Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(60)

The tears streamed down my cheeks and I choked. “But I don’t see him being any different. If I had the chance, I would’ve killed Rage. Nothing is going to change the way I feel about him.”

Mason tapped me on the chin. “Then you should tell him that. Maybe he’s afraid of seeing judgment in your eyes. Just let him know, no matter what, you will always be there through the good and the bad. He’s at a low point, but you can bring him back up with your love and support. You can do this.” Wrapping his arms around my waist, he embraced me one last time before getting in his car and nodding toward the garage. “Go get ‘em. I’ll see you at the title fight.”

Mason waved once he got out of the driveway. Taking a deep breath, I started toward the garage, but then stopped once Paxton’s phone began to ring. He refused to answer his calls, so I’d been carrying it around. And I definitely wasn’t expecting to see Kyle’s name pop up on the screen. Should I answer it or not? I hated him, but he did help us find out Rage’s real name.

“Hello,” I answered. The line went silent. “Kyle, it’s Gabby, I know it’s you.”

“I wasn’t expecting you to answer the phone,” he replied.

“Paxton isn’t doing much talking these days, so I’ve been answering his calls.”

“Is he okay? I’ve been watching the news reports. I wanted to call and see how you guys were doing.”

“Really?” I asked incredulously.

He sighed. “Believe it or not, I care. Paxton was my friend at one point or another. And right now, I have none. He reached out to me and now I’m reaching out to him.”

I scoffed. “He’s got a good life right now and he doesn’t need all the bullshit you bring.”

“I’m not trying to do shit to him,” Kyle growled. “If you haven’t heard, I can’t exactly get into much trouble from a f*cking wheelchair. I’m sorry for what I did to you and your family, but there’s nothing I can do about that now. It’s done. All I’m asking is for you to tell Pax that I called to ask about him. I’m trying to make things right.”

It was strange hearing Kyle sound sincere. I even pulled the phone away from my ear to confirm that the screen still said it was him.

“Again, I’m sorry,” he repeated and let out a heavy sigh. “Tell Pax I’ll talk to him later.”

“Wait, hold on,” I grumbled. “It’s kind of hard to talk to you and not be a bitch.”

“I know and you don’t have to explain. I’m kind of used to it by now.”

“Have you talked to Kacey?” I asked curiously. After what he did to her, I was pretty sure she bitched him out every time he tried to talk to her.

“Not really,” he confessed. “She won’t talk to me. I’ve tried, but it’s not like I can drive to her house and see her.”

“True, but what you did was really f*cked up. I was with her after it happened.”

The line went quiet, but then his voice dipped low. “Thank you for helping her. I would give anything to take that night back.”

“What’s done is done, right? All we can do now is make up for our mistakes and do the right thing. If you’re sincere in making amends, she’ll come around one day.”

“I doubt it,” he added. “I f*cked up and I know she’ll never forgive me.”

“You just have to keep trying.” Which was what I needed to do with Paxton. I had to keep trying to talk to him until he let go of his fears.

“Thanks, Gabriella. I guess I never thought you’d ever talk to me. It surprised me.”

A small smile splayed across my lips. “I’m glad I could surprise you. And don’t worry, I’ll tell Pax you called. I’m going to try and talk to him. Hopefully, he’ll come around.”

“He’d be stupid if he didn’t.”

After we said our goodbyes, I headed toward the garage and stood by the door. His hands were covered in grease and so were his T-shirt and jeans. He hadn’t noticed me yet, but when I walked in, his body stiffened. I had to keep reminding myself what Mason just told me. But it was hard to push forward, when all I felt was rejection.

Without speaking, I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m not going anywhere,” I promised. “If you need this time to yourself, that’s fine, but I don’t want you to shut me out when I know you need me. Please, just talk to me.” Resting my forehead against his back, I broke down and cried. For the first time in my life, I sobbed without holding back, letting the tears come freely. When Paxton’s hands closed over mine, I let go even more.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured. Taking my hands, he pulled them away from his body and pulled me around to his front. I placed them on my face and a smile splayed across his lips. “You realize I have grease all over me, don’t you?”

I stared up into his sea green eyes and melted. “I don’t care. As long as you’re talking to me, nothing else matters. Whatever you’re afraid of, you have to talk to me about it. I’m here to listen, always.”

Hanging his head, he looked down at my hand and at the ring still on my finger. “I didn’t mean to shut you out, Gabby. I was afraid to look you in the eyes and see nothing but disgust looking back at me. That was something I knew I wasn’t ready to handle.”