Yeah?
He left me. I told him about the baby, and he left me!
Once she spoke again, Gage recognized the voice, even through the muffle of tears. Instantly he jerked to attention, his body humming and his heart thudding like it had the first day hed met her in junior high school.
Zoey Bancroft. His best friend. First lover. Secret love.
Fiery auburn hair and a personality to match. His heart ached picturing tear tracks on her beautiful freckled cheeks, her green eyes red from crying.
With a glance to the yard to check on his niece, Pet, who was still playing on the swing set hed finished assembling last weekend, Gage sank onto a patio chair. Zee, whats going on? Who left? What baby?
She sniffled loudly. He told me he didnt want a baby, and if I kept it, he was outta there. Can you believe hed say something so awful?
A chill washed through Gage. Back up, Zee. Are you saying youre pregnant?
Yes, she squeaked. And alone. Derek left.
Derek. Gage curled his fingers into fists and gritted his teeth. Hed known the guy was no good, would end up hurting Zoey. But Gage had tried to be supportive, tried to keep his mouth shut when Zoey gushed in her random phone calls about the guys poker tourneys and their life on the road.
Zoeys father had tried to warn her what kind of cretin Derek was, and the resulting argument had caused a rift in the Bancroft family that had lasted more than two years. Zoey had even missed her sister Paiges wedding earlier this summer. Paiges almost wedding. But then Gage was just as glad Zoey hadnt been in the line of fire that day
He shook his head to clear it and focused on what Zoey was saying.
went down to the bank to check, and it was true! My savings is empty. My entire inheritance from Grandpa Bancroft is gone! And the balance of our checking account is a negative because of an overdraft and fines.
I actually owe the bank two hundred dollars!
Acid puddled in Gages gut as he sorted out what Zoey was telling him. So wait. Youre pregnant. And you have no money. Zero. None. Derek cleaned you out, then abandoned you?
Yes. Another squeak. More sobs. I told him the PIN for my ATM cardand yes, before you say it, in hindsight, I see that wasnt the smartest idea. But until recently, he gave me no reason not to trust him.
Rage, horror and grave concern swam together through Gage, leaving him shaking as he tried to absorb Zoeys circumstances. Her zest for life, her reach-for-the-stars passion and restless energy were part of what made her so special to him. Shed imbued him with the same hopefulness and never-say-die attitude many times in high school when his circumstances made him want to give up. Shed always been a fresh breeze in his stale life.
But shed been burning her candle from both ends so long that hed feared eventually it would catch up with her. Just as hed known hed be there to help her pick up the pieces, the way shed always been there for him. Even though theyd never lost touch throughout her travels, whenever her life was in transition, shed come back to Lagniappe, and they would reconnect, rebuild the bond that made them such good friends. And each time she flitted off on her next exploit, his heart cracked a little more.
He drew a breath, gathering his thoughts. Okay, dont worry. Well figure this out together.
I hope you ate your Wheaties this morning, cause Im fresh outta ideas.
His cheek twitched with a grin. At least her wry sense of humor was still in place. Her ability to make him smile in even the direst situation had helped him endure his own past crises and boded well for her resilience with her own troubles.
In his yard, Pet was kicking at the pile of leaves hed just raked, scattering them to the four winds. He didnt care. She was having fun.
First things first. Where are you? Are you somewhere safe?
Im at our motel, but I dont know how long I can stay here before the manager kicks me out and demands payment for the room.
What motel? Where?
In Vegas.
He heard a pounding in the background.
Zoey gasped. Hang on. Someones at the door. Gage heard the rustle of sheets, the creak of bedsprings. It could be Derek. Maybe he came back to apologize
The hope in her voice slayed him. Her optimism was a double-edged sword. Shed kept him focused on the positive throughout high school, but it made her vulnerable to guys like Derek. Was she going to give the creep another chance? After hed shown his stripes by leaving her, shirking his responsibility to his baby, stealing all her money? He wanted to shake Zoey. Wait, Zee. Dont let him in. You deserve b
A loud crash and Zoeys startled scream cut him off.
Gages pulse leaped, and he lurched from the patio chair. Zoey, are you there?
Who are you? What do you want? Her voice sounded distant as she talked to whoever was at the door. Gage recognized the tremble of fear in her tone.
The gruff rumble of a male voice answered her, too quiet for Gage to understand.
Thats Dereks problem, not mine.
Gage paced across his porch, agitation nipping him. Zee, who is it? Whats happening?