Page 86 of Gabriel's Salvation

“Yeah you see this scar,” Riley says pointing to the tiniest little white mark on the back of her hand. “Bitch stabbed me with a fork back in the second grade all because I tried to share some food.”

“You mean steal?” I correct

“Yeah yeah, same thing. Sharing, stealing. Same thing, really.” Riley shrugs.

“Oh yeah, sorry Officer I was just sharing with the bank. I'll have to try that one day.” Honestly this girl is crazy.

“Judging by your wallet you already have,” she fires back with her eyebrow arched. She doesn’t miss a beat. I love that she’s happy to call me out on my shit and give it back to me.

“Shit! Is that the time?” Riley asks suddenly. “We gotta get back.”

“What's the rush?” I ask, feeling kind of sad at today being over and having to go back to reality.

“I've got a huge final on Wednesday, and me and the girls are gonna study together at Izzy’s tonight,” she explains, but just the mention of Izzy’s name and the fact that yet again she’s taking away something precious to me, makes me angry.

“So what, Izzy's more important than me? Good to know.” I snap. I feel my heart racing and the urge to go get drunk is overshadowing any other thoughts in my brain. See, I’m never first for anyone. There will always be someone more important, more exciting for her to be with. I’m always just a second thought or someone who’s around when there’s nothing better to do.

“Don't be so silly,” Riley says, reaching and grabbing my hand. “It’s not like that at all. Izzy is my friend, sure, but you mean more. Isn’t today proof of that?”

“I guess,” I shrug, still feeling doubtful.

“How about we head home, and on the way you can think about where you're taking me next weekend,” Riley suggests with a cheeky wink.

Riley

Gabe drops me off just outside Izzy's. I get off his bike and remove the helmet. The one that he always gives to me and then hand it back to him. I lean in for a kiss, but he just looks towards the house. My stomach rolls and my heart cracks because I guess we are now back to hiding and any hope of acting like a regular couple is now long gone. He places the helmet on his head, gives me an intense look, and then drives off. Feeling sad, but not really surprised, I make my way to the door and knock. Izzy’s Nana answers. “Hello Riley, don't you look beautiful with a little rosiness to your cheeks. Have you been out in the sun?”

“Erm, yes Nana,” I lie. Not wanting to admit I've spent the weekend surrounded by a completely different type of heat.

“The girls are upstairs. Wait here I've got cookies that you can bring up with you,” she says before disappearing off towards the kitchen. I follow her and in true Nana style, she hands me a plate full of cookies to take up with me.

“Thanks Nana,” I say as I give her a little squeeze before making my way upstairs.

As soon as I walk through the bedroom door, Ava begins the third degree,. “Was that just a motorcycle we heard?”

I must have a guilty look as Harper lets out an exasperated groan. “For fucks sake, Rilez.” Irritation settles through me quickly. Who is she to judge? She just doesn’t understand Gabe the way I do.

“Seriously, does that man have a magical penis or something?” Ava laughs.

“Well,” I smirk.

“Eww eww eww! I don’t wanna know,” Izzy groans while covering her ears.

“What happened to Ashton? I thought things were going well last night,” Harper asks as she takes a cookie from the plate in my hand and throws herself onto the bed.

“It was okay, I guess, but he's just not for me. He's kind of boring and predictable and, well, scared of his own shadow,” I whine as I put the plate down on the side table and throw myself down beside my sister.

“I just can't help it,” I groan, “I know I shouldn't but I really think I might love him.” Saying it out loud feels right. I know it’s actually true.

“He’s a selfish, egotistical, dickhead,” Ava chimes. “What's not to love?”

“Not when we're alone, he's not. When it's just us, he's completely different. You wouldn’t understand.” I sigh as I lie back and look up at the ceiling.

“I get it, kind of,” Izzy says quietly.

“How would you know? He’s horrible to you constantly. Just look at Tucker's birthday,” Ava says.

“What happened at Tucker's birthday?” I say sitting up.

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