Page 14 of Reeling in Love

I stand outside in the cold, fuming. If anger could generate heat, I’d be on fire right now, instead of shivering like this. I curse myself for not getting a new car or even fixing up my old one after it broke down a couple of months ago. I got complacent, and complacency always bites you back. It’s like karma or something.

I haven’t needed a car because my office is literally a ten-minute walk from Rick’s place. Whenever I needed to go anywhere else, I’d hitch a ride with someone from work, or with Rick, or Gabriel, or grab a taxi. So, I let the whole car situation slide. And Rick knows it. He knows it all too well.

It’s not even ten minutes since my call and I see Gabs’ car pulling in near the curb. Thank Jesus for him.

He jumps out, grabs my bags like they’re nothing, and tosses them into the trunk without saying a single word. Well, that’s new for Gabriel.

“Hope I didn’t disturb you and Sophia.”

“No. We’d finished dinner, and I was about to drop her at her hotel when you called. So it’s fine.” His tone is still flat. Zero emotions.

Once we’re seated, he glares at me, his eyes practically shooting out embers. “Do you want me to deal with Rick and teach him a lesson? How dare he let you go out like this? How dare he not force you to stay the night and decide whatever needs to be done tomorrow morning? I’ll beat him senseless, that man,” he says through gritted teeth, his fists clenched tightly on the steering wheel.

I put my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t have stayed even if he’d asked me to.”

“But it’s not right. I’d never do that to a girl. And I don’t expect other men to do that too, especially not to my friends.”

“Hey. Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. C’mon now, forget him and help me find a cheap hotel somewhere for a week or so. Hopefully, by then I’ll find a small place. I might have to talk to Ryan about my salary now that I have to live alone and tell him to live up to his promises.”

No smile on his face even now. Wow! He’s taking my breakup worse than me. I punch him lightly on the arm. “Wanna grab a hot chocolate at Kelly’s? Please. Please.” I pout and make some pleading sounds. That finally does it and brings a smile back to his face.

“You know, Gabs, I think this is the first time in many years that we’re both single at the same time. And what’s even funnier is that we broke up on the same day.”

He nods. “Hey, that’s true, right? Though, that’s mainly on you. Once you’re in a relationship, you stick around for a long time even when you know it’ll not work out. Jesus, it’s hard for others to watch you.”

“Wow! You’re one to judge. You never stick around in a relationship long enough to see if it’ll work out or not.”

“Don’t make me regret coming to pick you up,” he says, parking his car in front of Kelly’s.

“As if you had anything better to do,” I retort, jumping out and racing him inside.

“As a matter of fact, I did have things to do and have things done to me. Trust me, they would’ve been a hundred times better than being here right now.”

I raise my eyebrows and shake my head as he grins and runs his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, you two. Long time!” comes Kelly’s shrill voice. “Two hot chocolates, with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nuts?”

We nod, smile, and sit down in our favorite booth.

“So,” I lean forward and ask. “With Sophia?”

He nods.

“Was this something only you were hoping for, or was she into it too?”

“She actually invited me in. That was right before your call.”

“Then why were you foolish enough to leave her and come? I mean, your mom would’ve been happy, right?”

“Actually, that’s the thing. I don’t think I want to date her. She’s too different. I think I only wanted to spend the night. So Mom would’ve been angry. In a way, your stupid call saved me from an embarrassing situation.”

“Ah, good. Then you’re paying for this tonight. Your thank you gift to me.” I turn my head toward the counter. “Hey, Kelly,” I shriek. “Add your special doughnut as well.”

I find Gabs chuckling and shaking his head. “You’re so cheap, Nora. Grow up! Behaving like a teenager.”

“I don’t wanna grow up. I hate adulting. It’s totally overrated, if you ask me. What’s the fun in making your own bed, buying groceries, remembering to pay the bills, taking care of your health, and deciding what to eat and what not to eat? Ugh! Hate it! So yeah, I’m happy staying a non-adult.”

“I agree with you, Nora,” comes Kelly’s voice as she places our orders on the table. “Adulting sucks, but we have to suck up to it. Can’t stay a kid forever. Anyway, till then, both you kids enjoy.”

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