Gabriel's Salvation: small town, misunderstood MMC, overcoming trauma, first love romance

28. Chapter Twenty Eight

Irev the engine and head out. Driving and driving until the town is behind us and all that can be seen is the open road. Unsure where to go, I continue driving till we get close to the town I visited before, although this time I have no intention of wasting my time with a drunken hen party.

I pull up to the vaguely familiar bar and after parking we head inside.

“What do you want to drink? Wine?” I suggest.

“Wine? No. It”s like lunchtime.” Riley laughs. “I”ll take a Coke and a bag of chips, please.”

“And for you, sir?” the barman asks.

“Er, I”ll have a beer,” I shrug. I see Riley’s disapproving look and decide to change my mind. “Actually, on second thought, I”ll take a Coke as well.”

“Two Cokes coming right up,” the bartender says as he turns to grab two glasses.

“I”m so glad you changed your mind. I don”t like the idea of you drinking when we”re on your bike,” Riley shares with me as she wraps her arm around my bicep and rests her head on me.

“Riley, I”ve always been drinking, one beer is nothing,” I scoff.

“I know, but please, for me? Don”t drink and drive. It worries me so much that one day you”ll crash and I”ll lose you,” she sighs.

And for a moment I”m transported back to when I was a kid, and used to think the same when my dad used to go out drinking then drive home. The difference was I”d pray he’d crash.

“I”ll try,” I whisper.

“That’ll be $4.50 please,” the bartender says as he hands us our drinks and chips.

I see Riley take out her purse from the corner of my eye but reach out and stop her. “I got it,” I say as I hand my card to the barman.

“You can”t pay for everything Gabe. You already paid for the hotel which couldn’t have been cheap.” Riley sounds concerned.

“Don”t worry, I can afford it,” I laugh as I open my wallet to place my card back and flash her the wad of bills inside.

I see her eyes widen. “Did you rob a bank or something?” she jokes.

“Or something,” I mumble under my breath. Shit! Why did I have to even say anything?

“Still, I don”t care how much money you”ve got, the next round is on me,” she says defiantly as she takes a sip of her drink.

This girl amazes me. Normally girls have no issues with me paying for everything. They see the fancy bike I drive and the money I blow on booze and think I”m a cash cow. Yet Riley is arguing over me spending $4 on pop for us.

“Are you coming or what?” she asks as she makes her way over to a table.

We spend the next few hours sitting here. Chatting about nothing in particular.

“How about some food? I”m starving again,” I suggest.

“Good thinking,” Riley smiles as she reaches for the menu.

“What are you having?” Riley asks after spending far too long flipping from page to page.

“Gonna go for a burger and fries. I think. Those are usually safe bets.”

“See, I don”t know if I should have the lasagna and salad or chicken and waffles.”

I look up at Riley, expecting her to make a decision so I can go order, but instead she”s just staring at me expectantly. “Well, what should I choose?” she says finally.

“How would I fucking know? What do you want?” I ask.

“Weren’t you listening? I can’t decide between chicken and waffles or lasagna,” She huffs like I’m the one having trouble making a decision.

After having the most annoying debate over the merits of the two dishes, she finally makes her choice.

“I’ll go order then,” she states. “Do you still want the burger?”

“It”s fine. I”ll get it, it”s my round anyway.” I may be no gentleman, but I”m still not gonna expect her to pay.

“Is it? I thought it was mine?” she asks, furrowing her brows.

“Nope, you got the last one,” I lie.

I head off to order our meals and get another drink. Although this time I switch to water since all the carbonated drinks are making me feel bloated.

“Did you order extra fries?” Riley asks as I return to the table.

“No, was I supposed to?” I ask while trying to rack my brain to see if I forgot her fries. I’m sure she only asked for salad with her lasagna.

“No, it”s fine. I didn”t know if you ordered any for the table?”

“For the table? Why? Is the table hungry too?” I joke.

“Don”t be silly. No, it”s just people usually order fries to share.” Is that what people do? Normal people? People who actually socialize with others rather than heating up TV dinners at home alone?

“If you want fries, I can go order fries. It”s fine.” I offer.

“No, I”m fine,” she replies, and I assume that”s the end of it. That is until the food arrives and before I can even decide where to start, I see a hand fly over and grab some of my fries.

