Jenna was silent. I heard her sniffle before saying, “Gage, you’re falling for her.”

There was no way. Was there?

“Why don’t you talk to her? You need to talk to her, not me. Tell her what you just told me. She would be crazy not to love you back. I know she guards her heart because of her past, as do you. But, I’ve seen the two of you. You’re perfect.”

“Jenna, I can’t love her.” Londyn started wiggling around. I sat her back and the floor and watched as she crawled to her pile of toys.

“Can’t or won’t?”

“There isn’t a difference.”

“Yes there is. I figured that out myself. Aren’t you the one who told me not too long ago, and I quote ‘It takes a strong heart to love but it takes a stronger heart to continue to love after being hurt’? You have experienced enough hurt for a lifetime. I hate saying I am one of those people who hurt you, but you can’t let that hold you back. You loved me, but I couldn’t love you. You loved Cobie, but she’s gone. You love Annie, but you’re not giving her a chance to love you back. That’s not fair to you or her.”

I hated the Jenna still got upset about what we went through. It wasn’t her fault. I knew she wasn’t in love with me. Looking back, I’m not entirely sure I was truly in love with her either. We had always been with each other, things with her felt safe. I wanted to know she would never get hurt. I knew with me she was safe. Keeping someone safe doesn’t really define love. After everything she had been through I didn’t want her to be alone. I was the answer.

“Jenna, nothing in the past is your fault. I knew the entire time, I just didn’t want to face reality. I was afraid of losing you. Back then, if I lost you, I lost everything. You walking away from me was probably one of the best damn things you ever did for me. Because of that, I fell in love with Cobie and became a daddy. I just don’t think my heart is strong enough to love again. I don’t think I can risk it.”

“Don’t make me out to be some saint. I fucked you over. You were my best friend and I let you rescue me from something that was my own fault. I should have told you no from the beginning. I wasn’t fair to you. But, I didn’t want to lose you, either. And now, you’re not being fair to Annie. I’m not saying go and profess your love to her. Just talk.”

Sighing, I fell back into the couch. Londyn turned her head, smiling. She looked so much like Cobie. “I wasn’t supposed to go to Fairhope until tomorrow. Maybe, after the game and interview tomorrow I will drive home and surprise her.”

I could hear Jenna smiling through the phone. Her voice a little more light hearted. “It will be worth it, trust me. You two seem perfect for each other. She makes you happy. You deserve someone who makes you smile.”

“She does. Thank you, J. For everything. Love you.”

“No, Gage. Thank you for always being there. I’ll talk to you later. Love you, too.”

I tossed my phone onto the couch beside me and watched Londyn. It was crazy that she was almost one. That Cobie had been gone for eight months. She missed Londyn rolling over, laughing, playing in the sand, saying “Dada” for the first time, crawling, and taking her first steps. The tightening in my chest had me rubbing my fist on it. I missed her. Being with Annie eased the pain. Jenna was right, she made me happy. Very happy.

Hearing my phone chime, I picked it up and saw a text from Trent.

Trent: Hitting up Sinners & Saints. You game?

Me: Nah. I have Londyn.

Trent: Babysitter bro.

Trent: Kline’s wife said she would watch her. No excuses. Get ur ass over here. Guys night.

Me: Fine. Be there around 8.

Maybe that’s what I needed. A night out with the guys and a few drinks. Loosen up a bit. My mind was on overdrive lately. All consumed by one very sexy woman.

Annie

“Night, Leigha. See you tomorrow,” I said walking toward the front door.

She wrapped Gabe into a tight hug and kissed his forehead. “Love you, buddy. I will see you tomorrow night, okay? We have a big date planned.”

Gabe nodded his head excitedly and said, “Night Aunt Leigha. Love you, too.” He ran inside the house, leaving the front door wide open, of course. If I didn’t know any better I would swear he was raised in a damn barn.

Leigha opened her car door before turning to me. “Night, bitch. Don’t masturbate too much. Gotta have something left for Gage when he gets home.”

Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “Bitch, please. Gabe sleeps with me most nights. No chance of any freaky business going on. And I’m sure the batteries are dead in B.O.B. anyway.”

Leigha laughed and got into her car. “See you tomorrow. Kiss kiss.” She waved out her window as she backed out of the driveway.

Walking up the sidewalk I looked into the dark night sky. Gage was the first person since Derek that I had let in. He knew about my past and didn’t judge me because of it. I was falling for him, hard and fast. Taking a deep breath, I walked into my house, closing and locking the door behind me.

Grabbing the remote I turned the television on. Gage was doing an inside interview with Sports Report in New Orleans before coming back to Fairhope. I was missing him since his last three games had been out of town. Maybe seeing his face would help my problem.

Gabe walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. “Can I have a snack mommy?”

“Sure, baby. What do you want?”

Gabe crinkled his face before saying, “Strawberries, please.”

As I made my way into the kitchen I heard Gabe yelling, “Mommy, Gage is on T.V.!”

Grabbing the strawberries from the refrigerator I sat them on the counter so I could see into the living room. I was welcomed by Gage’s bright blue eyes and killer smile on my television. He was laughing about something the reporter had just said and as he started talking Gabe interrupted, “Mommy, why do they like talking to Gage?”