I blink back to reality.
Gabe squeezes my shoulder. “It was a joke, okay?”
I nod.
“If you're happy with what you're doing now, I'm happy for you.”
An exhale exits my nose. “Thanks.”
“But I'm also your best friend and nosy as fuck.” She claps twice and motions for me to get to my feet. “Hop to it. Let's go find Gym Guy!”
Gabe's investigative skills are on point. She scours the cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weight section, scanning between the men who match the vague description I've given her before and my face to get a reaction. I don't have to fight it because Landon's not here. Lucky me.
“Too bad. Guess we'll have to play HORSE and go home.”
We dawdle on the way to the basketball gym. Gabe peers through the glass windows overlooking the indoor pool and through the occupied squash courts.
“You look more suspicious than anyone else here, you know that? Will you chill?”
“I willnot.” The door to the half-courts slams open under Gabe's heavy hand. “I'm on a mission.”
I grab the last basketball from the rack and toss it at her. “It's a failed mission. Get over it.”
“There's still time. Who knows? He and his buddies might be ballers.”
“Yeah, definitelynot,” I mutter to myself.
Gabe dribbles the ball, then stops to turn on her heel to make a shot. It drops in without touching the rim. She does a side-to-side hip roll. “Swish, swish.Nothing but net.”
When I bend over to pick up the runaway ball, the metal door slams open and closed.
“Well, well, well. What have we got here?”
I bolt upright.
Landon Radek and Wade Boehner wear the smuggest smiles as they saunter in.
Gabe crosses her arms.
“Didn't expect to see you, Davé.” Landon’s nonchalant tone is annoying.
“Small world,” Boehner says.
“Something like that.”
Landon hums. “There aren't any balls, no empty courts. You ladies mind sharing?” He lays on the charm thick in Gabe's direction.
She's not paying attention though, too busy glowering at Wade.
“Nice seeing you again, Finch.” He squares off with her, which is saying something, considering Gabe is six feet. Wade is still taller by a few inches.
“Wish I could say the same for you,Boner.”
He rumbles out a laugh. “Don't play.”
“Why? Afraid you'll lose?”
What the fuck are you doing, Gabe?