Gabe shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll never know. Let’s stop by your apartment unless you’re hungry enough to eat again now.”
“No. My stomach still kinda hurts from eating so much this morning. I hope Chad’s not there with his stupid new girlfriend. He thinks he’s going to save her from her dumbass self and help her get her kid back.”
“Maybe he will. Men are more likely to remain faithful when they truly believe they’ve found the right woman.”
“You don’t make any damned sense Gabe, and that’s a lie. Chad told me that when I left home with him he was planning on marrying me someday.”
“You deserve better. It doesn’t matter if he’s there or not. You can’t pretend he doesn’t exist. Just leave the past in the past where it belongs and get on with your life. You can do anything you want now Brandy. I’ll help you. Never forget that.”
“Why do I have the feeling that you’ll give me what I want just as long as I give you what you want? You’re a romantic, but you’re a pretty damned big pervert too. I can’t believe the first thing you wanted to do to me last night. You’ve done that with girls before haven’t you?”
Gabe chuckled. “I have. It gives some a very powerful orgasm.”
“Yuck. You’re good enough in bed that it shouldn’t take doing nasty stuff to make a girl get off.”
“Thank you darling.” They’d pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. “It doesn’t appear that your ex is here. Let’s try to make this quick though. This place has never been one of my favorites.”
“You’re lucky you never had to live here.”
Gabe followed Brandy to her apartment, where she unlocked the door. She forgot that the lights were probably still off and tried to flip the switch in the living room. It didn’t come on so she sighed and opened the blinds.
The couch was gone, and so was the kitchen table and chairs. She went into the bedroom and saw that the TV was gone, along with the DVD player and all of the movies, hers included. The bed was still there, but the sheets were gone and it had developed a nasty looking stain while she’d been gone.
She glanced at the bed and then at Gabe and said “I don’t wanna know what they did to make that stain. I guess it’s a good thing it was free.” She turned to the dresser and opened the drawers. They were all empty and she cursed. “Damn it. I can’t believe that asshole let her take my clothes. She seriously won’t fit in them.”
Gabe put his arms around her. “It’s fine darling. We’ll buy you more. Is the power bill in your name or Chad’s?”
Brandy sighed. “Mine. I have a big bill to pay before I can get it transferred to the house.”
“No worries. Is there anything else you need darling?”
“Um, let me make sure they didn’t take my birth certificate and my photo album too. I really wouldn’t put it past those two assholes right now.” She moved out of Gabe’s arms and to the night stand. Her album and her birth certificate were still inside. She pulled them out and put them in her purse, breathing a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. These are the only pictures I have of Joey. I would have hunted that bitch down if she’d taken my pictures of my baby.”
“You miss him terribly don’t you? Have you ever talked to the Perrys about taking custody of him?”
“I can’t do that. They didn’t take temporary custody of him. I relinquished my rights to him and they adopted him.”
“There are always ways darling.”
“I wouldn’t feel right doing that anyway. Yeah, I miss him, but if I was gonna raise him, I should have stood up to my parents and did it from the beginning.”
“We all make mistakes. Most of us don’t have to pay for them for the rest of our lives. Let’s go shopping. Shopping always seems to make women feel better. You can pick out all new furniture. Anything you want. That bed certainly isn’t worth saving.”
Brandy wrinkled her nose. “No kidding. It looks like someone peed on it.”
Gabe chuckled. “I would have said it looked like something else, but we won’t discuss that. Let’s go. Say goodbye to this chapter of your life Brandy. Once you walk out that door, you never have to come back here.”
Brandy looked around. “Goodbye crappy apartment. Goodbye Chad. I hope you have a wonderful life with your new girlfriend. I’m sure she won’t mind giving blow jobs so that you can keep your customers.”
Gabe gave her a half smile and took her hand. She followed him out of the apartment and locked the door behind her. Gabe went back to the truck while she went to the office to drop off her key. The manager asked if Chad was coming back. She told him she had no idea. The manager sighed and said he’d figured as much. He bid her good day and thanked her for returning the key and she went back out to the truck.
Gabe was on his knees talking to the dirty little kid that had been running around in the parking lot the other day. Brandy approached them. The child gave her a shy smile.
“Where’s your Mommy?” Gabe said.
The child shrugged.
Gabe frowned. “Is Mommy in your apartment? Or your Daddy?”
The little boy shook his head.
“Gabe, I think I know where he lives. His mom is an addict. I don’t know his name because he’s never said a word to me, but let me take him home.”
“This is ridiculous Brandy. This child is filthy and running around by himself. He looks about my son’s age. Someone should notify the authorities.”
“Why? So he can go to foster care and lose the only security he’s ever known? He eats. I know he takes a bath because I’ve seen him running around in the living room in a towel when they have their door open. Some very tough people live in this building. They watch out for each other. No one would ever let anything really bad happen to this kid.”
Gabe shook his head. “It takes thirty seconds to abduct a child Brandy. Even good parents can turn their backs and some pervert comes along and there goes their lives. This poor child isn’t safe. The street is right there. He could run out and get hit by a car before someone could make it out their door to stop him.”
