42. Get A Grip
Get A Grip
Dani
The rolling table begins to vibrate as my phone rings. I reach over and grab it, not really in the mood to deal with anyone, but willing to put on a brave face. When I see who's face is flashing on the screen, I break down in tears.
"Sleeping beauty," I sob when her angelic face pops up on screen.
"Dani! Oh my God! Erin told me what happened. How is he? How are you doing?" her soft, sweet voice calms my tears.
Aurora is mine and Erin's other best friend. We met in the bathroom on the first day of grade nine. She was so scared starting at a new school, having moved from Sudbury to Toronto two months prior that she was hiding out. We weren't sure what to make of the tall, super shy, soft spoken girl hiding in the stall, but we managed to win her over and she fit into our lives perfectly.
I'm the mouthy one, Erin is the 'fuck around and find out' one and Rora is the calm, sweet, shy one that can defuse any situation we get ourselves into.
She moved to Stonewall, Manitoba ten years ago for her job. Visits are far and few between with all our busy lives, but we video chat almost everyday and when the visits do happen, it's as if no time has passed and we jump right back to where we left off.
"He's okay. They found something to help with the pain finally. Yesterday was a shitshow." I fill Rora in on what happened, leaving out the part about Luke.
"And how are you doing?" she whispers.
"I'll be okay once I know he's okay."
"That's not what I mean."
My brows furrow. "What do you mean?"
"Erin told me about everything with Mason, you and Luke."
My stomach turns. It's only been forty-eight hours and it still doesn't feel real. I quit my job and lost the love of my life.
Before I can explain anything, there's a knock on the door and a voice calling out. "Dani girl, I hope this is the right room. I would prefer not to see another naked old man."
I snort out a small laugh. "Yeah, Gabe, it's the right room."
The door swings open and Gabe swaggers in with a huge smile on his face. "Hello, gorgeous," he kisses my cheek.
"Hello, handsome," I return the kiss.
Gabe drops his large body into the chair next to the bed. "Luke filled me in on what happened."
I bow my head. "He, um…"
"Dani, would you like me to let you go?" Rora's soft voice asks.
Gabe stiffens in his chair. "Who's that?"
I turn my phone. "Gabe, this is my other best friend, Aurora."
Gabe's blue eyes widen and he starts bouncing his leg nervously, sweat breaking out along his forehead and his golden skin paling.
"Gabe, you okay?" I ask, concerned. I've never seen him like this before.
"I-I-I-I'm f-f-f-fine," he stutters. "N-n-n-nice t-t-t-to me-me-me-meet y-y-y-you."
I gawk at this man next to me. Gabe is always so sure of himself, some might even say cocky, but this Gabe, this is someone I've never met before.
"Nice to meet you, too." Rora breathes, her face a dark red colour.
The room is quiet as these two stare at each other, their faces turning redder by the second.
"I gotta go," Rora says. "Call me later, love you."
"Love you, too." I say but she already hung up. "That was weird."
I glance over at Gabe, who's still staring at my phone screen. I wave my hand in front of his face. "You sure you're okay?"
He seems to snap out of whatever trance he was in and flashes me a one dimpled smile. "I'm good, baby girl." He stands quickly. "Are you hungry? Want me to grab you something?"
I open my mouth to answer, but he's already out the door.
"The fuck was that about?" I mutter to myself.
Gabe
"What is wrong with you!" I scold myself as I head down to the cafeteria. "You haven't stuttered in years, get a grip."
I scan the food choices, settling on Subway and hoping I get something she likes. As I wait in line, I can't stop picturing Aurora's angelic face. I've never seen such beauty before. My cocky, self-assured mask disappeared completely and the shy, insecure boy I haven't been in years took its place with one look into those dark chocolate coloured eyes.
I order Dani a cold cut sub and head back towards Mason's room. Muffled voices stop me before I enter the room. I open the door a crack to hear better. I probably shouldn't be doing this, it's invading Dani's privacy, but Aurora's honeyed voice is too sweet to resist.
"Gabe is Luke's younger brother," Dani says. "He's a super sweet guy but can be a cocky asshole from time to time."
I grind my teeth, it bothers me that that's how Dani describes me to Aurora, however her sweet laugh says she doesn't believe Dani.
"He didn't seem that way to me. He seemed very shy and awkward, like me. He's also very handsome." Aurora says.
A smile tugs at my lips. She thinks I'm handsome, and to be honest, she's right. Mom used to tell me I was too handsome for my own good.
"Awww, sleeping beauty, do you have insta-lust for Gabe?"
"Maybe," she whispers.
"Next time you visit, I'll introduce you. Maybe your insta-lust will turn into something more." Dani giggles.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe."
Deciding this is a good time to bust in, I open the door fully and announce, "food delivery."
I place Dani's sub on the rolling table and sit back in the chair. Dani stares at me with brows raised.
"What?" I ask.
"I didn't think you were serious."
"I told you before, lying is one thing I don't do." I smile, popping out my one dimple. I might not have been blessed with two like Luke, but I can still drop panties with it.
Dani shoves the phone in my hand. "Here, talk to Rora while I eat."
Well, shit.
I turn the phone towards myself and before I can get a word out, Mason wakes up.
"Is that Subway?" he slurs.
Dani busts out laughing, nearly choking on her food. "Only you would wake up from a drug induced sleep to the smell of food, Bubba." She hands him half.
"I can go get another one, Dani girl." I offer.
"Nah, it's okay. I can't handle a twelve inch anyways." She replies.
"If you could handle Luke, you can handle a twelve inch." Aurora says.
Dani snorts, Mason groans and I think I just fell in love.