“Maybe she did it on a whim.” Because that’s what everyone does, right? Apply to Harvard on whims. Gah, I need to quit talking.
“I don’t know, but she said I ruined her chances of going since she was pregnant.” He takes a stuttering breath. “She broke up with me and said she was just using me.”
“Using you?”
“Yeah, because I was the big jock on campus with good looks. Since she was heavier than most girls, she played me up. She said I could raise our son, otherwise, she was giving it up for adoption. I fucking fell for every single vile word. I didn’t at first. I told her that was her dad talking and he had gotten to her. She laughed at me. Told me she never loved me. I fucking fell for it.”
Tears form in his eyes. He closes them for a moment as pain coats his face. When he reopens them, he looks lost. “I went back to the party and drank my weight in alcohol. There was a girl who came on to me. She was the exact opposite from Liv. Tall, blonde, and thin. I made the worst mistake of my life and slept with her. I cheated on my pregnant girlfriend with some girl I cared nothing about.” He hangs his head as emotion ripples through his body.
My heart breaks for him. I don’t condone cheating, but he technically was broken up with her. I don’t point that out. He doesn’t need to hear that right now. He needs to get this off his chest. He’s been carrying this guilt around for almost four years.
“So, the next morning, I left the party, and Liv was waiting at my house. She had pictures on her phone of me. They were pretty explicit. She was so hurt, Lexie. I can still see the hurt on her face.” His voice cracks. “I was gutted when she had told me her dad threatened to press charges against me if she didn’t break it off. He had told her I was so selfish that I’d only think of myself the first chance I got. And I proved him right.”
“Oh, Garret.” My hand raises to my mouth.
“She got into her car. I should’ve stopped her from driving away. She was upset, and I let her get behind the wheel. I should’ve tried everything in my power to stop her. If I had only one thing to change that night, not getting to her quick enough would be it.”
I swallow past the sympathy wanting to choke me. His tackling me to the ground the other day makes so much sense now.
“She was so upset when she took off. She blew through the stop sign. I watched in horror as a delivery truck slammed into her.” He closes his eyes, and a single tear slips through and runs down his cheek. I can barely breathe. “They were unable to save my son. He died before delivery, but we didn’t know she was carrying twins. Livia had internal injuries along with a severely crushed leg. During surgery, a blood clot dislodged, and she suffered a massive stroke. She resides at Sunset Pavilion. That’s who I bring Olivia to go visit every weekend.”
“Garret, I don’t even know what to say. I’m so sorry you went through that.” Losing his son and girlfriend while carrying the guilt… Damn. My heart breaks for him, for his son, and for his daughter.
“And here’s the fucked-up part. The girl I slept with is Jillian. And Liv’s father, Mr. Fernandez, admitted to me earlier today he had paid her to seduce me and send the pics to his daughter. How’s that for a future father-in-law?”
“Wait, Jillian as in my dad’s ex-fiancé? And Fernandez as in Fernandez & Sons?”
“Welcome to my fucked-up life.”
“Oh, Garret.” Holy shit. It’s a good thing Jillian isn’t around anymore because she’d definitely get a piece of my mind.
“He had threatened if I told anyone about Olivia or the circumstances of Livia’s wreck, he’d press charges for statutory rape. And the threat was real since Livia was underaged at the time she got pregnant.”
Tears streak my face, but I don’t wipe them away.
“And then, he’d threatened to take Olivia away. That was worse than rotting in jail. I couldn’t tell anyone about her. That’s why I turned down the draft and haven’t told anyone. News of me being a dad would leak, and I couldn’t take the chance. Not to mention, he had me tailed. The man knows every single move I’ve made. I’m sorry I lied about her, but I couldn’t jeopardize her safety. I just couldn’t.” His voice cracks along with my heart. This beautiful man beside me has been so through much. I can’t even begin to fathom the heartbreak he’s endured.
Garret draws his legs up and leans his head on his knees. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and just hold him as they shake. We sit there for a moment as his emotions work their way through him.
When his body calms down, I say, “I’m sorry you had to go through this Garret. Life certainly isn’t fair.”
“I killed my son. I don’t deserve any sympathy.”
“It was an accident, Garret. One that’s tragic, yes, but you’re doing everything you can to protect that little girl. That’s the most important thing right now. You’re a good dad.” It pains me to see him carry this burden. I’ve seen the way he is around kids. I know he’s a good father.
He straightens back up and glances down at the headstone. Grabbing my hand, he whispers, “I try to be.”
“You are.”
He visibly swallows and looks toward the heavens before focusing his attention to me. “Liv’s dad wants to meet Olivia. He hasn’t had anything to with her until now.”
“Would him meeting her be a good thing?”
“I don’t know. I ran into him at the nursing home and he seemed to show remorse. If I meet with him next Sunday, would you want to go with me?”
“Of course. Whatever you need.” My chest swells from the overwhelming gratification from him wanting to share that moment with me. I feel honored.
“Thank you for everything. And especially for not judging me.”
I lean my head against his shoulder. “You’re my best friend. I’ll always be here for you.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Garret
Current Day
Lexie: Fun Fact. I miss sharing these. Can’t wait for later.
