Chapter 34
Layla
The week after Thanksgiving, I walk in from my mom’s feeling drained and hungry, trudging towards the kitchen. Involuntarily, my eyes close and I inhale deeply. “Mm, what are you making? It smells so good.”
My eyes flutter open, my gaze landing on Gabe standing at the stove, stirring something that smells of tomatoes, onions, and garlic. He smirks, turning off the burner. “I made chili. I figured it would be enough for us for dinner and something we could bring to mom, even freeze some.”
“That was a great idea.”
“It’s ready. Do you want some?”
“Hell, yes,” I reply, immediately grabbing bowls from the cabinets making Gabe laugh.
He fills the bowls, his with more than twice as much and carries them to the table while I grab spoons and water for both of us. “Hope you like it,” he says as we sit down across from each other.
The bowl is filled with chucks of beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers, corn, black beans, and more. Blowing on my spoon to cool it, I take a bite, savoring the flavorful dish. “This is delicious, Gabe. Where did you learn how to make this?”
He gives me a bashful shrug, but explains, “I took mom’s old recipe a few years back and I’ve been playing with it to make it mine.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Thanks.” He pauses, taking a bite and asks, “Are you not hanging out with Levi tonight?”
“No, he’s at the training facility and I have to work in the morning. Besides, it’s been a long day.”
“How was mom today?”
“Today was a good day for her,” I say, grateful it’s true.
He sighs in relief. “Good.”
“But I cleaned for her and did her laundry today. Then, I ran to the grocery store and made her something to eat. I was too tired to stay for dinner, so walking into this is like heaven.”
A smile tugs at his lips. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
“That I am.”
“Oh, before I forget, the Mavericks’ Head Athletic Trainer asked to see your resumé.”
I gasp, dropping my spoon back into my bowl, looking at my brother in shock. “What?”
He glances at me, unimpressed. “You heard me.”
“What do I do?”
Arching his brow, he states, “You give me your damn resumé so I can forward it to him.”
Shaking my head, I stammer, “Yeah, of course, I just mean…”
“I know what you mean.” Placing his spoon in the empty bowl, he leans back and crosses his arms over his chest, looking at me. “Did you tell Levi?”
Wincing, I shake my head, and claim, “Not yet.”
He huffs a humorless laugh. “Why not, Layla? We’ve been looking at places for mom for a long time now.
You know there’s a huge possibility you’ll move even if this job doesn’t pan out.
Don’t you think you should tell the guy you’re dating?
He already lives in a different state for a lot of the year. ”
My stomach twists, my thoughts in chaos. I know he’s right, but it doesn’t feel like we’re solid enough to tell him I might be leaving. Wouldn’t that just cause him to pull away from me? I don’t know if I’m ready to do that. Getting my heart involved was a bad idea. “No. There’s nothing to tell.”
He scoffs. “I’m not sure he’d see it that way.”
“If I get a job offer, then there would be something to tell him, but this is just them asking to see a piece of paper and read a few facts. It’s not even an introduction nor a conversation, Gabe. It means nothing.”
He scoffs, his disappointment written all over his face. “Until it’s something, Layla. Even if it’s not this, eventually it will be something. That’s when you will regret not telling Levi sooner. You know you will.”
Tingles prickle my insides, my anxiety spiking. Swallowing, I attempt to gulp them away to no avail. “Don’t Gabe. It hasn’t happened yet. Besides, it’s not like that,” I argue irrationally.
Arching his eyebrow in challenge, he questions, “Then, what’s it like, Layla?
You guys are dating, right? Because he sure as fuck seems to be way into you.
” My heart lurches at his words. Is that what he thinks?
“We spent Thanksgiving with his family for fuck’s sake,” he emphasizes as if answering my internal question.
“I know, Gabe, I know. Yeah, he’s my boyfriend,” I admit for the first time out loud. My cheeks darken and a smile curls my lips, despite the conversation.
“Then, what the hell is holding you back?”
Shaking my head, I grumble, “I don’t know. Nothing.”
“You and I both know that something is because you don’t keep secrets like that from people you care about.”
He’s right, but I don’t want to talk about it, about him.
“It’s not a secret, it’s just…” I’m afraid telling him will change everything before we even have a chance to begin and I really like him.
Then again, I wouldn’t have this doubt or hesitation consuming my thoughts if it wasn’t for our father.
Especially when I think about all the red flags Levi threw up when I first met him.
His gaze softens, a look of understanding settling over his features.
“Don’t let dad fuck this up too.” I flinch, his aim precise.
He deciphered what’s going on in my head before I did.
“Dad has done enough to ruin things for us, don’t you think?
” I gulp down the lump in my throat. “Tell Levi,” he insists, emphasizing each word. “Sooner rather than later.”
I nod, my heart lodging itself in my throat, my anxiety rising. “Yeah, okay, you’re right. I will.”
Sighing, he offers me a comforting smile. “You know I just want what’s best for you.”
“I know. Thanks, Gabe.”
“I’d get up to hug you, but I’m not ready to move yet. I ate way too fast and I’m so full.”
“Gee, thanks.” I laugh.
“Well, whoever made this is a damn good cook. I couldn’t seem to help myself.” He chuckles, amused by his own joke.
“He has a gigantic ego too.”
He grins. “Does it matter if it’s true?” I giggle, shaking my head in amusement. “I love you, Sis.”
“I love you too, Gabe.”
“Now, go shower,” he says tossing a pillow at me I swiftly deflect. “You really do stink.”
Laughing, I walk down the hall, mulling his words over in my head with every step. I know he’s right about talking to Levi, so I just need to do it, no matter the consequences.