Chapter 8 Gabe
Gabe
Jesus, it’s so nice to see her smiling and having fun, being carefree for a change.
It’s been too long since I’ve seen her this happy and I’m loving it.
As she rides the four-wheeler through the dense jungle, the ground wet and muddy from last night’s rain, the trees blur into a green haze before me.
Like a child exploring puddles in rainboots for the first time, she runs her tires through every wet hollow along the way.
Her long red locks, tied back in a ponytail, ping pong on her back as she tries to stay ahead of me.
She’s actually a pretty damn good driver.
Not that I’m surprised, since Ryder and I both took turns giving her lessons after she got her learner’s permit all those years ago.
As I enjoy watching her, she hits another puddle, her tire sinking, and her four-wheeler rocking as she guns it. Her laughter fills the air as she glances over her shoulder and grins at me. And why is she grinning? Oh, just because she knows the spray from her tires is soaking through my clothes.
Well, two can play that game.
Up ahead, the path widens and I give the four-wheeler a shot of gas. Fumes fill the air, and when I see a big, muddy puddle I go straight for it. When I do, the water splashes up and soaks her. She screams and laughs, and I glance back to see her release the gas and slow down.
“You’re going to pay for that,” she yells, waving a fist at me. I slow ahead of her, and as she comes to a stop, I kill the ignition.
“What are you talking about? That was payback for soaking me,” I tell her. I grab my water bottle, and walk back to her as she squeezes water from her ponytail. I laugh and brush my fingers over her face to wipe away the dripping water. Jesus, she’s adorable.
She wipes the back of her hand over her lips. “I think I got it in my mouth.” A look of horror comes over her. “Ohmigod, Gabe, is it going to make me sick?”
I hand her my water bottle. “I think you’re okay.
I got it in my mouth too. Take a drink and spit it out.
” She does as I suggest and my heart thumps as I watch her.
I can’t believe she was game for this. The women I’ve been with wouldn’t come within a hockey stick’s length of a four-wheeler, much less get themselves covered in mud.
No, they’re always dressed in designer clothes with perfectly applied makeup.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen Millie all dressed up and she’s spectacular, but this true, unadulterated version of her is so fucking adorable I could fucking sob with happiness… and love.
She gargles the water and a measure of guilt eats at me when she spits it out and looks for something to wipe her face with.
I tear off my T-shirt, find a dry spot, and gently wipe her cheeks.
“Close your eyes, babe.” Her eyes fall shut, and I lightly run the fabric over her lids and lashes. “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes spring open. “I don’t think you are at all,” she shoots back and splashes some of the bottled water at me.
I laugh and jump back as she recaps the bottle, shaking her head, but she’s smiling and having a great time, and that’s all that matters.
She looks down at her muddy T-shirt. “We’re a mess. ”
I lean in and kiss her sweet soft lips. “I kind of like you messy.”
She laughs. “Oh, I know you do.” Her gaze moves to the path and she crinkles up her nose, showcasing a few new sun-kissed freckles. “Do you think we’re close to the cenote?”
“We’ve gone a couple of miles, so I don’t think we’re too far. We can wash up there.”
She hands the bottle back and I rinse my mouth as her face lights up. “I’m excited to see it.”
A noise behind her pulls my attention, and I lower my voice, to say, “You’ll be excited to see this too.”
She cocks her head playfully. “Are you forgetting I’ve seen it?” she jokes, glancing at my wet pants as she rolls her eyes. “It wasn’t all that impressive.”
I shake my head, loving her playfulness, and put my finger to my lips to shush her. She gives me an odd look, and I point to the tree behind her. She turns in her seat, and a small gasp catches in her throat. I lean into her, put my mouth near her ear.
“Impressed now?”
“Oh yeah.”
“Spider monkey. There are two of them.” She scans the trees and nods when she spots the second one.
We both go quiet, not wanting to scare the wild monkeys as they swing from branch to branch.
Somewhere in the distance, a loud bird chirps, and Millie slowly pulls her phone from her pocket to snap a couple of pictures.
When the monkeys move on, she turns back and the warm, appreciative smile she gives me nearly stops my fucking heart.
“That was amazing.” Her voice is still quiet, when she adds, “I can cross that off my bucket list.”
“I didn’t realize you had a bucket list.” I gesture with a nod as beads of sweat gather on my forehead. “Come on, let’s keep going and see what else we cross off your list.”
She nods, and starts up her four-wheeler again. I hurry to mine, and this time I drive slowly and dodge the puddles. Although it’s not like we can get any wetter. We continue on the path for a little bit longer, and this time I pay more attention to the jungle, hoping to see more wildlife.
I glance over my shoulder to catch Millie taking pictures of birds, and as I continue, the thicket suddenly parts and the world opens up before us.
I take in a breath as the lush greenery gives way to a breathtaking view of the ocean, waves crashing against the shore and shimmering under the golden sun.
Millie pulls up beside me, a look of wonderment on her face as she kills the ignition.
“Gabe,” she whispers, a rush of exhilaration washing over her as she turns to me.
As my gaze meets her, the world slows before us, and as we both breathe in the salty air, something deep, something real sparks between us as we share in the breathtaking scenery.
“The cenote,” I whisper, not wanting to break the beauty, and quietness of the moment. “Is that on your bucket list too?” She nods, and I point. “I think we’re going to find it in those rocks right there.”
Her lashes fall slowly as she says, “Let’s go explore, Gabe.”
We hop off our four-wheelers, grabbing the water shoes and life jackets that our tour provider gave us and follow the path that leads to nature’s sinkhole.
