Page 53 of Blue Sky

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chicken Mole

Man, that show had been amazing. Our formation wasn’t as tight as I liked but we had killed it. I couldn’t wait to fly for the next nine months.

Once I disembarked from the plane, I walked over to the chalet to see Paloma and Sky, but she was nowhere to be found.

What the fuck? She left?

My mother on the hand was waving me down.

“Beck, darling, that was incredible.”

“Thanks, Mom. Where’s Dad? Did you meet Paloma? She was here with her sisters and Sky.”

“Dad is back at the Navy Lodge. I’m afraid he’s come down with a bug. I did meet your nanny. Feisty, isn’t she.”

Great. I wasn’t going to fight with her in my uniform. I lowered my voice. “She’s not my nanny—she’s my girlfriend. What did you say to her?”

She shook her head but I couldn’t read her face because she used way too much Botox. “Really, Beckett. Sleeping with your nanny. What a disgrace. Poor Catherine would be rolling in her grave. I understand the need to have a lover, but the poor girl thinks you will marry her. End this at once before you ruin your career.”

I cringed when my mom said lover. “Listen to me, mom. I love her. And Sky loves her, too. She’s a part of my life and if you want to be part of my life and Sky’s, I suggest you get over yourself.”

I walked away from her and went back to greeting the rest of the fans. That was my job. I wanted to run after Paloma, but I had an obligation to fulfill. I glanced back and my had left the chalet. Good riddance.

She would come to her senses. And if not, she could learn to live without me and Sky.

Two hours later, I returned home.

I handed her a dozen red roses. “I’m sorry about my mom. I took care of it.”

“It’s fine. I understand. My mom is a piece of work too. Let’s enjoy our last night together.”

My heart skipped. “What do you mean by that? You are coming with me, aren’t you?”

She placed her hand on my chest. “We will talk after dinner.”

“No, I want to talk now. Are you leaving me?”

Her lips trembled. “Please, Beck. Can’t we just enjoy dinner?”

Fine, whatever. I sat down at the table. Paloma had made another incredible meal, chicken mole. We made small talk with the girls who were still talking about how much fun we had at the dance a few nights ago. We’d taken pictures, danced together, and then I took them out for ice cream. Was Paloma really leaving me? She couldn’t. I loved her and her sisters. And what about Sky?

After we put the girls to bed, I cornered her in the kitchen.

“Dammit, Paloma. Don’t shut me out. What did my mom say to you?”

“It doesn’t matter what she said to me. I’m not moving with you to Florida.”

Her words knocked the wind out of me.

And for the second time in my life, I knew I had just lost the woman I loved.