CHAPTER 43 BENNETT #2
She takes my hand in hers and leads me to Gabby, standing tall, chin held high.
“This is not a fling for me,” she says, standing up for me.
“This is not some fantasy I’m trying to fulfill.
This is real. Everything about it. I attempted to push him away every chance I got.
I tried desperately to shut down my feelings.
I agonized over what this would do to my relationship with you, and I tried to stuff it all away, but every day I felt pulled toward him.
Like the universe was shoving me in his direction, not even giving me a chance to deny it.
And so one day, I gave in. I allowed myself one moment with him, just to satisfy the feeling, but it only intensified it. ”
Gabby swipes at her eyes, looking between the two of us.
“And as that feeling intensified, the more I knew I couldn’t stay away, as hard as I tried.
And when…when you told me you thought Bennett was in love, I knew it was with me.
I knew what you said was true, because I saw it in every little thing he did for me or said to me.
And normally, I’d have run from finding out such a thing, because I wanted to protect us, Gabby.
I wanted to protect our relationship, but I realized, as much as I love you…
I love him more. And if you genuinely loved me the way you’ve said, then you would understand what I’m saying to you. ”
Bower draws closer, and the pride in my chest nearly bursts at the seams.
“I love Bennett. I see my future with him, so much so that the moment I walked out that apartment door, I realized that if I took any steps farther away, I’d be distancing myself from the life I want, the life I’ve been working toward.
And I wouldn’t allow myself to do that.” Taking a deep breath, she continues, “I’m sorry that this is how you found out, and I wish we could have told you in a way that wasn’t so shocking, but now that it’s out in the open, I will not cower.
I will not change because you’re uncomfortable.
I love you, Gabby, but this is my life, this is Bennett’s life, and it’s unfair for you to try to dictate how we live it. ”
Holy.
Shit.
Gabby asked Bower to protect me, and well…she just fucking did.
Gabby looks between the two of us, confusion in her eyes.
“As much as I’d love to talk about this with you, Gabby, sit down and work it out, I’m late for work and I can’t call in sick.
” With that, she tugs me toward the door and leads me outside into the hallway.
With the door shut, she stands on her toes, pushing me against the wall, and claims my mouth, her tongue swiping open my lips.
I groan into her as my hands fall to her hips, tempted to pick her up and pin her against the wall, but I hold back. Her eyes stare up at me dreamily. “I love you, and I’m sorry for a moment it seemed like I didn’t.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize, beautiful, that was…fuck, thank you.”
“Anything for you,” she answers. “You’re it for me. You’re my number one, above anything and anyone else. That won’t change.”
And I hadn’t known how much I needed to hear that, because this entire journey of getting to this place in our relationship has felt like an uphill battle of me convincing and begging her to give me a chance.
At times I’ve felt numb, like whatever I did wasn’t going to work.
I’ve felt anxious, like at any minute she was going to slip through my fingers.
I’ve felt nervous that I was coming on too strong.
But this…this reassurance, it feels like that final weight that has been resting on my chest has finally been lifted off and the girl I love is officially and forever mine.
“Thank you, baby,” I say, leaning my forehead against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. I have to go, though. No game tonight, right?”
“No game.”
“Okay. Then I’ll see you tonight.” She kisses me one more time and then takes off, in only my shirt, through the hall of our apartment building.
I watch her disappear up the stairs and then I head back into my apartment, ready to face my sister.
When I shut the door behind me, Gabby is still in the same place, looking stunned and speechless.
Ryland clears his throat. “I, uh…I’ll just let you two talk it out.”
“I ordered breakfast earlier,” I say to him as he heads toward the door. “It should be delivered soon. You can eat it.”
He just nods and then heads out of the apartment, leaving me alone with Gabby.
I tug on the brim of my hat and say, “Want to sit?”
She swallows and then after a few seconds, she nods.
We both head to the couch, and once we’ve sat down, she picks up a throw pillow and holds it as she crosses her legs.
She looks out my window and I wonder if she’s going to be the first one to talk when she says, “I don’t know what to say, Bennett.
” Her eyes meet mine. “I truly…I think I’m still trying to comprehend everything. ”
“I get that,” I say. “And like Bower said, I’m sorry you found out this way.”
“Were you ever planning on telling me?” she asks.
“Of course,” I answer, my voice softening. “Gabby, you matter so much to me and I want you to be a part of every aspect of my life—”
“Besides this one.”
“No.” I shake my head. “It was…it’s been hard.
Bower wasn’t lying when she said she agonized over her feelings.
It’s been a fucking roller coaster, one that has put me through the wringer because she didn’t want to hurt you.
She didn’t want to break your trust, and therefore, she was off and on with me until…
well, she couldn’t fight it anymore. It wasn’t until recently that I’ve actually felt confident in our relationship, that I didn’t think she was going to slip between my fingers.
And with that confidence, I was going to come to you with the truth, but you beat us to it. ”
She bites down on the corner of her mouth. “How long?”
“When she moved here,” I answer. “It took a bit, but I started making my move. She never hit on me. It was always me moving in on her.”
“How long for you?” she asks.
“Like I said, ever since I met her. And sure, maybe when I was sixteen, that was infatuation. But as I got older and spent more time with her, that infatuation morphed into so much more. She became a best friend, and from there, so much more. And I’m sorry, Gabby, I really am.
I know how much she means to you, but…I love her and I can’t deny that anymore. ”
She slowly nods and stares out the window. “And she loves you?”
“She does.” I reach over and force my sister to look me in the eyes when I say this, “You asked her to protect me, take care of me, right?”
“I did. I made her promise.”
“Well, she just did, Gabby. She stood in front of you and stood up for me, for our love. Even though I know she was breaking inside knowing that she lost your trust. She did that because she didn’t want to hurt me.”
She stares at me for a moment and then slowly nods. “You’re right, Bennett. She did.”
“She could have walked off. She could have let me handle it, but instead, she didn’t. She took it upon herself to talk to you and stand up for us. Protect us.”
“She did.”
“So, shouldn’t that mean something?”
Gabby looks off to the side. I can see her trying to accept the idea of us.
“I know it might be weird and it might take some time to get used to, but I promise you, this isn’t a fling. This isn’t something that will break your relationship with her. I think it’s only going to amplify it.”
“How?” she asks, her eyes finding mine.
“Because I’m not letting her go,” I say. “She’s it for me, Gabby. And when the time is right, when she’s ready, I will propose. I don’t want anyone else. It’s her and only her.”
“Oh my God,” Gabby says, sitting a little farther back. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious, sis. She’s it. She’s the only person I’ve ever loved and the only person I ever want to love.”
“Wow. I’m just…” She shakes her head and then takes a deep breath before looking at me.
“Wow, Bennett, I’m…I’m so happy for you.
” Tears stream down her face before she leans in and hugs me.
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.
This is the sister I’ve loved forever. This woman.
“All I want is for you to be happy. We’ve been through so much together, so fucking much, and I just want you to have the happily ever after you deserve. ”
When she pulls away, I smile at her. “Bower is that for me. She’s my everything, and I never want to lose that. I love you, Gabby, so much, but I need you to accept this.”
She nods. “I do.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes. It might take me a second to adjust my mind when I see you two together, but you’re right, she did what I asked, she protected you and…your happiness matters most, and if you’re serious, if she’s the one, then…I guess…” Tears threaten to fall over. “Tell me how I can help you propose.”
I chuckle as her tears fall and I wipe them away for her. “I don’t think she’s there yet, even though I am. But when I think she’s ready, I’m coming to you.”
“You better.”
And then she pulls me into a hug once more.