“I thought you didn”t want fries?” I laugh.

“Just one,” she says and flashes me an over exaggerated cheesy grin.

“Here take some,” I offer, grabbing a handful.

“No, it”s fine. I just wanted one,” she says as she pushes my fry filled hand back towards my own plate.

“Okay.” I shrug and continue eating, but a few minutes later that little hand is back stealing another fry.

“Just take some fries, if you want some, take a handful. Just stop eating them off my plate.” I say, shaking my head, feeling a bit irritated but also a bit of something else - like a warmth almost- but can’t explain what it is.

“No, it”s fine. I just wanted one little one,” she replies again flashing that toothy grin.

“Are you sure?”

“Yep,” she replies, popping her mouth on the p like a child.

I’m almost finished with my burger when, yet again, she steals a fry.

“Fuck sake, here,” I snap, grabbing a handful and dropping them onto the side of her plate. “Just take some!”

“Thanks,” she grins as she wiggles in her chair doing some sort of happy dance. I can”t help but grin as I watch her. It takes me back to the way Nate used to wiggle around as I read Izzy”s letters to him when we were kids. I swear to God, if I smile any more, either my jaw is going to break or my cheeks are gonna split open. I can”t remember the last time I felt this genuinely happy and at peace. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content.

I watch as Riley devours her whole plate, including all of the fries. “That was soo good,” she groans as she leans back in the chair and unbuttons her jeans. “I’m stuffed though.”

“I”m not surprised! You ate yours and some of mine,” I tease.

“Hey, sharing is caring. I always steal food, that”s the rule,” she pouts playfully.

“Oh yeah, and who exactly do you share food with then?” I joke back. Even though the idea of her sharing food with other guys makes me feel oddly jealous. What the fuck is wrong with me? This girl has got me fucking whipped!

“Well, Tucker always orders way too much, and he’s gotta stay in shape for football. So I”m doing him a favor, really. Harper just shares instinctively so she doesn’t count, and Nate, well, you know Nate, he”s a total feeder so he and Izzy give me some of their food anyway.”

“So basically you just eat everyone”s food then, yeah?” I laugh.

“Noooo! I don’t take Ava’s food.”

“Ava, which one is she again?” I ask. I”m shit with names. I only know who Tucker is, since he follows my brother around like a goddamn shadow.

“Ava, Tucker”s girlfriend, has red hair. Don’t let her size fool you though. She looks cute and sweet but she”s a total pocket rocket”

“Pocket rocket? I like that.”

“Yeah you see this scar,” Riley says pointing to the tiniest little white mark on the back of her hand. “Bitch stabbed me with a fork back in the second grade all because I tried to share some food.”

“You mean steal?” I correct

“Yeah yeah, same thing. Sharing, stealing. Same thing, really.” Riley shrugs.

“Oh yeah, sorry Officer I was just sharing with the bank. I”ll have to try that one day.” Honestly this girl is crazy.

“Judging by your wallet you already have,” she fires back with her eyebrow arched. She doesn’t miss a beat. I love that she’s happy to call me out on my shit and give it back to me.

“Shit! Is that the time?” Riley asks suddenly. “We gotta get back.”

“What”s the rush?” I ask, feeling kind of sad at today being over and having to go back to reality.

“I”ve got a huge final on Wednesday, and me and the girls are gonna study together at Izzy’s tonight,” she explains, but just the mention of Izzy’s name and the fact that yet again she’s taking away something precious to me, makes me angry.

“So what, Izzy”s more important than me? Good to know.” I snap. I feel my heart racing and the urge to go get drunk is overshadowing any other thoughts in my brain. See, I’m never first for anyone. There will always be someone more important, more exciting for her to be with. I’m always just a second thought or someone who’s around when there’s nothing better to do.

“Don”t be so silly,” Riley says, reaching and grabbing my hand. “It’s not like that at all. Izzy is my friend, sure, but you mean more. Isn’t today proof of that?”

“I guess,” I shrug, still feeling doubtful.

“How about we head home, and on the way you can think about where you”re taking me next weekend,” Riley suggests with a cheeky wink.