“Daddy, why do I have to meet these people?”
Wide eyes filled with concern blink up at me. My chest clenches at her innocence. I drop to my knee and straighten the shoulder strap on her yellow, polka-dotted dress. When I asked Lexie to go with Olivia and me to meet Liv’s parents, I never thought about how overwhelming this must be for Olivia. She is meeting three people today.
“The first person is my friend Lexie. She’s someone special to me.”
“Is she nice?”
“Yeah, baby girl. She’s the nicest. You’re going to love her. Did you know she has two younger brothers, and one plays the drums?”
Excitement edges out her worry. “Really? That’s exciting.”
My lips twitch. “It sure is. And I told you about your other grandparents.”
“Mommy’s daddy and mom?”
“Yes. Your mom’s parents. They’re looking forward to meeting you.”
“I don’t know them. I like Nana and Papa.”
“They’re not replacing Nana and Papa. They’ll be extra grandparents.”
“Like the extra chocolate chips Nana adds?”
“Yeah, baby girl. They’re the extra chocolate chips. Which you like, right?” I smile. Mr. Fernandez would love being compared to a chocolate morsel. She nods. “See, everything will be fine. Besides, you don’t have to talk to them very long.”
“Okay.” She dashes to her bedroom, and I turn to the footsteps coming up behind me.
“Do you think this is a good idea?” Mom asks.
“I think so.”
“I don’t trust his intentions.”
Mom isn’t saying anything I haven’t thought. I can only hope Mr. Fernandez’s intentions mean well. Do I want Olivia exposed to the same man who ruled Livia with such vile? No. But I don’t have the legal means to fight him in court.
“Fighting him on this would make things worse. It’s best to let them meet. He did sound remorseful when I talked to him at the home.”
“We’ll do whatever we can to keep her.�
�
“I know, Mom. And I appreciate that. I appreciate everything you’ve done. I’m almost done with school, and then I can start paying you back. I’ve submitted my applications to various companies. If I get accepted somewhere, I won’t have to go to grad school.” I received my acceptance letter from Cessna U a few weeks back. I haven’t told anyone since Lexie got denied. It surprised me when she didn’t get accepted.
Mom leans against the wall and sighs. “Is that what you really want? To work as an architect?”
The lie is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t speak. Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve had a hard time lying to my mom. Maybe it’s her nonjudgmental approach she possesses, but I equate lying to her to swearing in church. The concept just feels wrong.
“I need to work. You’ve done enough for me.”
“Garret, we stood by last year while you tossed away your dream. I can’t be quiet this year. Don’t worry about Olivia. She’ll be fine if you want to pursue a baseball career. Your father and I have no qualms with our current situation. She’s been a joy to have around. Besides, she keeps me young. I’m not ready to sit in a rocking chair all day and work on word search puzzles.”
“Olivia’s my responsibility.”
“I know this. And it’s honorable you take responsibility, but wouldn’t it be better for her to see her daddy take risks and go after a dream?” She continues when I don’t say anything, “Just think about it. I know you don’t want to be away from her, but the payoff would be rewarding for both of you.”
The doorbell rings.
“You want me to answer it?”
“Yeah, I’ll get Livvy.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lexie
Current Day
Garret: Fun Fact. I miss these, too. More importantly, I missed you.
My nerves relax somewhat from Mrs. Cartel’s warm greeting. I fell in love with her after meeting her at the hospital. The lady is as sweet as they come. She realized who I was the moment I arrived in the waiting room and filled me in with Olivia’s condition. We hit it off right away. Garret won the lucky parent lottery when he was born.
“Garret went to grab Livvy. They’ll be right back. Have a seat, dear. Did you need anything to drink?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine.” My mouth is nothing but cotton balls, but there is no way I could swallow down liquids, not with this queasiness. I didn’t think meeting his daughter would be so stressful, but what if she doesn’t like me? Then what? I don’t know where we go from here, but it would be nowhere if his daughter hates me. Maybe I should’ve felt more empathy toward Jillian.
Footsteps sound from the hallway. I turn, and the sight of Garret and his daughter steals my breath. His strong, muscular physique appears larger as he looms over the pint-sized girl. His large fingers wrap around a dainty hand, and I swoon—the whole ‘sweep me off my feet’ and ‘have all of my babies’ type of swooning. Jesus, seeing him with kids is quite the sight. I stand as they approach and wipe my sweaty palms against my shorts.
“Olivia, this is Lexie. My friend I was telling you about.”
Olivia grabs Garret’s leg and peers up at me, curiosity overtrumping her reluctance.
“Hi, Olivia.”
“You look like Elsa.”
My smile widens. “I’ve been told that before. Do you like Frozen?”
She nods. “Daddy told me your brother plays the drums.”
I laugh, my shoulders relaxing. This little girl is adorable. “Maybe I can get him to play for you. Although, you may not be too impressed.”
“Huh?” Her button-shaped nose scrunches as she whips her head to Garret.
“What Lexie means is her brother needs a lot of practice. Sort of like you and coloring. You’re better now after all those pictures you’ve done. That’s because you kept coloring so many pictures. That’s called practicing.”
