22. Chapter Twenty Two
Opening my wardrobe, I pull out the new top I brought for tonight. It”s a red corset style top that makes my tits look amazing, and I”m pairing it with my ripped black jeans. The ones that make my legs look like they go on forever. I’m determined to look sexy as fuck tonight. It”s Tucker”s 18th birthday and he”s having a huge house party. But that”s not the reason I”m dressing up so much. No, I”m dressing up because I know he’s going to be there. Tucker told me he was going to be there. At least I hope he”s going to be there.
Does he want to see me too? My heart pounds harder in my chest as I think about seeing him again. I know I said that I wasn”t willing to be his dirty little secret anymore, but now, after realizing how lost I”ve felt without him, I”m almost willing to accept anything. Almost. I”m not quite ready to give up the last bit of self-respect I have. But damn do I miss him. Even if he is a stubborn and infuriating bastard at times.
It”s been almost six months since Gabe turned up at my house and we got into a huge argument. Since then, we”ve texted occasionally and smiled politely at each other when I’ve been with Ava to pick Tucker up from work, or when we’ve passed each other in general.
Gabe’s been trying. I know he”s been trying. He’s started going to therapy with Nate to deal with whatever childhood trauma shit he has. And he’s started hanging out with the guys a little more; hence, why I”m hoping he’ll take Tucker up on his offer when he invited a few of the guys from work to celebrate with him tonight. But overall, we’ve tried our best not to be in the same room for too long.
Nate and Izzy are doing great, so I don”t wanna cause drama for them if we don”t work out. Plus, Harper made me promise not to go back to him. So, I”ve done my best to keep my feelings bottled up. Not to let it show how my knees go weak and my mouth becomes dry whenever I see him. Or how desperate I am to kiss him or pull him aside whenever I see him hot and sweaty with his top off whenever he”s working outdoors and we pass by.
But I”m hoping tonight will be different. Tonight there”s gonna be over fifty people there, and everyone is going to be drinking, so hopefully no one will notice if we talk to each other.
“Need some help?” Harper asks as she sees me rummaging around under my bed.
“I”m looking for my other shoe.” I hold up one of my red pumps.
“Here.” Harper replies as she instantly finds the other one. I swear this woman secretly has fairy magic or something.
“What would I do without you, huh?” I laugh.
“Constantly lose everything and be forced to roam the streets with one shoe on and one shoe off probably,” she shrugs as she teases me.
“You”re so weird,” I tell her as I shake my head.
“Girls, are you ready to go?” my father calls out.
“Almost,” we both reply at the same time and then giggle.
Harper hands me my shoe and picks my bag up from the bed while I apply one last coat of lipstick before leaving.
“You both look beautiful, girls. Did you remember to bring your stick?” my dad asks as he opens the car door for us to climb in.
“My stick?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah, to beat all the boys off with,” he laughs.
“Oh my God, Dad, you”re so cringey,” Harper replies and I roll my eyes.
“I love your dad jokes,” I laugh back. My dad is the biggest dork in the world and he tells the worst dad jokes, the kind that are so bad you can”t help but laugh.
“So will you be spending the night or do I need to pick you up later?” my father asks as he drives us to the party.
“Not sure yet, either way, we”ll get our own way back. There’s no point waiting up for us,” Harper offers.
“Yeah, you know what it”s like when we all get together,” I laugh, but the side eye my father gives me lets me know he’d rather pretend he didn”t.
“By that, I mean, it”s getting crazy with us all sitting in a big circle studying and drinking tea,” I say in my most sickly sweet and innocent voice. Now it’s my father’s turn to roll his eyes.
“Of course,” my father winks at me. “But if those books get a little too scary, you know I”m only a call away.”
“Yes, Dad,” both me and Harper sing-song in unison.
“Have fun,” our father calls as we both get out of the car and make our way towards the gate to the garden.
There”s only a handful of people here when we arrive. Tucker, Danny, and Nate are all chatting with a couple of other guys. But I don’t see Ava or Izzy anywhere.
Walking over to the boys, I ask, “Where”s Ava?”
“Her and Bella are inside making sure we have enough cups or something,” Nate informs us.
