Page 61 of Gabriel's Salvation

“Well, how about we do a ‘lil win/ win?” I coax. “How about you lend me your phone for half an hour and I give you back the money I just won? Seem fair?” I ask, cocking my brow.

“My phone? Give me back the money you just won? Why would you do that?” Tucker asks, although I can see on his face he's intrigued.

“Well, you're my brother's best friend, and I know he’d hate to see you upset your girl,” I lie. “Plus my phone’s broken and I really need to call John about a big job I've got lined up for tomorrow.” I lie again.

“Oh yeah? That makes sense. Thanks man, you're really doing me a solid.” Tucker's relief is obvious. It's like taking candy from a baby. I almost feel guilty. Almost.

“Here,” he says, reaching into his pocket and handing me his phone.

“Thanks,” I reply with a smirk. I pull out a wad of cash and thrust it at him as I snatch the phone from his hand. “Now fuck off. This is private,” I add.

I see a flash of confusion and fear form on Tucker's face as he turns and walks away without saying anything else.

I find the number and dial it.

“Hello,” a sleepy, sexy voice at the end of the phone says. I’m speechless for a moment.

“Tucker, is that you?” Riley asks. “I'm not with Ava at the moment.”

I don't wanna give anything away so I mumble, “Where are you?” while covering the microphone with my hand.

“I can't hear you very well, Tucker. But I'm not with Ava at the moment, I'm at home. Harper’s with her though, if you wanna try her phone.” Jackpot!

I got all I needed so I hang up and delete the call history.

“I'm off,” I announce as I throw Tucker's phone onto the table and grab my jacket from the back of the chair.

“Wait, I'll drive you home,” Nate offers, but I just keep walking.

I can hear Nate’s footsteps behind me, “It's fine, my Uber is waiting outside,” I lie. Not wanting to have another one of Nate’s goddamn, ‘I'll be the designated driver,’ lectures. After all, I've not had a drink in hours. I'm fine.

I hop on my bike and drive straight to Riley's house. I bang on the door, not giving a fuck if anyone else is home or who I might wake up.

“I'm coming, hold your horses,” I hear from inside seconds before the door flies open, and I see Riley's beautiful face. As soon as she realizes it's me, she attempts to close the door. But I’m faster than her and I put my foot in the doorway to stop her.

“Fucking move, Gabe. I don't wanna see you,” Riley huffs as she continues trying to push the door closed.

“I'm not going anywhere,” I reply as I shove the door open.

I feel the door connect with something just as I hear a thud. “Ouch!” Riley cries out and I push the door open slowly to see her sitting in a heap on the floor.

“Shit, did I do that? Sorry! Fuck!” I exclaim. Why do I keep hurting this girl, even when I don't want to?

I bend down and carefully lift her to her feet, cupping her cheeks. I turn her head from side to side looking for marks. But thankfully I don't see any. “I’m fine!” she snaps, pulling away from me. “You have to go,” she tells me as she attempts to push me backwards out the door, but I refuse to budge.

“I'm not going anywhere!”

“Gabe, please,” Riley pleads,and I can hear the sadness in her voice.

“Not till you talk to me,” I add, trying to make eye contact with her. If only she would look at me, truly look at me, she would see how sorry I am; and know that I feel something for her.

“I can't,” she whimpers and I feel my heart splintering a bit more.

I'm unsure what to do; the fiery temper and anger I can take, fuck, I love her spiciness. But the sad, almost broken version of Riley is too much. I have no idea how to make her feel better, how to bring her back to herself. So I do the only thing I know; I lean down and kiss her.

She tries to resist at first, before opening her mouth to give me access.

I kiss her harder, she gives my tongue entry to her mouth and I can feel my cock coming alive in my pants. I get caught up in the moment and I move my hand to slide it under her shirt.

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