“No Kyle, it’s happening. God, do you know what I’ve been through? Being thrown all over the news as a cheating whore! There’s no coming back from that!”
“I’ll set it straight.”
“Oh, will you now? I think you’ve done enough Kyle.”
“Okay, what’s going to happen…”
“I’ll tell you what’s gonna fucking happen. You’ll have partial custody of Gabe because I’d never break his heart and take you away from him. He loves you too much. Exchanges will happen at school so I don’t have to see you. I’ll drop him off then you can pick him up or vice versa. If it needs to happen on the weekends my Mom already agreed to bring him to you.”
Everything she’s saying I love because it keeps Gabe in my life. But what about seeing Soph? She’s completely cutting me out and it’s like a kick to the gut knowing she doesn’t want me in her life anymore.
“When will we see each other? I’ll prove that you can trust me again.”
“That’s happened before and look at what went down! Never again will I ever trust you Kyle Cage. Never.” She walks back into the house and slams the door. I stand in the driveway for a while trying to process everything she said… and not accepting any of it.
Did I fuck up? Hell yes. I’m the worst kind of person for what I accused her of. Denying that Gabe was my son and kicking them out of my Vegas home. But I will not go down without a fight. I’ll get my family back and I’ll show her exactly why she fell in love with me in the first place.
Starting right now.
***
Sophie
After I slam the door on Kyle I drop to the ground. With my knees held tightly to my chest I bury my face in my legs and try to calm myself down.
Seeing Kyle was way harder than anticipated because my body still calls to him. Not to mention my need to take care of him when I saw the full cast on his arm. But I need to set boundaries now otherwise he’ll take advantage and weasel his way back into my life… and my heart.
I get off the ground a few moments later and walk into the kitchen where Gabe’s resumed the position he was in before he heard his Dad’s car coming up the driveway.
“You still want juice bud?”
“Yes please. Where’d Dad go? I really wanted to talk to him about his training.” It takes a lot not to laugh but I refrain and feel bad for being so stern with making him come back in the house.
“I’m sorry Gabe, I’ll call him and set up a time for you to see him tomorrow. Maybe if his arm is feeling okay you can have a sleepover?”
“He’s not sleeping here tonight? What’s going on here?” He places his tiny hands on his hips and gives me a stern look.
“No baby, he’s going back to his house…”
“I wanna go with Dad!” He cuts me off and this is the first time he’s ever chosen Kyle over me. It stings and I try to tell myself it’s because he’s injured.
But then I need to remember that my issues with Kyle are my own and that will no way shape or form hinder Gabe’s relationship with him. He fucked up but Gabe will never know his father doubted him. That’s something I’ll keep secret forever to keep any pain away from my boy.
Making the decision, I pull out my phone and call Kyle. “Hey Soph…”
I cut him off not wanting to hear anymore apologies or excuses. “Gabe wants to know if he can go to your house today?”
“Of course he can. I’m still in the driveway.”
“I’ll get him ready.” And I hang up the phone without hearing his reply.
“Good news, Daddy’s still in the driveway. Let’s get your shoes on.”
“Hell yeah!” He fist pumps the air and runs for his shoes.
“What did I tell you about saying that?” I yell.
“Sorry Mom! Heck yes!” He yells through the house.
“Much better.” We throw on his shoes and he bombs out the door. Kyle’s waiting at the bottom of the steps with a massive smile on his face when he sees Gabe running for him.
When he pulls Gabe into his arms he mouths “thank you” and I nod my head.
“He needs to be home by dinner because my Mom’s coming over.”
“No problem. Gabe, tell Mom bye.”
“See ya!” He waves and they both walk to the SUV. After Kyle has Gabe all buckled into his booster seat, he levels me with a look that nearly has me running into his arms. There’s so much pain swirling behind his eyes and I almost forget for a second that I’m the one that was hurt. Almost.
I give him a chin lift like all the indifferent people of the world do in acknowledgment, then walk back in the house. After walking around for a few minutes unsure of what to do I grab my keys and head for my car. It’s a little chilly out but I was planning on taking Gabe to the park.
One things clear, I know I don’t want to be alone right now.
CHAPTER 27
Kyle
“Are you sure?” I question.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Savvy laughs. “Get your ass down here.” Then she hangs up.
I wipe my hands down my face and try to stifle a laugh and fail.
“What’s so funny Dad?” Gabe hops up on the stool next to me at the kitchen island.
“Nothing bud but I need to run out really quick. I’m gonna call one of your uncles to come over.”
“Can you call Uncle Josh? Uncle Jay just tries to teach me how to make farting noises with my arm. Why do I need to know how to fart with my arm when I can fart with my ass?”
He’s dead fucking serious. No hint of a smile on his face. “Uncle Josh it is. And don’t say ass.”
“Sorry, my patootie.” He replies.
“No, don’t say that either.” I laugh. “Your butt.”
I’m shaking my head when I walk out of the kitchen already dialing Josh’s number. He agrees and ten minutes later shows up and I’m out the door.
It takes me no time to get downtown and when I park I look to my right. The sign for Monkey Bars is shining bright for the early evening.
