After All - Romancing Manhattan

“You should go,” she murmured softly. I kissed her head and tugged her in for a hard hug before hurrying out. The rest of the day wasn’t much better.

Late flights and close calls on the connection in Denver. Finally, I landed in Sacramento around noon local time and was stuck in meetings the rest of the day.

I’m exhausted. I just want to go back to the hotel, order room service, and crash. The room service will happen, but I have a couple hours of work left still.

I usually enjoy the business trips, but I miss Nora, and I’m worried about Gabby. I belong in New York.

I’ve just pushed through the hotel door and tossed my briefcase on the bed when my cell rings.

It’s Gabby.

“Hey, Gabs.”

“I don’t understand why you’re trying to ruin my life.”

I frown and tug my tie loose.

“I think it’s in my job description. What’s going on?”

“When are you coming home?” she demands.

“Wednesday.”

“Oh my God, I hate my life!”

And with that, she hangs up on me and I lower to the side of the bed, hang my head in my hands for five seconds, and then call Nora.

“Hey.” One word, but her voice is full of stress. I want to reach through the phone and pull her to me.

“What’s going on?” My voice is soft. I need to stay calm so I can calm them down. At least, that’s the plan.

“Well, quite a lot, actually. I had to pick Gabby up from school early because she swore at a teacher and has been suspended through tomorrow.”

I narrow my eyes. “What did she say?”

“I believe it went something like you’re not the boss of me, so you can fuck right off. More or less.”

“Jesus,” I mutter.

“So I brought her home, and she immediately started playing with her phone.”

“But she doesn’t get her phone,” I remind her.

“I took it away, and she lunged for me, Carter.”

I still, sure I’ve heard her wrong. “Excuse me?”

“Yeah, she tried to hit me.” Her voice is shaky, and the pit in my stomach just grew four sizes. “She’s never done that before. And for the first time since I’ve known her, I’m scared of her. She’s suddenly so aggressive and just awful. I mean, I know I’m stronger, and that you’d always back me if something were to happen, but I’m so disappointed. Not to mention, I’m worried about her. Why is this all coming out now? Why is she so damn angry?”

Her voice cracks, killing me.

“Okay, honey. It’s okay. Where is she now?”

“In her room.”

“And her phone?”

“In my hand.”

“Good. If she tries anything else, and I’m talking so much as looks at you sideways, you call Finn. He’ll come get her. I’m leaving first thing in the morning. I’d go right now, but it’s a six-hour trip, and by the time I got there you’d both be asleep anyway.”

“I hate that you have to cut your trip short.”

“I don’t. I need to be there, to take care of both of you. I’ll be home by noon. And I’m serious when I say call Finn if you need him. He won’t hesitate to come over, and he doesn’t live far.”

“I know.” It’s a whisper. God, I want to be there more than I want to breathe.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, but, Carter, we need to figure this out. She’s miserable, and it’s not just a random mood. I can’t get her to talk to me. I don’t know what’s happened.”

“We’ll figure it out,” I assure us both. “Thank you, for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She pauses, and I think she’s going to say something else, but she doesn’t. “Good night.”

“Good night, darling.”

She ends the call, and I immediately call Finn, filling him in on this evening’s events.

“Jesus, Carter. What the hell is up her ass?”

“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out. I’ll be home tomorrow, but in the meantime, I told Nora to call you if Gabby tries anything else.”

“I can go get her now regardless,” he offers.

“It sounds like she’s holed up in her room. I suspect that’s where she’ll stay until I get there. But if you’d check in with Nora, I’d appreciate it.”

“You got it,” he says without hesitation, and I’m grateful for him and the entire Cavanaugh family all over again. “Anything you need, you know that.”

“I know, and I’m grateful. See you soon.”

I hang up, open my computer, and send off emails to our clients here in Sacramento, letting them know I’ve had a family emergency at home and will be leaving for New York first thing in the morning. Then I call Maggie, wincing when I see what time it is on the East Coast.

“Hello, dear,” she says. She sounds wide awake. I just need to vent, to get Maggie’s insight. She spends as much time with Gabby as I do, maybe more. I hope she can shed some light on this abrupt change of mood in Gabby.