Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(61)

I’d always gone after what I wanted in the past, until now. There was a child to consider, no, make that two. I had to think of them, or else I’d hate myself for being a selfish person and taking him away from them.

I no sooner got back on the road when my phone began to ring. I ignored it, praying it wasn’t Stephanie or the hospital with an emergency. I had a feeling it was Chad and I wasn’t in any condition to hear his voice again.

I wept the entire rest of the way home, barely making it in the door without trembling to my knees. Once inside I slid down on the cold tile floor and covered my face with my hands. Surrounded by memories of my life with Grayson, I cried for the one I couldn’t have with Chad. I was sick of it, tired of feeling hopeless, and desperate to find peace with my decisions.

I pulled my phone out of it’s holster and redialed Chad’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“You can’t just give up on us.”

I closed my eyes as I spoke. “I have to. It’s the only way I can move on. Listen, this isn’t easy for me either, but it needs to be done. You’re in California with your family. I’m here with mine. I told you I’d sign over the house, what else do you expect from me, Chad?”

“Don’t be this way.”

“I’ve thought about this again and again. It’s over. It doesn’t matter what your grandfather thought. We can’t be together. All odds are against us. Call it quits before it gets ugly and we end up resenting each other. I’m hanging up now, and I’ll have my lawyer contact yours so it’s easier. Goodbye, Chad. I’m very sorry it had to be this way.”

I hung up the phone and turned off the power, so he couldn’t get through to me.

I had to severe ties with Chad and the life we’d never have together. First thing in the morning I’d contact an attorney to have Charles’ will overturned, at least the part when he’d deeded Chad and I the estate.

This was going to end, whether I wanted it to or not.





Chapter 33


I kept telling myself I’d be okay without her; it’s what I had to do to convince myself it was true. Rachel consumed my thoughts, and as much as I wanted to be there for my wife and daughter, I was falling short of my responsibilities, burying myself in work to hide the pain of losing the one I wanted to be with.

The inconceivable reality of what was occurring had sent me into a deep spiral, and I felt as if I was spinning out of control with no means to an end.

Her call ignited something inside of me. Right away I’d been awakened. As quickly as it happened, it was taken away when she ended the conversation. I was eager to hear her voice again, desperate to change the outlook of our future.

Instead of going home, because my new apartment wasn’t available for another two weeks, I went online and booked the first flight I could get back to Maryland. It was much better than having to ignore Veronica like the plague. She’d been on my last nerve, pretending she didn’t feel well to grab my attention.

My mind stayed focused on Rachel as I entered my credit card information in, using the business account to keep Veronica from knowing.

I had to see her, and I didn’t care what I was risking. The sheer agony I heard in her voice left me needing to comfort her in ways I’d never be able to accomplish thousands of miles away.

I gathered my briefcase and headed to the airport, not even worried about clothing or other necessities. In my mind I wasn’t clearly thinking about things I might need while away. All I wanted was to hold Rachel in my arms and promise to never let her go.

I was already tired of fighting my heart. There had to be a way to convince Veronica we should all move to Maryland, so I could have a life with Rachel, while still being a father to my children. In my head I had it all planned out. I’d give Veronica the mansion, or offer her a million in cash to make the move. It had to work. If she respected anything about me, it was the fact that I was an outstanding father.



The six and a half hour flight couldn’t come soon enough. I considered telling Rachel I was coming for a visit, but I knew she’d fight me again. This time I wasn’t taking no for an answer.

I took a nap during the long ride across the United States. My mind was all over the place, consumed by fear this visit wouldn’t go as smoothly as I was seeing it play out in my head.

Once I finally arrived at BWI airport, I grabbed a cab and set out to head to Rachel’s home. It was after midnight, and I struggled with what I was going to say once she answered her door.

The drive seemed fast, or maybe it was just my nerves. At any rate, I paid the cabby and climbed out of the vehicle, staring at her house from the sidewalk.

Her lights were off, and I felt concerned she wouldn’t even hear me knocking. Then I worried she wouldn’t answer because she knew it was going to be me standing on the other side of the door.

I rang the bell, patiently waiting to see her beautiful face staring back at me.

I could hear someone coming down the stairs and then saw a light flicker on. She peeked out the window and then opened the door abruptly, staring me right in the face with widened shocked eyes. “Chad. What are you doing here?”

I stepped through the threshold, taking the front of her long pajama shirt in my hands so I could pull her against my body. “I can’t stay away any longer. I had to see you,” I stroked her hair. “To touch you. I don’t care about what I have to do, I’m not leaving until you agree to be with me.”