Page 34 of Marry Your Best Friend

But just as soon as that thought hits me, I know I’m wrong.

I move over to the couch and draw my legs up under me. That’s not who Gabe is. He has always looked out for me, and he’s not going to stop now. No, he’s going to think back on last night, and even if he has regrets—and after this morning, I’m sure he has—he still won’t break it off with me. No, he will stay with me because that’s what he thinks he is expected to do. I may not have the most experience about things or be the most knowledgeable about the world, but I do know that Gabe will do what is expected of him when it comes to me. He will feel obligated to stay with me and take care of me like he always has.

16

GABE

I pull at the collar of my shirt.

I didn’t put a tie on, and knowing my brother, Ledger, he wouldn’t have expected me to. The service is almost over, and I’m surprised by the number of people in attendance. I’m sitting in the front with Chrissy by my side and all my brothers and their families beside us. I held Chrissy’s hand through the service and offered her my handkerchief when she started to cry. Other than that, she’s avoided me.

The preacher ends the service, and everyone rises.

People are coming to us, offering their condolences, and I try to keep an eye on Chrissy to make sure she’s okay. Her friends are gatheredaround her, and that makes me feel a little more at ease.

“Gabe.” Walker stops in front of me with his hand held out.

I accept his handshake. “Walker. Thanks for coming.”

He nods. “Ledger was a good man.” He runs his hands through his hair. “I don’t know if you know this or not, but he’s helped me out a time or two through the years.”

Surprised, I rear back. “No, I didn’t know that.”

He looks a little dazed as he gets lost in thoughts of the past. “I was in a bind, and I needed a pilot. Me and half my men would have died if Ledger hadn’t shown up when he did. I was indebted to him. If any of you or your family need anything, let me know.”

I know Walker—hell, everyone in town knows Walker. And there are rumors about what he does with his Ghost team on the edge of town, but no one really knows for sure. “Thank you. We appreciate that.”

He nods his head and then backs away, stopping to talk to a group of men in the corner.

One after another, people that loved Ledger or who came to support us walk through the line. Bythe time it’s over, I’m exhausted, and I’m glad that there’s not a big dinner after this. Our family is having dinner at Holden’s house, but that should be stress-free.

I’m finally making my way out of the church, and I catch up to Chrissy before she gets into her car. “Hey, you doing okay?”

She nods without looking me in the eye. “Yeah, it was a good service.”

“Ledger would have hated all the attention.” I reach for her arm, and finally she lifts her eyes. “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s been hell at work the last few days. Everyone is passing around that stomach bug—”

Her eyes widen in alarm. “Are you okay?”

I pat my stomach. “I have an iron stomach. I’m good, but that’s why I haven’t been by. I’ve tried calling you a few times.”

“I know. We talked, remember?”

She answered one of the three times I called, but that’s not like her. If she’s busy, she calls me back, and this time, she didn’t. She talked to me after calling her three times, and she seemed off on the phone.

I put my hand on her door because I feel like she’s trying to leave, and I refuse to go another daywithout having this conversation. “What’s going on with you, Chrissy?”

She crosses her arms over her chest defensively. “We just left our brother's funeral. I don’t know what you want me to say.”

As I stand her with one arm on the door and one hand on her shoulder, I know I should do the right thing and give her some space and time. But doing the right thing has never been my strong suit. “But why are you avoiding me? And don’t tell me you’re not because we both know you are.”

She bites her lip and just looks at me. I’ve had a bad feeling since I left her house the other morning, and I know I have to ask what I’m thinking. “Do you regret the other night?”

She blinks and softly asks, “Do you?”

“Fuck no!” I say too loud as people walk pass us. I dirty look them until they walk past and then I lean in to Chrissy. “Hell no, I don’t regret it. Do you?”

She puts a hand on my chest, and it’s obvious she’s trying to calm me down. Hell, is this where she gives me the boot. She tells me it was fun but it’s over already. My heart is racing, and I can’t catch my breath. “This is not over, Chrissy.”

---