“You gave good lollipops,” she said with a sexy smile.
“Oh, baby, I love when you talk dirty.” He lowered his lips to hers, pouring all of himself into their connection, leaving them both breathless. “Thank you for the most amazing birthday of my life.” As he brushed his lips over her cheek, a phone rang in his pocket. “Who isn’t here?”
He pulled their phones from his pockets and realized it was Harper’s that was ringing. Trey’s name flashed on the screen as he handed it to her.
“Oh my gosh,” she said nervously. “I wonder what he wants. I haven’t had time to rewrite the whole script.”
“Take your time, babe. I’ll go make sure Justin doesn’t kill Chloe’s date.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and left her alone to take the call.
Justin was with Zander and Dwayne, and thankfully he was no longer looking at Chloe’s date like he wanted to tear him apart. Gavin grabbed one of his mother’s buttery biscuits from the table, watching Harper pace as she spoke to Trey.
His mother came to his side and said, “Everything okay?”
“We’ll see. She’s talking to Trey Ryder, the guy who asked her to rewrite her script into a movie.”
“Oh? She told us all about him. She’s darling, Gavin. And she seems to really understand life.”
Yeah, she does.
“Is that a blush I see on my boy’s cheeks?” She brushed her fingers down his face. “Love is a funny thing, isn’t it? When we’re young, we’re like birds and the world holds all sorts of promises of growing up and becoming more than we are. We spread our wings, and we see love like the sky, full of unreachable stars, but we can’t keep ourselves from trying to reach them. We have wings after all. But as we get older, life takes nibbles out of us. Some people bleed out from those little nips. But for the lucky ones, for every nibble it takes, it gives us a lesson that makes us smarter, allows us to see clearer. And one day all those beautiful stars shower down on us, and instead of occluding our vision, we realize we never needed our wings at all, because when love is right, it finds us no matter where we are.”
“Yeah,” he said, too choked up to form a more coherent response.
Harper ended her call and lifted a radiant smile in their direction. She ran toward them, looking like she was going to burst.
“I think we have good news.” His mother took the uneaten biscuit from his hand and said, “I’ll just take care of this for you.”
“GAVIN!” HARPER’S HEART was beating so fast she thought she might pass out. She grabbed Gavin’s arm and hung on tight. “I can’t believe it! Trey’s interested! He wants in!”
“On the movie?” Gavin asked. “But you haven’t finished the rewrites.”
“No! On my idea! The live episodes!” She hadn’t meant to yell, but she was too excited to calm down. She was still trying to wrap her head around the phone call.
Gavin hugged her. “That’s fantastic!”
“Marvelous,” his mother said. “Although I’m not really sure what it all means, you look happy.”
Serena and Emery were heading their way.
“What’s going on?” Serena called out.
“Trey wants to be part of my project!” Harper hollered, holding tightly to Gavin’s hand. “Let’s tell everyone at once!” They went to the patio with their friends and family, and she said, “Trey just called. He did a bunch of research, and he thinks my idea is a winner. He wants to live stream the performances on their Movietime channel. He said another channel just started doing it, and he thinks it’s the next big thing!”
Everyone talked at once, congratulating her and asking questions so fast, she had a hard time keeping up.
“What does that mean for you?” Gavin’s father asked.
“I don’t know. He talked about partnership percentages, and they’d handle the capital, and a bunch of other things. I couldn’t process it all at once.”
“I’m so happy! You could be in business with Ethan!” Emery squealed.
“You need an entertainment attorney,” Beckett added.
“Does that mean TV crews would be at the shows?” Tegan asked.
“I guess so,” Harper said, slowing down enough to think about the offer more carefully. “He’s thinking big, and you’re right, there’d have to be film crew. I didn’t think about that. I’m not sure that’s what we want. That would be distracting, don’t you think? Maybe they don’t have to do it at every performance.” She needed to slow down and center her thoughts.
“Babe, who would hold the majority ownership percentage?” Gavin asked.
