Easy Charm

Something is very wrong with Gabby. When I pulled her into my arms last night, I could tell that she’d been crying. Why won’t she just talk to me? I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s wrong.

I run for thirty minutes, then turn around and head back toward the inn.

I have no idea where she and Sam went this morning. Not that she needs to check in with me, but she usually lets me know if she’s not going to be around. It’s just a matter of consideration for each other.

And, goddamn it, I miss her.

I run around the inn to the barn and spend another hour working on stretches and weight training. The music is still pulsing in my ears when it suddenly stops and my phone starts ringing.

“Hello.”

“Where the hell are you?” I frown and stare down at Melanie’s name on my phone.

“What are you talking about? I’m in New Orleans.”

“You’re supposed to be in Chicago, today, to film the Children’s Hospital commercial.” She sounds very shrill, and very pissed. “I can’t believe you forgot, Rhys!”

Fuck.

“I’m sorry. I can be there today. Charter me a plane and I’ll be on my way to the airport in less than thirty minutes.”

“Make it fifteen,” she growls and ends the call.

“Damn it,” I mutter and run for the house. I don’t have time for a shower, but take a quick one anyway, throw some clothes on, and then simply scoop up my things and throw them all in my duffel.

I have no idea what I’ll need, so I just take it all. I didn’t have much to begin with anyway.

Gabby’s phone rings and rings, and finally sends me to voice mail. Where the fuck is she? I don’t want to leave without explaining to her what’s happening.

I run past Eva and out to my car, then peel out of the driveway, headed to the airport.

I try to call Gabby again, but it’s no use. So I send her a text.

I’m needed in Chicago. I had to leave.

I’ll call her when I get there and explain it all to her. I already miss her. I’ve been missing her for days. I wish I’d had a chance to kiss her and hold her in my arms before I left.

I wish she’d fucking talk to me.

Chapter Eighteen

~Gabby~

“Mom, I’m hungry.” Sam’s shuffling his feet as he follows me out of the mall toward our car. We’ve been shopping for school clothes and new linens for the inn all morning, and I admit, I’m hungry too, which is a relief because food hasn’t set well on my stomach for days.

“I know, buddy. Let’s go get some lunch.”

“But it’s not even eleven. It’s too early for lunch.”

“Okay, let’s go get a second breakfast,” I reply with a laugh and pull my phone out of my pocket to check it. I’ve missed three calls from Rhys, and one text from an hour and a half ago.

I’m needed in Chicago. I had to leave.

I read it three times, hoping the words will change, but each time they’re the same.

He’s gone.

He’s gone.

And why am I surprised? I knew this day was coming. He’s never been permanent, but I thought that he would have at least said goodbye in person.

I try to call him back, but it goes directly to voice mail. Seriously? How could he have caught a flight in less than two hours?

I guess he was in a hurry to leave.

“Mom, it’s getting hot in here,” Sam whines from the back seat. I meet his eyes in the rearview mirror and want more than anything to fall apart.

How am I going to explain this to him? He loves Rhys just as much as I do.

“Sorry, buddy,” I reply and turn the car on, blast the air conditioning, and chew my lip while I try to figure out what to do.

What do I do?

I can’t fall apart in front of Sam. And I’m not ready to tell him that Rhys is gone. I just don’t know how I’m going to do that.

I need my mama.

The ten-minute drive to her house seems endless.

“Why are we going to Nannan’s?” Sam asks.

“Just because,” I reply and pull in her driveway. Sam follows me up to the front door of the massive house, and when Mama answers, she smiles and hugs us both.

“This is a nice surprise. Come on in.”

“I need a favor,” I reply immediately, and Mama’s shrewd eyes narrow as she pats Sam on the head.

“Sam, why don’t you go pour yourself some sweet tea?”

“Yes, ma’am. Do you have any food? I’m starving!”

“You can help yourself to a cookie, and I’ll make you something in a minute.”

“Thanks, Nannan,” he says with a grin and heads out to the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?” she asks immediately when Sam is out of earshot.

I shake my head, still not ready to fall apart. “I have a lot on my mind. Would you mind keeping him overnight? I know it’s short notice, and I’m sorry.”

“He can stay as long as you need him to, but you didn’t answer my question.”

“I think I might be heartbroken,” I whisper and find myself immediately caught up in her arms, held close.

“He’s a fool,” she says simply, then pulls away and pats my cheek. “And you’re worth more than that.”

“You don’t even know what happened.”

“I don’t need to; I’m your mama. Go ahead and go. I’ll keep Sam.”

“Thanks, Mama.”

Once in my car, I immediately drive into the Quarter and park in front of Charly’s shop. She’s the only one who knows everything. I need her.