by Stella
Ellie had certainly pulled that off. I was blown away. I plastered the biggest smile I could muster to my lips and told her not to worry about it just seconds before Missy reappeared.
She stepped into the kitchen and did what Missy did best, took stabs while feigning interest. “Pregnancy certainly looks better on you than stripes.”
Thankfully, Ellie didn’t pick up on the reference to my narrowly missed jail time. “Isn’t she gorgeous. She’s practically glowing.”
“I bet. She’s got quite the little setup going.”
I kept my mouth shut. Feeding into it, trying to banter back, wouldn’t do anything other than start a fight, and that was the last thing I wanted with all of Gage’s friends around.
“Aren’t they the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Ellie was clueless.
“Yep. Quite a step up from Market Street.” Missy referred to the area of town my mother spent most of her time working—drugs and street corners.
I could only assume that Ellie believed the reference was from our childhood—it was, just not a fond memory.
Coby and Gage emerged from the garage, and Gage’s entire demeanor had changed. It was possible he’d downed a beer in the three minutes he’d been gone, but my best guess was that Coby had given him a pep talk and reminded him why we were here…and it wasn’t to hang out with Missy Mills.
Gage extended his hand to me as he walked closer. “Come on, Katiebug. Let’s go mingle.”
I smiled at Ellie and ignored Missy. “Guess we’re going to be social.”
“Try to wrangle up Corinne. It’s about time to eat, and then after that, we’ll do presents before everyone leaves.” Ellie called out to us as we went outside.
Gage shut the door behind him, and he immediately stopped in plain view of the kitchen and grabbed my face with both palms. He didn’t hold back in proving to Missy that he wasn’t pining away for her. I hated being used that way, but I also knew if I had any chance of quietly sticking it to her, I would.
When he finally released the lip lock he had on me, he dropped his hands to my belly and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You two are the best thing that ever happened to me. Don’t doubt that for a second.” His voice was raspy and desperate, and it reminded me of the first night he’d made love to me.
His display hadn’t been for Missy; it was to reassure me that he was right where he belonged—where he wanted to be.
The two of us found chairs with a group of guys from the team, and shortly after we sat down with food, one by one, each guy gained a partner at his side. Most were married, a few weren’t, but they were all amazing and sweet. I couldn’t remember ever feeling a part of something this great. Not even my family had ever given me this kind of peace. Gage was right, they welcomed me with open arms, and not a single one treated me like a stranger. And the funny thing was, even though Missy had been in Gage’s life for years, there wasn’t a soul there other than Ellie that I saw speak to her.
I’d yet to see my aunt, but I wasn’t looking forward to that encounter any more than I was a repeat with Missy. They’d made a lot of assumptions over the years and never had my back. And I wouldn’t put it past either one to make sure they shared those stories with anyone who’d listen.
Gage stayed close to my side, so close that if he wasn’t touching some part of me to know I was within reaching distance, he’d stop what he was doing to locate me. I hadn’t intended to leave the group without his knowledge when Ellie came to find me. I thought for sure he’d heard her since she told everyone to come inside. The guys had to leave in about an hour, and she wanted to make sure Gage got to see the stuff for the baby. She gave him far more credit than he deserved. If it wasn’t something he could play with, it wouldn’t hold his interest—God forbid anything needed assembling.
Ellie had decorated two chairs to make them look like thrones and even made me a sash with the words Home Run Queen spelled out in glitter. It was black and gold to match the Titan gear we all had on, and I had to admit, it was cute…even if it called attention to my oversized midsection. The hot seat next to me remained empty, and I wondered why Gage hadn’t come in to help.
The adults stood anywhere they could find space or sat on the floor. The good seats were all taken, and I noticed my aunt and cousin managed to find a spot front and center right behind the couch. My heart raced as I attempted to maintain my composure, but if Gage didn’t show up soon, I might have a panic attack. Those two women were cruel, beyond hateful, and even looking at them made my stomach churn.
