Mending Read Online Free Page A

“Gabby, I just found out five damn minutes ago.  Give me a minute to process the information.  I need to sort some things out for myself before I can try to sort them out for you.”
    “You can have all the time you need.  I gotta get out of here.” Gabby grabbed her keys fighting back tears as she ran for the door. 
    Bradley grabbed her arm. “Please don’t go, not like this.  We have plans.  You’ve driven a long way and you don’t need to be driving right now.”
    She turned and looked up to him with fierce glowing hazel eyes. “Let. Me. Go.”
    Bradley’s eyes were locked with hers, as if in a battle of wills.  He continued to hold her until she pulled her arm. When she did, he released it, defeated.  “Gabby, I want you.  I love you.  Please, don’t go.”
    She snapped her head back.  “You love me?  Did you love me when you were screwing her?”
    “She’s due in March, Gabby.”  He threw his hands up exacerbated.  “Do the math.  June, it was June.”
    “Thought you said you weren’t with anyone after you met me at the wedding?”
    “I wasn’t.”
    “So, it was what before you met me?”
    “Yes.”
    “I want to believe you, but I don’t know if I can.  Would you have told me if I hadn’t come in and interrupted your little intimate moment?”
    “Of course, but not like this.  Not today.” He took a deep breath.  “I have something so special and I don’t want it ruined with my baggage.”
    “Well, it’s kind of late for that Bradley.  Your baggage isn’t the kind that is going away or can be talked through in therapy.  Your baggage is a kid for cryin’ out loud!”
    “Yeah, I’m well aware of this.  I didn’t know Gabby.  She was on the pill.” He closed his eyes tightly before continuing.  When he opened them, they were fierce with resolve.  “I haven’t seen her since before the wedding.  I just quit taking her calls.  You have to believe me.”
    “I want to, but I just…I can’t be here.  I can’t be with you.  I really have to go.  Please, just let me go.”
    “Where are you gonna go?  You shouldn’t drive back tonight.” He took a step closer.  “At least stay here for the night.  I’ll go stay at my parents if you’ll promise to just stay and not drive back.”
    Gabby shook her head and looked away. “No, I can’t be here.”
    “I’ll get you a hotel room, then.  Just don’t drive back tonight,” he pleaded.
    “I’ll be fine.  Goodbye, Bradley.” Gabby turned on her heal to leave.
    He put his hand up on the door preventing her from opening it.  “Hey.  Why do I feel like you are telling me goodbye for good?”
    Gabby narrowed her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”
    “Well, are you?”
    “I said I don’t know.  I can’t think around you right now.  I need some time.”
    “We’ll get through this, we have to.”
    “I don’t know about that.”  Gabby paused as the tears started streaming down her face.  “You’re having a child with a woman who obviously loves you and you clearly felt something for her or she wouldn’t be pregnant.”
    “No, I didn’t.  I don’t feel anything towards her.”
    “Whatever, I need to go.” Gabby swiftly walked out of the door and pressed the button for the elevator. 
    Leaving the door to his apartment open, Bradley followed her waiting for her to respond but she jumped in the elevator too quickly pressing the button for the doors to close.  “Gabby!  Wait.  What do I have to do to get you to not leave tonight?”
    “Nothing,” was all she said as the doors closed and Bradley stood there knowing that by the time he got down the stairs she would be gone.
    She was right.  There was nothing he could do to stop her from leaving.  He leaned back against the wall behind him and slid down with his knees bent.  Leaning his elbows up against his knees, he thumbed through his hair, sighing at how quickly his plans for that night had been