Chapter 9 - Gabriella
A few days later, I still felt uneasy about our conversations. I knew he was a big part of why our friendship ended, but I could still see the hurt in his eyes when I brought it up. If he truly hadn’t cared about it, he wouldn’t have looked so broken.
I sighed and rubbed at my eyes, having slept like shit since.
I kept seeing his face, the hurt look, and the way his shoulders sank.
I watched the pain flicker in his eyes, and I knew that he wanted to say something, but I didn’t want to hear it.
I didn’t want to listen to some half-ass excuse. It wouldn’t make me feel any better.
But now I was wondering what he would have said. How would he have tried to explain his fuck up? How could he just toss our friendship aside so easily? I was telling myself I didn’t want a reason, but deep down I did.
“What are you doing?”
I jumped, not realizing that Hazel had stepped into the living room. She had her hair in soft curls, and she was wearing a sweater skirt with a matching sweater. She was holding a pair of black boots with heels and a deep red purse.
I looked her up and down a few times. “What are you dressed up for?”
She frowned. “Did you forget already? It’s Brandon’s surprise birthday party today.”
I frowned, having forgotten. I had been so occupied with what was going on with Westley that I forgot I was supposed to help Nora and Jade set up for it. Shit.
“I didn’t forget,” I said, waving a hand. “That doesn’t explain why you’re dressed like that. Since when do you dress up for parties?”
“Everyone dresses nicely for a party, Gabriella. I don’t want to look like a sore thumb.
” She pulled her boots on and grabbed her jacket.
“I have to head out for a bit. I’m doing a short shift, and then I’ll be back around three.
Are you coming with me, or are you and Mr. hubby going to make an appearance together? ”
I glared at her, hating how easily she cracked the jokes about us. “I hope you trip on some ice on your way out.”
She smirked, proud of herself. “Love you.” She slipped out, and I threw myself back on the couch. I stared at the ceiling, not sure what to do with myself.
Lying there in the silence made me think about all the other times Westley and I sat together.
I missed the times when we would whisper to each other, telling jokes and tales.
I missed when he snuck in blankets, and I read a couple of chapters of a book to him.
We snacked on pretzels and cheese together while he tried to read me short snippets from some history book he was glancing through.
I couldn’t help but smile. I had felt so connected to Westley just from those short times together. When he looked at me, it made me feel seen. He never judged me, never questioned me. It was peaceful.
I groaned as I thought of going to a party and having to put on a face like everything was fine with him. I felt like I was walking on a wire and any second, everything was going to come crashing down.
I pulled myself up and headed into my bedroom, finding I should look for something to wear to this party to begin with.
I opened my closet and rummaged through my clothes, but found nothing to wear.
I had summer clothes but nothing dressy for winter.
I paused and headed out my door. I leaned out and stared at Hazel’s door.
We borrowed clothes back and forth, but we didn’t have the same taste, so it wasn’t often.
I headed into her room and went to her closet. I flicked her light on, taking in tons of darker clothes and high heels. Hazel had a darker aesthetic, while I liked wearing brighter colors.
I flipped through her clothes, scrunching my nose up at most of what she had hanging, but I paused when I found a long, deep burgundy dress. It was a thin material, but I could see it had fleece lining on the inside.
I pulled the dress off the rod and stared at it. The dress had a sweetheart neckline, and she had a black blazer paired with it. There was a gold necklace wrapped around the hook with a black pendant.
I swallowed, looking back at her clothes to see if there was anything else. Nothing caught my attention, so I looked back at the dress. Hazel wouldn’t mind if I wore it, but the dress itself was different.
I took it to my room and stripped down. I slid the dress on and turned, looking at myself in the mirror. I had to admit, it looked nice. The dress clung to me tightly, and it was warm. I would just need to wear a pair of tights, and I had a pair of black boots to go with them.
I decided to do my hair and put some effort into looking nice for this. Westley and I would be making an appearance, and since he was good friends with Brandon, I figured I should look the part.
I was just finishing pinning my hair up when I heard the front door. I hurried and rounded the corner. I paused when I spotted Hazel instead of Westley. I hadn’t seen him all day, and I figured maybe he would be home by now.
Hazel paused as she spotted me, raising an eyebrow. “Is that mine?”
“Yeah, I’m borrowing it. I didn’t have anything in my closet to wear.”
She shrugged, not bothered. “Well, you look ready. Are you going with Westley?”
I chewed on my cheek, knowing the party would start soon. Maybe he was going to head over right away instead of coming home. I should have probably messaged him, but it felt weird to act like our fight didn’t happen.
“I think he’s going to just meet me there so I can drive with you.”
Hazel slipped out of her shoes and headed into the kitchen. “Really? Or have you two not spoken yet?”
I groaned. “Would you just mind your own business?”
I heard her laugh as she came back with a gift bag. “No. Why can’t you two just get along? You guys used to hang out all the time before this, so it shouldn’t be hard.”
I didn’t want to have to explain everything to my sister. How I liked Westley and our time together had been special. She knew that Westley stopped showing up, but she didn’t know how much it bothered me. I knew she would side with me, and it would only make this situation even more uncomfortable.
“Again, mind your own business.”
Hazel shrugged. “Well, if you’re coming with me, let’s go.”
I followed her out the door, where she paused and waved her finger at the dress. “And this looks nice on you. You should dress up more often. Makes it look like you have boobs.”