“Anyone seen Katie?” My king finally decided to join me…he just couldn’t see me from where he stood.
The group laughed and several pointed. Leaning forward as far as his son would allow, I wiggled my fingers, grateful to see him. And that’s when I heard it…
“He’s probably worried she took up her mom’s spot on the corner. You can take the girl out of the trailer park, but you can’t take the trailer park out of the girl.” Missy talked to my aunt, but everyone in the room heard her…including Gage.
“What’d you say?” he stepped in her direction.
I tried to stand, but it took more effort than normal since I had to scoot to the edge of the throne and then hoist myself up with my hands and arms. Once I was upright, I grabbed his hand. He turned his head to see me over his shoulder. I’d never witnessed the level of anger that currently resided in his features.
“Gage, it’s not worth it. Please, don’t make this worse than it is,” I didn’t speak loudly enough for anyone other than him to hear.
He ignored my plea and pulled his hand from mine. I watched each step he took and wondered when one of these men would step in to stop the showdown, but not even Coby budged. And the women said nothing.
“What. Did. You. Say?” He enunciated each word so concisely, I worried for her safety and prayed I didn’t have to bail him out of jail when this was over, although I’d do it without so much as a peep of a complaint.
Missy’s arms were crossed over her chest when she lifted one to wave it around her shoulder. “Nothing the world doesn’t already know.”
“I think you need to leave.” Gage hadn’t lost his cool, but it was coming—barreling down the road like a semi-truck without brakes on an icy mountain pass, and anyone who stood in its way would be decimated when it lost control.
“Oh, come on, Gage. It’s not like everyone here doesn’t know who she is. It’s been all over the news. You can’t fix white trash—it’s in her blood. My guess is the only thing keeping her from repeating all her mama’s mistakes is your money. Otherwise, she’d be a two-dollar whore selling her body for heroin, too.”
At that point, I didn’t have a clue who anyone was paying attention to. Coby jumped in front of Gage, and my gaze fell to the floor as tears flowed. It didn’t matter how hard I’d worked to put myself through college, or the lengths I went to in order to stay on a different path than the one I was born to. People would see me the way they wanted, and I couldn’t change their minds or the lies and hate they spread. And maybe part of what she’d said was right. Gage’s money had kept me from a very different life, not because he’d handed it out and lined my bank account, but through it, I’d found Granny.
I sat back down and did my best to hide my shame and embarrassment while all hell broke loose in front of me. I was helpless to stop any of it. And suddenly, the place went quiet.
“Get the hell out of my house!”
I’d never heard Ellie raise her voice much less yell. And when I dared to peek through my wet lashes, my eyes burned with the mascara running into them. But Coby and three other guys surrounded Gage, and Ellie stood nose to nose with Melissa Mills.
“I don’t know what your problem is, but you’re not going to deal with it here.” Ellie didn’t back down. She didn’t move an inch. She held her ground until Missy rolled her eyes.
“Whatever, Ellie. Just remember, you lie down with dogs, and you’ll get up with fleas. And that girl is infes
ted.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and grabbed my aunt by the arm to leave.
With the entire room focused on Missy’s dramatic exit, I took the opportunity to excuse myself and slip down the hall. The first door I came to was Corinne’s, and I hoped she wouldn’t mind me borrowing it for a bit. The only good part about the scene out there was that none of the kids had witnessed my bloodbath. My humiliation was reserved solely for Gage’s teammates and their spouses.
There weren’t many options for places to sit, so I took one of the tiny chairs at the little table where Corinne and I normally shared tea. I pulled it out, and just before I sat down, I grabbed the googly-eyed glasses that Corinne promised made me invisible. If ever I needed a child’s magical imagination, now was the time. I didn’t have a clue how to get out of here without being seen, and even if I managed it, I couldn’t walk home. My cell phone and purse were in my car parked next door…and Gage had the keys.
