No Regrets (Live Today #2) (4 page)

I stand quickly and hug him. He hugs me back with great effort. “Thanks Bren. I don’t know what I would have done without you all these years. I love you man.”

“Love you too bro, but promise me something.” He pulls away keeping a hand resting on my shoulder looking into my eyes.

“Anything.” I answer in return.

“Don’t ever keep anything from us again.” His eyes bore into me. “Even if you think it’s for the best. Just don’t, okay?” I don’t answer. I simply look down in shame and nod. He pats my arm once more before stepping away. “I’m going to check on your mom’s baking to see when she will be done with our goodies. And spend some time with your sister. I’m trying to talk her into riding along with us. I think it will be a good for Jems to have a chick with us for a while.”

“That’s actually a good idea. But only if it was for Jenna’s wellbeing.” I say raising my brow at him. His face turns hard with my tone. “Don’t worry Bren. Jenna already got all over me for feeling the same way you have felt all these years about us. I can’t say I’m super excited you’ve hooked up with my sister man, but I am glad that out of everyone I’ve met, she hooked up with one of the best men I know.” His face softens and his smile returns as he turns and walks back toward the house.

I take my phone out of my pocket before sitting back down. Not realizing it had been shut off, I bring it back to life quickly. Mom must have shut it off when I fell asleep on her lap with the phone in my hand. No wonder I haven’t received any calls. The picture of Jenna and I appear on the screen. I type in the password and a series of texts come in. A few from Drew, a good handful from Carmen and one from Jenna. Afraid to see what she had to say, I read Drew’s first. They are the same things. She’s ok. Don’t worry about her. I shake my head at his vagueness. I open Carmen’s and read them even though I want to delete them.

Gabriel, I don’t know how many times I can apologize. I’m sorry.

I had LG take the test you insisted on. We didn’t have to do this. I already admitted he wasn’t your son. Please call me.

We need to talk. Please.

Gabe…

I don’t even bother reading her last text. I delete them and block her number immediately.

With shaky fingers, I press open Jenna’s text. My chest tightens at the sight of her words.

I love you too. XOXO J

Without hesitating, my fingers work double overtime to text back.

Always Angel.

I sit in Silence. Drew must have taken her phone back. But it vibrates in my hands.

I didn’t know if you would respond.

Of course I would. Mom shut it off, I didn’t realize it til just now. Sorry

Why did she shut it off?

Do I want to tell her the real reason why? Or do I tell her something else.

Because I haven’t slept since you left. She is the only one besides you that can calm my nerves enough for me to catch a few hours.

I decide to go with the honest route.

I’m sorry Gabe. Please try to sleep.

We need to talk Angel. Please, let me talk to you. Can I call?

Not now. But when you get here, we can talk. This shouldn’t be done over the phone or text.

I agree… I miss you.

I… I miss you too. I have to go.

I love you Angel. Always.

She stays quiet for what seems like forever. I was ready to give up then she responds.

