Gabe bares his teeth but eases back, his entire body vibrating with barely tempered restraint.
Austin’s hands raise in mock surrender even as his smile remains cold and satisfied. He tips an imaginary hat my way. “The bitch route it is. Good thing you cut this one loose.” He chuckles. “See you around, Cece. Enjoy class.” He turns to saunter down the now empty hall and disappears around the corner just as the late bell rings, his jaunty whistle echoing back to Gabriel and me where we stand.
I slump against the wall, shaking and fighting back irrational tears. I’m going to be sick. Or pass out. Or both. Now that the adrenaline is leaving my system, I’m falling apart fast.
Fuck.
Why won’t Austin just leave me alone? What is it going to take? I’ve done everything he’s asked. There’s nothing left for me to give. No further concession I can make.
Pulling in one gasping breath after another, I close my eyes, counting down from one hundred to quell the rising panic threatening to choke me. If Gabriel hadn’t been here … No. I can’t think about that right now.
I’m fine. Austin is gone. I’m going to be fine.
Deep breath in.Exhale.Deep breath out.
My hands tremble as I smooth back my long brown hair, my fingers unsteady.
I avoid Gabriel’s searching gaze, instead staring down at the Volcom graphic on my oversized T-shirt. It hangs off one shoulder, exposing more bare skin than I’d like. Should have stuck with a sweater.
I cross my arms over my chest and try to stop shaking.
Gentle fingers under my chin tilt my head up. I nearly flinch away but remind myself this isn’t Austin. It’s Gabe. And Gabriel is safe. He won’t hurt me. Even though when we last spoke, I was the one to hurt him.
His honey-gold eyes bore into mine, his jaw clenched. “Are you okay?”
I open my mouth but can’t find any words. I manage a slight nod. A lie. But denying that I’m all right won’t help either of us right now.
Gabriel’s nostrils flare, a muscle in his cheek feathering. I can see the effort it takes to rein in his anger. He doesn’t like my response. He doesn’t believe me.
His thumb brushes my cheek. A barely there caress before dropping away. My heart plummets, and already I mourn the loss of his touch.
“Come on,” he says roughly. “Let’s get you to class.”
He turns on his heel, shoulders rigid, but keeps his steps short. A way to ensure I’m able to keep up with his longer stride.
I trail after him. My legs are unsteady, and my gut churns with all the words left unsaid between us. Gabriel isn’t supposed to save me. I’m not his responsibility. Not anymore.
I just wish I was strong enough to save myself.
CHAPTER 29
CECILIA
The day drags on at a snail’s pace. Sitting through my first class of the week with Gabriel is uncomfortable, to say the least. There’s this heavy tension hanging between us, and despite the weeks that have passed, it never seems to abate.
He still sits beside me, just like before—when he bothers to show up to class at least. And I know the classes he’s missed lately are because of me. But even when he’s here, he doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t flash me that crooked smile of his. He doesn’t try to pull me into conversation.
I used to hate that. Hated that he wanted to be friends. That he tried to pull me out of my shell. But this … this is so much worse.
It’s a painful, suffocating silence.
The weight of unspoken words fill the space where casual banter used to flow, and by the time the bell rings signaling the end of class, I’m desperate for a reprieve from it.
Only there isn’t one. Gabriel and I have two classes together today, and I get the feeling that the next one will be even worse. I don’t know how to fix this. And if I’m honest, I’m not entirely sure I want to.
He isn’t supposed to be my friend. He isn’t supposed to be my anything.
Mom used to say,time heals all wounds.
