Gifted Connections: Book 2(31)

“I can take her home,” Noah stood up quickly.

I laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Thanks, though.” I tried to sound reassuring.

I knew he wanted more answers, and he was hoping to get them from me tonight, but I had to talk to Gavin in private.

We said our good byes, and I ran upstairs to grab my bag. I hadn’t realized that Noah had followed me up the stairs.

“Why are you running off? I don’t think you should go home to Collin. It doesn’t feel right.” Noah was staring down at his feet as he put his hands in his pocket.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I need to go.” At his crestfallen look, I quickly added. “I should be able to tell you everything…soon, ok?”

He grudgingly nodded. “Call me if you need me,” he insisted.

I smiled and reached up to give him a passionate kiss. “I will. Thank you.”

He smiled and pulled me in for one more kiss and I found myself reluctant to leave.



On the way out the door, I looked at Gavin. “I’m sorry if I ruined your night. If you want, you can stay here,” I said, feeling guilty suddenly.

He shrugged, but gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I’m here for you. Besides, if you’re right, I have a long time to make it up to Jemmy.”

“Have you gotten her phone number yet?” I asked, hoping to assuage my guilt.

I could see the look of hesitance enter his eyes. “What happens if she’s just flirting and she’s not that in to me?” he rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’m sure she is, trust me,” I insisted.

“Oh, I am,” Jemmy said saucily from the doorway.

I never saw Gavin so red with embarrassment.

“Good then, it’s settled. Gavin, call Jemmy’s number so she has it.” I smiled widely.

Jemmy rattled off her number, then smiled like the cat that ate the canary. “I’ll be expecting a text from you,” she stated.

“Uh, okay, I will,” Gavin said, still flustered.

“Bye,” Jemmy blew him a kiss, and I laughed as I pulled Gavin out into the mudroom.

As I opened the garage door, I smacked into a wall. Not a literal wall, but it might as well have been. I tripped over my own feet and landed hard on my rear. I looked up at Remington, aka Remy, slightly stunned.

He was the tallest of the guys at well over 6’3 and built like a mountain, but he was light on his feet, thus the reason why he had been my running partner. A longing to feel his hands through my hair left me momentarily breathless. A pang of sadness filled me. I wanted him, wanted them all back in my life.

“Are you okay?” his voice was filled with concern, and I realized he must have repeated himself.

I attempted to smile and stood up, brushing my butt of imaginary dirt, because I knew Sue, the housekeeper, was thorough in her job. “Fine,” I finally murmured. “Just suffering from a bruised ego at my clumsiness.”

Gavin couldn’t stifle his laughter. He was aware of how nimble and sure footed I was.

Remy’s eyebrow knitted at Gavin. “She fell pretty hard,” he gently scolded him.

Gavin wiped a nervous hand across his mouth. “Yeah, you’re right, sorry, Blake.”

“You’re fine. I’m fine,” I reassured them both.

“Running out, Kincaid?” Remy asked with a raised brow. I noticed that he was addressing Gavin, but his eyes never left me. I would say he was assessing me for damage, but his blue/ grey eyes looked like they were dissecting me. He was the most inscrutable one out of my guys, so it was hard to determine what he was thinking or gauge a reaction from him.

Gavin looked sheepish. “Yeah, sorry, man. I’m going to run Blake home and then pick up some cat food for my mom.”

“Litter,” I reminded him quietly.

“Oh yeah, litter,” he said quickly.

Remy looked at him skeptically.

“Sorry,” Gavin said before grabbing my arm and hurrying out the door. When we were far enough away, he looked over at me. “What happened earlier, you’re—"

I hastily held a hand up to his mouth and pointed to my bag, miming a phone.

His eyes widened in understanding as he mouthed, ‘Sorry.”

I threw my bag, with my phone in it, in the bed of his truck as he started it up.

“Have fun listening to that conversation,” I giggled as I jumped in the truck.

One of my favorite country songs by Lady Antebellum came on and I cranked it up. My eyes widened as Gavin joined me in the chorus. He had a phenomenal voice. Who would have thought it? I let him take the next verse, smiling and holding up my thumbs. I joined in on the chorus once more, harmonizing with his rich baritone.

I smiled over at him. “That was amazing. Who knew you were hiding that voice?”

He was blushing once more. “Thanks, I kind of do all my singing in the shower. My mom says she loves to hear me sing, but she’s my mom, so she kind of has to say that.”

“No, she’s absolutely right. We need to find some open mic nights. I kind of miss the rush of the stage and having everyone screaming my name,” I winked at him, being cocky.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” he chuckled.

I smiled at him with a knowing smile. “I have it on good authority that Jemmy’s into men that play music.”