Forever Gabriel. Xx J

~~~

Mom insists on us eating a complete breakfast before we leave. I think she’s trying to hold onto us a little longer if you want my opinion. Matt has been at her side like Velcro since he got here. They’ve shared recipes and secrets. She has accepted us with open arms, which surprised me. I thought she would have been standoffish when it came to the family I’ve lived with all these years. I’m thankful to stand corrected. Mom and dad both welcomed us all with opened arms.

“Sure going to miss this fine cooking Maria.” Brennan says as he fills his mouth with a bite of his omelet.

“You just say the word Brennan dear, and I will be out there to cook anything you need.” She sounds flattered.

“Mom, you’re always more than welcome to stay with us. Jenna has a spare room set up for anyone who wants to visit.”

She places her hand on mine gently. “Thank you for the offer son. I’ll talk to dad about it.” Interlocking our fingers, I lean over and kiss her cheek. Her soft smile warms my heart. I make a mental note to thank Jenna for bringing my family back together.

“Gabriel?” A cautious voice fills the room.

“What the hell do you want?” I spit, rolling my eyes in disgust at Carmen who’s standing at the entrance. “And who let you in?”

“No one let me in, I have a key.”

I crane my head toward mom. “You’ve got to be shitting me?”

“I forgot she had it.” Mom replies but looks to Carmen. “I expect you will be returning it today?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” Carmen answers. Reaching in her handbag, she pulls out an envelope. “Gabriel. I have the results for the test.” She holds it out to me. “I tried calling you, but your number suddenly said it was disconnected.”

“That’s because I blocked you.” I snap standing and walking toward her to retrieve the envelope.

“Can we talk? Please?” She holds onto the envelope. “It’s important.”

“I have nothing to say to you Carmen.” I tug the envelope from her grip.

“All you have to do is listen.” She encourages again. With a deep sigh, I gesture her toward the back patio. The blinds are pulled open where everything is visible. She walks past the table before walking outside.

I gather my half eaten plate and discard it in the trash. “Sorry mama, I lost my appetite.” I say placing the plate in the sink before following Carmen outside. She’s standing on the edge of the patio. Her hands are trembling. I can’t say I blame her for being nervous. I would be too if I was going to speak to someone who despises her for everything she’s done. As I take her in, I notice how the years have been kind to her. Maybe it’s because she was forced to grow up after LG was born. I don’t know. Honestly I don’t care.

“Well?” I spit, “You have my attention. I’m giving you two minutes.”

She steps toward me quickly. Before I can move, she has her arms around my neck and she’s crying on my chest. “I’m sorry Gabriel” I keep my hands to my side looking through the glass at Brennan for help, who’s staring back in confusion. He reads my mind and offers me a shrug and mouths “Sorry man” in my direction. She releases me when she notices my lack of movement.

“You’re wasting precious time Carmen. Which is almost up. So if you have something to say, say it now. I won’t fall for your tricks anymore. No one will. You see, I changed when I left here. I became cold and hard. I have you to thank for that. I taught myself to trust no one. Then one day, I met Jenna. That’s when I realized what life was all about. All you ever did was bring me down. You used me to gain popularity and wealth, then crushed me when you got it.”

“Is that what you think?” Anger rises in her voice, I know it all too well.

“It’s what I know.”

“I loved you Gabe. I… I just needed more.”

“And you got it. Didn’t you?” I turn toward the house. She grabs my arm to stop me.

“For what it’s worth. Thank you.”

“What?”

“Thank you.” She reaches in her bag again and pulls out another envelope. Handing it to me. “Your persistence over the years gave me strength to do the right thing. Of course it was too late.” I look down at the envelope and notice it’s addressed to Jenna. “When I found out you had returned, I thought it would be great to try to get back with you. Maybe rekindle what we lost. But then I saw how you looked at her. I never once, in the entire time we were together, saw that look in your eyes the way they glow when you look at her.” She begins to laugh. “Look at you now. Just thinking about her, your eyes brighten.”

“I love her Carmen. She is my entire world.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring I bought her years ago. “One day, I will put this on her finger and she will be my wife. But first I have to fix this mess. I waited almost eight years to be with her. I won’t let you or anyone else ruin it for me, for us.” Looking into her glossed over brown eyes, I continue. “I want to thank you as well.” A glimpse of hope appears on her face. “If it wasn’t for you all those years ago, trying to ruin my life, I would have never met them. They welcomed me with open arms. Showed me what a true family really was. No strings attached.” She begins to cry. Once there was a time where I felt sorry for her, but now, no. “Jenna showed me what true love was, and I thank God I found that with her. Maybe one day, you will find it too.”

