9. Gabe/Katherine
9
GABE/KATHERINE
“Promise me this isn’t going to get weird between us,” I say, thrusting the basketball at Alex’s chest.
He dribbles it twice and then makes his shot. It spirals around the rim and drops through the net.
“Why would it get weird?”
I lift a shoulder. I couldn’t sleep last night, which is nothing new. And spilling my guts to Katherine? That part was unexpected. But cathartic. I love the way she never stopped touching me. Comforting me. Her quiet curiosity had pried the information out more easily than a crowbar.
But her fury when she found out what her grandfather had done?
I didn’t realize it would mean so much to me, not only to have her eagerly listening but also to feel her anger. It’s so different from all the times when she’s been utterly emotionless, a block of radiant ice.
Alex props the ball against his hip and gives me his full attention. I tell him about my midnight conversation. He doesn’t seem the least bit surprised by Katherine’s reaction.
Before her, he was the only one I confided in. Now we’re both involved with her. There was a moment last night when my heart felt like it would explode.
I got the girl, but he’s always been the one I wanted. Of course, I keep a tight rein on it. I’m not that big of an asshole. I’d never pressure someone into a relationship. But in the heat of that moment, it was way too easy to blur the line. To look at my best friend and have my guard drop.
I’m terrified to ruin two decades of friendship.
What if I can’t keep my feelings under wraps when the three of us are together? It’s like she’s a conduit or something. I forget how to use my “you are not in love with your best friend” face.
We’ve always been solid, but things change, right?
Women change things.
Alex puts a hand on my shoulder. “Breathe. Talk to me.”
“I—” I glance over at him, seeing my confidant of almost twenty years.
“I know,” he says, and I don’t doubt it. He’s good at reading me. Has always spoken Gabriel fluently. “I get why you’re worried. It’s new, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad, right? And if we’re all enjoying ourselves and we don’t let jealousy win, it could work out better than any of us imagined, right?”
My brows lift because the man’s obviously thought about this.
He throws an arm around my shoulders. “Do you remember when we first met, and you were so overwhelmed by the city and the classes and all the people?”
I nod, anxiety gripping my stomach like a giant fist.
“But you were so excited. So ready to make all your dreams come true. This is the same thing. A new adventure. New people. A new path. You get to pave it, just like you did back then. And I’ll be right here beside you.”
Alex gives the best pep talks. Truly.
“Breathe.”
I take a deep breath.
He slaps me between the shoulder blades. “Let it out, jackass.”
Chuckling, I exhale, feeling a little calmer. But then I look up at him out of the corner of my eye. All the dormant feelings surge. But there are a host of new ones, too.
“I get all of that. But I don’t want to lose what we have for anything. Or anyone,” I add.
“How do you think you’ll lose me?”
I shrug. “Maybe you guys decide you’re perfect for each other and run away to Boston.”
He sighs, shaking his head like it’s the craziest thing he’s ever heard. But is it?
I glance around, making sure we’re still alone. And I keep my voice low because sound carries across the oak floor.
“She obviously adores you. You make her feel safe and seen. She turns to putty when you’re around.”
She said it herself. I’m an adventure. He’s her lighthouse. Eventually, adventuring gets tiresome. Monotonous.
“And?” He rolls the basketball across his hip and hands it to me. “Come on. We’re done for the day.”
He gives me a prod toward the elevators, and then we’re zooming skyward. “Go on.”
“I don’t know, man. It’s all messed up in my head.”
“Clearly.” He turns and leans back against the paneled wall, watching me in that keen way that feels like he sees too much.
I mirror his movement and toss the ball at his chest. Of course he agrees that I’m off my rocker. Floundering in the weeds. Like I said, he sees it all. He knows me. “Thanks.”
He catches the ball easily, propping a foot against the wall. It’s a casual pose, showing off all his muscles in the most mouth-watering way. The damp t-shirt clings to his torso, and I avert my gaze. Are we to the penthouse yet?
“Gabriel.”
My stomach drops.
“We’re not going to run off to Boston and leave you and the bestie behind. If I was going to take her anywhere, it’d be a private island in the Caribbean where I could keep her in a bikini for days on end. Or naked.” He smirks and sends the ball hurtling across the small space at me.
“How thoughtful of you.”
The elevator gives a cheery ding as it levels out and the doors whoosh open.
“Come on.” He slings an arm around my shoulders and tugs me out of the elevator. “We agreed to date her, right? But if she picked one of us, the other would lose out. Not just on that relationship, but?—”
He doesn’t finish the sentence, but I hear what he’s trying to say. We’d miss out on time with each other.