“You might not retain the rights to make those types of decisions, Harper,” Beckett said.
She knew Beckett was an investor, and he had a good point. “That would be awful. I’d be right where I was before all of this.”
“No,” Serena corrected her. “You’d be much richer.”
“Rich and unhappy is no way to go through life,” Harper said. “I need to think this through. Oh no, you guys, what if it turns out not to be the best idea, and I turn him down, and then he says no to a movie option? Oh God, I feel a little dizzy.”
Gavin gathered her in his arms and said, “Just breathe, babe. It’s okay.”
She concentrated on the air filling her lungs. Gavin’s loving embrace calmed her enough that she was able to take a step back from the brass rings flashing before her eyes long enough to see it more clearly.
“Are you okay, honey?” his mother asked.
She nodded and stepped from Gavin’s arms. “Yes, sorry. It’s a little overwhelming. I know how big a deal this is, and it could make me—us,” she said, looking from Gavin to Tegan and Jana, “a lot of money. But the thing is, it is a very big deal, and big deals aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be.” She paced, unable to believe she was about to say what she felt and needing to just the same. “I know I don’t have all the details of his offer yet, but would you all think I’m crazy if I’m considering turning it down anyway? At least for now? I know I need capital, but what’s appealing to me about this project is not just bringing my stories to life in a new way, but also having creative control. The minute I take someone else’s money and divvy up percentages, it’s really divvying up control. And not only that.” She went to Tegan, who looked as unsure as Harper felt, and said, “If we do this at your amphitheater, bringing in a camera crew would turn Harvey’s vision into a circus. I don’t want that. Do you?”
Tegan shook her head, relief washing over her face. “I’m worried about how I’ll keep up anyway. It sounds exciting, though, and it could mean great things for you, so if you want to check out other venues, you should do it.”
“I don’t think I want to. I like the idea of doing this with friends.” She looked at Jana and said, “I guess we should talk about it. You might want this, Jana, and you’re the one who first mentioned that you and I should have gone into business together a long time ago. I don’t want to sound ungrateful.”
“Ungrateful?” Jana strode over to her with a determined look in her eyes. She put her hands on her hips and said, “You have never been ungrateful a day in your life. I’m just along for the ride on this, sis. All I did was make an off-the-cuff comment. This idea is all yours, and you have to do what makes you happy.”
Gavin took Harper’s hand and said, “If you choose not to do this, it’s not being ungrateful, Harper. It’s taking care of yourself, protecting your vision as an artist. Trusting your instincts.” He paused, and the importance of those words sank in. “I love that you’re thinking in those terms. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”
“We all will,” Brock said, coming forward. “It feels good to hold the cards, doesn’t it, Harper? You have a media mogul coming to you, and I think that’s worth a toast.”
“Toast time!” Desiree said. She and Serena began handing out glasses.
Violet and Andre each picked up a bottle of wine. Violet said, “Hold up your glasses, party animals. Let’s get this par
ty started.”
They filled everyone’s glasses, and then Brock said, “To Harper!”
“To Harper!” Everyone cheered and clinked glasses.
Harper was floating on cloud nine as they toasted her opportunity. She gazed into Gavin’s eyes, his love and support smiling back at her. She took his hand and held up her glass. “To Gavin. Not only is it his birthday, but without him I would probably still be writing crap and hating men. Happy birthday, my love, and thank you.”
Everyone cheered. “To Gavin!”
“Happy birthday to you,” Beckett began singing, and everyone else joined in to finish the song.
They feasted on too much cake and lots of laughter. Gavin’s parents shared funny stories about Gavin’s childhood birthday parties, which led to everyone else sharing their own funny stories.
It was a perfect evening, and after saying goodbye to their guests, Harper and Gavin sat with Beckett and their parents on the patio, chatting about how much his family liked their friends and Harper’s siblings. She never had anything like this with her parents. They didn’t like large gatherings or loud parties. She wished they’d been in town to meet Gavin’s parents, but she knew at some point they’d visit again, and then she would plan a nice, quiet dinner with all of them.
