Page 35 of Gabriel's Salvation

“Me? I work here. What are YOU doing here?”

I feel my cheeks flush as I admit. “I'm waiting for someone, a guy”

“A guy? As in a boyfriend? You're dating one of the knuckleheads that work here?” he asks, looking around and sounding surprised.

“Well, not dating per se,” I hesitate, “more like getting to know.” How embarrassing! I'm literally here to hook up with a guy, and I don't even know what to call us. Are we a couple? Friends? Friends with benefits? Who knows. All I know is I can't seem to stay away.

“Oh…who? Scotty? Davis? Ryan? Please tell me it's not that loser, Evan, because you're far too good for him; he's a total douchebag.”

“Erm, no.”

“Who then?” Nate asks, scratching his head.

“Him, actually,” I lift my chin as I see Gabe walking out of the door. He clocks me and his face turns to a mixture of confusion and thunder.

“Gabe?” Nate gasps. “You're here to see Gabe?” I can't help but notice how wide Nate's eyes are. Shit does he know something I don't? I feel my anxiety bubbling at Nate's comment before the anxiety turns to frustration.

Feeling strangely defensive, I react. “Yes. Gabe. And what's wrong with that? He's actually a great guy if you take the time to get to know him,” I snap.

“Woah,” Nate says, throwing his hands up in surrender. “Believe me, I know better than most what a great guy he can be, I'm just shocked that you know that too,” Nate smirks.

“What? So you think I’m not good enough? You think he's some super hot stud and I'm just boring old me, is that it?” I snap back, feeling all my insecurities come to the surface. Until now I didn't realize quite how much I liked Gabe.

“Woah, calm down,” Nate laughs, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “First of all, if I thought of Gabe as hot I'd be washing my eyes out with soap. And second, I don't think you're boring at all. You're lovely. My brother would be lucky to have someone as kind, caring, and pretty as you on his arm.” Wait, Nate is Gabe’s brother??

“Did you just call me pretty Nate?” I tease with a smirk.

“No, well yes, but no,” Nate stutters, obviously embarrassed. “Pretty in a friend way… pretty for Gabe… not me.”

“Haha, don't worry Natey boy, your secrets are safe with me. I won't tell Izzy you want a piece of all this,” I laugh as I motion up and down my body.

Nate pushes me playfully just as Gabe reaches us.

“What the fuck?” Gabe shouts, stopping our playful banter in its tracks.

“Take your hands off her, Nate.” Was that a growl? Is Gabe upset?

“Chill, me and Rilez were just having a laugh, isn't that right?” Nate laughs as he shakes his head at his brother.

“Rilez?” Gabe questions.

“Yeah Rilez, you know, isn't that what they call you, Riley? Nate asks, turning to look at me, with a confused expression.

“Her name's Stacey,” Gabe snaps, turning to look at me with a murderous gaze.

“No, it's not.” I say in confusion when suddenly it dawns on me. “Oh shit, wait…”

“Damn Gabe, you got given a fake name. That's savage!'' Nate gives a full body laugh but it soon becomes apparent this is no laughing matter as Nate's face morphs from playful to panicked in a microsecond.

“Gabe, wait! Let me explain,” I call as he turns and storms off.

“Shit, sorry Riley.” Nate says as I turn to chase after him.

Nate comes running beside me, “I'll talk to him,” he offers.

“No, it needs to be me. I'll explain everything later,'' I reply, as I try to speed up. Somehow despite the fact I'm running and Gabe is walking, he's still so much further ahead of me.

“Fine, but call me if you need me. Or if you need picking up and taking home. I'm just a call away.” he shouts as his voice fades into the distance behind me.

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