Gabe drops me off just outside Izzy”s. I get off his bike and remove the helmet. The one that he always gives to me and then hand it back to him. I lean in for a kiss, but he just looks towards the house. My stomach rolls and my heart cracks because I guess we are now back to hiding and any hope of acting like a regular couple is now long gone. He places the helmet on his head, gives me an intense look, and then drives off. Feeling sad, but not really surprised, I make my way to the door and knock. Izzy’s Nana answers. “Hello Riley, don”t you look beautiful with a little rosiness to your cheeks. Have you been out in the sun?”

“Erm, yes Nana,” I lie. Not wanting to admit I”ve spent the weekend surrounded by a completely different type of heat.

“The girls are upstairs. Wait here I”ve got cookies that you can bring up with you,” she says before disappearing off towards the kitchen. I follow her and in true Nana style, she hands me a plate full of cookies to take up with me.

“Thanks Nana,” I say as I give her a little squeeze before making my way upstairs.

As soon as I walk through the bedroom door, Ava begins the third degree,. “Was that just a motorcycle we heard?”

I must have a guilty look as Harper lets out an exasperated groan. “For fucks sake, Rilez.” Irritation settles through me quickly. Who is she to judge? She just doesn’t understand Gabe the way I do.

“Seriously, does that man have a magical penis or something?” Ava laughs.

“Well,” I smirk.

“Eww eww eww! I don’t wanna know,” Izzy groans while covering her ears.

“What happened to Ashton? I thought things were going well last night,” Harper asks as she takes a cookie from the plate in my hand and throws herself onto the bed.

“It was okay, I guess, but he”s just not for me. He”s kind of boring and predictable and, well, scared of his own shadow,” I whine as I put the plate down on the side table and throw myself down beside my sister.

“I just can”t help it,” I groan, “I know I shouldn”t but I really think I might love him.” Saying it out loud feels right. I know it’s actually true.

“He’s a selfish, egotistical, dickhead,” Ava chimes. “What”s not to love?”

“Not when we”re alone, he”s not. When it”s just us, he”s completely different. You wouldn’t understand.” I sigh as I lie back and look up at the ceiling.

“I get it, kind of,” Izzy says quietly.

“How would you know? He’s horrible to you constantly. Just look at Tucker”s birthday,” Ava says.

“What happened at Tucker”s birthday?” I say sitting up.

“Nothing,” she says, firing daggers at Ava. “It was a big misunderstanding,” Izzy replies.

“Why do you always defend him? If Nate knew half the shit that man’s said to you he’d kick his ass, I”m sure.” Ava replies as she shoves a cookie into her mouth.

“Which is exactly why you”ll keep your big mouth full of cookies and not tell Nate or Tucker,” Izzy tries to say in a joking way but I can tell there”s some seriousness in it.

“This needs milk,” Ava grumbles with a mouth full of cookies.

“I”ll get some,” Izzy offers kindly.

“I”ll come help you, I could do with a drink too,” I lie.

As soon as we’re away from the door, I pull Izzy aside.

“Hey, what happened?” I ask.

“Nothing,” she says but it”s clearly a lie. That girl can”t lie for shit. I give her my best ‘you better tell me’ look.

“Fine, follow me,” she says as she pulls me towards the bathroom.

“Spill,” I say once the doors shut.

“Okay, so the girls don’t know the whole story, and I don”t intend on telling them. But if you”re going to get serious with Gabe you deserve to know.” Izzy begins before she tells me about bailing Gabe out of jail, about the fact they had lots of laughs and she got to see the kid she grew up with briefly before a miscommunication led to everything turning to shit. She also told me that she”s since spoken to Gabe, who told her that he’d gotten into a fight that night after watching someone try to spike her and Harper’s drinks.

“And then he took Harper upstairs and made her throw up until most of the drugs were out of her system,” she finishes and I can see by the look on her face she deeply cares about Gabe, too.

“So yeah, Riley, he can be good. He has the potential to be a real protector, just like his brother. But he also has soo much darkness in him. Darkness that spills out to everything and everyone he touches. Now I”m not going to say don”t be with him, but please be careful, Riley. I love you, and I don”t want to see his darkness destroy your light.”

I hug her tightly. “I think I can heal him. Somehow, I think I can save him,” I admit. Hoping that my words carry enough conviction to cover up the doubts I have myself. Sure, I care for him, I”m pretty certain that I love him. But I”d be lying if I didn”t wonder at times whether I would be the one to save him or be destroyed by him.

