Blind Kiss(52)

He didn’t respond. That’s when I realized he’d seen the kiss on my doorstep.

“Was that Gavin?” Lance asked as we drove by.

“No,” I lied. “Just my neighbor.”





23. Fourteen Years Ago


GAVIN


Penny: I need you.


Me: Where are you?


Penny: On the bench across the street from the Stop and Shop.

I drove like a bat out of hell. Penny and I hadn’t been good for two months, but she needed me now. We talked daily in some form, but things had been strained. She hadn’t gotten over that day I left her at the PT clinic, and I was furious and jealous that she was dating Douche-face. She was also grieving about her dad still . . . and grieving about dance, which made her a loose cannon, a raw nerve . . . all the time. The prognosis on her knee wasn’t great. Her ligaments were healing, but it would be months before she’d be able to walk properly, let alone dance with that effortless grace she once had. It made her depressed. Without dancing, she was also gaining weight, which made her even more depressed.

When I pulled over to the side of the street, she stood from the bus bench and limped to my car. She was wearing jeans, a tank top, a short black leather jacket, and black combat boots. She looked mean.

“Where’s your car?” I asked.

“Broke down over on West Mountain.”

“What do you think it is?” I pulled over and texted Pete at the garage about getting a tow truck.

“I don’t know what it is. It stalled in the intersection and some lady helped me push it to the side.”

I drove toward West Mountain, where I spotted her car on the edge of the road. “Give me the keys.” She obliged and stayed in the car.

When I got back a few minutes later, she was looking out the window like a lost little girl. “I put the keys under the mat. Pete will send someone to tow it to the shop.”

“Thanks,” she said quietly.

I headed toward her house as we sat in silence. Finally, I spoke up. “What’s going on, Penny? Why did you call me instead of Lance?”

“Actually, can we go to your place? I don’t want to go home right now.”

“Sure, but I need to stop by my dad’s place and drop off a part for his car first.” I studied her out of the corner of my eye. A minute later, she was crying. What the hell’s going on?

“Hold on, hold on.” I parked the car in a nearby lot and scooted across the bench seat. Taking her in my arms, I said, “What is it, P? Tell me.”

“I’m . . . pregnant,” she squeaked.

My heart dropped. “What?”

“I’m pregnant. With a baby.” I pulled back and looked at her face. She was puffy and red.

“Lance?”

She nodded.

“Does he know?” I asked.

“No.”

“You told me first?”

She nodded again.

“Have an abortion. I’ll pay for it.” Oh my God, I can’t let this happen.

She was speechless. She shook her head.

“You don’t even believe in God, so you don’t have to keep it for religious reasons,” I said.

“Yes, I do.” Her sobs got louder and fuller. She tried to say more but couldn’t.

“My dad will know what to do.” I told her. “We’ll go to his place and talk to him.”

She shook her head again. “Listen, Gavin—”

“Look, I’ve been meaning to tell you something. I just broke up with Lottie two days ago. It’s over. Okay?” It was true; I’d been waiting for the right time to tell Penny the news, to tell her how I felt about her . . . how I’d always felt about her. I never expected her to drop a bomb before I got the chance.

Don’t worry. She’ll have an abortion and dump that idiot and then we can be together. Finally. Was I horrible for thinking that?

“Why’d you two break up all of a sudden? I mean, you were the picture of romantic bliss and enduring love.”

“Don’t be a smartass. We were getting along but she’s been sick for a long time. She just found out that she’s bipolar, and she’s been struggling with her medication. To be totally honest, it was mutual. She needs time to focus on herself.”

“Well, are you sad?”

“I’m relieved.”

“Gavin, the bleeding heart.”

“Look, I don’t want to make this about Lottie. The point is that we did what was best for both of us. Now we’re going to do what’s best for you: you’re going to call Planned Parenthood, make an appointment, and call Lance to break up with him.”

Her hands tightened into fists. “Enough! Gavin, listen to me. They told me when the baby’s due, based on how far along I am.”

“What are you saying? It’s too late for an abortion?”

“No!” She stopped crying. “No, it’s not too late. But stop and listen to yourself. How can you be so cold? How can you say, ‘Get an abortion, Penny’? Just like that? Huh?”

“No, you listen. You’re not in love with Lance, and I’m not being cavalier about abortion. This isn’t like you. You’re resolute about your future. The Penny I know would get an abortion. This is a mistake. Bad timing. The result of irresponsible sex.” I stopped. The thought of her having sex with Lance made me physically ill.