Gavin’s mother yawned and said, “I’m afraid I’m beat, my lovelies. It’s been a long day.”
“I can’t believe it’s ten already,” his father said.
“Let’s get this stuff put away and give the kids some time without us old folks bothering them.” His mother pushed to her feet, and they all followed suit.
“You’re not a bother. I’m so glad you were able to come and meet everyone,” Harper said as they started clearing the table.
Gavin’s father snagged a cookie from the tray and said, “I can’t believe Gavin found a woman who can make everything cookies better than Nana.” He took a bite of the cookie.
“I can’t believe he found a woman at all,” Beckett said with a smirk.
Gavin lunged toward him, and Beckett took off running with Gavin on his heels.
Harper laughed. “I guess boys will be boys.”
“They’ve always been close,” his mother said as they carried dishes into the house.
“There’s nothing quite like brothers,” his father said. “You seem close with your siblings.”
“We are. Do you think it would be a mistake to pass up an opportunity like Trey is offering? Whatever Ethan touches turns to gold, and I’m sure he wouldn’t have partnered with Trey if he wasn’t the same way. It could mean a lot of money.”
Gavin’s father nodded. “It sure could, but Beckett is right. Investors usually hold the strings, so you’re smart to think it through carefully.”
She set the dishes she was carrying in the sink, and Gavin’s mother did the same.
“There was a time I thought Beckett and Gavin might go into business together,” his father said. “But Gavin veered toward his creative outlets, and Beckett embraced finance.”
“Jackass!” Gavin’s voice floated in through the open patio doors, followed by a loud oomph.
“Someone got tackled,” his mother said as her husband came to her side.
“Remember when they were little and they’d race through the house like wild banshees?” His father’s expression warmed.
“This might seem like a funny thing to say, but thank you for raising Gavin to be such a gentleman. He’s kind and smart, and he’s a really good man. He told me about the rift that Corinne caused and how embarrassed he was to have stuck by her side when you guys clearly saw something he didn’t. As strange as this might seem, because ignoring your family’s advice is probably not the best thing to do, I think it says a lot about him that he stuck with her. And that says something about the way you raised him. I know he feels guilty about all the years he wasn’t there. But I also know how much he loves you, and I want you to know I’d never try to drive a wedge between him and his family.”
His mother got teary-eyed and embraced her. “Oh, honey. We know you won’t, and thank you. We’re very proud of the two men we raised.”
“And it’s awfully quiet out there,” his father said. “I think we’d better get out there and make sure they didn’t kill each other.”
They went outside, and she spotted Gavin helping Beckett to his feet in the yard, both of them laughing. They were facing away from Harper, but it was easy to imagine their smiling faces. Harper began gathering more dishes.
“You’re a lucky bastard,” Beckett said. “Harper’s a million times better than your crazy ex-wife.”
Harper spun around with her heart in her throat and said, “What?” at the same time Gavin and his parents did.
Gavin turned around just as Beckett said, “Corinne.”
Gavin’s face blanched.
Harper dropped the dish she was holding, spilling its contents onto the table.
Beckett spun around, his face a mask of sorrow and regret as he said, “Oh, shit.”
“Ex-wife?” Harper. Couldn’t. Breathe. “You mean ex-girlfriend, right?”
His mother took Harper’s hand and squeezed it. “Honey, he doesn’t mean that. You were kidding, right, Beckett? Tell her, honey.”
The mixture of shock and grief in Gavin’s eyes told Harper this wasn’t a joke. Bile rose in her throat, tears welled in her eyes, and she couldn’t find her voice. Married? He was married? Beckett and Gavin looked as awful as she felt.
Beckett took a step toward her and said, “I was kidding—”
“Don’t lie,” Gavin said angrily. “We don’t lie to each other.”
“You married her?” his mother said as she sat in a chair at the table.
