Chapter Twenty

 

Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. – Bruce Lee

 

Drew

 

When your phone rings at two in the morning and wakes you from a deep sleep, you know it’s never good.

The ringing startles me and I reach for my cell where it rests on my bedside table, my heart thumping wildly. Fable moves away from me in her sleep, rolling over on her side, her naked back to me. I’m immediately cold without having her close and I glance at the phone, see that it’s my dad calling. Again.

Reluctantly I answer, keeping my voice a whisper. “Hello.”

“Drew. My God.” He’s breathing heavily and I restrain myself from blowing out an exasperated breath. I’m so over his drama I can hardly take another anguished phone call, another crying plea. “Is it true?”

It’s like all the blood drains from my body. You tell yourself you’re prepared for a particular moment, a certain revelation, but when it happens, you’re still knocked on your ass. “Is what true?”

“Adele told me what happened between you two.” His voice lowers to an almost inaudible whisper. “Tell me, is it true?”

I don’t know what he wants me to say. Yes, it’s true or no, it’s not? Fuck, I’m confused. “What did she tell you?”

“That the two of you had an affair going on for years? Tell me, son. I need to know. Is she lying to me? Please say she’s lying.”

He doesn’t want to deal. Well, that’s just great because neither do I. “Dad…”

“Don’t beat around the bush. Just confirm it. Say yes or say no.”

I exhale heavily, my heart aching, my stomach turning. “I…”

“Say it! Yes or no. It’s as simple as that.”

Right. It’s so simple, admitting my deepest, darkest secret. “Yes,” I say, my voice harsh.

Dad is silent for so long, I wonder if he’s hung up on me. But then a burst of sound fills my ears, so ragged and pitiful, I almost don’t recognize it for what it is.

He’s…crying.

“I hate her,” he sobs, his voice broken. “She’s destroyed everything. My marriage, my son, my daughter. Oh God, I hate her so much.”

“What?” I climb out of bed, never looking in Fable’s direction. She might be awake by now, I don’t know, but I need to concentrate on what Dad is saying.

At the moment he’s sort of blowing my mind.

“I can’t believe that she had an…affair with you. An affair.” He laughs but it’s hollow sounding. “She molested you. God, she’s sick. I never want to see her again.”

“You don’t blame me?” I fall onto the couch, my head spinning. All these years, I believed if he discovered the truth, he would hate my guts.

“Blame you? How could I blame you? She said this started when you were still fifteen. Fucking fifteen!” He’s crying harder. “I’m sorry, Drew. I brought her into our lives and I’m so goddamned sorry. I had no idea. No fucking clue she was doing that to you. How could I be so stupid, so selfish? So blind?”

“It’s not your fault, Dad…”

“Stop right there, just…stop. It’s all my fault. I should’ve paid better attention. I should’ve been there for you but I wasn’t. I hate that. I’ve let you down.” He takes a deep shuddering breath. “It’s over, son. My marriage is over. You don’t have to worry about her being a part of our lives any longer. She’s no longer welcome in my home, in my heart, in my life.”

I’m crying too. The tears are falling and I sniff, trying to gain some control over my emotions. That tight feeling I’ve been carrying in my chest for months—hell, years—is slowly but surely easing. My dad knows the truth.

And he doesn’t hate me for it.

“When did she tell you?”

“She called me hours ago. I have no idea where she is. Did you see her? Did she come there? God, she’s twisted. I swear she’s obsessed with you.”

“I saw her. Fable tried to beat her up when she found out Adele had met her younger brother.”’

“You’re still with Fable? I thought you two broke up.” He pauses for a moment. “Wait a minute, does she know what happened between you and Adele?”

“Yeah.” My voice is a raspy whisper.

He’s silent for a while, as if he needs time to process that bit of information. “Things must be quite serious between you two.”

“She—she figured it out when I brought her home.” Adele had been less than subtle. That my father couldn’t recognize her crazy, possessive behavior showed how oblivious he really was to her.

When Adele always complained about how Dad ignored her, I believed her.

“I’m an idiot. I hope someday you can forgive me.”

His words take my breath away. “I—I feel the same way.”

“There’s nothing for me to forgive. You were innocent in all of this.” A little sob escapes him again. “I’m so sorry, son. For everything.”

We talk a little bit more and I promise to come see him soon. Hopefully going there without Adele present will remove the ghosts that haunt me in my old house. My dad needs me right now. I need to forget all those ghosts once and for all.

I end the call and go back into the bedroom to find Fable sitting up, leaning against the pillows, the bedside table lamp on its lowest setting. She has the sheet tucked around her, her shoulders bare and gleaming in the soft light, and she’s twirling a strand of long blonde hair around her finger, staring at the ends so hard she almost looks cross-eyed.

She’s silly. Beautiful. And so understanding, so accepting of all my secrets, I don’t know what I did to earn her trust and forgiveness. I love that she’s in my life. That she wants to be with me despite it all.

“Is everything okay?” she asks, her voice hushed.

Going to my side of the bed, I settle in beside her. “That was my dad.” I take a deep breath and stare straight ahead. I’m almost afraid to look at her even though she knows everything. “Adele told him what happened.”

