Hesitantly I looked up at him.
“I – I thought I could be different tonight.”
I wasn’t sure if he even meant to say that out loud. “What do you mean?” I whispered. I could see tears beginning to fill his eyes as he looked into mine. “Gabe, what’s the matter?” I placed a hand on his five o’clock shadow.
“I thought I could fake this, but I can’t, Sarah.” Lowering his head, he closed his eyes. “I can’t,” he said under his breath as he shook his head back and forth.
I didn’t even think before I lifted his head just enough so I could put my lips to his. Hesitating at first, Gabe then wrapped his arms around my waist and crushed my body to his.
This kiss was totally different. It was raw and sexual and real. It was everything I had ever read about in books and seen in movies. It was something I had always wanted. And I wanted this with Gabe.
As he started to break away from my lips and kiss his way around my face and neck, I whispered in his ear, “I need you, Gabe.”
Quickly he let go of me. “Sarah, that’s not what this is about,” as he shook his head.
“Yes, it is,” I said as I took a step towards him. Placing a hand below his chin, I forced his head up so he would look at me. “Gabe, I want you,” I said. It wasn’t pretend. It wasn’t because of prom. It was because I was finally choosing what I wanted in life. What I had tried to not like when I had first met him.
“Are you sure?” Gabe asked as he tilted his head to the side.
“Yes,” I said again. I shook my head. “It’s not because it’s prom. It’s not because I don’t want to go to college a virgin.” Looking up into his eyes, I whispered, “It’s because I want it to be with you. I’ve always wanted it to be with you, Gabe.” Pausing, I took in a breath. “I’m choosing you. I want you, Gabe. I choose you.”
Forming a lop-sided grin, Gabe looked at me and I could see a twinkle in his eye. Sucking in a breath, he asked, “Where do you want to go, Sarah?”
“I don’t care, Gabe,” I whispered. “You choose.”
As he raised his left hand and ran it along my arm, I got goose bumps. Seeing my reaction, Gabe stepped in to me. Cupping my face with his left hand, Gabe leaned in to me and right before he kissed me one more time, he whispered, “I choose you.”
Chapter 11
Sarah
Pulling away from me, Gabe held out his hand for me to hold. “They’re waiting on us, Sarah,” Gabe said as he nodded towards the limo.
Looking at the limo I then looked back at Gabe. “I totally forgot.” I laughed.
“Me too,” he said with a genuine smile on his face.
We walked towards the limo, got in, and heard Ryder say, “Well, it’s about time you two lovebirds got back together.”
“Cool it, Ryder,” Gabe commanded.
Raising his arms up in defeat, Ryder said, “Calm down, Gabe. Calm your jets,” as he chuckled.
As Gabe wrapped his arm around me and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek, I saw Ryder give me a quick smile before he turned his back to us and started making out with Taylor.
Pulling away from me, Gabe smiled.
“What?” I whispered.
After he shrugged his shoulders, Gabe said, “It’s just, I’m glad you’re not hiding from me anymore.”
“I never really hid from you,” I said as I giggled.
“Well, not physically, but emotionally? Yes, you have, Sarah.”
Looking up at Gabe, I smiled. After I gave him a kiss on his neck, I turned my body towards him. As I placed my legs over his, I rested my head on his chest while Gabe had ahold of me.
Kissing me on the forehead, Gabe said, “Close your eyes, Sarah. I’ll wake you when we get there.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and right before I fully fell asleep, I could’ve sworn I heard Gabe say, “I love you.”
***
“Sarah, sweetie, wake up,” Gabe whispered after he kissed me on the forehead.
With my eyes still closed, I asked, “Where are we, Gabe?”
“Open your eyes, beautiful, then you’ll see,” Gabe said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. I took in my surroundings and I knew exactly where we were. Turning, I looked at Gabe and asked, “Did you change your mind?” as I tilted my head to the side.
Leaning in to me, Gabe kissed me on the cheek. As he pulled back from me, Gabe kneeled down and grabbed ahold of my hands in his. “I thought we could be somewhere we’re comfortable.”
“That sounds good,” I whispered with a small smile on my face. Looking over to where Ryder and Taylor were sitting, I looked back at Gabe. “Where are those two?”
“They’re at the party,” Gabe said.
“Oh,” I whispered. “Okay.” Scooting over, I slowly got out of the car. As Gabe started to walk away, I stood still.
Turning around he asked, “What’s the matter, Sarah?”
“What about your mom?”
“She’s not here, Sarah. She’s gone for the weekend,” Gabe said with a hint of a smile on his face.