Chapter Twenty-Nine
James
“I’m not going to lie to you, son. I was more worried about you and my Gabbi than I was ready to admit at first.” Richard swirled scotch around in his tumbler and took a deep swig.
It was late afternoon, I was leaving soon to surprise Gabrielle at the examination center, so I stuck with water. I wasn’t sure that it would be much of a surprise, though. We’d been practically joined at the hip for the last month unless she was with a study group or I was in the gym.
She stayed over at my house most nights, and on the nights that she begged off to study late, I stayed up until she let me know that she was winding down for the night, and then I’d be at her door before her pen hit the desk.
“You and me both, then. I was fucking petrified.” I chuckled. “We’re good, though. I think Gabrielle will be much better after she sleeps for the entire time that she waits for her results.”
Gabbi was taking the bar that day, and the stress of the exam had weighed heavily on her narrow shoulders. Especially for the past week or so.
She’d jump up in the middle of the night to check some note or another. I’d even caught her sighing names of cases in her sleep. It was adorable, but I was really fucking happy that it would be over soon.
I hated that I couldn’t take the load off her shoulders. It killed me, but I’d soldiered through somehow. It helped that I could ease the tension by promising her orgasms as rewards when she hit her target for reviewing for the day.
Other than that, I had kept my hands strictly to myself, even if I was dying to spend at least a couple of days getting lost in her. I’d known that she had a difficult month ahead of her when I’d come clean about how much I loved her, and it wasn’t as if I’d been abstaining. She had a lot of targets, but damn.
I had more of a surprise planned for her than just meeting up with her at the exam center. We were headed to a small private beach I knew nearby for a couple of days. I had packed her bag. She had toiletries, lingerie, and bikinis in it.
Mrs. W.’s kids and grandkids were busy, so she’d agreed to stay with Harper while I whisked Gabbi away. In her words, that girl deserved a month on an island, not just a few days at a nearby beach. I tended to agree, but that wasn’t an option for either of us at the time, so I settled for the best that we could do.
Even Harper was excited for Gabbi to be done with her studying. She had taken to Gabrielle like a bee to honey. As did Gabbi with her. Those two got along like a house on fire. It was the most beautiful thing to behold.
I didn’t need a reminder of how lucky I was, but Mrs. W. took it upon herself to tell me every time she saw them together. Which was practically every day. She got all teary about it.
I was surrounded by women, and I didn’t mind it one little bit. Gabrielle’s things were spread around my bedroom and en suite. Harper’s things were scattered through the rest of the house, and Mrs. W. cooked for an army every day. She turned my kitchen into a war zone, then had it clean as a clinic before I could blink.
When Gabrielle took breaks, she and Mrs. W. cooked together like they’d been doing it for years. They swapped recipes, squealed over flavors, and fixed each other coffee every morning. I had no idea that Mrs. W. loved the stuff, but Gabrielle had bonded with her over it on her first morning at my place.
Richard’s voice brought me back to the present. “You hid your fear, arrogant swagger and all.”
“I did?” I smirked.
“You sure did. How was she this morning?” Concern furrowed Richard’s brow.
“She was okay. Strong and stubborn as always. I organized with Heather to pick her up from the house so that her car wouldn’t be stuck at the center all weekend.” I took a swig of water and shot a quick glance at my watch. Almost time to leave.
Richard caught the gesture. “You know, you’re good for each other. I’ve noticed a change in Gabbi this month. We haven’t spoken this much in, well, ever. You’ve matured again, as well. I feel like I’m getting old.”
“We are good for each other. We’ve talked a lot about everything. I think she’s starting to see things from your point of view as well. I told her about how much you helped me when Harper came along.” My voice was quiet, contemplative.
“Thank you, James. I didn’t expect that from you.” Our conversation was fast becoming too serious.
“I know, but your relationship with her means a lot to her. I never wanted to get in the way of that. It was one of the reasons why I tried to deny that there was anything going on between us, why I pulled away from her before.”
I needed to add something to lighten the mood, so I fixed him with a goofy smirk. “Besides, if we ever get married, you’ll be Harper’s granddaddy. So maybe you are getting old.”
I dodged the hand aimed at slapping the back of my head and laughed.
“Wiseass.”
“And proud of it.” I placed my hand solemnly over my heart.
Richard grew quiet again. “Is that something that you’re thinking about already?”
“I think that we’re both a long way away from that. I’ve never believed in the institution. I still don’t really. We haven’t talked about it.”
Richard surprised me by smiling in understanding. “It’s only been a month son. You’re only 24. You’ve got time. As long as Gabbi knows that you don’t believe in it.”
I’d mentioned it, but that was when things were different. I didn’t even know if she remembered it. Not that much escaped that big brain of hers. “She does, but I’ll talk to her about it again.”