“You”ve been gone forever,” Ava whines once we finally make it back with the drinks.

“Yeah you know Nana, she kept us talking for ages,” Izzy lies, giving me a sneaky wink. Thankfully, neither girl pays enough attention to see the way Izzy’s face turns as red as a tomato whenever she”s lying or trying to hold in a secret.

Soon the whole group is distracted with studying and quizzing each other using the little study cards Izzy made for us. The minutes turn into hours and before I know it, it”s almost midnight. “Damn, is that the time?” I ask, looking at my watch and yawning. “We gotta head home,” I yawn.

“Want me to ask Pops to drive you home?” Izzy asks.

“We”ll be fine, it”s only down the road,” I laugh, but Izzy is having none of it. “No, I”m sure Pops will drive you back. If not I”m sure he’ll let you sleep over on the sofa, or something.”

Before I even have a chance to disagree she”s up and out the bedroom door.

“Come on you two,” she shouts a few minutes later.

We pack the last of our things and make our way downstairs, where a sleepy looking, pajama and robe wearing Pops is waiting for us.

“I”m so sorry, we can walk,” I offer guiltily.

“Nonsense! What sort of man would I be if I left two damsels in distress in danger?” Pops laughs. Just like Izzy, her grandparents are sweet but kind of goofy.

Pops drives us home but as we are pulling into my drive I see an unfamiliar dark coloured pick up just opposite. I get out of the car and make my way toward the front door with Harper. As I”m waiting for Harper to unlock the door, I turn and glance over at the pickup, but it drives off. That”s strange.

“Finally,” Harper says as she manages to unlock the door. “Next time we pull a late nighter, remind me to leave the porchlight on before we leave.”

“There you both are,” my mother says as she walks towards us. “You could have called to say you were going to be late. Your father and I were worried,” my mother scolds, as she scowls at us both.

“Sorry mom,” we both say in unison as we give her our best puppy dog eyes.

“Well thankfully you”re safe, that”s the main thing.” she replies as she shakes her head. “I hope you didn”t walk home.” she scolds again as she walks towards the kitchen still reading us both the riot act.

“No, Izzy”s grandad drove us home.” I add.

“With the amount of time you”re spending at their house I”m surprised they”re not charging you rent yet,” she teases. I feel bad lying to her all the time, telling her I”m sleeping over at either Izzy’s or Ava’s when really I”m out with Gabe. But at the same time, it’s worth all the sneaking around, to get to be spending all my time with Gabe.

“I know,” I reply, unsure what else to say. “How about tomorrow I stay home, we can have a game night like we used to?” I offer feeling guilty.

“That sounds great, except that me and your father are out at another business dinner tomorrow. How about Monday though, we’ll pick you up from dance and we can all go to Nona’s. We haven’t been there in years and it used to be your favorite little italian restaurant. On the way back we will grab snacks and have either a movie or games night? Just the four of us?” I don”t miss the excitable glint in my mother’s eye.

“That sounds perfect,” I reply.

“Can”t wait!” Harper adds.

“Anyway, now I know you’re both home safe and sound, I’m off to bed,” my mother yawns, before reaching out and grabbing us both, placing a small kiss to our foreheads.

“Night mom, love you,” we both call as she turns to leave.

I make my way to our bedroom, throw on some pajamas, and curl up in bed. I fall asleep pretty much as soon as my head hits the pillow.

By the time I wake up the next morning, or should I say afternoon since it”s almost twelve o”clock, Harper has already left.

“Mom? Dad?” I call out as I head towards the kitchen to pour myself a very strong cup of coffee.

When no one answers me the third time I call, I decide it”s safe to assume everyone has gone about their day without me. I”ve always been the odd one out when it comes to sleep. Harper and both my parents have always been the type to wake up bright and early and be ready to start their day a few minutes later, me on the other hand, could sleep for eighteen hours straight and still be tired, and even when I do wake up, it takes thirty minutes and two cups of coffee before I even partly resemble a human.

Even as a baby, I was grumpy. My parents used to joke that I was part sloth. That and the fact that I didn”t bother learning to crawl till I was almost one, preferring to be carried everywhere. Not like Harper who was the queen of the bum shuffle.

Grabbing my coffee and rummaging in the fridge for some snacks, I make my way back to my room ready to spend the last few hours of my weekend with my favorite vampires.