She tilts her head to the side, and suddenly she’s in my arms, hugging me tight.
“I will gladly let you know how he’s doing.”
“Thank you.”
When I’m out of the hospital, I pull my phone out of my pocket and find that I missed a call from a Louisiana number that I don’t recognize. When I check my voice mail, I hear Charly’s voice.
“This is Charly. Call me back.”
She doesn’t sound particularly happy with me.
I sit in the rental car and dial her number.
“It’s about time.”
“It’s been a busy day. What can I do for you?”
“You can go straight to hell,” she replies, her voice full of ice. “You’re a real asshole, Rhys O’Shaughnessy.”
“Hold up.”
“No, you hold up. You left without even saying goodbye to either Gabby or Sam. That was an asshole move, Rhys. We all trusted you with them. We believed that you’d be good for them. My brothers let you live.”
“Nice of them,” I mutter, but she doesn’t even hear me; she just keeps going. She’s in ȕber protective sister mode, and she’s on a roll.
“But even more than that, Gabby trusted you. Do you know how hard it is for her to do that? Because she doesn’t do that. And she let you in. She and Sam both fell for you, and you just walked right out of their lives without even a backward glance. I sure as fuck hope you’re a better father than you are a fuck buddy, I’ll tell you that right now.”
“Wait. What?”
Better father?
“Because she doesn’t deserve what she got last time this time around.”
“Charly, stop taking.”
“Don’t you tell me to stop talking! You’re not the one who’s been consoling her since you walked out. How could you do that?”
“I didn’t leave for good! Jesus, is that what she thinks?”
“Of course that’s what she thinks! What do you mean you didn’t leave for good?”
“I had to come to Chicago for a charity thing, Charly. I forgot about it, and had to leave unexpectedly. I’m coming back down tomorrow.”
“Well, thank God. You need to work on your communication skills, Rhys.”
“So does your sister,” I reply. “And what did you mean about the father thing?”
“Oh.” There’s a long pause, full of her mumbling about being stupid, except I think she’s talking about herself this time. “Look, you need to just get back down here as soon as possible.”
“Charly—”
“Seriously. This isn’t my story to tell, Rhys. But you need to be here.”
“I have a breakfast thing tomorrow that I can’t get out of, but I’ll be on a flight right after it’s done. I’ll be there by early afternoon.”
“Good.”
“Is she okay, Charly?”
“She will be,” she replies, her voice much more calm now. “And she would be without you, too. Trust me on that. But I think she’s better with you.”
I’m so much better with her too.
***
It’s a beautiful day in Louisiana. I’ve driven this road a hundred times now, yet it feels like it’s taking me forever to get there.
I need to see her.
When I finally pull into the long driveway, I see Gabby standing on the porch with Charly and Beau, and a strange man standing just off the porch, his hands on his hips, talking to them.
Beau’s hands are fisted, his face tight. Charly is simply scowling.
And Gabby looks terrified.
What the fuck is this?
I rush out of the car and around the house to the porch, my eyes immediately on Gabby. She raises her face to meet my gaze, and she freezes, her eyes widening. She looks shocked to see me.
And not exactly happy.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I climb the stairs and stand next to Gabby.
“That’s the sperm donor,” Charly says, nudging her chin toward the stranger.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, glowering. Beau is almost quivering with rage.
“Who are you?” Colby asks.
“None of your fucking business,” I reply calmly. “But I can be your worst nightmare if you don’t tell me what the hell you want.”
“So many threats around here,” he replies with a smirk. “The judge will love hearing about it when I go to get custody of my kid.”
“What is he talking about?” I stare down at Gabby, then Beau and Charly.
“He’s talking out of his ass,” Beau replies.
“I don’t know why everyone is so surprised I’m here,” Colby says with a shake of his head. “I’ve been telling Gabby for two months that I was coming to see my kid.”
We all stop cold and turn to look at Gabby, who looks ready to tear Colby’s head off.
“You emailed me one time,” she says, pointing her finger at him. “You called me one time, three days ago. I told you to stay away, that you’re not welcome here. Why for the love of Moses would I expect you to show up here? You aren’t welcome here!”
“Wait. You’ve been corresponding?” Beau asks incredulously. “You were told to never contact her again. It’s in the fucking contract!”
Colby shrugs as if it’s all of little consequence to him. I can’t stop looking at Gabby, wondering what the fuck is happening here, and why she never said anything to me.