Page 45 of Gabriel
“I’ve got some ideas,” he offers.
“We don’t need to hear them,” Julio deadpans.
“Come on. They’re good ideas. At least hear me out.” Felix complains.
Julio levels him with a glare. “I don’t need to hear it to know it’s not fucking happening. Whatever shit you’ve worked up, let it go.”
Felix folds his arms over his chest, and I can see he wants to argue, but we both know it’s a waste of breath. Julio is playing team leader right now. When he gets like this, we’re better off biding our time and waiting for the right opening.
Satisfied Felix isn’t going to interrupt him, Julio says, “You two head to the parking lot. Give me a few minutes to talk to her.” I open my mouth to argue, but Julio cuts me off. “You’re too close to this,” he says, expression serious. “Too close to her. Let me see if I can get through to her so you can drive her home, alright?”
Not giving me a chance to argue, he brushes past me, but I grab him by the back of the shirt. He stops and throws me a scowl over his shoulder.
“She doesn’t know you. What the hell makes you think you should be the one going up there right now?” The idea of anyone else consoling her makes my blood heat. It’s an irrational feeling, but one I can’t seem to shake.
Julio doesn’t respond to my anger. He’s always been the level-headed one of our group. He just shakes free from my hold and says, “Because I’m the one who helped Allie get through her shit. So, let me help your girl. Unless your pride is going to get in the way and you’re cool with her suffering more?”
My jaw tightens because fuck no, I’m not okay with that.
Waiting a beat, I nod, and Julio takes that as permission to approach her.
Felix tugs my arm in encouragement and even though I fucking hate the thought of leaving her there, I do what Julio suggested and head to the parking lot to wait.
I hate fucking waiting.
CHAPTER 15
CECILIA
Through my peripheral, I catch sight of Gabriel’s friend as he climbs the steps of the bleachers. He moves slowly. Cautious. The way you would if you were approaching a caged animal. Like he knows one wrong move and I’ll spook.
My shoulders are stiff, body wound tight in anticipation of what he wants. I clench my hands into fists, hating that his slow progression toward me makes my heart beat faster with each foot of distance he eliminates between us. It takes everything in me to stay in my seat. To not shove to my feet and race down the stairs to safety.
My knee bounces up and down. My breath quickens.
He pauses a few rows down from me and offers me a small wave. “Hey.” I glance at him briefly before choosing to ignore him as he takes a seat. He faces me, placing his back to the field, and leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees while his hands hang loosely together.
“I’m Julio.”
My gaze flicks over him and I take in his broad shoulders. The sweat-soaked shirt he wears. It clings to his chest,highlighting his muscular frame. The sheer strength he has in his tightly coiled body.
My knee bounces a little bit faster.
If I bolt and he gives chase, hands down, he will catch me. No question about it. This guy—Julio, he said his name is—is in peak physical form. I’m no scrub myself. I work out. And I swim. But I’m not a runner.
Julio’s eyes watch me, tracking my movements, but he keeps his expression blank, making it difficult to tell what he’s thinking.
I glance to the side, seeking out Gabriel, but I don’t see him or the other guy anywhere close by. Without being too noticeable, I scan the soccer field before shifting to the locker room. Did he leave? Would he do that?
I shake away the feeling of being abandoned that threatens to sink into me and focus on the guy seated before me. He’s who I need to worry about right now.
“If you’re looking for Gabe, he’s still here.”
I ignore him, pretending I don’t care while straining my ears in case he says anything else about Gabe’s whereabouts.
“I suggested he go wait by the car. Give you and me a few minutes to talk.”
My brows pull together. What do he and I have to talk about? I’ve never even met him before. Not that I know of, at least. I give him another casual once over, taking in the heavy ink tattooed into his skin. A lot of guys on campus have tattoos, but nothing like this.