Nodding, I swallow. “This is better.”
“Of course this is better. No one’s the third wheel.”
“Right.”
“I like you for her. You’re adventurous. A total yes-man. You understand better than anyone how much she needs that in her life.”
I drop the ball in a chair and head for the kitchen. After tossing him a bottle of water, I twist the cap off mine and down half of it.
He leans against the massive island, backlit by the early morning light.
“I don’t feel good enough for her,” I admit, then finish my bottle.
He watches me like I’m a puzzle. A ripple of awareness shimmers below my skin. I wouldn’t admit that to anyone but him, but we don’t have secrets. In fact, it’s pointless for me to try to keep a secret from him.
He sees right through them. I can bullshit my way through interviews, convince the world I’m completely confident, but Alex knows the truth. He knows my weaknesses.
And he’s never once held them against me.
In fact, he’s just the opposite. Shoring them up. Heading off vulnerabilities. Boosting me when I need a leg up.
Which is why, as much as I like Katherine, I’d walk away in a heartbeat if it meant ruining my friendship with Alex.
“You’ve got a voice in your head you need to squash,” he says, cocking his head. “Is this about Henry?”
I shrug. I’m honestly not sure where the doubt comes from. But it’s like a bumble bee in the back of my mind, buzzing. Driving me crazy with its never-ending chatter.
“Is it the age difference?”
“Maybe.” I crush the bottle and toss it in the recycling bin.
“Well, she’s not dating you for your money.”
“So it’s my pretty face?” I grin at him, and he laughs.
“Doubt it. Kingston’s gonna win that battle.”
“Thanks.” I stare at him for a long moment, and my heart presses against my rib cage. “I’m serious though.” I wave a finger between us. “I won’t do anything to endanger our friendship.”
He straightens to his full height, shoulders back, water bottle in one hand. He clamps a hand over my shoulder. “Neither will I.”
I nod because I need his reassurance like a child needs his favorite blanket. He tugs me into a hug.
“I’m sorry for being emotional,” I murmur. “I slept like crap.”
The sectional is great in theory, but we need an actual bed with enough space for all of us.
He gives me a squeeze. “There’s no need to apologize.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” My voice breaks. I’m such a sap.
“You’re not going to find out.”
That quiet assurance carries me through my day and almost makes up for my lack of sleep.
Katherine
Katherine: I’ve got tea.
LaShonda: what flavor?
Katherine: Gabriel Rothburn flavored.
LaShonda: spill it!
LaShonda: I bet it’s juicy.
Katherine: But first, help me decide on the shoes for this outfit.
I take a quick pic of the teal sheath dress. I love the cap sleeves and slender, matching belt. And the V-neck style makes it feel a dash daring, which is basically my personality now.
Once we decide on my new Jimmy Choos–the color matches the dress so the choice is obvious–I finish getting ready for work and text her every chance I get.
Katherine: First, my grandfather was iniquitous. We knew that though. face with rolling eyes emoji
Katherine: He totally took Gabe under his wing. Sought him out. Gave him an apartment! I still don’t know how he found out about Gabe’s company but it’s obvious he targeted him. Gabe was in college and I’d bet every penny in my bank account that grandfather saw an easy target.
LaShonda: that’s evil.
LaShonda: angry face with horns emoji
Katherine: Totally.
Katherine: He tried to get Gabe to sign paperwork saying it was for the apartment. Gabe read it and saw he was about to sign over 30% of his company!
LaShonda: omg
LaShonda: seriously?!
Katherine: Those were the words straight from his mouth.
LaShonda: you two have gotten close.
Katherine: You have no idea.
LaShonda: tell me! best friend code. i want deets.
Katherine: Later. My blood is still boiling.
Katherine: Like I knew grandfather bent the rules to suit him. But that’s just...
Katherine: I don’t have words.
LaShonda: I have one. Criminal.
Katherine: Right?!
LaShonda: at least you know why there was bad blood.
Katherine: Honestly, I can’t believe he speaks to me. If his grandfather tried to steal 30% of my company his whole family would be dead to me.
LaShonda: you’re such a scorpio.
LaShonda: but yes. agreed. that shows his character.
LaShonda: but also, your ass is amazing and so are the girls. bet that went a long way in getting him to talk to you.
Katherine: zany face emoji
LaShonda: when are you going to see him again?
Katherine: No definite plans. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw him tonight.