Turning back toward the door, I block out her silent sobs as I enter the kitchen, walking straight past the sets of eyes on me. “I have to do something, then I’ll be ready to leave.” I say walking toward the stairs. “I want her gone by the time I come back down. And take the fucking key from her before she leaves.” I yell taking the steps two at a time. I make it to my room before slamming the door and reaching for my phone. Knowing she won’t speak to me just yet, I send her a text.

I hope you know how much you mean to me. I will do everything in my power to make you happy for the rest of our lives. We are leaving shortly. Be ready Angel, because when I see your beautiful face again, I’m going to hold you in my arms and never let you go. I love you!

Jenna

Looking over the last text message Gabe sent me a few days ago still sends shivers throughout my body. I was able to get my phone back under the agreement that I only used it for talking to Brennan. But I decided to let him keep it for me as long as I could use it periodically throughout the day. Drew made it clear that he wanted me to enjoy our trip to Florida with no stress. Meaning, no Gabriel. Besides the little chat we made the day before this message, I have followed through with my promise. Drew’s made contact with his parents and he’s put their location in his GPS system on his phone. We are only about an hour away. We decided to take a detour after all to see Graceland. And of course, as promised, a newly purchased cowboy hat happily sits in the back seat of my car.

“I still can’t believe we sang karaoke.” I mention, looking at the picture with the two of us wearing matching cowboy hats. “And with these ungodly looking hats on no less.” I begin laughing at the memory.

“It’s your fault.” He says. “Never bet against me. One of these days you’ll learn.”

“How was I supposed to know that you knew more about ‘The King’ than you let on? If you would have told me prior to the bet we had with the guys at the other side of the bar, I would have kept my mouth shut.” I answer shoving his arm.

“Well, if I had known you knew nothing about him, I wouldn’t even had gone to that bar in the first place.” He laughs. “You really suck at Elvis Jeopardy, you know that?” He reaches for the picture in my hand and takes a good look at it once again before returning it back to me. “That was a fun night, even though you didn’t know the words to ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.”

“Thank God for the TV screen huh?” I laugh, putting the picture back in the glove box. “How much longer?” I ask. I’m actually eager to see his parents as well as Matt’s.

“The estate is about thirty minutes from here. I think.” He answers looking at his phones GPS. “Why?”

“Just ready to stretch my legs.” I say, looking out the window toward the Atlantic Ocean. “And I would love to get my feet wet.” Drew reaches over and takes my hand in his.

“Peace and serenity?” He asks. I simply nod without looking toward him. During our time in rehab, we shared so many secrets about ourselves. “How do you do it?” I turn and look toward him this time.

“Do what?”

“Let go? It’s like the moment you saw the water, your entire body began to relax.” He confesses.

“I don’t know. I’ve always been like this.” I shrug turning back. “For as long as I can remember, the ocean has always calmed me. It’s like it can be so rough and unforgiving at times, but on the other hand, so peaceful and forgetful. No wave is the same. Every storm that stirs, eventually calms, sometimes leaving a mess to clean up. But sometimes wiping away all the mess, leaving nothing but a clean slate.” I squeeze his hand. “Guess it reminds me of how our lives can be sometimes. We can choose to leave it a mess or we can choose to wipe the mess away and begin with a fresh start.”

He remains quiet as he absorbs my response. “You know?” He finally speaks up. “For ten minutes, only ten minutes, I would love to climb inside your head and see how that little brain of yours works.”

“Little?”

He chuckles. “Well yeah, I’m much bigger than you are, and my head is too, so yeah. You have a little brain.” I smack his chest. “Not in knowledge, Jenna, in size.” He says rubbing his newly sore area. “Geez that hurt.”

I reach over and rub his chest. “Awe, I’m sorry Drew. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I guess I should have smacked that big head of yours instead.” I laugh.

“Okay, okay. I take it back. You don’t have a little brain.” He becomes more serious. “But in all honesty, I have no idea how you keep all that intellect inside you.”

“Maybe it’s my upbringing.” I sigh. “Or lack thereof?” I ask as an answer before leaning onto his shoulder and resting my head while he continues to drive in silence.