“How did he react?”

“He doesn’t hate me. He feels awful for what she did to me.”

“See?” Her voice is quiet. “I told you he would be on your side.”

She did. I hadn’t believed her. “I guess you were right.” I release a deep, shaky breath. “I can’t believe how accepting of me he was.”

“Did she tell him about…Vanessa?”

Frowning, I turn to look at her. How could I have missed that? “He never mentioned her. So I’m assuming no.”

Fable lets the strand of hair she’d been twirling fall from her fingers. “Do you really think it’s true? That she was your daughter?”

I shrug. This is the information that makes me the most uncomfortable. I don’t want to believe it. That I could’ve been a father just…blows my mind. I have a tough time talking about it with anyone, even my therapist. It’s a subject I don’t want to face.

Especially since I haven’t a clue if it’s true or not. There’s no way I can prove it either. Vanessa’s gone.

“I want to believe she’s lying to me because it’s easier.” Fable moves closer to me, resting her head on my shoulder, and I slip my arm around her. Closing my eyes, I voice what I’ve been unable to say since the day Adele threw that bomb at me. “The day we came back here, after I dropped you off at your apartment, I called Adele. I demanded she tell me the truth. She said…she said she couldn’t get pregnant with my dad so she decided to try with me. That she poked holes in the condom and she got pregnant. All it took was one time, she insisted. One freaking time. I hate her. I hate that she tricked my father and me. I hate what she’s done to me. I hate that I let what happened between us control me for so long.”

“I’m sorry,” Fable whispers.

I close my eyes, trail my fingers across her shoulder, down her arm. I need to touch her. Having her close anchors me. Reminds me of how far I’ve come in so little time. “So am I. But I can’t remain in the past. I can’t blame her for what she’s done and let it cripple me for the rest of my life. I need to let it go. Let her go, once and for all.”

“Easier said than done.” Fable lifts her head so she can meet my gaze. “It’ll take time, Drew. I’m here, though. Even though I’m getting my own place, and I know you don’t like that, I’ll be here for you. I swear.”

“You don’t have to move—” I start but she cuts me off.

“I need to do it. I can’t be dependent on you. Not like this.”

“I want to take care of you,” I whisper. “I can do it. I have money. You’d never need anything if you and Owen lived here with me.”

She flashes me a quivery smile. “I know. And I love that you want to help and take care of me. But I need to learn how to take care of myself first.” She lifts her head and brushes her mouth against mine. “I need to show Owen I can do this.”

I touch her throat and she shivers. I slip my hand around her nape and bring her in closer to me, our mouths meeting, our tongues tangling. She melts against me, slipping her arms around my neck, the sheet falling away from her so I feel nothing but soft, bare skin.

After everything that happened today, my normal MO would be to run and hide. Pretend I don’t exist. Focus on anything else but living. Feeling.

Now, all I want to do is feel. Feel Fable’s mouth on mine, her hands on my body, her body moving against me. Pressing her into the mattress, exploring her skin with my hands and lips, pushing inside her, finding that connection with the one person who means more to me than anyone or anything in this world.

As I stare into her eyes while buried deep in her welcoming body, I whisper that I love her. The smile she offers me in response, tender and so full of emotion, unravels me completely.

She holds my heart in her hands. And for the first time in my life, I give it over to her completely.

Freely.

Fable Maguire owns me. And I know I own her.

 

Fable

 

Yesterday was one of the craziest days of my life. A whirlwind of emotions swept through me from the highs to the lows and everything in between.

I find the apartment of my dreams. I try to beat the shit out of a woman who almost destroyed the man I love. The man I love is nearly brought to his knees when his father discovers his darkest secret.

After the day we had, both of us were emotional wrecks. Somehow I still fell into Drew’s arms, too overcome to fight the powerful pull that tugs within both of us. That pull brings us together as if we can’t resist each other.

It’s a fact. We just…can’t.

We made love slowly, quietly. No teasing, no urgency. Just a fluid, delicious connection of bodies until we were both spent, falling asleep in each other’s arms like the corniest movie you’ve ever seen on cable.

I’m the luckiest damn girl in the world. I know most girls would think I’m crazy. Drew Callahan is definitely not what’s expected. He’s troubled. He has issues, issues that aren’t resolved yet.

I don’t care. He’s mine.

Despite being up half the night, I get up early and force Owen awake. Ply him with a real breakfast before I drive him to school using Drew’s truck. I need a car. More than I need furniture or anything else a freaking car would come in real handy. I can’t depend on Drew or Jen driving forever. Colin mentioned a few days ago he knew someone who manages a local dealership and could get me a deal. I might take him up on that offer.

Smiling, I park Drew’s truck in his assigned spot and shut off the engine. For the first time since I don’t know when, I’ve surrounded myself with people who I can call my friends. Jen, T, Colin…Drew. The list isn’t long but it’s getting there. I know my life isn’t perfect, that I’ll be facing more struggles. The issue with my mom is far from resolved.

But for once in my life, I feel like I’m in a good place.

