Page 60 of Gabriel's Salvation

Come on, it's been hours! I'm a dickhead, okay. Call me back.

I know I shouldn't but some part of me, the part that seems hell bent on torturing myself, wants to hear his voice so I listen to his voicemails.

1:30pm- Riley it's me, come back and talk to me. Let me explain. I'm sorry.

3:15pm- Riley it's me, erm, Gabe. I know you probably still have me blocked so you might not get this but if you do, call me back.

7pm- Okay I'm a dick. I know that but I've apologized, stop being a bitch and call me back.

7:06pm- I didn't mean to call you a bitch, you're not a bitch, well maybe you're a bitch, who knows. Call me back PLEASE. I'm at Saints thinking about you. How about you come over and I make it up to you.

What sort of asshole thinks I'm going to go back to Saints Bar? The bar he took me to the last time we were together. Does he think that I'm stupidly gonna take him up on his offer? I'm about to block his number again when it begins ringing in my hands. Shit shit shit. The ringing finally stops but as soon as it does, it begins to ring again. This time I'm quicker turning my phone off. I open the drawer and throw my phone inside. I pour myself the last little bit of wine and snuggle into bed.

Chapter Twenty-One

Gabe

It rang, the phone rang. I expected it to go straight to voicemail, just like every other call, but this time it rang. Does that mean she's forgiven me? Is she listening to the messages? What the fuck?

I hit redial and it rings once before going back to voicemail again. Fuck!

I light up another smoke and ponder my options. Do I keep trying? Pray that she’ll answer eventually? Do I give up on her and find someone else who’s less of a challenge? Fuck no! I like that she’s hard to get and makes me work for it. Fuck knows why, but I do.

I try calling one last time, but when it still goes to voicemail I decide to give it a rest. At least for now.

“Give me a rum and coke,” I bark as I head inside and make my way to the bar.

“Sure thing,” Declan replies.

“Actually, hold the rum,” I shout, as an idea hits me.

“What? So just Coke then?” Declan asks, clearly confused.

“Yeah. Got a lot of money riding on this next game. Gotta stay sharp,” I lie, knowing full well I could beat these chumps with my eyes closed.

Declan pours my drink with a nod, seeming content with my lie. “Cheers man,” I say as I grab my drink and make my way over to the table.

I spend the next hour or so playing poker until it's just me and my brother's lackey left at the table. “I raise you $20,” I call out as I throw the money on the table.

“You gotta fold, Tuck,” Nate says, trying to minimize the shame his lackey is about to feel.

“All in,” he replies, as he glares at me.

“Full house!” he calls out proudly.

“Not as good as a straight flush,” I laugh, as I see Tucker's eyes widen in surprise.

“Fuck!” he calls out as I begin to swipe the cash, which has to be at least $150, off the table.

I watch Tucker leave and head towards the bathroom, so I follow him.

“Good game,” I say as I enter.

“Oh yeah? Tell that to my girl when she realizes I blew our date money on gambling,” he huffs. I've got him exactly where I want him.

“From what Nate tells me, she's gonna have your balls in a blender when she finds out,” I add with a chuckle. Did I hear him and Nate talking about this super expensive date he was taking his girl on? Yes, I did. Have I already figured out this punk has absolutely zero backbone and is super easy to manipulate? Also yes.

“I know, she's gonna frigging kill me,” he whines, keeping his head down and rubbing the back of his neck anxiously.

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