~~~

“Are you sure you have the right address?” I ask about an hour later. We’ve been driving up and down the same street for nearly thirty minutes trying to find the place. The ocean is just a few hundred feet away at the very least, but with the lush trees surrounding the ginormous houses, it’s nearly invisible to see from the street.

“It’s got to be here somewhere.” Drew says looking at his phone and the numbers on the street. “It’s on the right somewhere.” We begin to drive slower as we read the numbers from each property. “Look! There it is.” He pulls into the drive. Once we stop at the larger than life wrought iron gate, we look directly at each other in disbelief. “Is this shit real?”

“I’ve only ever seen this in movies or read about it in books Drew. I mean, there are places back home where the entire neighborhood is gated off.” I answer as my eyes travel over from one side of the gate to the other.

“Guess that’s true. I just never thought I would be on the other side of it though.” He says as he rolls the window down to push the button on the intercom.

A deep voice comes through the speaker. “Munson Residence.” Drew looks at me and shrugs.

“Guess this is the right place.” He leans and pushes the button again. “Um, yeah. Drew Johnson with Jenna Muns…” He gets cut off as the gate immediately opens.

“Welcome Miss Munson. Mr. Johnson, please pull all the way through.” The voice commands. “There will be a driver to retrieve your vehicle when you make it to the house.”

“Uh. Okay.” Drew’s voice doesn’t sound as confident as it usually does. The gate opens and as he drives past, the gate immediately closes on us. He takes the trail up the property cautiously. The grounds are impeccable. Gorgeous shades of green all throughout the property, with the most beautiful array of flowers throughout. The drive is lined with every color tulip imaginable. It reminds me of when I was growing up. The property dividing our house and the neighbors was set up the exact same. Mom would say each color gave a new reason to smile. Depending on our mood of course.

Once we make it up to the house, or mansion depending on who you ask, a young man in a white short sleeved button up shirt and black slacks walks over to us. He takes my door and opens it. “Miss Munson.” He says as he offers his hand to help me out. I take it nervously and exit my car. “Mr. Johnson.” He nods at Drew who has let himself out of the car and makes his way to my side. “The names David.”

“The keys are in the ignition, David.” Drew says as he guides me up the stairs and to the door with his hand at the small of my back. “Oh, and don’t mess with the hat in the back seat. It’s priceless.” He says winking down at me as I try to hold in my giggle.

“No worries sir, I will have your baggage placed in your rooms and will make sure your hat stays unharmed.” David doesn’t miss a beat.

The house is a deep burgundy with the trim a bright white. The flower beds hanging outside each window are a navy blue color holding all sorts of white flowers cascading off each windowsill. Having the fragrance of the ocean blending with the scents of the flowers, you can’t feel anything but tranquility.

Just as we make it to the enormous front door, it opens. “Miss Munson.” The same voice that was in the speaker is now coming from the man standing at the door. He nods. “Mr. Johnson.”

“Um, hello…” my voice is shaky as I respond. He obviously has us at a disadvantage.

“Todd.” He says. “I’m Mr. and Mrs. Munson’s butler.” He gestures us to enter. We step inside. My body begins to shake vigorously but not from the absence of drugs. No, I’m shaking when my brain realizes what Todd said. He said Mr.
and
Mrs. Munson.

“Who?” My shaky voice barely registers.

“Your parents, Miss Jenna.” He lets out. Before I have time to ask another question, a very familiar voice comes from the hallway. “Whatever you want Miss Jenna, just ask. I am at your disposal.”

“Jenna! You finally made it.” Patty hollers. Immediately, my legs turn to make their way toward her until I find myself running in that direction.

“Aunt Patty!” I cry, falling into her arms, holding onto her tightly. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you until now.”

“I have missed you too dear.” She says shushing me. “Come on.” Taking my hand in hers and waving Drew over to follow her. “We were just relaxing in the great room.” We begin our short walk toward the great room and just before we reach it, the sounds of a little person laughing fills the room.

“Ah, you brought Danika after all?”

“We did. Willow agreed it would be nice to have some daddy, daughter time.” She says with a soft smile. “Of course some grandparent time is nice too.”

