“Alright, but after that reception I am announcing you are mine and I don’t care what anyone says.” He kisses me so thoroughly my knees almost give out but he holds me up.
“Deal” I say.
When we get closer to the wedding group, I release Gabe’s hand and he releases a long breath of frustration. I wish it didn’t have to be like this but I can already feel his mom’s eyes on us along with everyone else’s disapproving looks. Jack has always been there for me and I won’t ruin his wedding.
After we rejoin everyone, it is a little after four. All of a sudden I don’t see Gabe anywhere but notice my mom with that man from the restaurant. From my moms conversation I assume he is a family member of the Bassos but in all my years at family holidays and gatherings I couldn’t place him. She smiles up at him and he reaches his arm around her pulling her closer. Regardless of who he is you would be blind not to see the love between them. Just as I am about to look away my mom catches me staring and starts walking over with the mystery man in tow.
Although I am happy it isn’t Gabe she is bringing over to meet me, I am still nervous. In the years after my parents’ divorce my mom never dated anyone who would want to get to know me. She usually entertained the men at night after I went to bed or wasn’t home. By the time I got up in the morning she would sneak them out the backdoor like a teenager. I knew this was a huge step for my mother and I didn’t want to make it awkward for her.
“Maddy, where did you and Gabe go? You have been missing the whole afternoon.” Looking at the smile on her face I am abruptly aware of what is going on. She wants me with Gabe and is ecstatic that we went off by ourselves.
“She rode the Eagle Barb, you should have seen her.” Gabe comes up from behind me laughing. He doesn’t place his hand on my back or lace it with mine, just stands there next to me. The heat radiating between us is fierce and I wonder how long I can pretend I don’t want to jump into his arms kissing him all over.
“Someone kind of tricked me into it” I smirk over Gabe’s way but he just winks at me.
“Come on, you barely knew you were riding it” he licks his lips and I never wanted my mouth on someone else’s so bad.
“I think its great Maddy, good for you.” My mom nods her head with confusion in her eyes. “I want to introduce you to someone Maddy.” My mom brings the mystery man forward with her hand entwined with his.
“Hey Uncle Mitch. How is it going?” Gabe reaches out shaking his hand.
“Hi Gabe, got here a little late but luckily I made it in time to take this one on some roller coasters. You know how the women cuddle close to you when they get scared.” He laughs making my mom playfully slap his shoulder but leaning into him. She resembles a teenage girl crushing on the captain of the football team.
“Yeah, I know a little something about that.” Gabe murmurs staring down at me. Luckily my mom doesn’t notice my face getting redder by the minute since she is too enthralled with Uncle Mitch.
“Maddy, this is Mitch. Mitch this is my daughter Madeline.” My mom points back and forth to us.
“Hi Madeline, Mitch Basso.” He shakes my hand. His handshake is firm and soft at the same time. I can see the hesitation in his eyes. He is worried I won’t like him. Little does he know it never matters to my mom if I like the men in her life, he has nothing to worry about.
“Hi Mr. Basso.” I shake his hand back. I am surprised to feel no calluses on them, telling me he is not a worker with his hands like the rest of his family.
“Please call me Mitch.”
“Well then it’s Maddy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I have heard about you nonstop by not only your mother but my family as well.” He smiled showing no signs of the horrible things I could imagine Mrs. Basso saying about me.
“How is it that I have never meet you? I mean I have known the Bassos my whole life and usually attend every holiday…until recently.”
“Uncle Mitch lived in Arizona. Never came home much.” Gabe chimed in.
“Until last year that that is” Mitch said smiling down at my mom.
“Am I to assume you are Mr. Basso’s brother?” I ask.
“You assume right, younger by two years.” He confirms.
“Even though he looks older than me by ten.” Mr. Basso comes to Mitch’s side slapping his back in amusement. “Where have you two been all day?” He stares at Gabe and me. His face is calm and relaxed.
“Just riding some rides and stuff.” Gabe’s response quick and short.
“I thought Maddy didn’t ride roller coasters. At least that’s what I remember.” Mrs. Basso snidely comments standing alongside her husband.
“Oh Wendy she rode the Eagle today with Gabe.” My mom cheers not noticing the glare coming from Mrs. Basso.
“How nice that must have been for the two of you? Too bad Trent couldn’t be here to join you” The coolness from her voice shakes everyone in our circle. Even Mitch seems taken back by her comment looking from her to my mom questioning.
“As you know Mom, Trent has stuff to do with the team today.” Gabe responds giving his mom a look of death.
“If you will all excuse me I need to use the restroom before we head back.” I say.
I can feel Gabe’s eyes on me as I walk the ten steps to the women’s bathroom. Right before I open the door, I peek over to him seeing the smile that encases his lips and I shake off his mom. He obviously doesn’t care what she thinks so I shouldn’t either.
By the time I get out of the bathroom, taking my time willing his mom to leave I am happy to see Gabe sitting in front of the water fountain by himself. His elbows rest on his knees while he leans forward typing something onto his phone. He hasn’t spotted me yet so I take him all in. He is absolutely gorgeous and I can’t believe he wants me.
“Where did everyone go?” I walk up to him taping his foot with mine.
He encircles his arms around my waist bringing me down to his lap. “Gone. Thank god. I need those lips on mine.” He crushes his lips to mine and I welcome them.
“Are you sure everyone is gone?” I pull back a little. “Where is my mom?”
“She went with Uncle Mitch.” He kisses me again.
“What about Ian?” I stop us again.
“Went with your brother.” He kisses my lips again.
“What about…”
“Maddy, everyone is gone.” He irritatingly says placing his hands firmly around me.
“Ok, cause I just don’t want…”
Gabe quickly stands up practically shoving me onto the ground. “I know, you don’t want it getting back to Trent.” He starts walking to the front gate. “Let’s go.”
“No…Yes, I thought we were in agreement over this. After the wedding we would tell everyone.” I stutter while trying to catch up with him. In all my years of knowing Gabe I have never seen him possess so many moods in such a short time frame.
“I know Maddy. What did you think? That I would kiss you knowing someone was still here to catch us. I hate it that I can’t just take your hand in front of them or kiss your cheek but I will do it for you.” He never stops walking spitting the words towards me.
“I wish it was different Gabe, I do.” I put my hand on his arm for him to stop but he doesn’t so I grab his hand pulling it down.
“What Maddy?” He turns around staring at the ground.
“Gabe.” I sigh putting my hand to the side.
“Sorry, I just want everyone to know you are mine and I feel like you are so worried what everyone will think and I don’t know.” He shakes his head not being able to finish.
“I want that too.” I stare at him.
Before I can open my mouth he has his lips on mine again but this time he is more forceful and demanding. Thrusting his tongue in my mouth exploring until mine joins in. He grabs my hips pulling them into him and I feel how badly he wants this. His hands grab my ass pushing me up so my legs wrap around his waist. I wrap my arms around his neck bringing his mouth on me. His mouth starts to explore my jaw, neck and ear as I clutch him closer to me. Somehow Gabe gets us to the car never letting go of me and when he opens the back seat we both climb in.