Chapter 27 Tobias #2
Maybe I should mind my own business…but maybe not. There’s been many times I wanted someone to help me and no one came so…if I can be of help to him, I’m going to be.
Gabe’s my friend and I want to make sure he’s okay.
***
It’s chilly out here as I step out onto the deck.
No one is outside, as everyone’s indoors enjoying the haunted decorations and music.
I peer around, not seeing them in this dark backyard.
The pool is lit up by the floor lamps, giving off the only dim light out here.
I make my way around the house, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary. They couldn’t have gotten too far.
My heart beats out of my chest as I continue my search.
What if I’m too late? What if Wyatt has seriously damaged him all because I’ve taken too long?
I speed up, my footsteps crunching leaves as I look around the front of the house.
I’m walking in circles at this point and just as I get back to the backyard, my hope of finding them dissipates. Maybe they left?
That’s when I hear it. Coming from behind the pool house.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of that at first.
I stride my way over, trying to get my head straight. If I’ve gotta fight, I better sober up quickly.
I clench my fist as I get closer, but when I arrive, I stop in my tracks.
Gabe’s hands are curled around Wyatt’s leather jacket, pinning him up against the wall.
My breath catches as I step closer. Am I going to have to fight this guy?
But, before I take another step, it takes a turn that I didn’t see coming.
Gabe’s mouth engulfs Wyatt’s, desperately clinging onto him as he presses into his body.
Wrapped up in each other, like nothing else matters. I see Wyatt grab onto Gabe’s arms like he wants to push away but he can’t.
He wants it too.
Oh shit.
I can’t believe I didn’t realize this was what Gabe was trying to talk to me about. I should’ve known.
I read this situation wrong.
So wrong.
It makes my chest hurt. It reminds me so much of Elijah and the way we first got together. So in denial. So in love.
I step back, but my foot is met with a crack of a twig.
Cringing, I watch both of their heads whip towards me. Startled, the big brute pushes Gabe away.
“Shit. I-I’m so sorry.” I shake my head, trying to regain my balance.
“Wait—” Gabe reaches out to me, but I quickly stalk away.
I didn’t mean to interrupt them.
Fuck. I should’ve minded my own business.
I ignore his attempt at trying to catch up to me, slipping back into the house.
The drinks catch up to me as I sway through the house. Everything feels tipsy and unsteady as I rub my hand down my face.
“Hey, you okay?” Claire grabs onto my arm, pulling me gently towards her.
“Yeah. I just need a second.” I nod.
Her eyes scan over me. “If you want, you can hang out in my bedroom for a while. Come on, I’ll show you.” Grabbing my wrist, she guides me upstairs past the others, and right into her bedroom.
It’s just like I’d imagine her room to be. Everything is a soft pale pink, including the canopy wrapped around her massive king sized bed. She even has a damn balcony in here.
“Take all the time you need.” She says, sitting me down on her bed.
“Okay, thanks.” I smile softly. She rises on her toes, stretching her neck to press a light kiss to my forehead before slipping out and shutting the door behind her.
Once I’m certain I’m alone, I bury my head in my hands and let out a few muttered curses.
My chest feels heavy.
It wasn’t Gabe and Wyatt that twisted me up so much. I’m twisted up because I’m jealous. Jealous that his person is here and mine isn’t.
He’s never fucking here.
Hot tears threaten to pour over, but I try my hardest to hold them down.
I sniff, taking out my phone from my back pocket.
I know I shouldn’t, but before I can stop myself, my fingers are already pressing his name on my speed dial.
“Hey baby,” his voice sweet like honey flows through the phone after the first ring.
I waste no time telling him how it is. “You’re supposed to be here.” I rush.
A soft chuckle sounds through the phone. “I know, I—”
“No.” I cut him off. I never speak to him like this, but something in me needs to. “You’re supposed to be here with me and you’re not and…and I hate it.” I snatch my hat off my head and throw it on the bed. “I hate you.” I lie.
Elijah takes a minute to respond, making me immediately regret what I just said.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it—”
“Open the door,” he says plainly.
My eyebrows pinch together. “What?”
“Open. The. Door.”
I swallow thickly, rising up to my feet. Walking over slowly, I twist the door handle.
Standing there in all his glory, rocking the smug look I’ve always loved…there he is.
Dressed as a sexy as fuck pirate, Will Turner.
“You hate me, huh?” His brown eyes twinkle at me, sending my heart into overdrive.
“You cocky fucking asshole.” I suck in a breath.
Bracing my hands on his cheeks, we dive into a kiss so deep that I forget to breathe. His taste, the softness of his lips, the way his hair feels between my fingers. I missed it. I missed it all.
“Mmm, you taste sweet yet your words are so salty.” He laughs against my lips.
He squeezes my hips, backing me into the room.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I pant, my lips decorating his soft skin, down his cheeks and over his jawline.
He tilts his head so I can continue down the column of his neck and back up again.
