AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You're telling me." I clear my throat. “So, how is Nonna doing? Really. Still as feisty as ever, despite everything?"
"Of course." Gabi smiles, but it quickly fades. "You know her, she'll probably outlive us all, just to spite the doctors."
We fall into a silence laced with the aroma of simmering tomatoes and the biting scent of freshly cut onions. It would almost be comforting, this ritual, were it not for the storm clouds hovering between us.
"About earlier with Gio—" I start, but she holds up a hand.
"Save it. He's always been overprotective."
I nod, even though it's pointless. It's as if the air itself crackles with unsaid words.
Needing to change the subject, I decide to bite the bullet. I turn to look at Gabi directly now.
I drop the knife to the cutting board. "I can't fucking do this."
The sound startles Gabi who looks up. She frowns. "Do what?"
"This. Pretend like things are even remotely all right. Pretend like I'm not dying to touch you." I glance down at her swollen stomach. "Pretend like I don't want to hold you in my arms and never let go."
Gabi's face softens. "I know," she says simply.
"But what are we supposed to do? We can't ignore this forever." I gesture between us.
"I know, Jake."
"Jesus, Gabs." I take a step closer. "Don't tell me 'I know' once more time. It's like you're shutting me out."
Mirroring me, Gabi turns to face me as well. "I'm not shutting you out. I just...don't know what to do either."
"I think you do," I accuse her. She meets my gaze, surprised by my sudden seriousness. "Why didn't you tell me about...being the father?"
She freezes, the wooden spoon in her hand hovering over the simmering pot. Her eyes widen, and for a moment, I think she's going to bolt out of the room. Instead, she takes a deep breath and looks down at the sauce, stirring slowly.
"Jacob, it's not that simple. I didn’t know how to tell you, or if I even should. So much has happened, and I didn’t want to complicate things even more."
"Complicated? Gabi, this is way beyond complicated. You should have told me. I deserved to know."
She sighs, turning off the heat and setting down the spoon. "And now you do. So now what?"
"You tell me! I've been wanting to make this thing official. You're the one who's been holding back."
Gabi scoffs, her green eyes narrowing. "Seriously, Jacob. 'Official'? I...I mean, have you ever made any relationship 'official' in your entire life? And you're wanting me to, what, bet that you've made a change overnight?"
I take a step back, feeling like I've been slapped in the face. "Wow, Gabs. Way to give me the benefit of the doubt."
She lets out a frustrated sigh and runs a hand through her long hair before looking at me again. "Look, I'm not saying you haven't changed. But I know you. Every 'relationship' you've had in your life ends up in the tabloids. Or ends as a disaster."
"That was then. This is now." I reach for her hand, but she pulls away.
"Is it? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like nothing's really changed."
I feel a surge of anger and frustration rising in me. I hadn't changed after the game. I'm still sticky from the sweat and ice, the long shirt and compression pants clinging to my skin.
I still haven't showered yet, and I'm sure Gabi can smell the sweat and desperation oozing from me.
And yet she's still standing there, green-eyed and gorgeous even after the long day she's had. But she's telling me that nothing's changed.
"I have changed, Gabi. Maybe not overnight, but I'm trying."