I scoffed. “You’re cruel. I have clothes that show my boobs.”
She snorted. “No, not like this. You don’t present them.”
“Just walk,” I said as I waved my hands. “Or you’re going to make us late.”
We both hopped into the car, and Hazel drove with her music on. She sang along, and I cracked a smile seeing how happy she was. I could see the difference over the past weeks. She smiled more, joked even.
We pulled up to the restaurant and headed inside. Jade was standing, talking with the owner, trying to explain where she wanted some balloons.
She turned, and her eyes stopped on us. “Hey!” She pulled her hand, pointing at us. “And damn! You both look stunning. And Gabriella, you have boobs.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you want help or not?”
“Oh god, yes, please.” She walked over, pulling us into a hug. “I need someone to put up the streamers. People are going to be arriving in ten minutes.”
Hazel and I helped set up, and twenty minutes later, the party was in full swing.
Jade had rented out the entire building.
There were birthday balloons everywhere and streamers hanging from the ceiling.
The place was packed with people walking around and talking.
There was even a kids’ corner for the kids, including Ilsa, who was wearing a long pink dress and was over the moon about her father’s birthday.
Hazel and I sat at a table, talking with Nora. Jade and Brandon were making their rounds, talking with everyone who came.
“This place turned out really nice,” Nora said, taking a sip of her wine.
“It did. I didn’t realize how big this place was till now,” I admitted.
“Oh, I see, Kaleb is here.” Nora gave us a smile before getting up and hurrying over to her husband.
“Speaking of husbands, where is yours?” Hazel asked, moving closer to me.
I didn’t know, but I was trying not to let it bother me. I had been looking at the door each time it opened. I didn’t expect him to come so late since he was a good friend of Brandon. I took a sip of my wine, hoping the alcohol would help calm my nerves.
I froze when I heard the door open and spotted Kyle and Veronica stepping into the restaurant. I nearly choked on my drink as Veronica smiled sweetly at Jade, saying something that made her laugh.
“Oh, Jesus,” Hazel said, tapping her hand onto the table. “I didn’t realize that Jade was friends with Veronica.”
“Because she’s the Alpha’s wife. She knows everyone,” I said, with a shrug. I watched the way that Veronica spoke with Jade. Kyle had his arm wrapped around her, making them look like a perfect couple.
“Like two vipers entering into a den,” Hazel grunted. “I need another drink for this.”
She got out of her seat and headed for the bar. I took a long sip of my drink and looked away from them. I scanned the room for Westley. Was there a back door I didn’t know about? Was he working tonight?
I looked at my phone and chewed on my cheek. Maybe I should call him.
“Well, I didn’t realize that you would be here.”
I pulled my head up and cringed as Kyla and his friend, Ivan, stood in front of me. I looked around, found the table empty, and realized I was alone with them. Shit.
I swallowed. “I’m here with Westley.”
Kyle chuckled, but not in a sweet way. “You know, I heard a rumor going around, but I don’t see him here.
So, how about you just cut the shit? You aren’t really together with him.
I bet he’s just being nice and taking pity on you and your sister?
That would be the only reason he would even get close to you guys. ”
I blinked, trying to think of what to say, but nothing came to mind. I didn’t even have a lie I could muster up because he wasn’t here, and Kyle was right.
“What did you say?”
I jumped, turning around, finding Westley standing behind me now. He was wearing jeans and a nice shirt. He had his hair combed back, and his eyes were narrowed on Kyle and Ivan.
“Westley.” I pulled myself up and swallowed. “Where have…” I didn’t get to finish before Westley stepped closer, his lips curling up slightly in a growl. “I want to make sure I heard you right before I beat the shit out of you.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Westley, it’s fine.”
“No, it’s not!” he snapped. “You are my wife, and I will not have them disrespect you.”
I stepped closer, placing my hands on his chest. “Westley, we are a party. Let’s not make a scene while we are here.” I could already feel we were drawing attention to our table.
“I don’t care.” Westley stepped forward, and I quickly wrapped my arms around him, pulling him toward me. Kyle and Ivan both stepped back. I could see that more people were pausing to look at us now.
My heart was racing, and I swallowed, trying to think of anything to get his attention. Westley looked ready to lose his shit. I could feel that he was vibrating, and I realized it wasn’t just anger, but his wolf must have been playing a factor in this.
Double shit.
“Westley, it’s fine.” I stepped closer, trying to get him to look at me, but he wouldn’t. His eyes were like a wolf looking at its prey.
Shit!!!
I stepped in between Kyle and Westley. I reached up, cupping his face. His eyes finally looked at me, and I leaned forward, kissing him. I felt him stiffen up. A couple of seconds seemed to tick by before I felt his arms wrap around me, and he kissed me back roughly, with a deep hunger.
I leaned into it, suddenly wanting more. I felt like I’d been invisible, and now he was finally seeing me.
I pulled back, panting for air. I leaned against his chest, suddenly feeling embarrassed knowing people were seeing this. We were in the back corner, but that didn’t mean we were invisible.
I looked over my shoulder, seeing that Kyle and Ivan were gone now.
I was a little relieved, but I could still feel how stiff Westley was.
We needed to leave. He was vibrating with anger still.
I wasn’t a shifter, but I knew enough to know when a shifter needed to leave a situation, and this was it.