Sitting in a chair made for a toddler when I was more than eight months pregnant was a mistake. Even if I’d wanted to get up, it wouldn’t be possible. As the house quieted down, a headful of chestnut curls came bopping into the room. Corinne was startled by my presence, but once she saw the glasses, she pretended like she hadn’t seen me. She tiptoed to her closet, quiet as a mouse, and opened the door. She’d disappeared, although things flying past the door gave away her whereabouts. When she emerged, she glanced at the mess on the floor and set what was in her hands aside to get down on her belly, arms wide open, and propel herself like a bulldozer to push everything she’d tossed out back inside.
She grabbed the red feather boa she’d scrounged around for and then stood on the balls of her feet to reach the plastic glasses with swirls on the lenses. She put them on, and just as I thought she was about to join me for one of her notorious chats, she wrapped the feathers around my shoulders.
“Age is scawed cause he can’t fine you. He’wl see da feadews, but he use da gwasses so you can hide togefer.” She patted my hand. “Done worwy, Eighty. He make it bedda. Pwomise.” Corinne pulled the glasses off and left them on the table before she ran out of the room. Somehow, in her little three-year-old mind, even if I was invisible, the boa wasn’t. And she’d left a trail for Gage to follow.
There was no point in trying to stop her; hell, I couldn’t get up if I wanted to. I sure as crap wasn’t interested in dealing with any lingering guests. A few minutes later, I heard voices coming down the hall. I was sure I looked like a fool sitting on a chair that was ten inches off the ground with dress-up accessories adorning my shoulders and glasses that’s springs had seen better days, but I just didn’t care.
I looked up when a figure stood in the doorway. Gage loomed just feet away, and Corinne clutched his hand. His tone was a dead giveaway that he struggled to stay in the character she loved so much, but he did it just the same.
“Good thinking with the feathers, kiddo. I’ll grab the glasses so I can make sure she’s okay.”
“Age?” She pulled on his hand and stared up the length of his body.
He never took his eyes off mine as he spoke to Corinne. “Yeah, Rinny?”
“I tinks Eighty is scawed, too.”
“I bet you’re right. You did an awesome job coming to find me. Can you be a big girl and go help your mama?”
She nodded and glanced my direction. Corinne held up her tiny hand and waved at me like she was hurt that I was sad, but she did the only thing she knew to fix it…and she was worried it wasn’t enough. I wiggled my fingers back to ease her mind.
As soon as she left his side, he stepped into the room, closed the door behind him, and sat on the edge of Corinne’s bed. Seeing it now, I realized it would have been a much better choice than the tea table. Gage held his hand out, and I removed my glasses and the boa before I took it. There was no point in hiding the mess my face was in—it wasn’t any better off than my heart.
“I’m sorry, Katie.” He spoke the words to the side of my head after he pulled me into his lap—which was no measly feat.
“For what?”
“Ellie didn’t know. And you’ve never said anything to me. Neither one of us had any idea there was that kind of bad blood between Missy and you. Ellie meant well.”
I nodded. I wasn’t upset with either one of them. “You guys didn’t have any way of knowing.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest. “Do I want to know what all that was about?” Gage pressed a kiss to the top of my head and waited.
I shrugged as much as I was able to with his arms like a vise around my body. “Nothing to tell really. My mom was always the black sheep of the family. When my dad bailed, and she started doing drugs and stuff, they assumed I did them, too. It never mattered what I did to prove them wrong; nothing changed their minds. Then when I was arrested for prostitution, it solidified what they’d believed all along. There hasn’t been contact since.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t tell me all this when she found out you worked with Granny.”
“She never knew about the drug stuff with the hospital. And at the point you two started dating, I hadn’t spoken to her or anyone else in my family in years. There was very little contact even before all that happened.”
“I’ve never seen her act like that. I think Ellie was totally thrown off, too.”
“Funny how different someone can be depending on who they’re performing for, huh? That’s the only version of her I’ve ever known. She’s treated me like I was scum since we were kids.”