“You do that. You’d better leave if you don’t want to be late.” Another stolen glance at my watch confirmed that he was right.
****
In no time, I pulled up to the exam center, two massive coffees in hand. I owed Heather for playing along that morning, and I was still getting into her good graces after all the shit I’d pulled.
The only way into that woman’s good graces was caffeine. Lots of it. Constantly.
I’d hardly parked when the first guy recognized me. Luckily, he was a fan and didn’t talk any trash to me. I could deal with that. I signed the Dolphins jersey that he wore, and he went on his merry way.
There were only a few people trickling out of the exam venue when I arrived, but the flow became steadier within minutes. Each candidate seemed more weary-eyed and bedraggled than the next as they streamed out, until I spotted Gabrielle’s golden halo.
She’d bundled her hair carelessly on top of her head at some stage during the day, and her face was completely nude. As she came closer, I could see that her eyes were tired, but bright.
She made animated gestures with her hands, no doubt trying to convince Heather about one answer or another.
Heather looked like she was about to fall asleep while she walked. She could not drive in that state. I was also itching to get on the road to my private getaway with Gabrielle, and since Heather knew about it, she’d never let us drive her home.
I didn’t know the girl that well, but I doubted that she would leave her car at the center if I called for an Uber. So, I did the next best thing and called Ryder.
“Sup, bro? The prodigal best friend returns.” I heard screaming in the background, and the sound of tires screeching made me flinch before Ryder ordered the guys to turn the game down.
“I saw you yesterday, Ry. How is that being prodigal?” I worked out with Ryder every damn day.
“You’ve been spending too much time with your lawyer if you suddenly know the meaning of the word.” Ryder’s tone was light. He was joking with me.
“I’ve always known the meaning, dude. Now I just have a legit reason to use it without sounding like a pretentious asshole.” Two could play that game.
“You’ve always been pretentious, asshole. Tell me why you’re calling. Gabbi call it off with you after the big exam? Or are you at your romantic getaway struggling to get it up until you talk to me?” He lowered his voice into a false seductive sound that I nearly gagged at. “Cause you know, baby, I know what you like.”
I burst out laughing, drawing Gabrielle’s attention. Her lips parted as she sucked in a breath, sending all my blood rushing straight to my cock. “Trust me; I don’t need you for that. Gabbi’s got that handled.”
Ryder made a gagging noise at the other end of the line and threatened to hang up.
“No, wait. I got Heather, Gabrielle’s friend, to pick her up this morning so that Gabbi’s car wouldn’t be stuck at the center all weekend. She’s swaying on her feet tired, man. I don’t think she should drive.”
“Say no more. I’ll grab big Dave, and we’ll be there in a few. Rescuing damsels in distress and seeing their steeds safely home? That’s one of the only things that we’re good for.” Ryder joked, but he was already yelling for Dave and his keys.
I clicked off just as the girls approached. Gabrielle launched herself at me, and I caught her more than willingly.
She buried her face in my neck and breathed deeply. “You came.”
“Of course, I did, angel.” We’d settled on a nickname that she didn’t hate.
“You brought coffee,” Heather sighed. “I’m going to need that if I’m going to make it to my car. God knows how much more I’m going to need to make it home.”
“Actually, you’re all taken care of. Ryder and Dave are on their way to pick you up.” I nuzzled Gabbi’s hair. God, she smelled good.
“You mean there are actual Miami Dolphins on their way to pick me up, and I look like this?” Heather squealed, gesturing up and down her body.
Gabbi managed a giggle and an eye roll but sagged against my chest. I wrapped an arm around her. She was in serious danger of falling asleep on her feet. “You always look gorgeous, Heather. Besides, they’re giving you a ride home, not taking you somewhere for a threesome.” Then Gabrielle turned to me, eyes wide. “They’d better not be, Ryder—”
“Relax, Gabbi. They’re taking her home. To sleep. By herself.” I assured her.
Gabrielle’s eyelids fluttered closed deliriously. “Hmm, sleep. That exam was the worst.”
“I’m sure you aced it, angel.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I’m not,” she grumbled against my chest.
“Well, I’m sure enough for the both of us.” I really was. There was no way that Gabrielle hadn’t made the exam her bitch.
“Are we going home, too?” she asked hopefully.
“Nah, we’re taking a couple of days off. It’s a surprise.” She looked at me quizzically, but her attention was soon drawn to Ryder pulling up behind us.
“Knights in Shining Armor Car Service. Where do you need us?” Ryder winked. I gestured towards Heather.
“Right there. She’ll show you to her car. Straight home, boys.” I ordered. “I’m getting my girl out of here.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing you call me that.” Gabrielle sighed dreamily, settling into her seat. I reached over to help her fumbling fingers with the buckle.
“I hope so, angel.” When I looked up at her, her eyes were closed and her breathing even. She was fast asleep.