Page 267 of Gabriel
Gabriel stands, his expression softening. “I’ll drop you off.”
I shake my head, grabbing my phone. “It’s okay. I already texted Adriana. She’s going to swing by and pick me up on her way.”
He doesn’t argue, just watches as I gather my things. But before I can head to the door, he pulls me into his arms, his lips brushing against mine in a lingering kiss that leaves me breathless.
“You sure you don’t want to stay?” he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and tempting. “You could skip practice. We could stay in. Have a movie night ...”
I laugh, swatting his chest playfully. “Nice try. I’ll see you later.”
He leans down, pressing one last kiss to my lips. “After practice.” He doesn’t voice it as a question but I answer him anyway.
“I’ll try," I whisper, my heart so incredibly full as I head out his front door.
CHAPTER 91
GABRIEL
The cool air brushes against my skin as I step out of the communications building, the bite of winter just around the corner, matching the chill creeping into my mood. I shift the weight of my bag on my shoulder. Everything feels a little heavier today, maybe because I miss having my girl here. Having Cecilia beside me in class, walking next to her through the crowded halls, the touch of her fingers brushing mine as we’d weave through campus like it was our own world.
Before all the shit with Austin, seeing her every weekday was a guarantee, part of my routine. But that’s not the case anymore.
It’s been four days since we shared a meal together at my place, and I hate how much I fucking miss her. We’ve both been running on empty—her dealing with attorney meetings about Austin’s sentencing, a swim meet out of town, and me drowning in practices and classes. Even texting back and forth has been a struggle, and I hate it.
It's a stark contrast to when we’d grab lunch between classes, her exasperated smile always lightening my mood, no matter how shitty my day had been.
I run a hand through my hair, thinking about how it felt to kiss her goodbye the other day. She'd been heading out with Adriana, but the way her lips lingered against mine made it clear she missed me too. That connection between us, it's a lifeline I didn’t know I needed until now.
As I cut across campus, my mind drifts to her, wondering what she’s doing right now. Is she home studying or is she putting in some time in the pool?
Hell, I didn’t even get to see her meet the other day. It sucks. I’m used to being there, cheering her on, supporting her. This whole week has just been … off.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, yanking me out of my thoughts. I pull it out and glance at the screen just as I spot Julio coming toward me, cutting through the parking lot.
His black hair is damp, clinging to his forehead, like he’s just come from the locker room. I raise a hand in greeting, meeting him halfway.
“Yo, Gabe!” Julio calls, slapping my shoulder. “How was class?”
“Same as usual, man. What’ve you been up to?” I ask, wondering if I was supposed to train with him today and forgot.
Julio rubs the back of his tattooed neck. “Just putting in a little extra time in the gym,” he tells me. “I had some free time and needed to work through some …” his expression twists into a scowl before he quickly masks it with a failed attempt at a casual shrug. “Just needed to work through some things.”
Right. Some things. That look in his eyes—one I know too well—tells me everything I need to know. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with Adriana, would it?”
He huffs out a breath, his face tightening. “Of course not.” But his answer comes too quick.
“Good.” I try to keep my tone light. “I know she’s been kicking it with that guy, Kenji. And I know you’ve?—”
“Seriously, Gabe. I don’t need to know. I couldn’t care less who Adriana hangs out with or what she’s up to.”
His voice goes flat, and the tension rolling off him is almost visible.
“Right.” It’s obvious he doesn’t want to talk about this though so I let the subject drop.
“Did you happen to see Coach while you were in the gym?” I ask, steering the conversation toward safer ground.
Julio’s jaw tightens. “Yeah. He’s still pretty pissed with how practices have been going.”
“Fucking brutal. Coach ran us hard. Probably harder than we deserved, but I think he’s pissed we’re not clicking like we should be yet.”
