His gaze turns to the windows as he says, “One favor.”
We lock eyes again when I tell him, “I’m afraid to ask.” Before I even finish my sentence, Gabe smirks as he looks over my shoulder. I quickly turn to see Kaden dragging Luke out of the bar.
“I guess you owe me that favor now.” I slowly turn to face him, waiting to hear my fate.
“And what’s the favor?”
“Let me love you.” His words stun me into silence. “And I don’t mean just right now. I mean forever.”
“Gabe…” I’m breathless.
“I know I can’t promise forever, Ender.” I love the way he says my name. “I sure want to try, though.” My heart jumps into my throat as tears well in my eyes. Hewantsto stay, toloveme.
“I love you, Ender. With every piece of my soul.” He pulls me in until there’s nothing separating us but our breath. I stop the emotions from breaking free, refusing to open my eyes. “I know I will always love you. Because this—” His hand touches my chest while he places mine on his. “—isn’t something I can walk away from.” I feel his lips brush against mine as he says, “So, just let me love you.”
My fist tightens around his shirt as I rest my forehead on his shoulder. His fingers thread through my hair, sending chills down my spine. “Okay,” I mumble against his skin.
“What was that?” Gabe teases, lightly squeezing my hip.
“I said okay.”
He cups his hand around his ear. “I didn’t quite hear you. What did you say?”
I meet his gaze head-on. “Just stay here with me, Gabe.”
His thumb swipes the tear rolling off my chin. “Consider it done.”
“Promise?” I ask him, leaning into his hand.
He raises a pinky between us. “Promise.” My eyes bounce back and forth between those blue eyes that I fell head over heels for, watching his unwavering sincerity. When I hook our pinkies and pull them up to my heart, he kisses me with the heat of a thousand suns.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I Kept a Secret
Gabe
“Why are you being so weird?” I think Ender is onto me. That’s the third time he’s asked me since we left my house.
“Babe, we’re just going to my parents’ house for dinner. Why is that weird?”
“I saidyou’rebeing weird—not going to your parents’ house.”
My lips against the back of his hand only momentarily distracts him as I stall for time.
“Yeah, you’re up to something, alright.”
We fall into a comfortable silence long enough for us to arrive at the house. Thankfully, my parents hired a valet service to park everyone’s cars up the road. As we walk into the quiet foyer, Ender says, “Since when do your parents forget to greet us at the door?”
“We’re supposed to meet them in the backyard.” I say as I rush to the back door—practically dragging Ender behind me—before he asks any other questions I can’t answer. When we get there, I turn to face him. “I love you, Bean.” His eyes go wide as he covers his mouth.
“Gabe, you didn’t…” As I open the door, the crowd on the other side of it screams “surprise,” and starts singing Happy Birthday. I take him into my arms, and I’m not sure if it’s for comfort or to keep him from running in the other direction.
“You’re in big trouble, mister,” he mumbles against my lips. Then our friends surround us, and we’re separated as Ender gets whisked away into a sea of hugs.
Luke and Austin lead me through the crowd. “Hey, Bryce. Thanks for helping us out here tonight,” I say as we approach the bar.
“Hey gorgeous. Of course,” he says as he sets a beer down in front of me. “What about you, handsome? Can I doanythingfor you?” Austin never knows how to respond to Bryce’s flirtatious behavior.
