Page 67 of Gabriel's Salvation

Every single time Riley takes a shot, Jockstrap’s eyes are firmly on either her ass or her tits, and it's taking everything in me not to go beat his ass. But since Riley seems so happy - laughing, cheering, and doing a little dance every time she wins - I hold back and do nothing but seethe. She deserves to be happy.

That is until she wins again and jumps up to hug Jockstrap, and the dickhead puts his hands firmly on her ass. Riley pulls away, saying something. I pace over there just in time to hear him say, “Come on, Riley,” as he attempts to place his disgustingly drunk mouth on hers. Without thinking my fist flies out and connects with the side of his jaw.

“What the fuck, Gabe?!” Riley screams as Jockstrap falls to the floor.

“We’re out of here,” I snap as I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder kicking and screaming.

“Let me go!” she insists, but I don't listen - not until I've got her outside, away from the commotion.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she asks in a clipped tone when I finally put her down.

“I was saving you,” I reply, just as a hand connects with my face. She fucking slapped me!

Chapter Twenty-Three

Riley

“Well, you fucking shouldn’t. I’m not one of your dirty whores that you can fuck and then chuck, Gabe. I care about you. And I hope that you care about me, too,” I begin, feeling the anger and embarrassment coursing through my body, as I wiggle out of his grip. “You can't say you claim me, then refuse to actually claim me and date me properly.”

“Wait, Riley…” Gabe begins, but I cut him off.

“No. You either want me or you don't. You don't get to just have me for sex and nothing else. I'm either your girlfriend or I'm not. And if I'm not then you've gotta let me talk to other guys; to find one who likes me back and isn't afraid to be seen with me.”

“I'm not afraid of anyone…” Gabe huffs, voice full of pathetic, male bravado. If I didn’t know him as well as I do, I would almost believe him.

“You're afraid of your own goddamn feelings!” I counter. “Do you like me?”

“Yeah, but...”

“There are no buts to it. You either like me or you don’t. You either want to be with me or you don't. It's that simple.” I feel my eyes begin to water. Fuck, I hate that I cry when I’m mad.

“Don't get upset,” Gabe begins as he reaches out to cup my face, but I slap his hand away.

“No! I’m not upset, I'm fucking pissed off. You said you didn't wanna date. Fine! But you can't now scare every other guy away who I might like because you’re too fucking jealous to see me with another guy. You’re like a spoiled child - you don't want me until someone else tries to play with me, then suddenly you decide I'm yours, again.” I notice that a small crowd is gathering and far too many eyes are on us. But I refuse to let myself care or back down.

“You're always mine. You've always been mine and you’ll always be mine!” Gabe growls back as he attempts to kiss me, but again I pull away.

“No Gabe! You don't get to do that. You don't get to confuse me with sex and kisses and think that's okay.” How do I get through to his thick skull??!!

“I was only gonna kiss you,” he replies softly, and I hear a hint of sadness and confusion in his voice.

“It's never just a kiss with you though, is it? We’ll kiss, and then fuck. You'll make me believe you care. And then you will reject me all over again. I'm not some doll you can play with when you're bored. You either want me to be your girlfriend and have me all the time, or you have to back the fuck off and let me find someone else who will treat me like I deserve!” I scream before turning my back on him and storming off.

“Riley! Wait!” Gabe calls, but I don't turn around.

I storm past the crowd and head out the gate towards the front of the house. I just need to get away.

“Riley, wait,” Gabe calls again from behind me.

I see Tucker's brother having a cigarette with his friends and make my way over.

“Have you been drinking?” I ask, hoping he hasn’t. Theo is older than the rest of us and has often played taxi when he’s been back from college.

“Sober as a judge,” he replies, holding up a bottle of water.

“Take me home, then?” I beg.

Theo takes one look at me and thankfully takes pity. “Be back soon,” he lets his friends know. “Car’s around the corner,” he shares as I follow him.

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