Rush (Breathless #1)(66)

Chapter twenty-two

Not surprisingly, the venue for drinks was at Rick’s in Midtown, a popular gentlemen’s club where Gabe, Ash and Jace were regular visitors. Jace and Ash were already there when Gabe strode into their VIP suite, and there were two waitresses flirting heavily with Jace and Ash. Their gazes immediately snapped to Gabe, interest flaring in their eyes.

He dismissed them with a glance, tersely ordered his drink, and they scurried away.

“Bad day?” Ash asked when Gabe took his seat.

He wanted to laugh. Bad day didn’t begin to cover it. It was one for the record books. He didn’t think twice about sharing. Jace and Ash were the only two people he ever trusted with anything personal.

Gabe grimaced. “Dad came to the office today wanting lunch.”

“Shit,” Jace muttered. “Sorry, man. I know that sucks. How’s your mom doing anyway?”

“I had dinner with her over the weekend. Had to drag her into the city. She’s been at that monstrosity of a house licking her wounds. I’d even thought to talk her into selling the house and moving into an apartment in the city. Though I guess that’s probably not going to happen now.”

Ash lifted an eyebrow. “Why?”

Gabe let out a long breath. “Dad’s decided he f**ked up and he wants Mom back. That was the reason for lunch today.”

“Holy shit,” Ash said.

Jace frowned. “What the f**k? He’s f**ked his way through half the gold diggers in Manhattan. What is he thinking?”

“According to him he didn’t f**k any of them and they didn’t mean anything.”

Ash rolled his eyes. “Wow. That’s the lamest line in the book.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Jesus, your day did suck,” Jace muttered. “First your dad and then Lisa.”

“Yeah. Mom’s been blowing up my phone bitching about all the women my dad’s been seen with. Now she’ll be blowing up my phone over Dad’s latest brain fart.”

“You want them back together?” Ash asked curiously.

“I never wanted them apart,” Gabe said in a dark tone. “I have no idea what the hell possessed my dad. It sounds like total bullshit when he tries to explain it. I don’t think he even knows what the hell happened. So yeah, I’d like to see them back together, but I want them to be happy, and if he’s going to pull this kind of stunt down the road, I’d rather they just quit now and call it good. I don’t want my mom going through that all over again.”

“Yeah, I hear you,” Jace said.

“So speaking of reconciliation,” Ash said casually. “What the ever-loving f**k was Lisa doing in your office?”

Gabe’s jaw tightened and his teeth ground together. The very last thing he wanted was to discuss Lisa, but he also knew his friends were going to be curious. They’d been there when Lisa had left him. They’d stood by him when she pulled her crazy-ass shit. It was only natural they’d be concerned when she started sniffing around again.

“Did you kick the crazy bitch out and tell her to f**k off?” Jace asked with a scowl.

Gabe chuckled, his mood lightening. He could always count on Jace and Ash to shoot straight.

“I made it clear I had absolutely zero interest in rehashing the past.”

“She wants money,” Jace said darkly. “I made a few calls. She’s already gone through most of the settlement, and the alimony payments you fork out every month are barely keeping her head above water.”

Gabe’s eyebrow lifted. “You checked up on her?”

“Hell yeah. Not going to let her f**k you over like she did last time,” Jace bit out. “She’s still living like she’s married to you. Hasn’t downgraded in that department. High-maintenance bitch.”

Gabe grinned. “No worries there, man. I’m not dipping back into those waters.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ash said, relief evident in his voice.

Gabe’s eyes narrowed. Had there been any doubt? Then he realized. Jace and Ash were worried.

“I can handle Lisa,” Gabe said easily. “She’s a manipulative, grasping bitch. Lesson learned.”

Jace and Ash nodded their agreement. The waitresses came back with the drinks and spent several minutes flirting with Jace and Ash. They left Gabe alone. Maybe they sensed he wasn’t in the mood. He had zero interest in these girls when he knew Mia was in his bed waiting.

Drink in hand, Jace turned to Gabe when the waitresses disappeared. “So how are things working out with Mia?”

Gabe was instantly on alert. He’d already had one come-to-Jesus moment with Jace over this. He didn’t want it to be a bone of contention between them. Before he could say anything, Jace continued.

“I know I busted your balls about it, and yeah, I probably overreacted. It just caught me off guard. I didn’t like Mia working in that damn pastry shop, but I figured she just needed time to figure out what she wanted to do. She worked hard in school. She probably just needs a break to sort herself out, and I’m not in a hurry for her to do that. She has me. I’ll provide anything she needs and I don’t want her to feel pressured.”

A huge surge of guilt hit Gabe right in the gut. He’d definitely pressured Mia. No doubt about that. Not that he regretted it. He’d be a damn liar if he said otherwise. But still…