Page 34 of Gabriel's Salvation

Me

I'll try.

I grab myself a bottle of beer and light up another smoke, then find myself reaching to message Stacey.

Me

Hey, what are you up to?

I internally cringe at how pathetic I sound. I don't text first. I never text first. And definitely not something as stupid as ‘what you up to’ and certainly not within twenty-four hours of seeing them last.

I'm about to put my phone away and chalk this whole thing up to losing my mind. When my phone buzzes, I can't help but rush to open it.

Smoking Little Cock Tease

Hey, been thinking about last night all morning. It was so damn hot.

Like a moth to a flame, I feel my body set alight.

Me

Maybe we should do it again? How’s tonight sound.

Smoking Little Cock Tease

No can do, I'm hanging out with some friends tonight. But I can meet you tomorrow. We can meet for breakfast.

Breakfast? Like a date? I don't do dates. Not even breakfast dates. Are breakfast dates even a thing? Maybe it’s not a date. But I do want to see her. An idea hits me.

Me

Gotta work tomorrow, but maybe we can meet after. I get off at 6? Perhaps if you're a good girl, I'll eat you the next day for breakfast.

Chapter Thirteen

Stacey

Sitting in the back of the bus on my way to meet Gabe, I can't help re-reading Gabe’s message from last night. ‘If you're a good girl, maybe I'll eat you for breakfast.’ and then nothing since.

I send him a message letting him know I'm about twenty minutes away.

Taking out the compact mirror, I check my hair and makeup one last time. I don't know if he was serious or joking, but just in case I've thrown some spare clothes into my handbag as well as a toothbrush and a baggy top to sleep in. Although, if I get my way there won't be a whole heap of sleeping.

I get off the bus just as a message beeps from my sister.

Twinnie

Be safe tonight. You barely know this guy. If you need me, text and we’ll swing by and save you.

I roll my eyes but can’t help but grin. She’s only thirty minutes older than me, but she takes those whole eighteen hundred seconds very seriously and believes it’s her role and her right to play the big sister card.

Me

I'll be fine. Have fun with the gang. I'll see you tomorrow.

I load up my GPS and make my way towards O'Malley's Construction where he apparently works. I see a bunch of guys outside, each one looking more jacked and angry than the last. That is until I see an oddly familiar face making his way over to me.

“Nate? What are you doing here?” I ask as he gets closer.

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