Chapter Twenty-Nine

The following day was so quiet that Trevor kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Though Gabrielle had noticed something had changed in the house, she didn’t say anything about it and Trevor wasn’t about to mention Nick unless she brought it up. His mother knew, promised him everything would be all right before she boarded a plane the next morning, promising Gabrielle that she would be back soon, and would probably bring Grandpa next time.

Trevor made a face, things still being difficult with his father thanks to his sexuality confession, but it would be nice to try and bridge gaps. Though Trevor would like to be in a stable relationship before he did, even if it was to prove to his father that he was capable of it.

Gabrielle didn’t cry, which Trevor thanked his lucky stars for, just stood on the doorstep waving until the cab disappeared around the corner. Then she gripped Trevor’s hand and tugged him back toward the kitchen. “We should make some cookies, Daddy.”

“Sure,” Trevor agreed affably, grateful for the distraction. Despite Gabrielle aiming for cookies, Trevor shook his head. “I think we should make cakes instead. You can take them with you tomorrow.”

“Where am I going?” Gabrielle asked, tugging over her step stool so that she could reach the counter.

Trevor figured it was as good a time as any to broach the subject with Gabrielle over where she’d be staying while he was playing hockey. “I thought maybe tomorrow, while I was playing hockey, you could go and stay with some friends.”

Gabrielle’s eyes went wide, then a contemplative look on her face. “Brooklyn?”

“No,” Trevor said, though he should definitely corner Haddy and see if he can’t arrange that for her. “With Sadie and Kelly.”

There was silence while Trevor pulled the ingredients from the cupboards. When he had everything they needed and Gabrielle still hadn’t said something, he touched her head, leaning down to look at her. “What’s the matter?”

“Is this because Mr. Nick can’t look after me anymore?”

Trevor sighed but chose to be honest. “It is, sweetheart. I know you were hoping he would, but Nick and I need to have some talks first, okay? I can’t promise he’ll ever come back for good.”

Part of him wanted to take it back as soon as the words were out of his mouth. The period of time – however short it had been – that she was mad at him had been the worst days he could remember in a long time. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he had meant what he’d told Nick. He wasn’t going to give her false hope and he wasn’t going to promise something he couldn’t deliver.

“Do you not like Mr. Nick anymore?”

Trevor sighed, crouching down in front of her and holding both of her hands in his. She looked sad, mouth downturned and eyes welling up, but she looked him in the eye. “I like him a lot, baby, and that’s what’s wrong.”

Gabrielle didn’t – couldn’t – understand. “So why can’t he come back?”

Though he was reluctant to bring up Clara, Trevor couldn’t see any other way of explaining it to her. “Mommy left,” he started, and immediately Gabrielle’s tears started to fall. Trevor brushed them from her cheeks, tugged her off the stool and into his arms. He hated himself for this, but she buried her face in his neck and held on tight. He wasn’t about to chicken out now. “I don’t want that to ever happen to you again, darling, all right? It’s hard. I know you love Mr. Nick a lot. So does Daddy.”

“Like Nana loves Grandpa?” Gabrielle managed through her tears.

Trevor closed his eyes, turning his face into her hair and just breathing her in for a moment. “Like that, yeah. But sometimes it takes time for people to realize they feel like that.”

“Okay,” Gabrielle said. Trevor could tell from her tone that she still didn’t understand – how could she, she was three? Still, she pulled back a little, still crying, but her frown was more contemplative than unhappy. “Will he stay after?”

“I don’t know.” Trevor kissed her temple, squeezing her gently.

Gabrielle sighed, cuddling up against him and letting out a small sigh. “I miss him, Daddy.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Trevor eyed the ingredients on the counter, all of them safe to leave out for a while and carried Gabrielle through to the living room. “How about we watch a movie and make cakes after?”

“All right,” Gabrielle agreed, as reluctant to let go of Trevor as Trevor was of her. He hated how little he could make her understand what he was doing, still feeling like he was hurting her more than protecting her. It would have to be enough.

It didn’t take Gabrielle long to fall asleep on his chest, Trevor shutting off the movie before he could drive himself insane with animated ponies. He rubbed at his eyes, staring out of the window and onto the street. It was a quiet neighborhood, one of the reasons Trevor – and Nick – had chosen it, and though Trevor was hoping for a distraction, there was nothing to draw his eye. He’d left his phone on the counter in the kitchen.

