"Okay I feel you are combat ready soldier," he hooked his shades on to the collar of his T-shirt before hopping out of the truck.
The inside wasn't as bad as the parking lot belied. Since they were advertising a huge selection of outdoor furniture and accessories, Gabriel wanted to pick out new items in preparation for the picnic. Salene had to admit shopping on someone else's credit card was fun. Normally she used the card he gave her when she first moved in for groceries, but now she was being asked to help fully stock the backyard. A task that would not be cheap considering his backyard was huge. Salene had only been in the sprawling backyard on a couple of occasions with Bishop, the backyard felt like it had to be one acre or two at least. Surrounded by trees and a six-foot tall fence for privacy the large yard had a grand swimming pool and hot tub. Though the backyard was beautiful, there was absolutely no seating whatsoever.
Going up and down the food aisles first, they bickered about everything. There were items he wanted, but she gently brought up the necessity of buying the item in bulk versus at a regular store. Of course, she just gave the man all he needed to argue with her about the cost of gas and getting said item later versus just buying it now. And of course, that did nothing but set her off down a path of proving him wrong, which he seemed clearly too happy to battle. Eventually, they made it to the lawn and garden section.
"As well as getting a permanent outdoor set I was thinking about renting some picnic tables from a guy my dad knows." He was looking at the large set that offered an enclosed gazebo.
"That is a good idea," she replied stepping away to look at a similar set. "I really like…" She began to reply back to him as a high-pitched voice interrupted her.
"Oh my God Gabriel Breslin," the voice came from the blonde woman approaching him with her arms out, expecting half forcing a hug. "I have not seen you in forever."
Slyly Salene sat down in the outdoor set that she was viewing and leaned back in her seat so she wouldn't be easily seen by the woman. Watching through the screen, the gazebo provided, she was able to watch the entire encounter. The woman took her time releasing from the hug, remarking on how good Gabriel looked. Turning a little Gabriel covertly scanned the aisle with narrowed eyes. Covering her mouth to keep from laughing Salene watched in pure amusement as he forced himself through the small talk with the old acquaintance. An old acquaintance quite obviously hoping to rekindle the relationship.
Being able to observe like this Salene could sympathize with the woman, of course Salene would swallow nails before admitting it aloud. Gabriel was extremely good-looking, that was just a fact. Today he wore a simple yellow T-shirt, some jeans, and boots, though the outfit was simple he wore them exceptionally well. The few times she has gone out with him in public it was quite common for the man to turn more than a few female eyes, today being no exception. Standing tall with a hand in his pocket while scratching the stubble on his cheek with his other hand the man gave a pathetic forced smile as he said goodbye to the woman. Highly annoyed he practically stomped up the aisle until he found her laughing in the recliner.
"I'm going to kill you if you do that again," he growled shooting her a venomous look. "What the fuck kind of wingman are you?"
Laughing for a couple more seconds, Salene wiped the tear from her eye. "Aww I'm sorry, I didn't know I was supposed to be a wingman I honestly left because I didn't want to be a blocker."
Giving her a snort in apparent disbelief he sat in one of the chairs as he glanced at the price and details. "Yeah I have a hard time believing that considering you were most likely laughing the whole time."
"No, I swear…" Salene tried to convince him, but she couldn't stop laughing.
Flipping the tag over and he read more of the details. "Yeah well, you will know when I'm interested in a woman. I'm usually the one doing the pursuing."
He probably didn't mean for that statement to come off so powerfully, but it made her whole body react nonetheless. The confident, masculine words immediately set off a heat deep within, annoyed with herself Salene stood up and grabbed the cart.
"I think you should get this set since it has extra chairs and it includes weather covers."
Surprisingly he agreed with her with no argument. With the items purchased and loaded with the help of two employees, Salene climbed into the passenger seat in exhaustion.
"Don't get too comfortable we have one more stop," he eased the loaded down truck onto the busy service road.
Groaning she rested her head on the seat back as he maneuvered through traffic. Eventually, they stopped again but this time at a store dedicated strictly to outdoor entertainment, "Grill me something good."
"There is a particular grill I want, and this place has it," he almost looked excited as he stared at the store while shutting off the engine. "It cost a small fortune so prepare yourself now because I don't want you in my ear nagging me about the price."
Getting out of the car he didn't wait for her to argue that he was projecting his guilt on the frivolous purchase on to her. Sluggishly she got out of the car and went inside. The store was ice cold and had a new plastic scent that hit you the moment you walked in. There seem to be hundreds of grills ranging from all sizes spread across the floor all set up on faux grass and fake food accessories. It was actually really cute and clever, her inner marketing soul oohed and awed over the kitschy concept.
"Hi there, can I help you find anything?" Turning, Salene was greeted by a handsome guy with his hand extended.
