“I’m not his,” I let out. I glared at Gabe. “I never was.”
Sucking in a breath, he let it out and said solemnly, “Come on, guys, let’s get going.” As he turned towards the elevator, Ryder grabbed me by my upper arm and pulled me off to a corner.
“Let go of me!” I demanded.
“No!” Ryder bellowed. “You better listen up now, Sarah! I’m not dealing with this shit tonight! I don’t know what the fuck is going on with you, but give Gabe a break, okay?”
“Are you fucking serious?” I yelled as I pushed him away from me. “Do you have any idea what he’s done to me?” I lowered my voice to a whisper. “You have no idea, Ryder. You have no idea.”
“You know what I know, Sarah?” Ryder yelled. He pointed over towards the elevator where Gabe was standing. “That guy wants you! You! An uptight, know it all bitch who has a stick up her ass.” He let out a laugh. “Yeah, I said it and I’ll say it again if I have to.”
“I can’t believe you just said that, Ryder,” I whispered.
Grabbing me in a hug, Ryder said, “I love you, Sarah. I always have. But you need to let someone else in besides me.” Releasing me, he looked into my eyes. “And I think it should be Gabe.”
“I love you too, Ryder,” and smiled up at him. I couldn’t believe how lucky I felt to have a best friend like him.
Nodding my head over towards Gabe, I asked, “What do I do?”
“I don’t know, Sarah, but what I do know is that you have to make a choice,” Ryder said as he shrugged his shoulders.
“What choice?” I asked. I had no idea what exactly he was talking about.
Leaning in for my ears only he whispered, “Whether or not you think he’s worth it.”
Taking a step back, I looked at him and I could see just how serious he was. Raising his eyebrows, he said, “I’m serious, Sarah.”
“I know you are,” I whispered back, and looking over towards Gabe, I said, “I know what I want.”
“Good,” Ryder said.
Turning back towards him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and said, “Thank you, Ryder. I’m so lucky to have you as my best friend.”
Just as he kissed the top of my head, he joked, “Everyone wants to be my best friend, Sarah. You should feel lucky.”
Pushing him away, I laughed. “Oh my God, Ryder, you are such an ass!”
“You love me anyway, Sar-bear,” he said.
“Um, not really,” I joked back.
“What?” he asked. “I’m hurt.” He faked as he placed a hand to his chest.
Slapping his chest, I said, “Okay, smartass!” I nodded towards the door. “Let’s get going.” As I nodded my head, I whispered under my breath, “Okay.”
Lightly, Ryder slapped me on the back. Nodding his head over towards where Gabe was standing, Ryder smiled. “Gabe will be okay, Sar-bear.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I just know,” he said. Giving me one last smile, Ryder turned towards where Gabe and Taylor were waiting for the two of us and headed off in that direction.
Standing there for a few more seconds, I said, “I hope you’re right, Ryder.” As I walked over to where they were waiting for me, my heart beat was beating out of my chest and it seemed like I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs. “What am I doing?” I asked myself. Sucking in a breath, I looked up and saw Gabe was staring right at me.
Walking over to him without looking away I started to say, “I’m sorry,” but he cut me off.
“It’s okay, Sarah.” Gabe gave me a crooked smile.
“Okay,” I said quietly.
After going down the elevators, we started to walk off in the direction of the limo when Gabe whispered in my ear, “Do you mind if I talk to you for a second, Sarah?”
“Uh, sure,” I said hesitantly. Stopping, I stood still and waited impatiently for Ryder and Taylor to get into the limo. I could see Taylor already stumbling and I knew tonight was not going to be a good night.
As I fidgeted with my French-manicured fingernails, I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was about talking with Gabe. “What do you want to talk about?” I blurted out. I couldn’t take it any longer.
“Us.”
“What do you mean?” I asked in a shocking tone as I turned towards Gabe, who was staring at me like he was mesmerized. “What do you want, Gabe?”
Stepping towards me, Gabe placed a hand on either side of my upper arms. “I want you, Sarah.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve always wanted you, Sarah.”
I sucked in a breath. “I can’t do this now, Gabe,” as I waved my hands in every direction known to man. Spinning around to face him, I screamed, “Why now?” I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him as hard as I could. “Why, Gabe? Why?” I attempted to push him. However, because of his size, he wouldn’t even budge. I think he took small steps back just to make me happy. Dropping my arms to my side, I lowered my head “I don’t know what to do, Gabe.”
Cupping my face in his hands Gabe whispered, “Please look at me, Sarah.”