“Please, for the love of god, try and persuade her to join the party. She”s been bossing me, Nate, and Izzy around for hours,” Tucker whines. “You”d think this is her birthday, not mine.”
“If I don”t make it back, tell my family I love them.” I joke back as I grab Harper”s arm and drag her inside with me.
I adore Ava to bits, she”s one of my best friends. But she”s the stubbornest, bossiest, most particular person I know. And, no, I don”t care if stubbornest isn”t a word. It fits. She won”t be happy until everything is just perfect. I remember her last birthday when she made poor Tucker move the presents table five times before she’d decided it was in just the right space.
“Need a hand?” I ask. When I find Ava, she is pouring a selection of drinks into a huge punch bowl in the kitchen. Izzy looks up from beside Ava, places her hands together in a prayer pose, and mouths the words ‘thank god.’
“I just can”t get this punch right; it”s either too strong or too weak,” she huffs as she takes another sip, stamping her feet in frustration. Guess it’s still not right.
“Let me taste it,” I hear Harper say as she takes the cup from Ava’s hand and tries some herself.
“It tastes great, Ava, as always.”
“You sure? It”s not too fruity?” Ava asks.
“No, we don”t wanna kill the guests or give them alcohol poisoning,” Harper comments while pointing to the array of half empty liquor bottles around the bowl.
“Plus, fruity is good. Means more people will enjoy it and stay longer before passing out,” I add.
“Yeah, that”s true, I guess,” Ava says, finally sounding convinced.
“Can we finally grab a glass and head out to enjoy the party now?” Izzy begs.
“Yep!” Ava replies triumphantly as she begins handing us each a cup.
We head outside and make our way over to Tucker, who”s now been joined by a few new faces.
“This is Jack and Luke. They work with us at O’Malley’s.” Tucker introduces us all to two of the new faces. “And, I think you”ve seen Davis before, but this is his wife, Amber,”” he concludes, introducing us to a couple who look to be in their late twenties.
“Don”t worry, we”re not staying long,” Davis replies in the most beautiful Texan drawl. “We just dropped by to give the birthday boy a gift.”
“You”re welcome to stay,” Tucker offers.
“Can I get you a drink, it”s yummy,” Ava offers, lifting up her cup.
“No thanks. I won”t be drinking for a little while.” Amber laughs as she rubs what I now notice is a small, round bump.
“It was nice meeting you all. Take good care of these jackasses for us,” Davis teases as he nods his head towards the other boys.
“So, is anyone else from your work joining us?” I ask hopefully. Nate gives me a small shrug, while Tucker eyes me suspiciously.
“Like who, Rilez?” Ava teases.
Although neither she nor Izzy know about what happened with Gabe, Ava isn”t stupid and says she can feel the sexual tension oozing off of the two of us, so I allow her to believe I have a little crush. It”s easier than admitting the whole truth. Plus, who would believe Gabe cared for silly old me anyway?
“No one in particular; just wondered if we’d meet any of Tucker”s other friends.” I slump down beside Nate on the sofa trying to get information nonchalantly.
“I tried; he wanted to come, honestly. Gabe just doesn”t handle people well,” Nate whispers as the rest of the group all engage in conversations with each other.
The hours tick by, the party fills up, as does my glass. But still no signs of Gabe.
Feeling brave now that the alcohol is cursing through my veins, I decide to send him a message.
Me
Thought you agreed to come tonight. It would mean a lot to Tucker and Nate if you came.
Almost instantly, I get a reply.
Gabe
Just them? Or does anyone else wanna see me?
My body buzzes with the familiar electricity it gets every time I speak to him.
Me
Well I”m sure the other guys from work would be happy to see you, too.
I can’t help but smirk, imagining Gabe’s face. He pretends he doesn”t, but I know he likes my quick wit and attitude.
Gabe
I don”t give a fuck about any of those pricks. Give me one reason to come, and I”ll think about it.
I make my excuses to leave the girls and head to the bathroom. Locking the door behind me, I check my reflection, reapply my makeup, give my boobs a little shuffle in my top to make sure they look as big as possible and begin snapping away until I find the perfect selfie. One that makes me look sexy and inviting and hit the send button.
