“Yeah, well…” he runs his hand through his hair. “He told me to stay away from you when I told him he better stop being a jackass and keep his dick in his pants.” His eyes fill with sadness to tell me this part. “I told him if he wanted you he needed to put you as number one priority in his life.” He stops but I know that isn’t it.
“And?” I ask.
“I told him I would stay away from you if he did.” Gabe stops walking and pulls me back to him and I fumble into his arms. “It’s been so hard Maddy.”
“You didn’t seem to be upset earlier.” I sneer regarding the drunk red head sucking his neck.
“God, I met her tonight. I was trying to move on. Grady and the guys brought me down here to get my mind off of you. I don’t want her Maddy but I don’t know what to do anymore.” He sits down in the sand with his head in his knees.
“I don’t know either.” I sit down next to him extending my legs out crossing at the ankle. Not exactly the ideal spot to sit in a dress, especially one this short.
“Can I ask you a question?” He peaks his head over to me and those blue eyes are filled with agony. I nod my head. “Where were you at last semester with us?”
“Um…” I hesitate. How do I tell him that as confused as I am about him and Trent he weaseled into my heart at some point during those short months?
“Please Maddy, I have to know.” He grabs my hand turning towards me.
“Pretty much the same as you. I don’t think I truly realized it until after you stopped calling or coming over. It completely destroyed me.”
“Really?” He seems surprised.
“Yeah.” I bite my lip smiling up at him.
“Doesn’t that just make it ten times more complicated? I thought for sure I was alone with this.” He motions between the two of us.
“Nope.”
“You just made me the happiest guy and the most pissed off guy at the same time.”
“Why?”
“I want you, you want me but I made this promise to my brother.” He shakes his head back and forth.
“Don’t I have a say in any of this?’ I ask annoyed.
“Trent loves you Maddy and I am pretty sure you love him too. I should have never interfered between you guys.”
“You didn’t interfere. Trent is the one who wanted to break up. Trent is the one who wanted to live out his college days without a girlfriend. So he should be able to fuck a different girl every night of the week and I should wait around until he is ready to commit? I refuse to live my life like that.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I am his brother. He should have been able to trust me with his girlfriend.”
“OH MY GOD.” I scream. “I wasn’t then and I am not now Trent Basso’s girlfriend.” I yell.
I go to stand up but Gabe grabs my face with both his hands and kisses me. Before I notice I am laying down on the sand with him half on top of me. He puts his lips over mine urgently thrusting his tongue in my mouth. My tongue is slow to join in but when they touch a surge abrupts through my body and I can’t get enough. I put my hand on the back of his neck holding him to me eager for his taste.
“You have no idea how long I have wanted to kiss you.” He murmurs quietly.
I whimper into his mouth agreeing with him not wanting him to pull away again.
Gabe and I lay on the beach for two more hours kissing, hugging and touching each other. We don’t talk about Trent anymore or why we shouldn’t be together. We don’t discuss the promise he made not to touch me. We relish our time together away from anyone who would judge us.
When we stand up to go back to the hotel, Gabe holds me close to him with his arm around my waist. He walks me to my room and kisses me goodnight. No mention of seeing me tomorrow or what the future would hold for us. I don’t know where we stand so I kiss him fully before saying good-bye just in case that will be my last time tasting Gabe Basso.
I am thankful Mackenna is asleep when I enter the dark room. Lying in the bed I drift asleep thinking of Gabe’s amazing lips.
Chapter 16 – Present Day
“Back to Chicago?” I question Trent who is leaning back in his black Mercedes.
He nods his head yes. “How was Great Adventures?”
“Fine.” I hope he doesn’t notice my face turning red. I know I have to tell him but I can’t do it yet.
“So I take it you found out the news?” He looks over at me out of the corner of his eye. If anyone knows how I would take my mom dating someone seriously it would be him.
“Yeah. So I guess we will be related.”
“Not in the sense I had always hoped.” He smiles. “Kidding aside, my uncle is a good guy. Your mom seems…different since the incident.”
“I was really surprised when I got home. I not only didn’t recognize my house but my mom was totally different. I just hope she changes for good, you know?”
“I know Maddy.” He squeezes my knee in agreement. This is where Trent knows me. He has seen my mom at her worst and knows how it affects me.
“Did your uncle really remodel my mom’s house?”
“He had some help but yeah he did. I know your mom told him about that night. My uncle asked me about it. Are you upset?” I can hear the tension in his voice. This is a touchy subject for me and he is aware of it.
“At first I was upset but if she is really getting better than I am happy she is being truthful with him.” I don’t mention that I was torn apart when I thought Gabe knew.
“Don’t worry, I know my uncle would never tell anyone.” He assures me.
“Thanks, I hope not.” I say.
We pull up to his condo building, parking in his reserved spot. Trent opens the door and I see some of his furniture was delivered today. It’s amazing what money can get you. Trent thought I didn’t see him slip the salesman extra cash to get the priority service he likes.
“The couch looks nice.” I go over and sit on it.
“Yeah, it was delivered this afternoon. I really like it. Thanks Mad.” Trent comes over sitting next to me with a fist full of menus.
“No restaurant?” I ask.
“I thought we could order in and watch a movie or something. Is that ok?” He asks.
“Of course.” I am astonished Trent wants to stay in. In the year we lived together I think we stayed in a total of two times. He always wanted to go out on the town. Eat at every restaurant, see every show and dance at every nightclub. Trent Basso to stay at home on any night of the week was unheard of.
“Here you go. You pick.” He hands me the stack of menus and then gets up walking to the kitchen.
“Do you mind if we get pizza? I haven’t had Chicago pizza since being home and I love New York pizza but it just doesn’t compare to the deep dish.” I ask.
“Spinach and Onion?” Trent double checks if is still my favorite.
“Yep, get half sausage for you.” I reply.
“Sounds good.”
I hear Trent order the pizza, a salad then call his doorman letting him know to expect it. I turn the television on making myself comfortable on the chaise part of the couch. It is all so familiar and comfortable being with Trent. I almost feel like we haven’t been apart and I can see this being our condo, living here with Trent.
“Do you want some wine?” He asks already getting a glass out and a chilled bottle of Chardonnay from the fridge.
“Sure.” I flip the channel to the National Geographic station, a show about a family in Alaska that live off the land.
He comes over handing me my wine and I can’t help feeling his eyes on me. When I turn to face him I see his desire for me. I’ve seen those eyes a million times looking at me like this. “You’re so beautiful Maddy.” He silently says to me.