“You don’t get it Gabe. But you should. You grew up poor. Don’t tell me that people in your trailer park didn’t look out for each other, especially when someone was really down on their luck.”
“They did, but you seem to be missing my point. This child needs help. Child protective services are there for a reason. To help children like this one that so desperately need it.”
“Gabe, he doesn’t talk to strangers as it is. How in the hell do you think he’s going to feel when he gets shoved in some foster home? No. I’m not going to let you do that. If you don’t let me take him home, our deal’s off. I’ll get my life together myself and I will sell my ass on the street corner for a week or two if I have to.”
Gabe sighed. “You are stubborn to the bone aren’t you?”
Brandy grinned. “Yep.” She reached her hand out to the little boy. “C’mere sweetie. Let’s go find your mommy. You can make sure we have the right apartment okay?”
The boy nodded and gave her a shy smile before he put his hand in hers. Brandy felt a little pang since he looked about Joey’s age. She went towards the apartment in the corner of the ground floor where she thought he lived and started to knock on the door, but he shook his head and pointed to the one next to it.
Brandy nodded and went to the apartment and knocked loudly on the door. When there was no answer, she called out “Hello? Is there anyone home? Your son is by himself in the parking lot again.”
The door of the apartment next door opened. A pretty Hispanic woman stuck her head out. “I don’t think she’s home doll. If I would have known she left Seen by himself, I would have offered to babysit. That woman. She needs to take a look at what’s she doing to that poor baby.” She smiled at the little boy. “C’mere Seen. Banny will make you lunch and find a cartoon for you okay? And if Mommy’s not home by the time my Trujo gets home from school you can play together okay?”
T
he little boy nodded. Banny opened the door wider and he went inside. “Does he talk?” Brandy said.
“Sometimes. I don’t think his mama bothers to talk to him much. Some women don’t deserve children. Thank you for bringing him here and not calling the cops sweetie. I’ve been so tempted to call child protective services so many times myself, but I know if your average kid has a hard time in foster care, this poor darling wouldn’t make it. He’d be broken beyond repair within a month or two. I don’t think Nina would bother to try to get him back. One of these days after my husband gets a better job and we can afford to feed and clothe another baby, I’ll convince her to sign over custody, no questions asked.”
“That’s really great of you. I’m glad he has someone that cares so much about him.”
Banny gave Brandy a sad smile. “Every child deserves someone that cares honey, whether it’s their blood or not. Thank you again. Have a nice day.”
Brandy started to walk away, but Gabe was soon at her side. He went back to the apartment and before Banny could shut the door said “Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you, but I heard what you said to my girlfriend. I want to help you.”
Brandy gave Gabe a look when he called her his girlfriend since he wasn’t bothering to hide his wedding ring, but Banny didn’t seem to notice. She gave him a suspicious look. “You look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere? And why do you care about Seen? Are you some kind of pervert? ‘Cause ain’t no way in hell I’m giving you that child for devious purposes, no matter how bad of a mother his mama is.”
Gabe chuckled. “You’re quite right to be suspicious Mrs.?”
“Hernandez. Banny Hernandez. It’s Bannita but everyone’s called me Banny for as long as I can remember. I do know you don’t I? Why do you look so damned familiar?”
“I own Gabe’s Place. Look Mrs. Hernandez, I have a son about that age. It broke my heart to see that poor child wandering around out here by myself. My first inclination was to contact the proper authorities, but my tender hearted woman convinced me otherwise. I heard what you said about taking custody of the child and I wholeheartedly believe that that would be in the child’s best interest at this time. You mentioned that you needed money to make sure you could afford to clothe and feed another child. What would you say if I wrote you a check for $50,000? Would that be sufficient to help you care for this child and your own at least for a while?”
Banny gave him an even more suspicious look. “Look Mister, I don’t know what kind of bullshit you’re trying to sell me, but I ain’t buying it. Even if you do own that bar, why in the hell would you offer a stranger that kind of money for nothing? It sure ain’t out of the goodness of your heart, because that kind of bullshit don’t happen in neighborhoods like this. And you call this girl your girlfriend when you’ve got a fancy wedding ring on your finger. If you think I’m going to sleep with you if you give me the money to take Seen, you’re wrong. I love my man. I’ll just wait another few months until Manuel gets his new job and then if Nina still don’t have her shit together, I’ll ask her about taking Seen then.”
“Brandy, tell your neighbor that I’m sincere. Please.”
Brandy nodded. “He’s sincere. He’s loaded and doesn’t mind throwing cash around. Sometimes even for a good cause. Take it Banny. Give Seen a chance in life.”
Gabe filled out a check with the pen Brandy handed him from her purse and then tore the check out of his checkbook. He held it out to Banny. “Take it. Please.”
Banny took the check, but the suspicion didn’t totally leave her eyes. “This is gonna bounce isn’t it?”
Gabe shook his head, looking amused. “Hardly. Give the boy a chance. Every child deserves at least that much.”
Banny’s eyes suddenly glistened with tears and Brandy had to look away. “Shit like this don’t happen every day. And to think that I wasn’t going to open my door.”