Flicking the TV back on to something he didn’t have to pay much attention to, he stroked his hand through Gabrielle’s hair, teasing gently at the curls. Though they’d managed to discuss Nick without her hating him once more, she hadn’t said anything about Sadie and Kelly. Trevor hoped she wouldn’t kick up a fuss.

Thankfully, by the time late afternoon rolled around and she’d woken up, she was perky enough that she wanted to tackle cakes and brought up the next day all on her own.

“I think Kelly will like the cakes,” Gabrielle said, helping Trevor tip the sugar into the bowl. “Sadie didn’t like the ones at the party.”

“I think because they were chocolate,” Trevor said, grateful that she was at least contemplating the idea of staying with Abby. “Maybe if we make different flavors, she’ll eat them.”

Gabrielle nodded, brushing her hands on her little apron. “I think so, Daddy.”

“So,” Trevor said, gripping the spoon and helping Gabrielle try to mix the ingredients. “You want to stay with Abby tomorrow?”

Though Gabrielle was silent, Trevor could see her face and figured it had more to do with concentration on stirring the mixture than not knowing how to answer. “I like them,” she said eventually, tipping her head back to smile at Trevor. “Friends are good.”

“They are,” Trevor agreed, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “Hopefully they’ll like your cakes as much as they like you.”

Gabrielle giggled. “If we put sweets on top!”

Thankfully Abby wasn’t irritated at the sweets on the cakes, though she did roll her eyes when Trevor dropped her off the next afternoon. “Get them hyped on sugar? Thanks, Trevor.”

“Sorry,” Trevor said, not sorry at all. “You can always take the sweets off.”

Abby snorted. “Yeah, try telling them that.”

Gabrielle had been polite with Abby, greeting her warmly, but as soon as she’d seen Kelly running down the hall, Sadie tottering after, she’d been brushing past Abby and showing the box of cakes off.

“Thanks again,” Trevor said, more sincerely. “I appreciate this.”

“I told you it’s fine,” Abby stressed, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. “Now go, teach my husband to score goals.”

“I heard that!” Jetty yelled from the kitchen, and then appeared in his suit, bending to give both Kelly and Sadie a kiss. There was a distinct lack of tears, for which Trevor was grateful when it came to saying goodbye to Gabrielle. Either she was really okay with him leaving, or she was taking note from her new friends because she kissed him sloppily on the cheek and then dashed off up the stairs with Sadie and Kelly.

“Replaced so soon,” Jetty said, patting Trevor on the cheek.

Though he had a brief pang, Trevor shoved it down, rolling his eyes. “Fuck off,” he said, keeping his tone low so as not to draw attention from the girls. “At least I’m not being replaced.”

Jetty pretended to be hurt, sweeping in to kiss Abby soundly on the mouth. “I’ll always have my wife.”

Abby exchanged a look with Trevor and pretended to think about it. Laughing at the expression on Jetty’s face, Trevor shrugged.

“Can’t help it if I’m more attractive than you.”

Jetty raised his eyebrows. “Oh, to whom?”

“Well,” Trevor started, thinking about Nick.

“Nope,” Jetty said immediately, shoving Trevor out of the open door. “We’re not talking about this in front of my wife.”

Abby coughed. “Ruining my fun, all the time.”

Trevor waved a hand in goodbye, though he grinned at her over his shoulder. “I’ll discuss my sex life with you when Jetty’s not around.”

Jetty let out an exclamation of distress, but Abby was laughing as she shut the door, so Trevor counted it as a win. “Why do you always have to try and pick up my wife, Peeks?”

Patting Jetty on the arm, affecting a look of mock-commiseration, he sighed deeply. “I know it must be hard, being second-best to someone who’s attracted more to dudes than your wife. And still,” he added, grinning, “your wife loves me better.”

“Lies,” Jetty said, pointing at Trevor over the top of the car. “Slander.”

“Uh-huh,” Trevor said, but he was laughing as he dug the keys out of his pocket. Sliding into the front seat, he had to concede that if Gabrielle continued to be as happy about staying with Abby as she was now, maybe it was a situation that could work for them all. He would just have to wait until he picked her up again.