Page 261 of Gabriel
“So, uh.” He rubs the back of his neck, his expression sheepish. “I heard the Wolves have a game coming up.”
I nod. “Yeah. Next weekend against Suncrest U.” Where is he going with this?
His lips press together, and he shifts on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “Would you mind if we … I don’t know, maybe, grabbed a beer after the game?”
Oh, fuck no. I open my mouth to shut that down, but he barrels on.
“You can bring some of your teammates,” he adds, his tone almost desperate now. “Doesn’t need to be anything weird. Just … casual. Adam just wants a chance to hang out. That’s all.”
I want to tell him to fuck off. To tell him and Adam both to leave me alone. But something in his eyes—something about the way he’s trying so damn hard for his brother—makes me pause.
He must see the hesitation because he’s quick to follow up. “You don’t have to commit right now. I’ll give you my number. If you decide it’s cool, just let me know. No pressure, yeah?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. Whatever.” I pull out my phone and punch in his number, more out of obligation than any real intent to use it.
“Cool.” He nods, clearly relieved. “We’ll see you at the game.”
He turns and walks away, leaving me standing there alone with the heaviness of a conversation I didn’t want to have.
I swing my leg over the bike, the weight of the helmet in my hand feeling heavier than usual. I don’t want to be a dick to these guys. But fuck, I don’t know how to let them in.
CHAPTER 88
CECILIA
The cursor blinks on my laptop screen, the words from my online homework assignment blurring together as my mind drifts.
I can’t seem to focus today.
I keep replaying our date at The Wolf Den two nights ago, how tense Gabriel was after talking to Adam. He hasn’t mentioned it since, and I haven’t pushed, but it’s been gnawing at me.
I sigh, rubbing my temples just as I hear my mom call from downstairs.
“Cecilia, you have a visitor!”
I frown, pushing away from my desk. The tone in her voice is—excited. I head downstairs, the soft creak of the stairs beneath my feet the only sound breaking the silence. When I reach the bottom, I pause. My mom is standing in the doorway, her eyes flicking between me and the porch.
“Guess who’s here?” she says with a wide grin as she steps aside.
Gabriel stands on the front porch, one hand in his pocket, the other holding onto his helmet. His eyes are shadowed withsomething I can’t quite place. He looks exhausted, worn out, like something’s pulling him under, and not for the first time today, my stomach tightens with worry.
I thought we were meeting later tonight?
“Gabriel …” His name barely makes it past my lips.
My mom senses the weight of the moment and offers a small, understanding smile. “I’ll give you two some privacy.” She disappears into the kitchen, leaving us alone.
Gabriel steps forward, his mouth bracketed with strain, but before I can ask what’s wrong, he speaks. “Can you come out with me? Please. I know it’s early but …”
It’s the “please” that gets me. It’s clipped, heavy, like he’s holding onto something he can’t control. I don’t ask questions. I don’t need to. I just nod. “Give me a second.”
I rush back upstairs, grabbing my shoes and the first sweater I find, my heart thudding in my chest. I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, it’s eating at him.
When I return to the porch, Gabriel’s still there, leaning against the railing. The weight in his posture tells me more than any words could right now. He hands me his helmet, the familiar shadow of the matte black visor swallowing the light.
“Here,” he says, his voice quiet.
I take the helmet, slip it on, and follow him to his bike. The engine roars to life as I climb on behind him, my arms wrapping around his waist. The leather of his jacket is cool under my fingers, the solid warmth of his body grounding me.