I wait for a few minutes expecting some sort of flirty reply, but when nothing comes, feeling deflated and stupid I decide to head back to the party.
Before long though, the noise and chaos start getting to me so I step away from the crowds of people to just grab some quiet time out front when suddenly someone grabs me and covers my mouth. I attempt to fight and kick whoever is behind me, but go stiff as a board when a gravelly voice whispers, “Such a fiery little cocktease,” in my ear as a shiver runs through my body and I feel my panties going damp. My knees go weak at the dirty words and the voice they belong to.
Releasing his hand from my mouth, he spins me around, kisses me hard, and pulls my body against him.
“What are you doing here?” I pant once his mouth finally releases mine.
“I told you, little flame, I”d come if you gave me a reason to. Now it”s my turn to give you a reason to cum,” he laughs as he grabs my hand and pulls me to a dark corner around the side of the house.
He pushes me against the wall and begins kissing me hard. My hands naturally find their way into his thick hair. Refusing to allow him to have all the control, I decide to pull it which causes a deep moan to escape his mouth.
“Such a brat,” he moans as his hand finds its way to my throat and squeezes playfully.
His lips drop to my neck as he releases his hand and begins kissing and nipping at me, before moving his mouth lower to the parts of my chest still exposed in my corset. He attempts to undo the clasps at the front, but I stop him.
“Not here,” I whisper. Despite the fact every part of my body wants to give him exactly what we both want.
“Let”s head into the party,” I suggest. I attempt to reach for Gabe’s hand, hoping to walk in, hand in hand. But he pulls away from my touch. I don”t get this man at all.
Reluctantly, he follows, but as soon as we get inside, he acts as if I”m invisible. We find Tucker and most of the other guys at the fire pit chatting so we make our way over. But other than pulling me and silently demanding I stand at his side, he makes no attempt to involve me in the conversations.
“So, have you asked out that girl from the coffee shop yet?” Tucker asks one of his friends.
“No, but I swear to god if I buy any more coffee I”ll give myself a heart attack,” the man, Jack, I think his name was, laughs.
“Fucking pussy,” Gabe replies back coldly.
“Oh yeah, and when was the last time you asked a girl out, huh Satan?” Jack jokes back.
“Never, I don”t ask girls out; I”m not a pussy. I just fuck ‘em,” he replies emotionlessly.
His words cut me like a knife. I”m standing right here, and he has to say this shit?!
“Oh really? You just fuck them do you, Gabe?” I snap back.
I see the realization finally register on his face, but I don”t care. “And that is why you”re gonna end up sad, alone, and riddled with STIs,” I fire back before storming away. Don’t cry, don’t cry. He’s stupid and not worth it!.
I hear quick footsteps behind me and stupidly hope it”s Gabe chasing behind to apologize, but when I turn around it”s Nate instead. “He’s a fucking dick, Riley. I know that you know that, heck, even he knows it. But he does care in his own weird fucked up way. He especially cares about you.” Nate offers with a warm smile on his face.
“Well, he certainly has a funny fucking way of showing it,” I snap back at him, as I desperately try to hide how hurt I am.
“I know he does. And you deserve so much better. As your friend I should be telling you to forget about him and find yourself a nice guy who will treat you like a princess.” He throws his arm around my shoulder and continues. “But as his brother and the only one of us that knows how to use his heart and head at the same time, I gotta tell you that he does care.”
“Then why does he pretend I don”t mean anything to him?” I snap, the wobble of my voice gives away how hard I”m working to keep the tears in.
How can he be so caring when we”re alone, yet so callous when we”re not?
“He tries in his own little way. I see how he”s a little bit less of an asshole when you”re around, and the way his face almost cracks a smile whenever he gets a message that I know is from you as he literally has no other friends. I also think that you know all of this, too, or else you wouldn’t have been hoping to see him tonight.”
“So then why can”t HE say any of that himself?” I sigh.
“Because he’s a fucking asshole who struggles with letting his walls down enough to be real and genuine with just about anyone. He’s not gonna make this easy. But I promise that deep down there”s a good guy buried in there. You just have to help him find him. He’s afraid of being hurt and being left behind.”