“Let’s get this shit show over with…” I say to myself and get out of my car. With my hat pulled down low, I walk through the doors of the bar and look around. You’d think this place was like a sanctuary for the Cage boys but it’s anything but. Everyone in town knows the ties to our family that run through this place and they try to get in and get a glimpse of one of us… well not Jay but don’t tell him that.
Where the hell is she? I look around some more before I see Savvy waving me over to the bar.
“What’s going on Sav? Where is she?”
She cringes and points to her feet. Now I’m confused and unsure of how to take that gesture.
“Get your ass over here will you?” She demands and I round the bar and stop in my tracks. And laugh. Lying asleep at Savvy’s feet is my girl. Passed out behind the bar. Once again, I wish I could document this moment but I’m sure it wouldn’t work out too well for me if I did.
“What the hell happened?” I ask bending down and brushing Sophie’s hair off her face.
“She came in hours ago saying she didn’t want to be by herself at home. She started taking shot after shot, then she passed out at my feet when she was crawling back here to get another drink because I shut her off.”
“You should have shut her off six shots ago from the looks of it.” I look down at my girl and can’t help but feel horrible. This is all my fault.
“I tried, the girl can be feisty when she wants a drink.” She laughs.
“Don’t I know it.” I try to figure out a plan because of my fucking cast. She needs to sleep it off, so with Savvy’s help I get her safely in my car. Sophie stirs a bit but then she nuzzles into my chest as I’m buckling her in before passing out again.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Don’t thank me. This is my fault.” I close the door and before I get around her to leave Savvy places her hand on my shoulder.
“You fucked up… bad. But there’s still hope. She still loves you.” I nod
my head but inside I’m freaking out with excitement. Savvy wouldn’t say that unless she meant it.
The drive to my house is uneventful filled with silence and Sophie’s soft snores. There’s no way I’m dropping her off at her house with no one to watch over her and I’ll need to keep Gabe at my house tonight for obvious reasons.
As I struggle my way through the front door of my house cursing my cast once again, I realize I should have had Josh get Gabe out of there, or at least taken him outside.
“What’s wrong with Mom?” Gabe asks with worry lacing his voice.
“Nothing bud. She was so tired she just… fell asleep. I’m gonna go put her to bed.”
“Make sure to put her in your bed Daddy, it’s her favorite.”
“You got it bud.”
I walk up the stairs and down the hall to my bedroom. I’ll probably get my nuts ripped off later but I don’t care. She is going to know how much I love her one way or another. And I want to take care of her. I need to.
After tucking her in, I leave my room and shut the door.
I’m pretty sure when she wakes up I’m going to be dealing with another side of Sophie I’m all too used to but haven’t seen in years.
A completely pissed off woman.
Maybe I should put on a cup?
***
Boom… bang… boom
“The dragon lady’s awake.” Gabe whispers causing me to burst out laughing. But I quickly switch my expression to neutral because if Soph hears Gabe call her that I’ll really lose my balls.
“Don’t say that… it’s Mom. Got it?” I give him my best Dad glare causing him to smile at me and nod his head in understanding.
Sophie comes fumbling into the living room looking disheveled and disoriented. “Good morning buttercup.”
Sophie completely ignores me and walks to Gabe. She bends down and kisses his forehead then sits next to him on the couch.
“Whatcha playing kiddo?”
“Idiot Zombie.”
I raise my hands in surrender after she shoots me a mean mug. “Hey, he knows how to download games himself.”
“Child locks Kyle… passwords.” She grabs my coffee that’s on the table next to her and downs it. “Surely you know a parent can set boundaries on a tablet.”
“Dragon lady’s in a bad mood.” Gabe mutters under his breath.
“What did you call me?”
Gabe’s little head pops up with fear written all over his face. “Um… I… that’s what Dad called you last night!”
Son of a bitch! I need to have a little chat with my son about talking me up, not aiding in me losing my nut sack. I’ve heard of the birds and bees chat but what about your dicks as important as the breaths you take talk? Surely that’s a standard conversation I should be having with my boy. With the look Sophie’s sending me once again, I’m not sure I’ll live to see the day to have that conversation.
“Hey, I said it in a good way.”
“How is calling me a dragon lady a good thing?”
“Oh, don’t worry Mom. He said that when you woke up you’d rip his dinky off and eat it for breakfast. He didn’t say anything bad about you. I’d love to be a dragon, dragons are cool Mom.”
“We’re leaving Gabe. Can you go grab your things so I can have a little talk with your father?”
“Busted…” He mumbles under his breath before doing as the dra… er… Sophie told him to.
She turns to me and closes her eyes. After a few deep breaths she reopens them back up and I see so much pain in her eyes. “Listen, about last night…”
“Don’t even mention it. And I know you’re pissed I brought you here but there was no way I was dropping you off alone at home. I still love you Soph, there was no way I was doing that.”
“I appreciate it but you could have called my Mom… or even one of the girls.”
“Savvy’s the one that called me. I found you passed out behind the bar on the floor. I’m not going to apologize for taking care of you.”
