Page 16 of Gabriel's Salvation

“I've missed you too,” I say, pushing him off of me.

“Shit my bags!” he laughs before running back to the cart.

I can't help but shake my head in shock and disbelief. I can’t believe that Nate is finally home. I better not fuck this up too.

I can't help but let out a little smile as I see him strutting over with not one but two large suitcases and a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. He's finally here ready to live with me. It makes me happy to know that he’s obviously had a good life and has been treated well, hence why he has so many belongings to bring. The last time I saw him was just a few years ago and we managed to fit all our worldly positions in a single black garbage bag. That garbage bag somehow held over thirteen years worth of memories for us both. Yet, now he looks like a kid who’s never wanted for anything.

I refuse to allow my mind to relive that moment. The moment we were ripped away from the only family we had ever known and were thrown into foster care. I just put on my protective armor, push any feelings I have deep, deep down and lift my sign higher.

As he walks back over I see the recollection on his face. He snatches the sign out of my hands and whacks me over the head with it.

“Really, Gabe? Fucking really?” Nate huffs, as his cheeks turn as red as a tomato.

“It's okay, Nate. I love and support you anyway,” I say loud enough to draw even more attention to me and my sign.

“Welcome home from the World's Tiniest Dick Convention - Give a girl your inch, they'll run a mile.”

Complete with little squishy dicks stuck on for effect.

I can't help but belly laugh at my own joke, even more so when Nate attempts to storm off while still pushing the cart with the bum wheel through the airport.

Running to catch up, I throw my arm around him. “What's up, Nathaniel? Don’t want everyone to know you've got a micropenis?” I laugh again. More so when I see a cute looking girl almost choke on her drink as we walk past.

“You’re such a fucking asshole, Gabe,” Nate whisper shouts through gritted teeth as he continues trying to storm through the airport.

We finally make it outside and I lead the way to the truck. Popping open the back, I help Nate throw the cases in. Just as I turn to walk to the driver's seat, Nate throws his arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug. “You're a dick, but I’ve missed you so much, Bro,” Nate says. I try to push him away, but he grips tighter. “Enough now. I've missed you too, but get off,” I grumble. Still he doesn't release me. “Seriously, get the fuck off me,” I groan, trying again to push him off. “Seriously Nate this is your last fucking warning, get the fuck off me!” I push him much harder this time, hard enough that his back crashes against the back of the truck.

“Woah, Gabe, what's your fucking problem? Can’t I hug my own brother? The brother I've not seen in years!” Nate snaps, sounding a mixture of hurt, confused and pissed off.

“Not when that bothers me, you can't,” I snap, turning round and slamming the driver's side door as I get in.

A few minutes later Nate finally joins me. “Seriously, Gabe, what the fuck’s your problem? I gave you a bear hug, and you're acting like I fucking attacked you or something.”

“Same thing,” I snap. “I don't like being touched.”

I see the way he subconsciously rolls his eyes. He may know I don't like being touched, but sometimes I wonder if he understands that it runs so much deeper than not being a touchy feely person like him.

“I know Gabe, but it was a fucking hug. One hug isn’t gonna kill you. Is it?” Nate says as he looks out the window.

“I just don't like people randomly touching me, that's all. No big deal.”

“No big deal? I'm not some random stranger in the street, Gabe. I'm your goddamn brother,'' Nate snaps. This time it's clear to see he's hurt by something I said.

“You know the shit we went through; it makes me wary of anyone touching me,” I admit.

“Know it? I lived through it, too. Or did you forget that? In case you don't remember, I was usually the one bleeding on the floor.”

“Yeah, and I was the one constantly saving your ass. You have no fucking idea what I went through to try and keep you safe, Nate. No fucking idea!” I all but scream back at him. I take a deep breath in, hold it for five seconds and release it, all in an attempt to calm down. This is so not going the way I thought our reunion would go.

The next hour of our drive is in pure silence, not even decent music to break up the awkwardness since this piece of shit truck doesn't have a place to plug in my phone to drown out the silence. Instead I'm forced to listen to the shitty ass radio as we drive back to Washington.

My phone beeps in my pocket, so I slide it out. Assuming it will be another job from John. But to my surprise it's not.

Unknown number

Hey sexy, wanna meet up later? Was thinking you could take me for another ride. *wink emoji*

Me

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