Page 11 of Rocking the Trucker

It took a few seconds, but Gabriel sighed and nodded as he relaxed his arm. “All right. I’m done.”

“Drink this,” Sam grabbed a bottle of water from a nearby table. After opening it, he held it in front of Gabriel.

Continuing to hold his gaze, Sam waited. It only took a few seconds before Gabriel nodded and took the bottle and chugged it. It reminded Sam of when he would do the same with beers after a concert.

Taking the empty bottle, he put the cap back on it and returned it to the table. They waited a few more minutes for the audience to clear the room.

Gabriel was swaying by the time the auditorium was empty. Though Sam hoped it wouldn’t take too long for the man to sleep, they first needed to pack up his gear and carry it out to the truck. Then he would see about putting Gabriel to bed.

“Come on, let’s get you packed up,” Sam started to walk out onto the stage.

It only took a few minutes for the two of them to pack the guitars and cables and sound equipment and carry it to the back door.

“I need to get the merch,” Gabriel said, his words fuzzy with his exhaustion. “And talk to the pastor about the money.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You don’t have to. It shouldn’t take me but a few minutes.”

“I’ll come with you,” Sam repeated, half-afraid of what might happen if he left the man alone.

Gabriel studied him for a moment and then shrugged. “Whatever.”

Thirty minutes later, Gabriel finished packing the trailer with Sam watching closely.

Once he closed the last closet door, he turned to Sam. “Thanks for the help.”

“Sure,” Sam replied, suddenly uncertain if this was the right time to force Gabriel to his agenda. “Why don’t you head to bed? You look beyond exhausted.”

“I won’t sleep. My mind is all wound up. Too much adrenaline from the show. I’ll just sit outside and watch the stars until it settles down.”

“No.”

“No?” Gabriel echoed.

“No. You’re so tired you’re swaying. You haven’t eaten a decent meal since we started this tour. And you don’t have anyone to call you on this self-abuse shit. Except me.”

Gabriel frowned at him. “Is that what you’re doing? Calling me out?”

“Somebody’s got to, and since I’m the only one around, I guess I am. What the fuck is going on? Are you trying to drive yourself to a breakdown? Because from where I’m standing it looks like you’re about two days from ending up in the hospital.”

“Why would you? You hate me,” Gabriel whispered.

Sam sucked in a breath and shook his head. It was time to tell the truth. He only hoped Gabriel wouldn’t throw the knowledge in his face.

Taking a step, he began to close the distance that separated them. “I don’t hate you, Gabriel. I love you. I’ve always loved you. Even when I was so mad I was spitting fire when you wrecked my truck, I still loved you. And watching you run yourself into the ground is hurting my heart.”

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