Smiling in return. “Oh, I bet you two have been on cloud nine.” She just nods as we make our way through the entrance where Drew’s parents and Matt’s father, Bob, sit on adjoining couches with Danika playing in the middle of the room. I give all the parents a grateful hug and thank them for flying out to be with us. Drew sits between his parents as I sit beside Danika and play with her for what seems like hours.

~~~

“I just got off the phone with Brennan, they’re running behind. The SUV got a flat and they had to wait forever to have someone tow them to a shop.” Drew says as we make our way to the dining table where the parents wait for us. “So now they have to wait until tomorrow for someone to help them out.”

“As long as they are safe for the night.” Drew’s mom says taking her seat. I begin to count the place settings at the table and notice there’s one extra setting.

“Is there going to be someone joining us tonight?” I ask cautiously. Just when a voice I thought I would never have to hear again comes to life.

“That will be me.” He speaks softly. My eyes roll to a close in disbelief. Immediately, my head begins to spin. My heart feels like it’s completely stopped and has sped up at the same time. My eyes immediately shift to Patty’s.

“Did you know about this?” I barely spit out. The look on her face tells me she knew all along. “You didn’t think to call and warn us?” The footsteps get closer. “This has to be some sick joke.” Shaking my head with a sarcastic laugh.

His hand rests on my shoulder. “Jenna, princess. Please let me…”

“Princess? Did you just call me princess?” I say shrugging his hand off my shoulder. “You lost that right to speak to me as your daughter a long time ago Richard. How dare you show your face here right now?”

“Because this
is
my house, Jenna.” He says standing in front of me as matter of fact. I take a step back in shock. “Yes, you heard me right.
My
house.” He stands in front of me, placing his hands on my arms holding me still. “And you are still my daughter, no matter what you think. You will listen to what I have to say.” He scolds. “Now sit down and enjoy your dinner. Then we will sit and talk like adults.” He pulls out my chair and sits me down like a child.

Shock, my body is in utter shock. I have no words for anyone. I sit at the table and stare down at the plate in front of me. Drew sits beside me and places his hand on mine for support. “You okay?” He whispers. I have no words for him right now. As the meal is served in front of us, all I can do is hold onto Drew’s hand for dear life. “Jenna.” His voice is more forceful. Still, I don’t answer. He pushes his chair back and attempts to take me with him.

“If you could please excuse us for a moment.” He pulls my chair out for me to stand and follow him, he continues, “Please begin eating. We won’t be long.” He guides me out of the dining room and straight outside the back door. Once we make our way to where the sand meets the boardwalk, he walks us over to the bench that sits at the edge. He kneels in front of me, not saying a word and removes my sandals. “Now,” he sits beside me with a long sigh. “Let’s talk.”

My toes instinctively bury themselves into the sand. “I have nothing to talk about.” I say watching my toes disappear.

“Don’t bullshit me Jenna.” He snaps. “It’s apparent he is your dad. And I can guess you didn’t know he was here.”

Shaking my head. “How was I supposed to know Drew? We assumed all these years he couldn’t handle us and took off. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine him living the life here with my mom.” I cry out. “Here we were trying to survive while the entire time both of them were living the life. Who does that to their kids? Huh?” I stand and head toward the water. “I swear, when Gabe and I have kids, they will know how it feels to be wanted and loved.”

“Did you just say what I thought I heard you say?” Drew asks following me toward the water.

“Oh my God Drew! Did I just see a future with Gabriel?” I ask in shock as I recall the words I just said. He begins to laugh at me, I can’t help but laugh along with him. “What the hell is happening to me?”

“Oh, I would say you’re whooped, or you’re simply in love.” He shoves my shoulder, pushing me into the water. I scream as the water is colder than I thought it would be.

“You just wait Drew. Your day will come.” I laugh splashing him with the water causing him to jump back. He pulls me into his arms.

“Don’t count on it.” He says. “We need to talk about your dad.” Changing his tone to a more serious note.

“I need my phone Drew.” I insist. “I need to talk to Brennan.” He reaches in his pocket and hands me my phone. I lean into him as I turn it on and dial Brennan’s number.