“Sarah. Why? Please tell me,” he whispered. “I need to know what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”
Slowly I opened my mouth again. “Because I – I want to, Gabe. I’m choosing y—” but he cut me off. Slamming his lips to mine, I became limp from his touch. I guess he could feel my body becoming weak because one hand left my face and quickly wrapped around my waist.
Feeling every bit of his body up against mine was exhilarating. The way his arms wrapped around me and held me tightly against him. The feeling of his mouth against mine. How his tongue felt when it touched mine. I especially loved when he groaned into my mouth after I nipped his bottom lip.
Hearing that one single solitary noise, I wrapped my arms around his neck and swirled my fingers through his short, thick brown hair. As I felt his tongue enter my mouth, I felt goose bumps and chills run all over my entire body.
Just as I started to hold on tightly to his hair, Gabe quickly let go of me. I looked at Gabe, who was taking deep breaths in and out. “Wha – what’s the matter?”
Dropping his head, Gabe let out a breath and started mumbling.
I started to take a step towards Gabe, but he placed a hand up for me to stay put. Looking up at me, Gabe muttered, “I’m just going to go to the bathroom for a second. I just need a few seconds, Sarah.”
“Oh, okay, Gabe,” I mumbled as I dropped my head. I thought, maybe tonight it was going to be different for the two of us, but I guess I was wrong. Pointing towards the elevator, I said, “I’ll just meet you over there.”
Nodding, he said, “Okay,” and quickly turned and walked off towards the bathroom.
Once he was out of sight I let my shoulders drop and let out a breath.
“What was that?” Taylor shrieked next to me.
Waving my hand, I said, “Nothing.”
“That didn’t seem like just nothing, Sarah,” she said.
Looking over towards Taylor, I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. After releasing it, I looked over towards her and that’s when the waterworks started.
“Oh Sarah, it’s okay,” Taylor said as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. She kissed me on my cheek. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Shaking my head in the crook of her neck, I mumbled, “No.” As I pulled back and let go of her I quickly wiped the few tears that had fallen from my eyes. “Thanks.”
“For what?” she asked.
“For being there for me,” I said sincerely as I smiled.
Before I knew it, Taylor quickly had me in another hug. Letting out a giggle, I said, “Okay, Taylor. I said thanks for being there for me.” Pushing her off me, I looked at her. “That doesn’t mean we’re best friends.”
Looking at me, Taylor started to smile. “But we could be friends? Right?” she asked.
“Yeah, maybe,” I said as I shrugged my shoulders. Just as I said that, I saw Gabe exiting the bathroom and waving his hand towards Ryder for him to meet us at the elevator. Looking back at Taylor, I said, “Come on, we’re getting ready to leave.”
“Okay,” Taylor cheered as she clapped her hands. Looking over towards me, she winked. “I’m off to see my man.” Taylor giggled out and ran off towards Ryder.
I turned towards the elevator and saw Gabe standing up straight with his hands in his pockets, staring at me. His jaw was set and his eyes were zeroed in on me. Gulping, I slowly started to walk towards him. Just as I made it, he grabbed for my hand but I held up a finger and said, “Don’t, Gabe.” I shook my head. “Just don’t. Please.”
“Sarah, wha—” Gabe started to ask, but was cut off when Ryder and Taylor came over.
“Ready?” Ryder asked as he pulled a flask out of his jacket pocket.
“Can I have a sip?” Taylor asked as she drug her hands all over his chest.
I knew for a fact Taylor and I would never be best friends. I didn’t even think we would be friends, for that matter. I just hoped we could at least be cordial.
“Sure, babe,” Ryder said as he handed her the flask.
Just as Taylor was about to take it from him, I swiped it from him. Putting the top to my lips, I smelled it and automatically knew it was whiskey. Of course it was. That was Ryder’s go to drink. Taking a big swig, I heard Ryder say, “Easy, Sar-bear, because I’m not going to be holding your hair while you blow chunks tonight.”
Swallowing the liquid, I made a face. “Ugh!” I said, shaking my head. Looking over towards Ryder, I gave him back the flask. “Chill, smartass.” I shrugged. “You know how I can drink.”
“Yeah, I know,” Ryder said after he swallowed the gulp of whiskey he had in his mouth. Handing the flask to Taylor, he looked at me. “But I also know you haven’t drank in a while, Sarah, so please be careful.”
I waited for Taylor to finish her sip, then I grabbed it from her. Before taking another gulp, I looked over at Ryder and snipped, “You’re not my dad, Ryder.”
As he put his hands up, he looked over at Gabe and said, ‘She’s all yours.”