“Yeah, okay.” I sigh, slipping out. “I want that little piece of paper.”
Gabe gets to work, sliding his arm under the bed and sure enough, he’s right. Without all my muscle, he’s a lot slimmer than me so he grabs hold of it easily.
“Aw, is this you and Elijah?” He smiles down at what he found.
I see now that it’s a picture. Taking it from his hand, my heart swells as soon as I see what’s printed on it.
It was an old picture of Elijah and I. His lips pressed against my cheek as I laughed. I look so happy in the photo. Young and unknowingly in love. Right before high school when he was my whole world. The only peace in this unforgiving house.
“You thought you lost it?” Gabe asks.
I nod my head, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I thought my dad ripped it up along with the others. Must’ve missed this one.”
Gabe’s eyes widen. “Oh…shit. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “No, this is good. Really good.” I stuff the picture in my pocket. I’ll cherish it forever.
“You guys looked really happy.” Gabe smiles, following me out of the room.
“We were.” I answer, remembering all the memories that came after it. Even after everything, he remained everything to me. “Anyways, I got what I needed. Now let’s get out of here. ”
“I’m guessing this isn’t your favorite place to be,” he says behind me as we make our way down the staircase.
I smile softly, opening the door and leaving this toxic place behind. “My favorite place is on his way back to me as we speak.”
9
Elijah
I tap my fingers impatiently on Tobias’s desk. My heart won’t seem to settle down. You’d think I was going on a first date or something.
I made it here ten minutes ago and have been bouncing in this chair ever since. My knees bounce so hard they’re probably denting the desk. A week without Tobias has felt like torture. I drove here so fast, I think Tobias would have an aneurysm if he knew.
I fix the sunflowers on the desk that I got for him, wrapped neatly in the brown paper. I thread my fingers through my hair, but strands fall into my eyes, just like they always do.
Fuck, I’m so excited to see my Prince Charming.
He should be here any minute—
Suddenly, the office door opens. My breath hitches as I prepare myself.
My face falls when there’s no Tobias at all. Instead, in comes a good-looking young man, carrying two Bloom & Brew labeled coffee cups.
My stomach drops. It’s Gabe.THEGabe.
“Oh! Hey.” He flashes me a sickeningly handsome smile that sends a pang of heated jealousy through my chest. He looks even better than he does online. Tall. Dark hair. Tattoos. Are you fucking kidding me? He looks like every bad-boy lovers’ dream.
I clench my jaw. Is heTobias’sdream guy?
“Hey.” I mutter, smoothing my hand down my black crewneck sweatshirt. I suddenly feel self-conscious with what I chose to wear.
“Elijah, right? I don’t think we’ve properly met before,” he says, walking over and placing the cups down on the desk.
I quickly realize I’ve been staring, not saying anything, so I quickly clear my throat. “Yeah. That’s me. And you’re–” I stick out my hand, and he takes it happily. Strong grip.
Bastard.
“Gabriel. Or,Gabefor short.” He grins.