Gavin was staring at Harper, looking lost and angry and so damn sad, it made her even more confused. Her thoughts fragmented. She was rooted in place, trying to understand what was going on.
“I haven’t thought about it in more than a decade,” Gavin said. “It’s like it never happened.”
“Boys, sit. Now.” His father pointed to two chairs.
Beckett stumbled over to the table and lowered himself into a chair beside his father.
Gavin went to Harper, but she shrugged him off and held up her hand. “I don’t understand. You were married?”
“For, like, a day, Harper. I told you about the baby—”
“Baby?” his mother cried. “You have a baby?”
“No!” Gavin and Beckett said at once.
“Gavin, what is going on?” his father asked. “We need answers.”
Beckett pushed to his feet again, pacing nervously. “It’s my fault. I told Gavin not to tell you when it happened. That we should act like it never happened.”
“It’s my fault,” Gavin said, eyes still locked on Harper. “Harper, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep it from you.”
“You didn’t mean to keep the fact that you were married from me? How about from your parents? They don’t know about the pregnancy?” Tears fell hot and constant down her cheeks. She was trembling, drowning, struggling to tread water. She feared she might pass out and grabbed the back of the chair to keep from crumpling to the floor.
Chapter Twenty-Three
WHAT A FUCKING mess. The heartbreak in Harper’s eyes obliterated everything else for Gavin. He felt sliced open, eviscerated. And the worst part was, he knew Harper and his parents probably felt the same way, all because he was such a fucking idiot, he’d buried that part of his past deep enough to literally forget it.
“Who is pregnant?” his mother pleaded.
“I should go and let you deal with your family.” Harper headed for the front yard.
Gavin stepped in front of her, blocking her from leaving. “Don’t go, baby. Please don’t leave. I love you, and I would never intentionally lie to you. I honestly don’t even think of it as a marriage. It was a mistake. A fucking nightmare. I thought I was doing the right thing—”
“When has lying ever been the right thin
g to do?” his father hollered.
“Go talk to them,” Harper said miserably.
“No. I made the biggest mistake of my life back then. I’m a completely different person now. I know what love is, Harper, and I fucking love you too much to let you leave without hearing me out. Please, babe. Just give me ten minutes.”
She nodded almost imperceptibly, and the air rushed from his lungs in relief.
Harper wiped her tears and walked shakily back to the patio. She sat in a chair at the end of the table, which he knew was purposeful, to keep her distance from him.
That killed him, even though he totally understood why she was so upset. He sat down beside Beckett, across from his parents, and tried to figure out where to start.
“I’m sorry, man,” Beckett said regretfully.
“It’s fine. I’m not mad at you. I’m pissed at myself.” He looked at Harper, sitting pin straight, gripping the arms of the chair so hard her knuckles were white. He felt like he’d swallowed shards of glass as he said, “It happened my first year of college.” He looked at his parents. “You’d met Corinne, and you’d tried to warn me about her.”
His mother reached for his father’s hand and held on tight. “That girl got her claws into you and you disappeared.”
His throat clogged with emotions. “I know, and I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for what I let happen between us. I was young and stupid, and I didn’t see her for what she was. A few months after you met her, she got pregnant. There was already such a rift between me and you guys because I had stopped calling or coming home. I had already messed up my relationships with you…”
“Not me,” Beckett said. “Never me, bro.”
Gavin nodded. “Thanks. But it was such a mess. You guys didn’t like Corrine, and she didn’t like you. I took her side and I was ashamed of myself for the distance I’d created between us, and I was even more embarrassed because I didn’t love her and she was having my child. I thought marrying her was doing the right thing, that it would make me a stand-up guy and somehow I’d be able to fix everything. We went to the courthouse and got married. A few days later I thought I’d figured out how to fix things between all of us. I told her I’d quit school and we could move to Oak Falls. I thought I would work for you, Dad, or get a job in town, and that once you heard about the baby, and once she got to know you, things would be better.”
Bayside Romance (Bayside Summers Book 5) Page 25