I duck my head and peek through the opening in the cave, my heart racing with anticipation.
The darkness inside contrasts sharply with the vibrant light outside.
As my eyes adjust, I catch glimpses of the cenote’s beauty—stunning turquoise water surrounded by rugged limestone walls, dripping with lush greenery.
“You’re going to love this.” I glance back and take in the eagerness dancing in her eyes, and my heart pounds, so fucking happy I’m the guy who gets to share this moment with her.
I move to the side to grant her entrance, and when she steps through the portal, it’s like we’re transported to a different time and place. Her gasp echoes off the limestone walls draped in vines, their leaves sparking with droplets of moisture.
“Gabe…it’s…it’s breathtaking.”
I put my arms around her and pull her against me, holding her as beams of light stream in through the crevices above and illuminate the crystalline water below, creating a magical play of shadows and reflections on the rocky surfaces.
I put my mouth close to her ear, the cool air of the cave wrapping around us as we escape the world outside. “It’s magical.” As the beauty hugs around us, I whisper, “Ready to explore?” She nods and the smile that breaks across her face ignites a warmth inside me.
Together, we step into the cave, the soft sounds of dripping water puncturing the tranquil silence.
As we venture further in, I search for purchase on the slick rocks.
I move cautiously and as we enter what feels like a secret realm, I can’t help but feel that this journey is the beginning of something important between us.
“We can leave our stuff here.” I find a flat rock and we strip to our bathing suits and bundle up our belongings.
“I can’t believe we have this whole place to ourselves.
” After getting into our water shoes and lifejackets, I start walking down the rocks, and hold my hand out to Millie.
She takes it and when I reach the water, I turn to take in the pure excitement on her face.
Wiping the moisture from her forehead, she dips her feet in the cool, inviting water and briefly closes her eyes. “It’s so spectacular and refreshing.”
“Yeah,” I say and she must hear something in my voice. She turns back to me and as I admire her, she goes up on her toes, and presses her lips to mine. I slide my arm around her body and pull her to me, deepening the kiss.
She inches back, and my heart beats rhythmically against my ribs. “What was that for?” I ask.
“For suggesting this.” She waves her hand around the gorgeous cenote. “For staying behind today because you didn’t want me to spend my birthday alone.”
I clear my throat. “Uh, well, that might have been totally altruistic.”
She laughs and reaches for my hands. “So when you suggested the ‘yes’ day, you were hoping to get me into your bed?”
“Maybe.” I whistle innocently and glance around.
She goes up on her toes and kisses me again. “Thank you, Gabe. This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
“Really, better than the time we made banana splits the size of our heads?”
“Better.”
“Better than the time we did the pirate treasure hunt at the park?”
“Better.”
“Hmmm.” I search my brain for some of the great events we had over the years. “Not better than the water balloon fight though, right?”
Her soft, contented chuckle squeezes around my heart. Fuck, I’ve missed her and want to spend every single birthday putting this exact smile on her face.
“Better.”
“Anything for you, Millie.” As I go serious, my gaze roams over the flush on her cheeks, and as we stare at one another, I can’t help but think she’s feeling this magical moment, this change in us every bit as much as I am.
At least I hope she is. I give her a playful whack on her butt. “Now come on. Let’s go cool off.”
“Right.” She carefully steps into the water, and it gets deep really fast. “I guess now I know why we needed life jackets.”
“They’re also to help us float. Roll on to your back.”
She stretches out on her back, and murmurs, “Wow,” as she stares up at the stalactites. “Never in my life have I seen anything so spectacular.”
I want to look up, but I’m enjoying her enthusiasm too much to tear my gaze away. I watch her float for a moment. “Come on in, Gabe.” She holds her hand out to me and I slide into the water and swim to her. When I reach her I roll to my back and her hand finds mine.
I breathe in the beauty as my heart pounds with happiness. I tighten my hand around hers, wanting to live in this moment forever. We fall quiet, the outside world gone as we enjoy the wonders of nature.
After a while, she breaks the quiet. “Do you think they’re having as much fun on the catamaran?”
“How could they be?” I respond, and angle my head to find her watching me. “Wait, why didn’t you go?” I ask.
She just shrugs, and I can’t help but think it had something to do with me, and the hard time I’m always giving her on the ice. “When we go back to Boston, are you going to still be hard on me?”
“If you don’t listen to what I’m telling you and continue to push back, then yes.”
I laugh hard. “I do love that about you, Millie.”
Love.
“Well, I hate that about you,” she shoots back. “You make my life hard.”
“Yeah, babe, you make my life hard too.” She grins, assuming I’m talking about sex, but that’s only half true. She’s hard on me because I really fucking want her, and I vowed not to leave this island until she was mine, but her brother…fuck.
Although she said if he ever found out—and that he wasn’t going to—he’d have to get over it.
Which means, I need to work harder to convince her that what happens in the Caribbean, doesn’t have to stay in the Caribbean…
I also have to trust that she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to her brother, and a relationship with her wouldn’t ruin things between Ryder and me.
Of course, it would have fucked things up years ago, when she was too young for me and had the Olympics to concentrate on.
I’ve been living under those rules for years now.
But the Olympics are behind her and she’s definitely old enough.
Maybe I’ve been worried about nothing. If Ryder trusts me, then maybe he’ll trust me with his sister in other ways.
He knows I’d never do anything to hurt her.
The tension I’ve been carrying ebbs from my muscles, and as I flip upright and float, I consider my next move.
“Gabe.”
“Yeah, babe.”
“Marco…”