Jacob's Ladder: Gabe (Jacob's Ladder #1)

Long after Pierce hung up, I held the phone in my hands, staring into space. While I should have been hauling ass to get packed up and out the door, I remained motionless. The only thing I could think about was Rae. What was going to happen to us if I left now? Things were just starting to flow, not to mention the cranked-up level of heat between us.

Since that day at the Grandview, we had been together each and every day. Although I wasn’t completely on board with no more make-out sessions, the universe had clearly conspired against me because Rae and I hadn’t found another long period of alone time. It seemed we were always accompanied by someone, be it Linc, her sisters, her dad, or the men at Hart and Daughter. My balls would’ve been turning the most brilliant color of blue if I hadn’t been treating myself to a few fantasy sessions staring Rae.

Considering I was on a time constraint to get back to Atlanta, it made more sense to call Rae to tell her I couldn’t make breakfast, not to mention that I was blowing town, but there was no way in hell I could be that big of an asshole. I had to say goodbye in person, had to tell her once again how much she had meant to my songwriting—and if I were honest with myself, how much she meant to me.

Then I would walk away.

Sure, I could prolong the inevitable by telling her I’d come back just as soon as the meeting with the execs was over. We could have several more weeks together before I had to leave again to record the album and I might finally get to bury myself deep inside her tight walls, but that was where it would end. I led a vagabond life on the road while Rae’s roots were firmly bound to her small-town existence. I could never ask her to leave her responsibilities there, and I certainly couldn’t leave the band.

With an agonized groan, I finally pulled myself up out of bed. After making quick work of packing up, I took a quick shower. Once I was dressed, I grabbed my bags and headed down the stairs. I made as quick of a getaway as I could with Rejune before hustling out to the Jeep. As I drove across town, dread washed over me. It was at a moment like this that I wished there was a liquor store in town. I could have used a hit of vodka to help get me through.

As I pulled into Rae’s driveway, I was glad to see her car was still at home and I hadn’t missed her. It would have been even worse if she had already left to take Linc to school and I had to hunt her down at the restaurant. There was no way in hell I wanted to do this in public. Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, I imagined she was just chugging down her second cup of espresso while she made sure Linc’s lunch was packed into his backpack. Holy shit. I’d only been hanging out with Rae a little over a week and I was already in tune with the rhythm of her mornings. Man, that was intense.

After bounding up the front porch steps, I froze. Suddenly, AJ’s words echoed through my mind: I know she’s someone worth pursuing—someone like my Mia. Four years of being around AJ’s wife had shown me that she was strong, fiercely protective, and extremely loyal to those she loved. She was also funny and had a heart of gold, especially when she would make extra food for me and Eli to eat while on the tour bus.

Strangely enough, everything I had just thought about Mia could be said about Rae. I know she’s someone worth pursuing. Fuck, AJ had nailed it. Rae was someone worth pursuing, someone worth keeping. Was I really going to be an epic dumbass and walk away from the best thing that had happened to me in years? Sure, we had some obstacles in our path, but they weren’t completely insurmountable. Wasn’t it worth it to give it a try? Since I’d only experienced a handful of romantic relationships in my adult life, I really wasn’t capable of answering that question. When it came down to it, I was just going to have to rely on the adage that there was a first time for everything.

With a renewed determination in my step, I reached out and rang the doorbell. After Rae peeked through the side curtain and saw it was me, her face lit up. She threw open the door and gave me a beaming smile. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I replied.

“What are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet for breakfast before I went to work.”

“I’m going to have to get a rain check for breakfast.”

Rae’s smile slowly started to fade. “You are?”

I nodded. “My label called. They’re asking to hear the songs I’ve been working on while one of the execs is in town, so I have to be back in Atlanta by noon.”

“Oh,” she murmured.

“I knew I had to come say goodbye in person, rather than just calling you.”

“Goodbyes are pretty shitty no matter how you get them.”

“True, but I also wanted to be able to thank you in person. I’d still be drowning in writer’s block if it hadn’t been for you. Hell, I wouldn’t even be able to meet with the label today because I wouldn’t have any songs to show them.”

“I’m not sure you owe me any gratitude. I really didn’t do anything but hang out with you.”

I stared intently at her. “Yes, you did, more than you’ll ever imagine.”

With a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, Rae said, “I’m glad I could help. For what it’s worth, I enjoyed spending time with you this week.”

“I enjoyed spending time with you, too.” I took a step closer to her. “Listen, Rae, I—”

Linc popped out from behind his mother. “Hey Gabe, what’s up?”

“Bad news.”

“Whadya mean?”

“I gotta head back to the city sooner than I thought.”

His expression instantly soured. “So you’ve come to say goodbye.”

My gaze bounced from his to Rae’s. “Just for now, not forever.”

While a surprised look flashed in her eyes, I motioned to Linc with my hand. “Come out here with me for a minute.”

Linc instantly obliged. When I glanced back at Rae, her face had filled with confusion. I knew she was wondering what in the hell it was I wanted to talk to Linc about. I walked him down the length of the porch to where we were out of earshot from Rae. In a low voice, I said, “Don’t think for a minute that I’ve forgotten our deal.”

His brows shot up. “You haven’t?”

“Of course not. Did you think I was just going to run out on you?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

An ache of sadness burned its way through my chest at both Linc’s response and his expression. I reached out and touched his arm. “Hell no. Just as soon as I’m done with the label, I’ll grab the guitar I owe you and come back.”

“You will?”

“Damn straight.”

He grinned. “Then I’ll be waiting.”

“You do that.” Glancing back at Rae, I said, “Could you do me a favor and let me have some alone time with your mom?”

“You got it.” He then hurried back down the porch and ducked inside the house.

“What was all that about?” Rae asked when I joined her again.

“Just a little man talk.”

“I didn’t know you and Linc had man talk,” she said with a small smile.

“Yep, we do.” Reaching out for her arm, I drew her out of the doorway. “I wasn’t finished talking to you when Linc interrupted us.”