Page 59 of Gabriel's Album

“No, you really are getting better,” he smiles back at her.

Ariana walks back over to us and I stand up, allowing her to take her seat again. As Harrison steps up to play, I head to the counter to get us another round of drinks.

I ask the guy for the drinks we want, and I’ve been standing at the counter for less than ten seconds when I hear someone say from behind me, “Um, hi, Gabriel.”

I turn to see four women standing in front of me. I vaguely recognize them as having been playing at one of the other tables when we arrived.

“Hi.” I smile politely at them.

“I hope you don’t mind us bothering you, but we were wondering if we could get a picture?” the woman closest to me says.

She’s short, has long brown hair, and is smiling at me in a very charming way.

“Of course,” I say automatically.

I try to be as accommodating to fans as I can. Unless they approach me at a time when I’m physically incapable of interacting with them, I’m happy to sign an autograph or take a picture.

The women all squeal with delight, and another one says, “Thank you!”

We group up, and the staff member from the pool hall asks, “Would you like me to take the photo for you?”

Someone’s cell phone is handed to him, and I put my arms around the women, then smile at the camera as he takes several photographs of us.

“Oh my god, this is amazing,” one of the women exclaims as she takes the phone back and looks at the picture, then she looks at me and grins. “I’m Kylie.”

Kylie is tall, with short blonde hair, and very attractive.

“I’m Kaitlin,” the next woman introduces herself and shakes my hand.

Like Kylie, she’s blonde, but her hair hangs to her shoulders, and she’s quite pretty.

“I’m Sarah,” the woman with long brown hair says.

“And I’m Lisa,” the final woman, who is sporting a black pixie cut, tells me.

I smile at the group and say, “Well, I’m obviously Gabriel.”

They all laugh at my joke as the guy at the counter says, “Your drinks are ready.”

I pay for the drinks, and I can feel the eyes of the women on me as I do. I turn to face them again once the transaction is done and smile politely. I’m wondering how I can extricate myself from the situation tactfully.

“So, are you having fun on the tour?” Kylie asks me before I can make my excuse to leave. “We’ve got tickets to the concert tomorrow.”

“Yeah, it’s been really fun,” I tell them, with a genuine smile on my face as I think about the joy I get from performing.

“We flew to New York and saw you onThe Today Show,” Kylie says, looking up at me with wide eyes and a bright smile on her face. “You wereamazing.”

“Oh wow, that’s awesome. Yeah, that was totally crazy, but definitely an excellent experience.”

All of the women laugh as though I’ve said something funny, and Sarah looks over at our group before turning back to me. “So, you’re all here tonight. Is there any chance we could meet the guys?”

She looks to the back of the big room again, and I follow her gaze. Fuck. Ariana. She’s sitting where I left her, but her back is ramrod straight, and she’s staring intently at the pool table where Harrison and Sebastian are playing their game.

“Oh, well…” I trail off.

I can’t think of any reason why they shouldn’t…except my girlfriend, of course.

Kylie places her hand on my arm and pleads, “Can we, please? We’re really big fans, and it would be the coolest thing ever if we could play pool with you.”

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