Page 89 of Gabriel's Salvation

I do my rounds quickly ensuring everyone has packed up properly and that nothing is being missed then head over to find Nate.

“Yes Princess, I can't wait to see you either,” Nate coos in that sickly sweet voice he uses whenever he's talking to Isabella. “I know, but I'll be there soon, and then we can grab the late showing.”

I make my way towards the driver’s side out of habit but Nate shakes his head and points towards the passenger’s side. For fuck sake!

Reluctantly, like a scolded child I do as I'm told, knowing I'm never gonna win this argument. I drop myself into my seat just as Nate gets into the driver's side. Why the fuck does this asshole always insist I ride shotgun? Sure, I've had the odd beer here or there before work but so what? It's not like I'm drunk! But no, this ass seems resigned to demanding I stay a fucking passenger whenever we share a ride.

I sulk in my seat and as soon as Nate climbs in, his phone connects to Bluetooth.

Princess fucking Isabella’s perky as fuck voice beams through the speakers. “So there's this super romantic movie playing at ten, it's from a book me and the girls have been reading.” I can't help but roll my eyes at the thought of that. “Or we can watch an action or a horror movie if you'd prefer,” she offers.

“No baby, that movie sounds great. You might have to explain it to me a little though,” Nate chuckles softly, and I notice a cheese eating grin on his face, but have no idea why.

The conversation goes back and forth for a couple more minutes before he finally hangs up. We drive for a few more minutes, listening to the radio before the questions in my mind get too much for me. I turn down the radio, earning me a raised eyebrow and a side glance from Nate.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Why the fuck did you agree to watch some shitty chick flick? She literally offered you an out and you didn’t take it. And even worse, it’s a book chick flick. You don't even read, do ya?”

My mind briefly transports me back to the days when Nate truly couldn't read, back in the days before we realized he was dyslexic. The hours I'd spent trying to teach him how to break down those words. How to recognize which letters were silent. And the many failed attempts he’d have trying to read and write his little letters to Isabella when we were young.

“No, but she does. And whatever this book is, it obviously means something to her if she wants to see the movie, so as her boyfriend, that's what we're gonna do,” Nate says casually.

“Yeah, but why? If she wants to watch it, she can watch it. Why would you watch a movie you have no interest in? One that’s gonna be all mushy and shit?” I ask, generally confused and kind of horrified by the notion.

“You really are a clueless asshole aren't ya, Gabe. She’s my girlfriend, which means whatever makes her happy, I'll do. I don't know the movie or plotline, that's true. But I know it will make Bella happy. I know she’ll sit there with a huge smile on her face the whole way through the movie and I know that by the end of the night, I'll probably get to kiss my girl a few times,” he says with a smile.

Really a kiss? The boy is putting himself through a few hours of boredom and annoyance for a kiss?

Nate looks over again shaking his head at me. “So what would YOU usually do then, oh wise brother of mine?”

“Nothing. Just do whatever I want I guess,” I shrug.

“I pity your girlfriend, you self-centered ass,” he laughs, as he takes his hand off the steering wheel ever so briefly to give me a little shove.

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes before I pipe up again.

“So are all dates supposed to be cheesy and boring? Can't you just meet up and do shit and that's a date?” I ask as I think about Riley and the fact I'm seeing her tomorrow.

“Honestly Gabe, I swear you're an alien sometimes.” Nate sighs.“ Okay, what do you usually do then? What's your idea of a date?”

“Well, until Riley, I've never dated anyone. Just met up for sex. Does that count? People fuck on dates don’t they?” I ask honestly as I scratch my head.

“No… well, I guess technically, yes… but that's not the date part.” Nate mumbles, sounding a little flustered. “The date is what happened before. It's the planning, the attention, the romance. That's what makes the date a date. Anything else is just, well, extra. But you don't need it,” Nate blushes and I can't help but smirk.

“So you don’t like to fuck on your dates then, no?” I tease. Knowing full well this question will fluster him even more.

“No.” Nate mumbles before I cut him off.

“So you’re saying you don’t want to fuck your girlfriend? That's odd,” I add.

“Urgh ... ah, I do…” Nate starts, sounding expectantly flustered.

“So you don't find your girlfriend sexy? You don't think about ripping her clothes off and having your fun with her?” I tease.

“That's more than a little odd.”

“Well, of course I do but…”