Her eyes widen with surprise. “I did get better.”
My heart wants to explode from all this cuteness. Garret has the patience of a saint. He’s so good with kids. No wonder he took care of Alissa so well. “I love your yellow dress.”
“Nana said I have to look pretty for strangers.”
“Well, you do look pretty. Polka dots are my favorite.”
“Daddy, can we go?” She tugs at his shorts.
“Wait, Lexie paid you a compliment. What are you supposed to say?”
Her nose scrunches again. Garret quirks an eyebrow and mouths, thank you. I press my lips together to keep from smiling.
“Thank you,” her melodic voice rings, but then it shifts to one of annoyance. “Now, can we go?”
“Okay. It’s time.” Garret picks her up, and she clings to him like a spider monkey.
“Thanks for going with me,” he says as he grabs the backpack from the side table.
“That’s what friends do, right?” After all, he was there for me during Jillian’s disastrous birthday meal.
He nods and looks as if he wants to say more. But he murmurs, “This should be interesting,” instead.
Indeed, it shall.
Chapter Forty
Garret
Current Day
Lexie: Fun Fact number two. That’s because I’m irresistible.
Talk about a clusterfuck of emotions. The meeting with Liv’s parents went well for the most part, but the man is still intimidating. He had made my life hell with his various threats throughout the years. It’s hard to shift to empathy. But he did seem regretful for past actions. And if I think about it, he lost Liv, just as I did.
I swipe the napkin across Livvy’s chin. The girl loves her chocolate ice cream, but she’s messy as hell. It’s a good thing she ditched her dress for shorts and a T-shirt the moment Liv’s parents left. “Okay, sport. You can go play.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She races through the gate to the playground equipment. Lexie and I follow behind and sit on the park bench inside the fenced-in playground area. The designated toddler area is what drew me to this park last year. The design looks like a castle, and Livvy loves climbing around on its low to the ground climbing wall and sliding down the plastic slide.
I stretch my feet and cross them at the ankles, trying to act casually. I’m anything but. My mind races wondering what’s in store for Lexie and me. We have so much to discuss. I don’t know where to begin. “What a day, huh?”
“The meeting went fairly well, don’t you think? They seemed to enjoy Olivia.”
“Yeah, it did but unexpected. That man never cared about either baby after finding out Livia was pregnant. I’m shocked by the trust fund they set up.” When Mr. Fernandez mentioned the trust fund for Olivia, I wasn’t sure how to respond. He said they started it after she was born, but he was so vindictive at the time, I find it hard to believe. Liv could always see the good in him. Maybe she was right, after all. “Honestly, I kept waiting for him to list the stipulations.”
“I can see why you were skeptical. He obviously had trust issues with you, but he seems to have worked through them. Or he’s trying to, at least.”
“He was pretty vile back then. Of course, I was a bit cocky, too.”
“No, I don’t believe that of you.” Her teasing tone makes me smile.
“Look, Daddy,” Livvy yells. She waves when I spot her at the top of the kiddie slide.
“Be careful.”
“I will!” She shakes her head as if I’m annoying her. She raises her hands straight up and slides the four feet to the ground. She punches the air and races to the climbing wall.
“You may have a tomboy on your hands.”
“Did you see how fast she ditched the dress?”
“Yeah, but she did so well today.”
“She really did.”
Olivia was skittish at first, but she warmed up to the Fernandezes. And I suspect they had the same reaction. There wasn’t any sense of alarm. They won’t try to take her away, which is a relief in itself. That’s one hurdle crossed. Now, for the other.
“You had your reasonings. I get why you felt your hands were tied. And I don’t blame you. No one would come between my kid and me.”
“Yeah, but the thing is, I knew I could trust you. That was never the issue. And I came close to telling you so many damn times.”
“It worked out in the end. It may have been better this way. You earned Mr. Fernandez’s trust.”
I puff out a breath, my stomach churning. This next part is where Lexie will tell me to take a hike, but I need to get this off my chest. I’ve been holding back my feelings for far too long. I turn to face her. Those eyes don’t hold judgment, only a friendship that dates far back. I take the leap.
“I know you hate cheaters and will never forgive me. Plus, I come with all of this baggage, but I love you. That’s something I didn’t see coming. Before you barged into my life, I never thought I had room in my heart to let someone else in, but you’re in there. You’ve been in there for a long time.”
Her eyebrows scrunch together, forming those cute lines I love. “Garret, I don’t think you’re some low-life cheater.”
My heart flutters with something called hope. “You don’t?”
“No. I mean, do I like the fact you slept with a girl right after your breakup? No, but you were so young. You had just graduated high school. Nobody thinks rationally at that age. And you didn’t realize she was lying.”
“I should have, though.”
“Hindsight’s always twenty-twenty.”
“You once said people have something fundamentally wrong with them for them to cheat in the first place. What if that’s me, and I’m wired differently?” My palms feel sweaty. I can’t believe I’m baring my soul. But if that’s what it takes to win Lexie’s heart, I’ll confess whatever she wants me to.
Full Count (Cessna U Wildcats Book 3) Page 19