Gabe smiled. “I’m glad you did. I’m sure you’re a wonderful mother. Take care of him. Don’t let his mother know that I gave you that money okay?”
Banny nodded. “Damned straight. Thank you. So much. This is more money than my Manuel’s ever made in a year. He’s a good man, and he works hard, but good jobs are hard to find sometimes especially when English isn’t your first language.”
“You seem fluent yourself.”
“I was born here. Manuel wasn’t, but he’s legal, was before we got married. Well, I’d better get back to Seen. I’m sure he’s hungry. I think Nina left a while ago and probably didn’t bother to make him breakfast.”
Gabe nodded. “You’re a diamond in the rough Banny. Take care of yourself.”
Banny laughed. “I’ve never been called that before, but thank you. You have a good day. You too Brandy. It is Brandy isn’t it? Didn’t you used to date that drug dealer?”
Brandy sighed. “Yeah. Not anymore though.”
“Good for you girl. I’m glad you kicked his sorry butt to the curb.”
Brandy laughed, wishing that she had been smart enough to dump Chad before he’d dumped her. “Me too. Bye Banny.”
“Bye Brandy.”
Banny went back into the apartment and shut the door behind her. When they were back in the truck, Brandy gave Gabe a lengthy kiss, then pulled back and said “You are such a softie. What kind of guy does something like that out of the blue?”
Gabe chuckled and gave her a wicked grin. “I’ll show you a softie when we get back to the hotel. I’m never soft when I think of you.”
Brandy rolled her eyes as she started the truck. “Undeniably sweet, romantic pervert.”
“That’s me darling. To the furniture store we go, unless you’ve decided you’d like to get lunch first.”
“Nope.”
“Okay. You know where the store is right? On the highway right when you come into town from the north.”
“Yeah. Chad and I looked at furniture there before we decided we couldn’t afford any of it.”
“No more money worries Brandy.”
“Sure.”
Gabe sighed. “Do you really believe that I’d give a stranger $50,000 to take care of a child I’d met minutes before and I won’t take care of you? Do you really have so little faith in me?’
“No. I just know that you’re going to want way more from me than you wanted from Banny.”
“So I’m attracted to you and I’d like to take a journey into your delectable vagina every once in a while. Are you already forgetting how much you enjoyed yourself last night? How many times I made you come? Tell me that a man has ever made you come that many times in one day and I’d know you were lying.”
“Your ego needs its own zip code I swear. So you gave me a couple of orgasms. Big deal. I could do that for myself if I wanted to and had a good vibrator.”
Gabe chuckled. “Umm women are even sexier when they pleasure themselves. Would you like to pleasure yourself in front of me Brandy? I’ll buy you any sex toy you want.”
Brandy made a face. “Yuck. You do that in private when you’re horny and you can’t wait until your lover gets home. Or you don’t have one and don’t want to go out and find one for the night.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve never pleasured yourself. You seem to be very in touch with your sexual desires.”
“So what if I do? I never did it front of somebody. Why would you do that when there’s somebody else to do it for you? It feels better when someone else does it to you.”
“I agree, but it can be very erotic to watch someone pleasure their own body. We should try it sometime. You might like it.”
“No thank you. I think you’ll figure out plenty of other dirty little tricks for me to try.”
“That I will.”
Brandy rolled her eyes as she pulled into the parking lot of the furniture store. “At least you admit it.”
“Yes darling.”
Brandy shook her head as they got out of the truck. Inside the store, she tried to find the cheapest furniture she could, but Gabe shook his he
ad at her and led her right back to the higher priced things. She let him pick out an expensive bed for her because she fell in love with it as soon as she laid down on it to try it out. But she told him he could only buy it as long as he agreed to buy her mid-priced though still quality pieces for the rest of her furniture. He shook his head at her again, but agreed out loud.
The furniture was set to be delivered to her new house the next day. They moved onto a department store where she picked out dishes and pots and pans, sheets and curtains. Gabe tried to talk her into letting him buy her a laptop but she told him no, even though she really wanted one.
They ate lunch at a sandwich shop. Then Gabe told Brandy to stop at a dealership on the way back to the hotel. She agreed. Though she fell in love with the first car she looked at, a used sedan that was a few years old and still had low mileage; Gabe talked her into looking at the selection of brand new cars. She let him talk her into taking a new car that was without all the bells and whistles that she knew she’d never use or truly appreciate.
They decided to order in, and spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening making love. Gabe’s passion hadn’t died out one bit. Brandy still marveled at his stamina. He hadn’t given her as many orgasms as the night before, but when she teased him about it; he winked at her and told her the night was still young.
They had pizza delivered and watched a movie that left them both feeling rather horny, so they made love again and then took a very erotic bath together. Brandy couldn’t get enough of the feel of Gabe’s hard body under her hands and was beginning to look forward to rehab less and less as time went on.
They retired for the night shortly after midnight, and Brandy was content to fall asleep in Gabe’s arms. Thoughts of Chad were far away, though thoughts of getting high one more time were not.
Chapter 3
When Brandy awoke the next morning, Gabe was staring at her again. It still gave her the creeps. “You look like a total weirdo when you just watch me like that you know. How long have you been up?”
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 45
