Page 40 of You Before Me

“You don't have to say anything, Gabe. I don't want to see that look again, and I don't want you to regret it, that's all.”

Gabe walks over, placing his hands on my hips to make me turn my body towards him. “I didn't regret it the first time. I was disappointed in myself and-”

“We don't need to go over it again.” I give him a quick kiss before changing the topic. “If you burn the food, I'll never forgive you.”

He chuckles and turns back to the stove. As I cut up a cucumber, I think about what a crazy day it's been. I've always felt comfortable physically around Gabe, but now I'm not even worried about speaking my mind and asking him things I wouldn't normally ask. Just as I'm about to ask him about his father, there's a knock on the door. Our heads automatically turn towards the noise. My eyes widen when I recognize his mother, thanks to the pictures on his mantel. I'm not even wearing a bra! Gabe brushes his hand on my lower back as he passes me to open the door. If that's supposed to be a reassurance, it isn't.

Once again, I'm reminded of the differences in our families. These people love each other a lot. Enough that they share important things about their lives with one another and hold their opinions with a high regard. When I was looking at the photos earlier, I could see their happiness, their closeness, and the pride they had in each other. That's how a family should be. Not like the group of people I call my family. Even now, Gabe is a bit anxious over what his mother is thinking. I can hear it in his tone as he tries too hard to relax.

“Mom, hey. What are you doing here?” Gabe questions as she steps inside, little wet circles on her light blue shirt from the rain.

How does this look to her? Me in my skimpy pjs with no bra and Gabe shirtless in pajama pants at seven in the evening. My hair is still half wet and probably all messy from the rain and sex. Her lips are pursed as she gives me a once over. I focus on the cucumbers, so I don't have to look at her and see her immediate disdain for me. Maybe if I pretend she isn't here, then she'll magically disappear.

“I texted you to let you know I was coming, Gabriel. I thought it was odd that you didn't reply, but now I can see you were busy. Your father told me about today,” she says as if that explains it all. Her Southern hospitality kicks in, and I hear her footsteps coming closer to me. Oh, God. “Hello.” I turn to see her stick her hand out to me. “I'm Gabriel's mother, Camilla. You must be Ryan.”

I set the knife down and reluctantly shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.” Gabe looks as worried as I feel. “Gabe, I'm going to, uh, throw those clothes in the washing machine.” Abandoning my task, I hurry out of the room, desperate to get away from her.

Faintly, I can hear their conversation because like the girl I am, I left the door opened a crack so I could listen.

“I'm sorry I didn't get your message, Mom,” Gabe says. “What did Dad say?”

She doesn't answer right away. I toss some clothes into the washing machine. “Gabriel,” she chides. “She's so young.” Oh, fuck. Not that again. “When your father told me th

at, I wanted to come speak with you and see what's going on. You didn't bring her to the house today. By the cooking you're doing right now, y'all haven't even eaten yet.” I hear Gabe shuffling around, probably keeping an eye on the food. I try to be as quiet as possible so I can hear everything. “I don't want you to make the same mistakes again. And she has tattoos, Gabriel.”

Crap. She probably saw my tats when I walked away. See, this, us, we aren't a good thing.

“Mom, I love you, but stop, please. You know I never bring a girl to meet you until I'm sure. I haven't been seeing Ryan that long.”

“And she's already spending the night? Already so comfortable in your house that she's doing a load of laundry?” She interrupts.

“This is her first time here. Just listen to me for a second. Yeah, Ryan's a little young and has tattoos, but she's a good girl, Mom. I'm certain of that.” Good? What the hell is he talking about? “I like her a lot. Once I finish getting to know her like I want, we'll all get together for dinner.” Thanks for asking me about this, Gabe!

“Okay. I just don't want you to get hurt again, Gabriel. You're too good for your own benefit sometimes and miss some of the key indicators.”

“I know, but don't judge her based on tonight or her age or whatever else. That's not right,” he says gently. “When I'm ready and when Ryan is ready, you can officially meet her, learn about her, get to know her, and then you'll see that she's different. Until then, don't judge.”

If I wasn't in here hiding and if his mother wasn't out there, I would run and hug him.

“All right then. I won't. Are you coming over tomorrow?”

The cabinet over the washing machine creaks as I open it to get the detergent. I cringe before I remember that's why I'm in here, so it doesn't matter if they hear me.

“No. I have to go in late afternoon.”

“Maybe next week then. I best get going.”

“Bye, Mom.”

“Bye, Gabriel.”

I hear fading footsteps, a door opening and closing, and then more footsteps coming closer. I press the buttons to start the cycle. The door opens, and Gabe stands on the other side. His lips part to speak, but I practically tackle hug him. His arms automatically go around me, even though he's confused.

“Sorry, I was eavesdropping, but thank you for what you said,” I whisper into his neck.

He chuckles at my reaction, finally returning my hug like he means it. “You're welcome.” When I pull away, he adds, “C'mon. You need to finish your job because the food is about done.”

As we're walking back into the kitchen, I ask him, “Did you become a cop so you could order people around?”

---