We have a pleasant conversation, discussing work and going over future wedding plans. With Kate’s vision, I know that the wedding will be a spectacular event. Somehow, I manage to artfully dodge any relationship questions, finding another subject more pressing to talk about—anything to keep my mind off of Gabe and the fact that he’ll be here soon.
Slowly, then all at once, the guests arrive. Letting Kate play hostess, I keep busy making sure to keep an eye out for whatever food needed to be replenished and check that everyone had drinks in their hands. But the instant Gabe walks into the room, my body lights on fire.
My entire being is buzzing with the electricity that passes between us, even on different sides of the room with a dozen people separating us.There’s no hiding how much I long for him.
I’ve missed him so damn much.
Trying to hide my tears, I quickly turn my back to him, hoping he hasn’t seen me yet. Working the tears back—not wanting my mascara to run—I dart into the bathroom, quickly shutting the door as I fight to regain my composure.
In no way am I emotionally stable enough to be in the same room as him. My heart is fluttering in my chest, I’m on the edge of hyperventilating, and I haven’t even spoken to him. Just being in the same damn room with him has my body going haywire.
I can’t do this.I have to get out of here.
Chapter 16
Gabriel
Walking into Tanner and Kate’s apartment has me wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. The second I walked through that door I knew she was here, almost like I could sense her. I managed to spot her across the room before she took notice of me and seeing her was like taking an arrow to the chest—all the air left my lungs and sharp pain took its place. She’s so damn beautiful.
I could tell the moment she knew I was in the room, her whole body stiffened, and the light left her eyes.Did I do that to her?Trying to not be obvious, I watch as she turns her back to me before practically running down the hall and into the bathroom.
My legs twitched with the need to follow after her, but I couldn’t. My heart wouldn’t be able to see her crying and not be able to do anything about it. So, I walk straight over to the bar and pour a large glass of whatever alcohol is closest. Whisky—that’ll work.Throwing back the amber liquid and feeling the welcoming burn of the alcohol, Tanner weaves his way through the crowd to me.
He slaps me on the shoulder in greeting. “Thanks for coming out, Gabe.” Setting the glass down on the bar, I greet my friend with a quick, back-slapping hug.
“You know I wouldn’t miss it.” Although I almost had. I sat in my truck for what seemed like ages, working up the nerve to drive into the city. It’d been three weeks since I had seen or talked to Mel and I couldn’t bring myself to see her. I knew if I saw her, I would crumble. The pain I felt with her gone was all-consuming. Some mornings it was hard to breathe knowing that I wouldn't be seeing her, holding her.
What had I done?
Tanner frowns, eyebrows pulling together as he watches me toss back another glass of whiskey. Typically, I’m not much of a drinker—a simple beer is enough for me. There are a couple of times that I have drunk more than I needed to and each one of those times reminds me of why I stick to beer.
Tanner leans in close, placing both elbows on the counter of the bar. “Gabe, what’s going on?”
There’s no way that I can explain to Tanner that I’m in love with his sister, have been sleeping with her, and then broke everything off because I couldn’t lose her. Even I could barely follow that logic—but it’s what I did.
Reaching for the bottle, I pour another glass. “It’s nothing.” If I knew Tanner, I knew he wouldn’t buy my bullshit answer.
“Nah. It’s clearly something.” Reaching over, Tanner takes the glass from my hand, placing it back on the bar before grabbing my shoulder and pushing me through the crowd. He guides me down the hallway—past the bathroom that Mel's currently in— and pushes me through the doorway to his and Kate’s bedroom.
Tanner closes the door behind him, folding his arms across his chest, effectively blocking the door. With nowhere to hide, I sit on the upholstered bench at the foot of their bed, elbows resting on my knees with my head in my hands.
“We can do this the hard way, or the easy way. It’s not like you to throw back two whiskeys at a party where there’s beer. Something’s eating you up and we’re not leaving until you tell me.”
Sighing, I do my best to argue. “It’s your engagement party.”
“Well, then you better hurry the fuck up and tell me. If Kate gets mad, I’ll let her take it out on you.” The stern set of his jaw proves he’s serious.
Barely a whisper, I say, “I can’t tell you.” There’s no telling what he would do when he found out what I did. It’s possible I could be losing another friend tonight.
He stands there, staring down at me, not saying a word. Tanner’s one stubborn son of a bitch, and he would keep us in here all night until I gave in.
Taking a deep breath, I begin to tell my story.
***
Tanner sits beside me on the bench, leaning forward on his elbows. He’d moved away from the door shortly after the words “I’m in love with Mel” escaped my lips. He stoically listened while I rambled on about Mel and me getting together. Of course, I left out the more graphic details—she is his sister, after all. Plus, I wouldn’t share the details of that information with anyone besides Mel.
I had expected him to get mad, to cuss me out for hurting his sister, but he did none of that. He calmly sat beside me, content to listen. I don’t know what I had expected this to look like, but this reaction isn’t something I saw coming. Tanner is generally a levelheaded person, but I know just how fierce he can be.
