Read Online Rush by Maya Banks - Free Book Online

your time. You’re still young and gorgeous. Any man would be fortunate
     to catch your eye.”
    “I’m not ready to move on,” she said stiffly. “It would be disrespectful to pick up
     with a man so soon after the divorce. Just because your father is acting like a classless
     jerk doesn’t mean that I won’t act with a little decorum.”
    “You need to worry less about what everyone else thinks and focus on what makes you
     happy,” Gabe said bluntly.
    There was a long silence and then his mother sighed. He hated her being so unhappy.
     It hurt him to see her in such pain. He tried to stay out of his parents’ affairs,
     but lately it had been next to impossible. His mom called him every other day to bitch
     about what his dad was doing, while his dad was busy trying to shove his latest girlfriend
     down Gabe’s throat. The problem was that he was with a different woman every time
     Gabe saw him, and his father was too focused on trying to bridge a gap in their relationship
     caused by the very thing he was trying to force on Gabe. Acceptance. He wanted Gabe’s
     forgiveness and acceptance. And while Gabe could forgive his father—he could hardly
     hold his decisions against him, it was his life and his happiness—he couldn’t accept
     another woman in the role his mother had performed for most of Gabe’s life.
    “I’m sorry, Gabe,” his mom said quietly. “I know you must hate it when I call. All
     I do is complain about your father. I shouldn’t do that. Whatever he’s done, he’s
     still your father and I know he loves you.”
    “Let’s have dinner over the weekend,” Gabe said in an attempt to lift her spirits.
     “I’ll take you to Tribeca Grill.”
    “I’m sure you’re busy.”
    “I’m never too busy for you,” he said. “I’ll always make time to have dinner with
     my mother. Now what do you say?”
    He could almost hear the smile in her voice.
    “I’d like that. It’s been a while since I’ve been out.”
    “Good. I’ll drive out and pick you up.”
    “Oh, you don’t have to do that!” she exclaimed. “I can take a car into the city.”
    “I said I’ll come get you,” he persisted. “We can talk on the drive back. I’ll have
     my driver take you home after we eat.”
    “I’m looking forward to it,” she said, genuine excitement in her voice.
    It had been a good while since he’d heard her be excited about anything. In that moment
     he was glad he’d made the effort to get her out of her self-imposed exile. She needed
     to get out and face the world and discover that it hadn’t ended just because her marriage
     was over. He’d given her time to grieve and to hide away in the house his father had
     moved out of. But enough was enough. Hell, maybe he could even talk her into selling
     the house in Westchester and moving into the city. There was little point in her keeping
     it now. It held too many painful memories for her. She needed a fresh start.
    He knew all about fresh starts. After his divorce, he’d gone through a period much
     like his mother had where he’d just wanted to be left alone. He understood it, but
     he also knew the sooner she got out and started living, the sooner she’d be able to
     move on.
    “I love you, Son,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
    “I love you too, Mom. See you Saturday night, okay?”
    He ended the call and then stared at the photo that still adorned his desk. His parents
     on their thirty-ninth anniversary. They’d looked so happy. It was all a lie. Two weeks
     after that picture was taken, his father had moved out and immediately moved in with
     another woman.
    Gabe shook his head. More and more he was beginning to realize that no marriage was
     safe. Divorce could happen to anyone. There was certainly the argument to be had for
     not setting yourself up for the emotional upheaval of a breakup. And definitely one
     to be had for protecting yourself from taking a huge financial hit. Divorces were
     a hell of a