I felt Gaby stiffen in my arms and whisper, “Brock.”

Brock had a ball cap in his hand, which he slammed down on his head before turning on his heel and heading back toward the front door.

I watched in slow motion as he walked down the hall, and my stomach tightened with shame and regret, because I’d seen the look on his face and I knew that Gaby meant more to him than I’d initially thought.

TJ was coming sleepily down the stairs when he saw Brock and said absently, “Mornin’, brother.”

Brock stopped in his tracks and turned his head to his friend and replied, “A fuckin’ head’s up would have been nice … brother,” before opening the door and slamming it behind him.

I watched as TJ looked at the closed door, then back and Gaby and me, and saw the moment the situation hit him. “Fuck!” he spat out, running his hand through his hair.

“I have to go after him,” Gaby said softly, pushing away from me and rushing toward the door, leaving me standing in the kitchen as I watched her leave.

Chapter 20 – Gaby

My heart was pounding and my head was spinning as I ran after Brock. I couldn’t believe that I’d forgotten he was coming this morning. If I was being honest, I hadn’t thought of him since the day I saw him at the bakery, and that made me feel even worse.

What kind of person does that?

Brock was slamming the door of his truck when I hit the sidewalk and ran after him in my bare feet.

“Wait!” I shouted out, and my stomach dipped nervously when he turned his head and I saw the hurt and anger on his face.

I ripped the passenger door opened and pleaded, “Brock, don’t go … Let me explain.”

I noticed his hands tighten on the wheel and I felt tears well in my eyes when he responded, “There’s nothing to explain. Things are pretty clear.”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, begging him to hear me out. “I never meant to hurt you. I don’t want you to drive all the way back home, you just got here. Come inside and let me explain what happened. Things just happened this weekend with Scott … I wasn’t thinking.”

The look on Brock’s face made my words catch in my throat.

“Gaby, shut the door,” Brock said calmly.

I shook my head and opened the door wider. I needed him to understand.

“Gaby,” he said again, his voice tight. “Let me go. There is nothing you can say right now that is going to make me understand what I just walked in on.”

“Brock … please,” I tried again, wiping away the tears as the fell down my face. I started to pull myself up into the seat. “You’re a great guy…”

“Let me go,” Brock repeated, cutting me off and making me stop with one foot up on the running board. “Please.”

The look in his eyes told me that I would not be able to get through to him now, not when he was so upset, so … defeated, I backed away and shut the door. The door had barely latched when he peeled away from the curb and his truck took off down the driveway.

I hugged my arms to my waist and watched him leave as I choked back a sob.

I turned when I heard footsteps behind me and saw Scott approach, his hands out as if he were going to pull me to him. I held my hands up to stop him and said, “I need to be alone for awhile,” then I pushed past him and ran up to my room.

Brock’s face flashed through my mind as I cried into my pillow, causing me to cry harder. When the bed shifted, then sank down, I jumped and lifted my head to see Sasha staring sadly down at me. I pushed myself up from my prone position and fell ungracefully into her open arms.

“I hurt him,” I whispered sadly into her shoulder. “I hurt Brock.”

“I know, baby, I’m sorry,” Sasha replied, her hand stroking my hair. “Give him some time, he’ll understand.”

I attempted to shake my head.

“I don’t think so … You didn’t see his face. He’s really mad at me,” I cried.

“He cares about you, Gabs, and I know he’s hurt now, but he’ll want you to be happy, s

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