week. So I’m meeting her at Gi Gi’s to study after class.”

“Still studying at Gi Gi’s, huh?” I roll my eyes and frown. She is so stubborn.

“I told you. Emmi picked the place. I feel bad asking to change it. I don’t know why it’s all the sudden a big deal to you anyway.”

“Don’t want to argue with you this morning.” I take a sip of my scorching coffee.

“Me neither,” she exhales. “Typical day for you?” And clearly she’s changing the subject. I really am not in the mood to argue about this whole Gi Gi’s thing. I’ll make it my mission to give her enough incentive to change her study location. I have to get her away from him.

“Yeah. Meetings all day. Thought I’d swing by and check on Roni and the baby later.” There is always tension when I mention them. I can’t stand it. “Then I was going to see if you wanted to meet for dinner later?”

“Dinner’s fine. I guess I’ll talk to you later, then?”

“Just call me when you’re done at Gi Gi’s.”

“I will. Bradley...”

“Yeah?”

“I love you,” she whispers.

“Love you, Gabby Girl.” We both pause like we used to on the phone, except I know for me I have a much heavier heart during the pause than I used to have. “Have a good day.”

“You, too.”

She hangs up first. I guess it’s just the thing with Veronica that has her so upset. I don’t know what else it could be. I decide to go ahead, get ready, and head into work early.