Neither one of us knew what else to say. Gage had no idea he’d taken on this kind of baggage when he fell into bed with me thirty-five weeks ago, and now it seemed he’d face this the rest of his life with me in the picture.
“I’m sorry all of your friends witnessed that. I really had hoped to fit in. Guess that got shot to shit, huh?” I let out a short huff through my nose.
Gage pulled back and released his hold on me enough to see my face. “My friends never liked Missy. The only person who’d remained cordial to her was Coby, and that was because Ellie was close to her. If anything, they now love you because they hate her so much. And Mark told me right before he left that this was the one time it would have been acceptable to hit a woman.”
“Don’t you have a game to get to?” If everyone else had already gone, he was playing with fire sitting here with me. “I don’t want you to get benched or fined or in trouble and have to add that guilt to this shit day.”
“I’m not leaving until I know you’re okay.” His eyes searched mine, and he tucked a stray chunk of hair behind my ear. “And I’d prefer it if you came with me.”
I pushed myself off his lap, stomach first with a pronounced arch in my spine. “I’ll be fine. I just want to go home…as long as you’re going to be there tonight.” It was pathetic, but I needed reassurance Gage wasn’t going to run at the last minute. We’d made it this far, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not seeing it through together.
That was utter horseshit. It didn’t have a damn thing to do with being a single mom. I just needed him around and couldn’t bear the idea of losing him…especially not at the hands of Melissa Mills.
“Promise. Sure I can’t talk you into coming to the game?”
I shook my head. “You think Ellie would mind taking me home?”
“Nah, I know she wants to make sure you two are cool.”
Gage laced his fingers through mine and led me down the hall. Ellie looked as bad as I did, and I couldn’t even think about her house and yard. I glanced around and groaned. Even dead on my feet, I wouldn’t leave her with this mess to clean up.
“Don’t worry, people are coming to take care of it. All you need to do is go home and get some rest. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
“Kay.” I bit my lip, and he saw the worry on my face.
With a smirk on his mouth and a hint of mischief in his eyes, he whispered in my ear, “I promise, I’ll spend all night making you forget today eve
r happened.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gage
Katie set her phone down in front of me and told me to watch the video that sat on pause on her screen. I wasn’t sure why, since it was a clip from when I’d spoken to a reporter after my game yesterday, but I had no qualms about watching myself on TV.
“You’ve had quite a year, Gage,” the balding man said into his microphone. He couldn’t be seen in the clip, considering he was next to the camera—out of the shot. Then again, if I had a comb-over, I wouldn’t want to be filmed, either. “It’s been a little rocky with the ups and downs of your love life, but all that seems to be behind you as the Titans head to the playoffs. What do you have to say to everyone who’s supported you through this season?”
“Uh…thank you?” Seriously, what did this guy expect?
“And what about to the ones who tried so hard to bring you down?”
I hadn’t been sure at the time, but I was rather positive this douchehat had been one of those people. So when I’d answered, it had been directed at him. “Clearly, it didn’t work. I’m happy, I’m in love, and in another month, I’ll have my son in my arms and a World Series ring on my finger. I’m on the biggest high of my life right now.”
When the clip ended, I pushed the phone across the table to where she sat and continued scooping meatloaf into my mouth.
“That’s it?” She balked. “You don’t have anything to say?”
I didn’t bother to swallow before speaking—she was a little testy lately. “Did I do something wrong? I thought I looked damn good.”
“You told him—and however many people have watched this—that you’re in love.” She continued to stare at me as though she needed an explanation. If anything, I was the one who needed one.
“Should I not have said that? You’ve been seen in public with me, holding my hand. Not to mention, the secret’s out of the bag, Kitty Kat. Everyone knows by now that I basted your turkey.”
“It’s not that…” She rolled her wrist, though not waving me off. In fact, there was no telling what she was doing with her hand. “I’m just confused why you said it.”
