Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(34)

. . .



Sunday, I slept in one last time before going back to work. After downing half a pot of coffee, I geared up and went for a jog around my neighborhood.

My apartment was in the Gas Light district close the main university in the city. It usually provided a good mix of people out on the streets: some old, some young, some eccentric, but usually on a Sunday morning activity was low. The college kids who stayed in the area through the summer were sleeping off their hangovers, the older folks were at church, and the single working class like me, were enjoying our last hours of freedom before starting a fresh work week.

After exercising, I decided to stop at the little café on the main road for a chocolate croissant and a cup of coffee. It was beautiful out, but autumn was fast approaching; the number of hot summer days ahead was limited. I wanted to soak in all I could.

I put in my ear buds, pressed play, and began pounding the pavement. I headed deep into the burbs and away from the businesses nearby. Navigating the back residential streets was isolated, but peaceful, and was my favorite thing about the area in which I lived. It was filled with old, large brick houses with lots of character and pale, thick-trunked, peeling-barked, sycamore trees. They decorated many of the lawns providing a shelter for me as I strode along.

About midway through my run, a man joined me on the street about thirty yards back; I felt his presence behind me before I saw him. The way he carried himself was familiar. He was medium build and walked briskly initially then began trotting along behind me. He was clad in appropriate running attire, so I made a mental note of the distance he was keeping. I loved running in my secluded areas, but I traded a small amount of safety because of it. I kept a watchful eye and carried on with my course, checking back periodically. When I zigged, he zigged and when I zagged, he zagged. But when I turned the final corner and headed for home, I looked behind me, and he’d vanished. I briefly looked up and down the block, waiting for him to reappear, but when he didn’t, I shrugged and headed up for a shower.

After getting dressed, I sought the chocolate croissant calling my name. I walked down to the café around the corner and ordered my treat from a heavily tattooed and multi-pierced girl behind the counter then sat at one of the black wrought iron tables set up out on the street. I took my seat and surveyed the area. One car was parked six buildings up. Two males—based off their short haircuts—sat inside.

I peeled the top off my black coffee and billows of hot steam floated and disappeared into the atmosphere. I took my croissant out of its waxy bag then a shadow fell over me. I looked up and sighed. “Hi, Gabe. What are you doing here?”

“I was driving by and saw you. Think I could join you?” he asked.

“You happened to be driving by at eleven o’clock on a Sunday morning twenty-five miles from home?”

“I was going to your place to see if you were there. I was hoping you’d let me take you out to lunch.”

“Gabe,” I said with mild irritation. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get over how mad I was with him.

“I want to talk, that’s all. I deserve at least that.”

“I’m all talked out.”

“Come on,” he sighed.

“Fine,” I said, defeated.

He sat opposite me. “I don’t want to give up on us.”

I grunted and grabbed my croissant. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to give up on us either, but I couldn’t forgive him for what he’d said and done. I sunk my teeth in the light and flaky pastry. It oozed warm, sweet chocolate onto my tongue. As I chewed, I coughed on the powdered sugar I’d inhaled.

“Di, I’m sorry, truly sorry for everything I said yesterday and at the hospital.”

“Oh, so now you’re sorry?” I chuckled.

“I am.”

“Where’d your great revelation come from?”

He looked down and crossed his hands together on the table. “When you got hurt it rocked me. But after we talked yesterday I realized something.” He glanced up to meet my eyes.

“What? That you were a complete ass?”

He shrugged then nodded. “That, and something else.”

“What?”

“I was wrong to say what I did. It was below the belt to repeat what your dad said to you from that night.”

“Yeah, it was.” I laid my croissant on the table and crossed my arms.

“And I realized that everything that happened was life taking a bite out of me and I’m embarrassed by how I’ve behaved. I thought I was doing all the right things.” He scrunched his brows and pain was written all over his face. “I should have flown down to Florida and come after you. I should have called you. I should have never suggested you work for me. Somewhere along the way I think I knew I was wrong but my pride wouldn’t let me admit it. If I could do it all again, I’d do everything differently.” My heart grew warmer inside my chest, and I couldn’t help but smile. “It was absolutely ridiculous.”

“Totally ridiculous.” I nodded with a bigger smile.

“It was all a bunch of mistakes. I’m sorry I doubted you and I’m sorry I hurt you the way I did. I know I’m not perfect, but do you think you can forgive me?” He reached across the table and took my hand.

I swelled with so much joy I wanted to laugh. “Of course I can.”