Page 31 of Fierce-Gabe

It felt like he always tried to make the first move with Elise and then walked away feeling like an asshole after.

Even sitting in the shadows last night, he’d seen her eyes get glossy.

But damn it all, it had to be said.

There was no way in the world they could be around each other without setting the other off. He got it now. Why he was thinking he could get her to soften toward him was beyond him.

He wasn’t even sure why he was trying so hard other than what he’d said last night.

He really thought she wanted him and not who he was or what someone wanted him to be back then.

Around three he heard his phone go off with a text and picked it up. He didn’t recognize the number, but he read the text and his jaw dropped.

I’m sorry. You bring the worst out of me and I’m not sure why. It’s not even your fault. I heard what you said and you’re right. We’ve got to be adults and work together. Truce? Elise.

He had to read it a few more times before he could comprehend that she, one, reached out to him. Two, apologized. Three, wanted to call a truce.

Gabe hadn’t even been aware she had his number but then realized how stupid that was. He could get hers easily too if he wanted. Maybe not as easily as she could get his, but it was somewhere he could find without having to ask someone.

He wanted to reply back right away but decided to sit on it. It seemed to him he couldn’t say anything right to her.

But after twenty minutes, since he couldn’t say anything right, he texted her back and asked if they could talk. That there was no way he wanted any misunderstanding through texts.

It took her ten minutes before his phone rang.

“I could almost hear your sigh when you read my text,” he said. He wasn’t smiling or joking. Just making a statement.

“I’m sure you could. I didn’t think it’d be easy enough to send that text and you’d say sure, let’s try that.”

“Why now do you want a truce?” he asked.

He heard the sigh loud and clear now. “It’s what I said. You’re right. We are adults. You’re trying. I’m not. It’s that simple.”

“Nothing is simple when it comes to us.”

“No,” she said. “Again, that is on me.”

“And you’re not going to say why that is?”

“No,” she said again. “I’m sorry to bother you on your holiday.”

“I’m just sitting here alone watching football.”

“The same,” she said.

He found it funny they were doing the same thing.

“I’ve got a beer in front of me.”

She laughed. “Wine. I’m not a big beer drinker. I’m only having one glass. Call it my glass that I missed out on last night.”

He felt bad about that. He was positive she left after they fought.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“Not your fault,” she said. “I should have gotten it when I arrived.”

“It was still poor timing on my part.” He was shocked they were having a conversation right now.

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