Salene felt as if she was caught in a tractor beam as she lifted her hand to meet his. Dear Lord, he was attractive, he had a tall toned body with deliciously dark brown skin that looked like it was airbrushed smooth. Salene had to force herself to answer that she was just looking all the while using every thread of control not to giggle like an idiot.
"Oh well that is perfectly okay, would you mind if I be your escort?" He smiled so beautifully Salene could only compare it to the warmth of the sun.
Grinning like an utter fool all she could do was nod, he didn't need to know she was practically bankrupt with zero intention to purchase. Directing her over to a large gleaming silver grill she began to follow when she felt a searing heat cup each shoulder. Looking at the hand and quickly up and over her shoulder Salene wanted to groan as she felt Gabriel's presence behind her standing possessively close.
"There you are Salene my sweet," the overly emphasized endearment felt like a snap of the leash. "Are you ready to go home?" They both knew that wasn't a question.
"What? That was so fast." Salene was genuinely shocked, they had only been in there for a few minutes at least.
Squeezing her shoulders, he forcibly turned her to face him thus forcing her to ignore the sales guy completely as he dominated all of her attention.
"Yup already paid for and will be delivered next week." Looking at her, his eyes sparkled with darkness as he slid his rough hands down her arms to grasp her hands. "You know me, once I know what I want—I take it."
For some reason, Salene couldn't be sure who he was talking to, her or the salesman. Either way, the statement shook her without explanation. Not giving her a chance to look away Gabriel calmly took her hand and pulled her to his side as he escorted her out the store as if he had all the right in the world to do so.
Salene couldn't wait for them to pull off from the store's windows they were parked in front of, so she could lay into him about his high-handed behavior.
"See that is how you're a proper wingman," Gabriel stated before she could even open her mouth giving her a dark smile.
Was that what that was about all about? Confused, annoyed, and tired Salene rolled her eyes deciding it wasn't worth the argument. Although as she thought about the dark look he cast the man in the store Salene didn't feel like he was just playing around.
Chapter 15
Both pairs of feet were hitting the pavement in perfect unison as both men jogged down the neighborhood sidewalk. Coming to a stop back in front of Tobias's h
ouse both Gabriel and Tobias were breathing heavily. Sweat was rolling off by the gallons as they slowly walked past the house towards the end of the street to cool down. They both hated cardio, but they both knew they needed to break up the constant weightlifting.
"You're getting slow old man," Tobias wiped his face with his shirt, flashing his abs at their grinning elderly neighbor Mrs. Pughes.
Refraining from shaking his head at the scene he was causing Gabriel used the towel around his neck to wipe his own face. It was unbearably humid out after raining practically all week, supposedly there was going to be a large storm in the next few days. The flicker of yellow light from the streetlamps turning on, overhead signaled the fast approach of oncoming night. Looking towards his house Gabriel noted the lights were all still off, that meant Salene was still at work.
"I would argue but," Gabriel sighed, lacing his hands behind his head he grinned. "I think you might be right."
"It is because you have been eating like a king ever since Salene moved in with you."
Hiding his growing smile he thought of the chicken pot pie she made last night, Gabriel's stomach rumbled just thinking about it.
"Yeah I am pretty sure you are right, but I am not going to tell her damn thing." There was no way Gabriel was going to jeopardize his ticket to home-cooked meals. "I will just workout harder if I have to."
Tobias laughed. "Okay then, good luck with that."
Stopping in front of Tobias's house again Gabriel was about to say his goodbye when Tobias spoke again.
"You know," the man's tone was completely serious now. "If I would have known how you would have reacted to my information about Salene and Amber's lunch I would have never told you."
The disapproval in his tone was actually an improvement from his all-out anger he had earlier when Gabriel confided the ugly details of the fight. It was a first for their friendship never before had either one of the men been angry at the other. Either it was motivated by honesty or some sort of self-punishment Gabriel was not sure, he just felt the need to confess his dumb actions.
"Trust me, I know," staring at the dark house across the street Gabriel unwillingly recalled Salene's terrified face the night of the fight. Gripping the end of the towel around his neck tighter he tried to push the image out. "That will never happen again." Gabriel was not the type of man to act like that around women.
The jingle of his phone in his arm strap interrupted the sobering moment between them, frowning at the caller ID Gabriel quickly answered.
"Salene?" It was odd getting a call from her especially at this time of night.
"Gabriel," the sad, distressed tone immediately set him on alert, not to mention she hardly ever referred to him by his first name.
"What is it?" By now the grip on his phone was lethal as he stood stone still waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop.
"My car won't start." The tiny nearly whispered confession made him exhale visibly, thoroughly confusing Tobias who was watching him the whole time.
"Dammit, is that it?"