Her eyes begin to glisten before she shakes her head and gets up off the couch. She mutters a thank you before leaving the room and shouting for Gabe.
“Hey, why don’t you guys stay for breakfast? I can make pancakes?”
“We can’t.” She replies.
“Or won’t.”
“Kyle, I just… can’t.” She looks like she’s trying to make up her mind on whether to share more or keep it inside. There’s another beat of silence and she walks to the window looking out at my backyard.
“Don’t hold back Soph, I need to know how you’re feeling so I know how to fix this.” I place my hand on her shoulder and she shakes it off.
“It hurts too much to be around you.” She sniffles then turns around to face me with tears in her eyes. “You gave me happiness I’d dreamt about for years then took it away! I thought we were the real deal!” She’s shouting and I want nothing more than to comfort her but I know I can’t do that right now.
“We were… are the real deal. I fucked up, you just need to give me another chance!” I’m starting to raise my voice too. Hoping that if I get how I feel across she’ll take me back.
“I don’t know if I can…” She whispers. “It’s only ever been you. It’s always been just you. And now…”
“And now…”
“You fucked up.” She squares her shoulders and walks towards the hallway that leads to my front door.
“Soph!”
She turns around and looks at me and I know I need to say something. Do something.
“I’m not giving up.”
“I hope you don’t but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust you again.” And with that she leaves. Gabe runs up and says goodbye to me and they’re just… gone.
I’ve never felt so alone in my entire life.
I grab my keys a short while later and make my way to my Mom’s house. If anyone can impart some wisdom on me, whip my ass into shape so to speak, it’ll be Judy Cage.
A few minutes after knocking, Billy opens the door and invites me inside. I still can’t believe my Moms remarrying again and I don’t mean that in a bratty way. I’m not one of those selfish kids that thinks even in my father’s death that she’s still married and should remain loyal to him. I’m sure some people do that and that’s perfectly fine but my Mom deserves to be happy and I’m glad she’s found someone else to share her life with. I know falling in love with someone can be rare sometimes but having two in a lifespan… that’s something right there.
“Hey Ky, what’s going on?” My Mom smiles as she enters the kitchen. I stand up and pull her into a bear hug when she gets close enough to me.
“Hey Mom.”
“That bad, huh?”
“You have no idea.”
“I think I do.” She laughs. “Relationships are a lot of work and to put it bluntly… you fucked up son.”
“Wow, my Mom just dropped the F-bomb.” I wipe my hands down my face. “Alright, give it to me straight. I need to get back in Sophie’s good graces. I need my family back.”
“You’ll get them back baby, you just need to give her time.”
“But…”
“No. You’ve always been horrible at waiting for anything. But this time I’m afraid you have to give Sophie some time to heal before she figures out if she can share a life with you. Think of someone besides yourself.”
“Ouch.” I sigh and look at the countertop.
“I mean that lovingly Ky.”
I laugh. “I know Mom. I’m a huge dick, a huge disappointment.”
“Never, you’ve never been a disappointment. Did you lose your way for a while? Yes, you did. But in the past few months since Sophie and that amazing boy came into your life… I can’t describe it. Yes, I can. You stopped being a douchebag and became the sweet boy I raised. The Kyle before he became Mr. MMA star.”
“Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll give her time. But not too much.”
My Mom laughs and places her hand on
my cheek. “It’ll all be worth it when you’re all together again.”
“You think she’ll ever forgive me?”
“Of course, I do. And if she decides to be a pain in the ass after you give her space… I have an ace up my sleeve.” She takes a sip of her coffee and shoots me a wink.
“You’re not going to fill me in, are you?”
“If I tell you you’ll march down to her house right now. Time Ky, time.”
“Okay… so the weddings coming up huh?”
Excitement lights her face as she starts diving into her wedding plans. She gets married to Billy the last week of March and her pure happiness starts to rub off on me. The weddings in Barbados, right on the beach like my Mom envisioned. Billy’s a sucker and would give my Mom anything to make her happy. She’s getting her destination wedding which will a be fantastic bonus to get away if the winter lingers around here for an extra month.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you about Gabe. Is he coming to the wedding with you?”
“I’d hope it would be all three of us at that point.” I grumble. She places her hand on mine and gives it a squeeze.
“Time.”
Could she be anymore cryptic?
CHAPTER 28
Sophie
Driving down a road I know all too well; my muscles tense up over the thought of not spending all of Christmas with Gabe. It’s my favorite holiday and I feel like a spoiled brat for wanting to hoard him all to myself today. But I threw on my big girl panties and now we’re en-route to his fathers. Well, Zanders. That’s where the Cage clan is celebrating Christmas today. I’ve had Gabe since he woke up tearing open all his new toys and then later into an early dinner with my Mom and Dad. My Dad flew up so we could all be together, it’s been far too long since I last saw him.
Pulling up the driveway I see Gabe starting to bounce in the rear-view mirror.
“Are you excited to see Daddy?” I smile at his excitement.
“I cannot wait to show him my new cars! He’s going to want to play with me all night! Maybe we won’t even go to bed!”
Reckless (Bound by Cage Book 4) Page 17