Page 91 of Gabriel's Salvation

“Duude?” Nate laughs. “I did wonder why you were being so weird.”

“Well yeah. A girl sends you a picture of a bed; what else am I supposed to think?”

“I guess, but no, I can 100% guarantee Bella isn't the sort to send me those kinds of pictures. And if she did, there's no way in heaven or hell I'd be letting anyone else see.” He’s still laughing but I can hear a little seriousness in his voice as well as he says the last part.

“So, like never?” I ask. “You just know her pictures are going to be safe for anyone's eyes?” I question.

“Well yeah.”

“So you never sext?” I ask. Feeling unusually inquisitive.

“I guess sometimes we flirt, yeah. But no, I don't expect to just receive those kinds of pictures or messages, especially without some warning”

“What do you talk about then?” I quiz.

“I dunno. We talk about school and things we like. Or dates we’re going on. Or we send each other pictures of things we think will make the other smile. You know, just normal boyfriend and girlfriend stuff.”

“Oh,” I say quietly.

“There's more to relationships than just sex, Gabe. Surely even you realize that,” Nate finally says after a few minutes of silence.

I spend the rest of the car journey thinking and looking through my own phone. I click on Kelly, Sophie, Lucy, and a few other girls on my phone and after a quick scroll realize there's nothing in any of the threads that are about anything other than sex. Sure there are lots of pictures, great pictures in fact. Although they no longer excite me as much as they used to. But nothing of any substance, that is, until I get to Riley’s. There's a mixture of morning messages from her. Or random ones telling me about her day or asking about mine. And a few pictures, which are sexy but not half as revealing as the other photos I've looked at. Yet these are the ones that make my heart pound and my dick start to swell. I click out of the messages quickly, not wanting to spend the last of my car ride beside my goddamn brother sporting a semi.

We finally pull up at home and both head inside. Nate rushes into the shower as I head to the kitchen to get a much needed beer. I hear Nate moving around in his room, then about half an hour later he disturbs me by rummaging around behind me.

“What the fuck you doing?” I finally ask.

“Looking for my wallet,” he replies, in a panic. “I think I might have left it in my coat at work.”

“Here,” I say, taking my wallet out of my back pocket and throwing it at him. “Take what you need.”

“I can't do that,” Nate replies, handing it back to me.

“Nathaniel, take the goddamn money. You can pay me back Monday if it bothers you that fucking much.” I huff. Seriously, will he fuck off already so I can get back to my show.

“Thanks, bro. Love you,” he replies as he carefully takes out just a few bills. “I took $50. I'll pay you back Monday, I promise,” he adds as he rushes out the door.

I continue watching TV until I receive a text message.

Smoking Hot Cock Tease

Hey, are we still on for tomorrow? It's fine if not.

I read her message and for some reason feel slightly guilty. Me and Riley arranged to see each other tomorrow. A date, I guess you'd call it. Except I made no plans whatsoever for what we’d do on it. I was just gonna pick her up and then drive. Or she could come with me while I went to get a few parts for my bike as it needs a quick once over after I scratched it the night I got arrested.

Me

Yeah, I'll pick you up around 10 a.m.

Pulling out my laptop, the one I hardly ever use, I begin looking for ideas. I try googling, ‘What do girls like to do?’ and get a bunch of random shit like ‘Get their hair and nails done’ or ‘go shopping’ pop up. Well that's not helpful.

Next, I try searching ‘What can I do with a hot girl’ thinking maybe that will give me a better idea of things to do that don't include trying to make them look better. And of course all I get is a bunch of sex tips. Pretty sure that's not a problem we have. I can't help but smirk as I think of all the different ways I've made Riley moan.

Finally, I search, ‘Fun things to do with a girl you like.’ Underneath a suggestion for ‘Top twenty romantic date ideas’ pops up.

I click on it, not expecting much, but am pleasantly surprised when I find what I'm looking for. I scroll through the list: picnics in the park. Lame. Painting and pottery making. Boring. Horseback riding. Weird. Hot air balloon rides. Unnerving. Cocktail making. Promising, but Riley made me promise not to drink and drive when she's with me.

I almost give up until something jumps out at me. ‘Theme park’. Now that could work. It's fun and exciting. Isn't too girly. But it means she gets to see how brave I am. Winner!!

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