"What do you mean is that it! This is my car we are talking…" By now the sad tiny voice that answered the phone was being quickly replaced by the familiar husky tone with an extra snap of anger. Smiling he put his hand on the mic and turned to Tobias.
"She is fine, her piece of shit car won't start." After sharing a quick laugh with the man Gabriel put the phone back up to his ear and ran across the street.
"Okay, I am on my way."
***
Sitting in the dark at one of the tables at her empty workplace, Salene watched as cars drove by on the busy street. Flashes of red and white whizzed by as people rushed to get home. A task she was trying to do herself when she discovered that her only mode of transportation had betrayed her.
The large black pickup truck pulled up close to the Starbucks windows cutting diagonally across four parking spaces. After locking up Salene solemnly got into the truck, turning towards the driver she immediately felt guilty. The faint smell of sweat in the air along with his apparent workout attire told her she had interrupted his routine.
"So that hunk of junk finally quit on you, huh?" He shot her a smirk as he pulled out of the parking lot leaving only her little blue car in the deserted parking lot.
Relieved he did not seem angry at her interruption of his night, she relaxed.
"I am hoping it's just the battery, though I am not sure why it would be that since I had it replaced months ago."
"Mmm," his noncommittal answer made her worry.
"What? You do not think that might be it?" Dear God let that be it, because she truly could not take it if it was not.
The rest of the trip back to the house involved her answering questions about sounds and random car actions much like a doctor's visit.
Pulling into the garage Gabriel pressed the button above her head to close the door. "I hate to tell you this your car sounds like it has a busted transmission."
Following him out of the truck she met him in the front of the cooling vehicle. The news made her stomach feel queasy.
"Oh God," she moaned, mentally reviewing her bank balance. "Is that an expensive fix?"
Gabriel's eyes went wide as if he was about to make a joke if she was kidding or not, but he just stared at her for a second before giving her a pitying smile.
Shaking his head, he walked over to the small metal box on the wall and grabbed something from inside.
"Look, replacing the transmission on a car like that just isn't worth it." He said point blank.
Annoyed in a little afraid of what he was saying Salene shifted in agitation. "Don’t say that, this is my only mode of transportation so regardless I need to get it fixed."
Gabriel gave her another sad smile that pretty much told her she needed to wake up and face the music.
"Salene sweetheart your car is barely worth five hundred dollars, a new transmission installation could cost double that."
It felt like all the wind had been taken from her sales. Finally, things were working her way this past week since they started over. The job was going smoothly, her home life is peaceful, and she could actually begin to make rudimentary plans on how to set everything back right again. Not sure what to do or how to react Salene could only stand there numbly.
The jingle of keys in front of her broke her attention. Grabbing her hand Gabriel placed the key and fob into her hand.
"Use my second car." Motioning to the car behind him Salene glanced at the red late-model BMW. Ever since she arrived, she had never seen him use the car in the second car slot.
"No, no that is too much," shaking her head Salene stepped back giving herself room to process the too generous offer. There was no way she could use the man's car as well.
“Christ woman," Gabriel rolled his eyes heavenward as he leaned on the hood of the warm truck. "What is the problem? You are already under my roof, sleeping in my bed, and eating my food. Using my second…"
"Woah wait a minute I am not sleeping in your bed!" Salene could feel her whole face heat up at the very insinuation.
Smiling devilishly, he hooked one foot onto the grill of the truck.
"Well technically I do own the bed, so really you are sleeping in my…"
Outraged Salene completely forgot her earlier depression, as she did her best to stamp down his skewed logic.
"Nope, nope, nope that is not the same."
Laughing he agreed to disagree. Holding the keys in her hand, she looked at the red car in silent disbelief.
Looking up at him she met his green eyes head on in seriousness. "Why are you being so nice to me like this?"
Shifting on the truck hood Gabriel stood straight, giving her an equally pressing look. "I meant what I said about starting over."
Not trusting herself to look up she stared at her feet. "I do not know how to thank you, Gabriel."
Pinching her eyes shut with her thumb and finger she turned her head away. "I am sorry, I have turned into such a cri
er lately." She tried to explain the tears she was fighting back.
The grip around her waist shocked her as she felt herself being pulled forward, much like the time he comforted her in the living room. Leaning her forehead against his chest she let out a deep breath as she relaxed in his hold, while the heat from his hands on her waist seemed to travel right through her.
"Thank you again.” She mumbled tiredly.
Pulling her closer into his chest, she felt the rumble of his words vibrate. "You're welcome."
Chapter 16
With the warm cup of coffee in her hand Salene leaned against the open front door watching the two delivery men maneuvering in the rain. The men were pulling a heavily plastic wrapped mattress from the back of their large truck. Gabriel had told her last night he was expecting the delivery, he said it was the last trace of removing Amber completely from his house.
Desperate (A Contemporary Romance) Page 10