“And what if I”m not strong enough to battle until I reach that guy buried away?” I ask, tentatively.
“Then, I suggest you end whatever the hell you two have now. Because if he falls for you, I mean really falls for you, in the way that I think he is, and then you leave or abandon him, he’ll never recover from that. Ever!” I can tell from the sadness in Nate’s voice that he truly believes every word he just said to me.
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret them. “And that is why you”re gonna end up sad, alone, and riddled with STIs,” Riley snaps, and I immediately see the anger and hurt on her face. I see the way her walls shoot up and I will myself to stop before I say anything more that will hurt her. It”s what I”ve done so many times before.
I watch her storm off, and part of me wants to chase after her. Apologize and tell her that”s not really how I feel, not about her at least. Because for the first time in my life ending up sad and alone, without HER, is scarier than opening myself up.
“You”re a real asshole, Gabe,” my brother barks at me, before, like the knight in shining armor that he is, he chases after my girl. My wildfire.
“What was that about?” Jack asks.
“Fuck knows,” I reply like the coward I truly am.
I continue drinking my drink pretending to listen to some god awful conversation as I watch Nate catch up with Riley. He throws his arm around her and she leans into him like he’s her protector. It should be me! She”s my girl, not his. She should be running to me for salvation, not running from me.
I try not to let my jealousy rise, knowing Nate has zero interest in Riley. He”s head over heels in love with his fucking perfect, princess of a girlfriend. But still, I can”t help but feel envious of how easily this all comes to him. Why can’t I be more like him? Everyone loves him. Yet nobody ever loves me.
He”s chatting away to Riley, making her smile, and doesn”t seem at all concerned about the fact she repeatedly touches his arm.
I watch the two of them walk away together and go into the house, so I decide to follow.
Riley’s alone now, pouring herself another drink.
“Riley, wanna play doubles? I’m getting my ass kicked here,” some jock calls from the other side of the room.
“That”s ‘cuz you suck,” Riley calls back as she makes her way over to his side.
I follow but hang back as I watch Riley and Jockstrap line up the beer pong.
He goes first and misses, then she goes second and gets it in the first time. “Drink up loser,” she laughs. I continue watching as my girl wipes the floor with the two, big ass men on the opposite team.
“Oooh, last one,” Jockstrap announces as he hands the ball to Riley to take the winning shot. She leans over wiggling her ass as she tries to find just the right angle. What the fuck?? Is he looking at her ass?
I turn my attention to Jockstrap and sure enough, his eyes are firmly on my girl”s ass. I don”t like the guy and it would be so easy to beat his ass for daring to look at what”s mine. But I know I have no right, so I try to compose myself with another beer. After all, I”ve already blown it so I might as well drink enough that I forget. It”s not like it can make this night any worse.
“Suck it losers!” Riley calls out, breaking me out of my death stare.
The other team moans and groans as Riley jumps up and down excitedly.
A few others start berating the losers, “Taken down by a girl,” another guy cheers.
“Think you can do better, Chad?” Riley challenges.
Chad and what I can only assume is another brain-dead football player step up to the mark and begin setting up.
Every single time Riley takes a shot, Jockstrap’s eyes are firmly on either her ass or her tits, and it”s taking everything in me not to go beat his ass. But since Riley seems so happy - laughing, cheering, and doing a little dance every time she wins - I hold back and do nothing but seethe. She deserves to be happy.
That is until she wins again and jumps up to hug Jockstrap, and the dickhead puts his hands firmly on her ass. Riley pulls away, saying something. I pace over there just in time to hear him say, “Come on, Riley,” as he attempts to place his disgustingly drunk mouth on hers. Without thinking my fist flies out and connects with the side of his jaw.
“What the fuck, Gabe?!” Riley screams as Jockstrap falls to the floor.
“We’re out of here,” I snap as I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder kicking and screaming.
“Let me go!” she insists, but I don”t listen - not until I”ve got her outside, away from the commotion.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she asks in a clipped tone when I finally put her down.
“I was saving you,” I reply, just as a hand connects with my face. She fucking slapped me!