The door opens and a girl with similar features to Gemma comes out. “I thought I heard voices,” she says, and pulls Gemma in for a hug. I watch the exchange as Brad watches me, but I don’t pay him much attention.
“Amanda, do you remember Callan?”
“Callan Ward, of course.” She turns to me and brings me in for a hug. “So nice to see you again, and I’m sorry, we’re all huggers,” she says with a laugh, but I instantly like her. She steps back and her gaze goes from her sister to me back to her sister. “Wait, are you two…”
I pull Gemma back in. “Yeah, we are,” I say.
She gives us a big grin. “You two make the cutest couple. I always knew you would.”
“What are you talking about, Amanda?”
“Oh, come on, Gemma. Don’t pretend you didn’t have a crush on him in high school. He had the nicest body.” She gives me a once over. “From the looks of things, he still does.”
“Yeah, he does,” Gemma says, dreamily.
I grin. “Thanks, babe.”
She frowns as she turns to her sister. “But seriously, why do you say stuff like that? Just to embarrass us?”
“I’m your big sister, it’s what big sisters do, and you, my little sister, have some explaining to do. Clearly there are some things you forgot to tell me the last time we talked.” She puts her arm around Gemma and drags her from me.
“I’m sure David wouldn’t like you commenting on another man’s ass,” Gemma says.
“David knows what he got himself into when he asked me to marry him, Gemma.” Amanda leads her sister into the house, completely ignoring Brad. Seems to me Gemma isn’t the only one who isn’t a fan of her ex. I like her sister even more. I take the steps, and Brad stands in front of me, blocking my path.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asks.
I lift the bag in my hand. “To Gemma’s room. Drop our things off and then to hang out. If you wouldn’t mind moving.” I keep my temper in check. Man, I’ve come across assholes like this in my career before. Guys that can’t take no for an answer, thrive on power and control. Worry for Gemma trickles through me at all the red flags I see in his behavior.
“I do mind.”
“Then we’re going to have a problem,” I say.
He crosses his arms and sticks his chest out. “What I have a problem with is you and Gemma.”
“Not much I can do about that.” I say.
“We were going to work things out this weekend, try to get back together.”
“News to me.”
“What the fuck is really going on here? Gemma never told me she was seeing someone.”
“What Gemma does is none of your business, maybe that’s why she never told you. The only one she has to answer to is herself. Not even to me.”
He fists his hands, the veins on his neck bulging.
“We’re a couple now, pal,” I say. “You’ll have to get used to it. Or not. Either way, I don’t care.”
“I’m not your pal. In fact, I don’t much like you,” he says.
“Not a problem for me. I already have a best friend.” My phone buzzes in my pocket. “That’s him messaging me right now.” Taking off with Gemma happened so fast, I never had time to text Mason. He’s probably wondering where the fuck I am. What would he think if he knew what I was doing? He’s been after me to move on, but I’m not sure this is what he would have had in mind. I make a mental note to shoot him a text.
Brad’s nostrils flare as we stand there, a pissing contest if I ever saw one. Gemma’s mother comes outside, and Brad’s demeanor instantly changes. She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “Callan,” she says. “Gemma told me you were here. So nice to see you again.”
Brad smiles at her. “We were just getting to know each other, Janice.”
“Well, come on out back, and have a beer. We’d love to hear what you’ve been up to, Callan.”
“Yeah we’d love to hear,” Brad says.
We step inside and Gemma’s eyes are filled with anxiety when they meet mine.
“Hey babe, want to show me which room is ours?”
“Sure,” she says, and I hold my hand out for her. She slides hers into mine and we head upstairs. Once in her room, she shuts the door. “Sorry about leaving you outside like that.”
“Not a problem. I can handle that asshole.”
“I know you can,” she says and steps up to me. She puts her arms around me and rests her head on my chest. “You know what. I really am glad you’re here. It was so much easier facing him with you by my side.”
I run my hand down her hair and kiss the top of her head. “He’s not going to hurt you, Gemma. Not ever again,” I say, as a sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t able to protect my wife and unborn son. I never got to them in time. What if Gemma found herself in trouble and I wasn’t there to protect her? I swallow down the pain rising in me. “We better get out there. I’m going to need a cold one.”
She uncoils her hands from around my back. “Amanda was happy we were together.”
“I like her.”
“She likes you too.”
“Let’s go work on the rest of them.”
We head back down the stairs, and she gives me a quick tour of the place, and we walk out back, the Atlantic Ocean on their doorsteps. “Such a great home,” I say, and Gemma’s father stands.
“Callan, son, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?”
“Things are good, Jim. Good to see you again,” I say and smile as he shakes my hand.
“Let me get you a beer and then introduce you to everyone.” There are a good twenty people on the wide expanse of deck. Children are running about playing and adults are chatting and putting back drinks. Jim hands me a can of beer, and I crack it as he does the introduction of friends and family, and I work hard to remember all the names.
Brad comes back out onto the deck. I have no idea where he’s been. Probably running my name through his database.
I take a seat and Gemma drops down into the chair next to me. “So, what do you do, son?” Jim asks.
“Firefighter,” I say.
Janice sets a platter of fresh fruit on the table and I pick up a strawberry and dip it into the Cool Whip. I hand it to Gemma and grab one for myself.
“If my memory serves me correctly,” he says, and winks. “Usually it doesn’t,” he adds and everyone laughs. “But I do remember you saying in high school that you wanted to be a firefighter.”
“It’s the only thing I ever wanted to do,” I say. “And that’s a great memory you have.”
Someone, and I believe it’s Gemma’s aunt, pipes in, “Just like Brad. He always wanted to be a police officer.”
“That’s right, Donna,” Brad says. “I’m working my way up to lieutenant.”
Donna beams up at him, and I take Gemma’s hand into mine. I bring it to my mouth for a kiss as Brad continues to talk about his accomplishments.
I lean into her. “Do you swim down there?” I ask as I take in the long dock and the wharf in the water. I also note the speed boat.