The weather turned dreary overnight, though the dark clouds heavy with rain don’t spoil my mood. The wind whips up, bending the little trees that dot the apartment complex property, and I climb out of the truck, forcing the door open against an extra-hard gust of air. I hit the keyless remote and start toward the Drew’s apartment building, when I hear a voice straight out of my nightmares.

“Well, look at you. Moving in with him. Driving his truck. Aren’t you all cozy and snug in your seemingly perfect little life?”

I turn to find Adele standing before me, a smirk on her face. She looks odd. Still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, her hair’s a mess, as if she hasn’t brushed it, and her eyes are wide as she stares at me. A huge, expensive-looking dark brown leather purse is slung over her shoulder and she clutches it close.

Weirdly close.

“What are you doing here?” I try to keep my voice casual but she’s freaking me out a little. Something’s not quite right with this picture.

“Looking for you.” She smiles.

A chill trickles down my spine at first sight of that weird smile. “Yeah, right.”

“No, really. I wanted to talk to you. Maybe we should go somewhere and chat.” She waves a hand behind her. “My car is around the corner. Let’s go.”

Like I’ll just take off with her because we’re best friends and all. The woman is delusional.

Slowly shaking my head, I start toward Drew’s apartment. “I don’t think so.” She steps in front of me, halting my progress, and I glare at her. “Listen, I don’t want any trouble. Just let me get by, okay?”

“No.” Her smile grows. It’s really creeping me out. “Drew can’t save you now. You’re coming with me.” She reaches inside her bag and pulls out a handgun, aiming it right at me.

I blink slowly and throw my hands up in surrender, backing up a step. The woman is crazed. All that talk about your life flashing before your eyes right before you think you’re going to die?

Yeah, that’s happening to me at this very moment. Making me realize I’ve hardly lived my life at all.

No way am I going to let some greedy maniac bitch take it all away from me.

“Don’t make a scene.” The wind blows her hair across her face and she bats it away with her free hand, causing her to wave the gun around. I take another small step back, contemplating trying to run for it, but I have no idea if that gun’s loaded or not. Or if she’s a good shot.

I’d rather not take that chance.

“I’m not making a scene,” I murmur, trying to keep my voice even. Calm. “What do you want from me, Adele?”

She throws back her head and laughs. Everything about her actions is exaggerated. Over the top. “I want everything you have. Well, not necessarily everything. You’re an ugly little slut who deserves nothing, you know that?”

Her words are so full of venom I almost recoil. Instead I stand my ground. “Let me get by. I’ll forget this ever happened if you just let me go.”

“No.” She waves the gun again, pointing it right at me. “You know what I really want? I wish you would just…disappear. That would make my life so much easier. No more worrying about Andrew falling in love with a whore. I could have him all to myself. I deserve him, you know. I created him. I made him the man he is today.”

I don’t argue with her. Have a feeling she wouldn’t listen anyway.

“My husband hates me,” she continues, clearly on a roll. “Did you hear about that? Of course, you did. I try to be honest with him so he understands me better and instead he tells me he never wants to see me again. According to my husband, I destroyed both him and his son. And my daughter.” Tears streak down her cheeks, a little sob escaping her. “Doesn’t he see how much he destroyed me? How they both destroyed me after Vanessa’s death? It’s their fault she’s gone.”

I can almost—not quite, but almost—feel sorry for her. The death of any family member is horrible. The death of a small child must be absolutely devastating.

“Both of the Callahan men hate my guts and I have nothing to live for anymore. Absolutely nothing. It’s all your fault, you know,” Adele says matter-of-factly.

My jaw practically drops to the ground. And I almost felt sorry for her somehow? “How is it my fault?”

“You came into his life and ruined everything. Everything. You made Andrew want to reveal the truth. You made him stay away from me. He was mine, you stupid bitch. All mine until you came along and stole him away from me.”

He was never really hers. But you can’t argue with crazy.

“You destroyed me so now I’m going to destroy you.” That gun is aimed right at me and I hate it. “Let’s take Andrew’s truck. I like the idea of all of this happening in something he owns. This way, he’ll never forget.”

All of this happening—oh God, what is she talking about? “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

She straightens out her arm, that gun coming dangerously close to me. “Go unlock the fucking truck right now.”

I do as she asks, hitting the keyless remote again, the wrong button this time. The one that sets the horn alarm off.

“Stupid bitch,” she mutters just as the door to Drew’s apartment swings open. He’s standing there, clad only in a pair of sweatpants that hang loose on his hips, and I see the greedy, lustful gleam that fills Adele’s gaze when she sees him.

I think I’m going to be sick.

His eyes widen when he sees the gun in Adele’s hand. He looks at me, panic in his eyes, his expression grim. “What the hell is going on?”

“Shut that fucking thing off!” Adele screams and I hit the button, silencing the car.

I turn my gaze on Drew, trying to convey everything I can to him in that one long look.

And then it hits me. I know exactly what I need to say that’ll let him know this is serious. Not that a gun isn’t serious, because holy shit, I hate her shaky grip, the way she waves the gun around. How completely unhinged she is. This bitch is close to losing her shit—and she wants me to take the fall for all her troubles.

“Hey Drew,” I say, raising my voice, tipping my head in Adele’s direction. “Marshmallow.”