I could have my kids.
I could have been that step closer to freedom and my own chance at a happy ending.
Instead, I’m here.
The bad news sits heavy on my chest. I agree with Wyatt – I’m better off in Boston, even if it means more time away from the kids. There are too many moving parts here and Tylee is worse than a flight risk if she’s mixed up with the men who tried to kill Zeb and fuck up our supply lines. Wyatt might be able to forgive his sister screwing up her interpersonal relationships, but screwing with the new business has pissed him off.
I’ll drag her ass back to St Louis no matter what it takes.Wyatt gave me his word and I trust that he’ll get Tylee back. I just wish that I could see them one last time.
I can’t afford to make it a problem where Wyatt and I disagree. I’m grateful for the free place to stay, even if it means having a therapist and Ethan as a baby sitter. Amanda meanswell, don’t get me wrong. She cooks for me every time I visit and even now, her welcome note in the lock box includes a list of frozen dishes she “meal prepped” for me.
I just don’t need anybody getting in my head over Tylee. Especially not somebody who talks to her brother regularly. Ethan, Owen, and Wyatt all warned me not to marry Tylee. Owen reminded me of the time she made out with a fifteen year old after her prom when I promised I would take her bowling. Wyatt mentioned almost casually that even if abortions weren’t legal in Missouri, I would regret ever letting his sister baby-trap me.
But when he said that, he owed me $15,000 from a big poker loss. I didn’t take him seriously. Ethan will have the least sympathy with me. He never approved of our relationship. He was always too close to his mother to not share her opinions on everyone and everything, including Tylee. Everybody in the whole club knows this is all my fault. So if I have to get treated like a child until my kids are safely in my custody, I’ll accept my penance.
I unlock the door to my little apartment beneath Ethan and , which feels way nicer than anywhere I ever lived with Tylee. She was never much of a house wife, if I’m being honest. I liked her because… I don’t even know anymore. She seemed like the best I was ever going to get around where I grew up. Now that I’m here, in a big city, far away from everything I’ve known, there’s a strange potential.
Chapter One
Gabby Watson
Isit at the front desk of my sister’s beauty spa staring at my email inbox waiting for the results. Her last client just went in to get her pre-vacation armpit wax, so I technically don’t have any work left for the rest of the afternoon. I stare at the screen impatiently as if that could make the results appear on my screen faster.
9:59 a.m.
I watch the numbers flick to 10:00 a.m. and the first thirty seconds of waiting are nothing but absolute pain. My hand trembles as I consider clicking away from the screen, but I can’t move – just nervously tap my fresh set of nails on the desk. The new email pops up. If I wasn’t working the front desk, I’m sure I would have yelped out loud from the unique mixture of terror and excitement plaguing me.
Congratulations,Gabrielle Watson!
Oh my God.Congratulations.That has to be good, right? I click on the message with shaking hands.
Congratulations, Gabrielle Watson!
We are honored to accept you into the Harvard Business School MBA program class of 2027. Please click the link below to review your financial aid offer and accept your position within our graduating class.
Welcome to the Harvard University family!
Dean of Students
Rebecca Brooks
I did it. Since I can’t run into my sister’s appointment and yell with joy, I settle for texting my boyfriend Derek.
Gabby: Big news tonight.
He answers five minutes later after I send four happy Instagram messages to a couple group chats and then my closest friends from college.
My Forever : Me too. Love you.
Gabby: When are you getting home tonight?
My Forever : I’m coming by Averie’s
Gabby: Now?
My Forever : 15 mins away
Gabby: Love you too.