He settled his gaze on the petite redhead standing in the doorway saying good-bye to Lexi and Addie. She’d been okay earlier in the evening but something was definitely troubling her now. Her eyes didn’t have that familiar mischievous glint. Not to mention she hadn’t asked for Adam back.
David glanced down at the little guy in his arms. There was already a connection between them and every hour he spent with the baby only solidified that bond. The buzzing of his phone made the child stir. Though David wasn’t on call tonight he retrieved it from his pocket and glanced at the number. Pressing the button to silence the noise, he let it go to voice mail.
“Nothing important?” Travis raised a brow.
“Just Celeste’s old boss,” David said. “I have nothing to say to him.”
“Why is he calling?” Travis downed the last of his soda. “It’s been over two years.”
“He left a couple messages. Says he wants to talk.” David gently stroked the baby’s back until his breathing became regular again. “Gary worked Celeste hard that last year. In fact, I think it was the fear of losing her position with the company that made her balk at taking time off for my parents’ anniversary. She was on her way to the airport for a sales meeting in Miami when she was killed.”
“I remember,” Travis said.
“He was doing his job. I understand that,” David said. “But he’s the reason she was in that car.”
“That’s the past,” Travis said in a low tone. “Over there, in the doorway, is your future.”
David glanced in the direction Travis had indicated. July now stood talking with John and Kayla.
“July?” David scoffed. “Sometimes I’m not sure she even likes me.”
“She likes you all right,” Travis said. “Now it’s time for you to decide what you’re going to do about it.”
July’s cell phone rang at 3:00 a.m. Instead of being fast asleep like everyone else in the house, she’d been standing at the bedroom window watching the rain fall. She recognized the ringtone and hurriedly slid the phone open.
“A.J.” She kept her voice low and glanced at the crib, grateful to see Adam hadn’t stirred. “What’s up?”
“Does something have to be up for me to call my baby-doll?”
His mock outrage made her smile. The slightly slurred words told her all she needed to know. “Someone has been out partying.”
“You know me too well.” He chuckled. “When I got home I remembered what day it was and I had to call.”
“Of course.” July crossed the room, her mind racing. She slipped out of the bedroom and gently closed the door behind her, trying to figure out the significance of the date.
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember?”
The hurt in his voice sounded surprisingly genuine. Unfortunately the days had run together since she’d arrived in Jackson. All she knew was this was Friday…or rather it had been. She hurried down the hall and into the living room.
“Are you kidding?” July grabbed the newspaper off the sofa and focused on the date. April 11. Since it was after midnight that made today the 12. “It’s our pact day.”
April 12, thirteen years ago, had been a low point in both their lives. The foster home where they’d been staying had been okay—as far as foster homes went—but July had gotten word she was going back to live with her mother again. Adam was being sent to detention for fighting.
“We vowed we’d show ’em,” July said. “We’d survive.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Not just survive,” A.J.’s voice grew loud. “Overcome.”
“Absolutely.” Despite the reason A.J. had given, July knew he wasn’t calling because of their childhood pact. Something was on his mind. “How’s Selina?”
“Missing me,” he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. “She called me earlier. We had some great phone sex.”
More information than she needed to know, but at least it seemed there was no trouble on that score. “How’s the musical? You’re in Kansas City this weekend?”
“Omaha,” he said. “The crowds have been good but I’ve heard some rumblings that we won’t continue touring after this season. I’m not worried.”
The heck you aren’t.
July knew A.J., knew his insecurities. And now she knew why he’d called. “I wouldn’t worry, either. You’re a fabulous actor and dancer. Whenever you stop this tour, you’ll get yourself another, bigger role. You’ve done so well for yourself.”