Page 20 of Finding Fate

“The girl had not seen you in six years and agrees to move with you the first time you ask. Then gets fucking beat because she was with the one person she wasn’t supposed to be with. Just because Konnor went back for her didn’t mean shehadto come. She did anyway. Gets here and sees two sluts walk out the door right after you were asking her to move in with you. Finds out you fucked them both right after her. Instead of turning her ass around and going back to financial security, she plays hardball. Sounds to me like she’s doing all the work. Here we are. She made the pitch. Maybe she’s just waiting for you to step up to bat instead of talking about your batting average.” He stands and slaps me on the back. “Before you got caught with the age stipulation you would have never been the guy drinking at the bar. Try being the guy that thought she was worth taking the risk, regardless of the consequences, and see where that gets you. I’m going to dance with my girl.”

Boy, get on my level.

I smile. Fucking idiot. She wasn’t talking about alcohol. I stand and make my way through the maze of people, spotting her in the same area she was in, grinding on that same guy with her eyes closed. His hands are resting on her hips while he dances behind her. I clench my fists and pump them a few times to get a grip.

When I make it to her, I grab her behind the neck and jerk her forward, out of his grasp. “What the fuck is your problem?” the guy says.

“I’m done giving out freebies. This one belongs to me. Find your own.”

She looks at me hard. “What the hell are you doing?”

“You want to be pissed at me? Fine. Be pissed at me. I thought you were gone. I’d had you back for a few hours. I just assumed you backed out when you had time to think about it. I made a shitty choice when you weren’t there because that’s what I do when you’re not in the picture—make shitty choices. I live recklessly because you wreck my world. It happened. I was drunk. I paid for it before you ever showed up at the house. I slept in my own bed by myself. Get over it. I’m not going to sit here and watch someone else take something I found first. I’ve been in love with you, Gabby, since I was seventeen. That hasn’t changed just because I let fear drive me for years. I’m done. You let one more motherfucker touch you and I’m getting us kicked out of this club, because I’m going to beat his ass. I’m warning you now.”

In the dark her eyes look black. She’s boring a hole in my head. My heart is racing and I feel like I’m seconds from breaking a sweat. My world is spinning out of control. But finally, she fucking smiles, putting it back on its axis. “Welcome back. I didn’t fall in love with a pussy. You show your love better than you say it.”

I step into her space until our bodies are aligned, my hands instantly moving to her ass. I squeeze. “I’m not letting you go again. I’ll kill anyone that gets in my way.”

“I’ve missed the fuck out of you.” She turns around and grabs my hands, jerking my body against hers, then puts them on her hips and starts to roll them, rubbing her ass against my crotch. She turns her head and looks up at me. “Now dance with me. I’ve been waiting.”

“The second I get you home . . .”

“Oh yeah? Remind me.”

I lean in and kiss her, but this time I don’t pull back. I don’t intend to either.

Thirteen

Gabby

Isway as I make my way inside the door behind Sayler, who takes off for the downstairs guest bathroom, quickly grabbing on to the first thing I find to keep in an upright position long enough to get my heels off. At this point they’re a safety hazard. I like my ankles too much to break one. I’m trashed. I’ve been drinking all night since I flirted with a bouncer a little to get a band—early birthday present and all. Presley comes in and grabs my arm as she shuts the door, laughing at me.

Konnor mentioned smoking weed, so I guess the boys stayed outside to talk while he does that. That was one thing the two of us had in common when he lived with us—recreational weed use. It’s one of those things a person is either for or against. There is no in between. Me personally, I don’t see a problem with it. It’s safer under use than alcohol most times. I’m more aware of what’s going on when I’m high than I am right now. Why not make the tax money off it just like liquor and beer stores? “I used to hate being the sober one around a bunch of drunks, but this is quite entertaining.”

I grin, my eyes lazy and the room not being still in the least. “Bitch.”

She laughs again. “So, we should all get in the pool or jacuzzi. Mine and Sayler’s bellies have to stay out of the jacuzzi, but if that’s where you want to be, we can put our feet in. I glance at her flat stomach. “When are you due?”

Her face changes and she blinks at me. “May. We don’t have to talk about that. I’m sorry.”

My brows pull in. “Why? It’s the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. Enjoy every second, because it’s over too soon. Other people going through it doesn’t make me bitter. I’m not angry. You’re bringing a life into the world. Own your happiness, regardless of what hurdles others have experienced. I have peace knowing I did everything in my power to protect him while he was mine. The rest is outside of my control. If he’s taken care of and knows love, I can live with myself.”

She wraps her arms around me and hugs me. “I’m sorry I was ever angry at you. You’re one of the strongest girls I’ve ever met, Gabby. Knowing you reminds me that I married an amazing man, because he has a way of flocking to good people.”

I smile, content in ways I haven’t been in a long time. “I love this little girl-crush moment we’re having, but can I put in a request that we do it when I’m sober? You’re killing my buzz. You got a spare swimsuit?”

She laughs out loud. “I have an entire closet drawer devoted just to swimwear. It’s sort of my guilty pleasure like Sayler has with shoes,” she says as she grabs my hand and pulls me through the kitchen. Sayler walks out of the bathroom right as Presley turns into the master suite.

I grab her hand and pull her in behind me, shutting the door. “You can borrow too.”

“What are we doing?” she asks.

“Pool. Will you unzip me?”

I move my hair out of the way, letting Sayler unzip my dress, and with the slack it gives, the material falls to the floor, leaving me in only panties. Presley stares at me from the large walk-in closet entrance, already down to a bra and panties with her hands behind her back to unhook it. “You don’t have to wear a bra?”

Sayler walks past me after stepping out of her jean capris, already pulling off her flowy spaghetti strap as she walks into the closet. “Nope. I guess there are some perks to having smaller boobs. Tight clothes keep them under control.”

“You suck,” she says, dropping her bra.

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