Ah, Gabriel thought.Here it comes.This was one of the things he’d managed to avoid his entire life. The obligatory “best friend wants to know your intentions” talk. Gabriel had never had any intentions, beyond making Joel his. He chewed his lower lip into his mouth, hoping this wouldn't be the moment when his lies started to unravel.
Gabriel sat. “Yes, I did tell him that. And he has.”
Silence.
Was she using his own trick against him? He wasn’t going to fall for it. He wasn’t going to talk himself into a hole with Joel's best friend.
More silence.
Athena smiled at him, sipping her drink.
Silence.
Silence.
“I like having him here. He’s meant to be here.”
Fuck! Shut up, Gabriel.
Silence.
“I mean, right now, it feels like this is where he’s meant to be. With me.”
Athena took another drink.
She finally spoke. “Do you know about his family?”
More than you would believe, Athena, more than you would fucking believe.
“He’s told me some things,” Gabriel hedged.
“His dad died when he was little–still in elementary school. His mom remarried an awful shit-bag named Thomas. I mean, from what I’ve heard, they’re both real pieces of work, but Thomas was far worse than Joel's mom. As soon as this Thomas guy started to suspect Joel was gay, he did… Well, he did and said some horrible things.”
Did?
“It’s not my place to say. If he hasn’t told you.”
Gabriel hadn't meant to speak his thoughts out loud. His face paled, and his eyes emptied of every emotion except rage. Gabriel would fucking murder his brother if he had physically hurt Joel. He pressed his hand against his breastbone, trying to rub away the pain.
“He’s told me some things,” Gabriel repeated in a mutter, trying to find the truth of Athena’s half-confession in her eyes, but she was locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
“Don’t you fucking hurt him, Gabriel.” Athena stared at him and took another sip of her drink before she continued, “He’s my best friend, and he’s the most pure and kind-hearted person I’ve ever fucking known. He’s locked up tight because of all the shit he's been through. He's never dated anyone seriously and he doesn’t have any other friends besides me. He doesn’t let people in, Gabriel. He doesn’t let them close. And I watched the way you touch him, and how he lets you. The way he leans his weight toward you when you come into the room. I’ve seen all this, and I'm fucking ecstatic for him, butyouworry me, handsome stranger, because you are too good to be true. So let me put my cards on the table: I want Joel to be happy no matter what, and if it means you fucking him until he can't walk straight, then I am all for it. But Gabriel, I swear to God I will fucking come for you if you break Joel's heart or hurt him in any way he doesn't ask to be hurt. Do you understand me?”
Athena leaned forward and set her empty glass on the coffee table.
Gabriel stared at her, nodding his head. “I...” he stopped, snapping his mouth closed. The words were there, but they shouldn’t touch her ears before Joel's.
“I know, handsome stranger. I can see it in your face.” Athena offered him a slight smile, patted his knee, and stood up. She swept her hair up into a messy bun and smiled wider. “As long as we understand each other, then?”
Gabriel nodded. Athena nodded back.
“Good.” She stepped out of the living room and Gabriel heard her speak again.
“Baby J, what's for dinner? This better be organic with all the money your handsome stranger has. He’s treating you well, right?”
Gabriel was frozen on the couch, shocked that he’d almost verbalized his feelings, and utterly relieved that he hadn’t needed to lie to her. Athena looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with him.
“You buy organic, Gabriel?”