“I know. I wanted to surprise you. Did I do good?” He smiles, bringing my head back up to look into his eyes.
His beautiful, honey brown eyes.
My knees are wobbly as I take in his beauty. It’s a good thing he’s holding me up because I’m almost certain I’d faint if he wasn’t.
“I’m so happy I could cry.” I sniff, remembering the hollowness I was feeling just seconds ago.
He backs me up until my knees hit the bed. I sit down and spread my legs, allowing him to step in between them.
“I’m here.” He reaffirms softly, threading his fingers through my hair.
I close my eyes as he kisses my face gently. “Why?” Breathing in deeply, I take in how good he smells.
“To see this exact expression.” He teases, biting me softly on the nose.
A smile paints my face as I draw him in even closer. “A surprise?”
“Yeah, you thought you were the only romantic one here? Think again.” He tugs my hair gently, making me laugh even more.
He did this to be romantic?
I hum happily, gripping his arm softly to keep myself steady. “Mmm, I’m glad you’re here. Don’t ever leave me again, okay?”
“Oh man.” Elijah chuckles, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Someone’s feeling the drinks.” He leans in for a kiss.
“What is that?” He kisses me again, making a show out of smacking his lips as though he’s a wine connoisseur or something.
“I’m getting notes of citrus.” Kisses me again. “Aaaand orange juice?”
“Close. Pineapple.” I smirk, pulling on his burgundy shirt he has on under his black vest.
“Oh, my bad.” Elijah laughs as I continue south, trying and failing at undoing his belt buckle. He looks down at my fumbling fingers and bats away my hands. “Oh, no you don’t. I don’t mess around with drunkies.”
I pout. “I’m not drunk. Come on, I missed you.” I try again, making him laugh harder. I pin him between my legs with my thighs and hold him close as I untuck his shirt.
“You fucker!” He gasps, a bright smile on his face as he struggles to get away. I must be tickling him. The sound of his laughter makes my dick thicken in my pants.
Damn, I’m so happy he’s here.
“Okay, okay.” He inhales deeply, rubbing my hands. “If I grab you some water and sober you up, we can mess around a little. Okay?”
I nod excitedly, reaching for my empty solo cup on the night table. I pass it to him, and he grabs it happily. Leaning into me, he tilts my head up by my chin. “I missed you too.” He smiles into a kiss, making my heart thunder in my chest.
I’m amazed this night took this turn. I feel like I’m dreaming.
Elijah straightens up and looks around. “I cannot believe this room,” he says, taking it all in. Strolling over into her walk-in bathroom, I watch as he disappears.
Flopping back on her bed, I take a deep breath in.
This roller coaster of emotions is going to put me into the hospital. I think my lips are permanently stuck in a smile.
My moment of happiness bursts as the door to the bedroom whips open.
Sitting up, I see an out of breath Gabe standing at the bedroom door.
“Tobias, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He pants, stepping into the room.
I sit up, confused. “Why?”
“I don’t know what’s going on. I’m so totally confused. ” He exhales deeply, sitting down on the edge of the bed by my feet. “I need your help.”
Oh, right. The kiss.
I feel bad. After what he told me the other night, he must be feeling confused. And I’m guessing I’m the only ‘out’ person he knows or at least knows about this situation.
“It’s okay.” I pat him on the back. “Things can get a little confusing when you don’t know what’s going on. Do you like him—”
Right then, Elijah comes out of the bathroom, holding my solo cup full of water. His eyebrows shoot up as he looks from Gabe to me and then back again. “Oh…hey,” he mutters.
Gabe quickly stands up, stepping away from me. “Oh shit. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have just barged in like that.” He sniffs, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. His eyes are glossy which makes me feel even worse.
“No, it’s okay,” I say, offering him some comfort.
Gabe nods awkwardly, walking backwards towards the door. “Yeah, um…well, thanks for being there. You know, for me. I just…” He looks at Elijah, and I can see him plastering on a quick smile to save his embarrassment. “Elijah! I’m so relieved that you’re here. That’s really good.”
Elijah’s eyebrow arches up and I can see him grip his cup tightly. “Why is that good?”
“I’m guessing Tobias told you everything.” Gabe laughs uncomfortably.
My gut turns. Oh, no.
“Told me…everything?” Elijah’s eyes dart to me.
I open my mouth to offer some explanation but I’m void of words.
“Told me what, Tobias?” Elijah asks me directly this time.
“Oh shit.” Gabe runs his hands through his hair, looking around like he’s looking for an escape. “Shit, I should go.”
“Maybe you should.” Elijah grits out.
Gabe gives me a quick apologetic smile before slipping through the door.
Elijah walks over, shutting it completely.
I swallow deeply, my heart beating out of my chest. I run my hands down my thighs as I try to get my mind straight. I shouldn’t be drunk for this conversation.
Dammit, why now!?
“Tobias…I’m going to need you to explain what I should know. Right now.”