Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

33 - Not ready

Gray heard about the plea deal from Monty who had forged a friendship with Sinclair. Gray didn't mind, except Doyle's sister was engaged to Monty's new friend. Every time he drove to an event, he sat in the car waiting for Doyle to come see him. When she didn't, he felt a mixture of relief and disappointment.

"Now it's over, let's get away." He stood in the kitchen while Monty made his famous Pad Thai recipe.

Monty turned to Sofia. "You'll be okay if we book our tickets." They hadn't been out of the country since before Sofia's pregnancy.

Sofia kissed Ana. "We'll be okay, but we'll miss Daddy and Uncle Gray, won't we, bebé?"

"Daddy will call every day."

Sofia's smile had love written all over it. Gray turned away. His head made the right decision, but his heart had trouble believing it. Hopefully, another continent would be far away enough for his heart to heal. The problem was he broke his own heart. It would have been easier if she had because then he could be angry or another emotion besides sad.

Gray sat and ate with his family, before retreating to solitude, and distracted himself by working on his book. When he couldn't concentrate, he worked out. Once he reached mental or physical exhaustion, he slept. In the morning, he worked out and kept busy. Eventually, one day and then the next passed by.

They left Boston on the first of February. Standing in front of the terminal, Gray said, "Sofia, don't worry. I'll take care of him."

She nodded. "I know. I trust you. Monty, take care of Gray. He needs you."

Monty stepped towards his wife and whispered in her ear before kissing her. Gray walked through the automatic doors. Monty caught up and pounded on his back. "Are you okay?"

"Yup. Ready for some new scenery. Will you survive?"

"I'm gonna have to. I'm not ready to retire."

The long flight was the worst part of traveling. Gray couldn't sit for long even in the larger first-class seats. When he stood to stretch his legs, a woman waiting for the lavatory flirted with him. He nodded and moved past her. The old Gray would strike up a conversation to see where it led, but he just wasn't interested.

Two weeks later, they were back in first class. Monty slept beside him as Gray read a Mazzarelli novel. They didn't bike as much as they liked, instead they traveled by car to cover more ground. Monty had CEO responsibilities at home, along with his wife and baby.

He looked up from his book as the flight attendant asked if he wanted a drink. She had a nip of vodka in her hand. He shut his eyes and wondered if one shot would release the pressure in his chest. Feeling weak, he elbowed Monty. "Drink." He hissed.

Monty stretched. "I'll have seltzer and give my friend a Coke. Maybe it'll sweeten him up."

"I can add something to your drinks. It's a long flight."

Monty's voice didn't falter. "No thanks. We don't drink alcohol."

"Okay then. Were you traveling for business or pleasure?"

"Pleasure." Monty yawned. "We're exhausted."

After she handed them their drinks and started talking behind them, Monty laughed. "She's eyeing you."

"Not interested. Not yet." Not ever.

"Get back on the horse, cowboy."

"Do you remember your past? You had a broken heart for ten years. Give me time to get over her."

Monty nodded as he reached for his laptop. "I might as well work since you woke me up."

Once they were home. Gray tried to settle into life. He started going to Whole Foods during the day with Sofia and Ana, instead of the evening when single women liked to flirt. No one was flirting at ten am, although Sofia teased him. "Even the abuelas look at you."