Page 17 of The Replay
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I whisper back, but the words feel heavy, weighed down by all the emotions swirling inside me.
Gabriel’s arms tighten around me, his body a shield against the world, but I can feel the weight of his guilt, the tension radiating from him. His chest rises and falls in uneven breaths, and I close my eyes, sinking deeper into his warmth, even though I know I shouldn’t. Not like this.
“You don’t have to lie to me,” he says, his voice raw, vibrating through his chest. “I fucked up. You needed me, and I wasn’t there for you. But I’m going to fix this. I won’t let you down again, I swear.”
I pull back just enough to look up at him, the shadows of the streetlights casting lines across his face, making him look both softer and harder all at once. His honey-brown eyes search mine, desperate for something, and I know he’s looking for forgiveness, but it’s more than that. He needs me to trust him again. To believe he can protect me, even when everything feels out of control.
But trust? That’s not something you can fix with a few words and a desperate kiss.
“I’m not lying,” I say, my voice small, my chest tightening. “I’m just … tired, Gabriel. I’m really freaking tired.”
He lifts his hand, brushing a strand of hair from my face, the touch so gentle, so reverent, it makes my throat burn. “I know, baby. I know you are.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “Come home with me.”
I blink up at him, heart stuttering in my chest. “What?”
“Just for tonight,” he murmurs, his forehead pressing against mine again, his breath warm against my lips. “You’re exhausted, and I’m losing my fucking mind. I just need to know you’re okay. I need to keep you close. For my own sanity.”
I close my eyes, my resolve crumbling with every word he speaks. Ishouldsay no. I should push him away, tell him we need space, that this isn’t the answer. But my body betrays me, leaning into him, craving the safety his arms promise.
After everything that’s happened tonight, there’s nowhere else I’d feel safe. No one else I’d trust to keep me grounded.
“It’s a bad idea,” I whisper, the words barely audible as I rest my head back against his chest. His heart is still pounding, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.
“Then why does it feel like the only option?” he asks softly, his lips brushing my temple.
A shiver runs down my spine, and I nod, unable to argue with the truth in his words. Because itdoesfeel like the only option. Even if it’s temporary. Even if I know we’re walking a dangerous line.
Gabriel’s the only one I want near me right now.
“Okay,” I whisper, almost to myself. “Just for tonight.”
His arms tighten, and I can feel the tension leave his body, like he was holding his breath, waiting for me to pull away. “Thank you.“ His voice is thick with relief.
Without another word, Gabriel takes my hand and leads me to the car. His touch is firm but gentle, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go. Felix sits in the front seat, his gaze flicking between us as we slide into the back.
“Everything good?” Felix asks, his tone cautious, but filled with an unspoken understanding.
Gabriel nods, pulling me into his side the moment we’re both seated. “Yeah. We’re good.”
Felix doesn’t ask any more questions, just throws the car into drive and heads for the soccer house. I lean into Gabriel, letting his warmth seep into me, the steady rhythm of his breathing a balm to my frayed nerves. His arm stays wrapped around me the entire ride, his fingers tracing light patterns on my arm.
When we pull up to the house, Gabriel doesn’t waste a second. He opens the door and helps me out, his hand never leaving mine as he guides me inside. The familiar smell of him—cologne and something distinctlyGabriel—soothes me, keeps me from falling apart.
The house is quiet, the lights dim, and there’s an eerie sense of calm as we walk through the door. It feels surreal, like this moment isn’t supposed to exist. Like we’re suspended in time, just the two of us, trying to navigate through all the wreckage of tonight.
“You need anything? Water? Something to eat?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m okay.”
Julio and Atticus, with Deacon only a few steps behind them, step into the room having come from deeper within the house.
“Everything good?” Julio asks, taking in the three of us.
“All good,” Felix says, but some other form of silent communication passes between them.
“We’re going to head upstairs. We’ll talk more in the morning,” Gabriel tells them.
Julio frowns but doesn’t object as Gabriel tugs on my hand, encouraging me to follow him.
