Gable

by Harper Bentley

  “Not until we talk,” he snapped angrily as he glared down at me.

  I glared right back at him wondering why he felt he had any right to be mad when he’d clearly been the one to screw everything up. And it was during my glaring that I saw that, damn it, he wore an olive green beanie and now him in a beanie became my new favorite thing ever. Shit.

  When he didn’t move off me, I scowled up at him, thanking all that was holy that I’d kept my coat, hat, scarf and gloves on or I’d be frozen by now from lying in the friggin’ snow.

  “We gonna lie here all day or what?” I said snidely, my eyes glowering into his.

  “You gonna give me a chance to talk?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

  “Sure,” I lied.

  He narrowed his eyes at me probably trying to figure out if I was lying or not but then the idiot decided to trust me and moved off me, standing and offering a hand to help me up but I was already gone, running toward the house and in, slamming the door and locking it.

  “What in the world,” Dad asked as he sat up in his recliner.

  “That guy’s trying to get me!” I yelled at Heath and Holden who were on their feet in an instant, moving to the front door quickly to protect their baby sister from whoever was trying to get her. Holden yanked open the door and upon seeing Gable standing there, I shrieked, “Don’t let him in!” I got behind Dad’s chair, holding on to either side of the back of it hoping my brothers would tell Gable he needed to leave. Well, that or they’d beat the shit out of him for being such an asshole to me. Either worked. But now they’d both gone outside on the porch, closing the door behind them and I stood there trying to catch my breath, waiting to see what they were going to do.

  And let me tell you, the disappointment, the betrayal I felt when I saw them both coming inside and bringing Gable with them, and not in a We’re gonna kick this guy’s ass for trying to get you kind of way, hurt my heart immensely. God. Whether they’re related to you or not, you just can’t trust men.

  Dad had sat quietly as had Jocelyn waiting along with me to see how things would proceed, and when I let out a huff and started to turn and stomp upstairs to my room, Dad moved lightning quick, both his arms coming up to either side of his head and behind him grabbing my wrists that were on his chair keeping me there.

  See? You cannot trust men!

  “Dad!” I protested trying to yank my wrists out of his hands, but he only clamped on tighter.

  “What’s going on here, Scout?” he asked pulling me around to the side of his chair and looking up at me, still holding onto me.

  I scowled so not wanting to discuss my feelings with my dad… or my brothers… or Jocelyn, whom I’d just met… or with Gable standing right there!

  “Nothing,” I mumbled. “He’s just been harassing me and needs to leave.” I glared at Gable whose lips I saw tipped up as if he was trying not to grin. Ass.

  Dad looked at Gable. “That the true, young man?”

  Gable cleared his throat. “Well, you see, sir,” he began, always the man’s man, the big jerk, “I’m in love with your daughter.”

  Wait.

  What?

  WHAT!

  “But I messed up and hurt her.”

  Well, jeez, Gable sure didn’t have a hard time with sharing his feelings in front of everyone and all I could do was stare at him incredulously.

  “And now she can’t seem to find time to hear me out or get it into her stubborn head that I’m here to apologize for everything, apologize for acting as if I didn’t know she was who I was writing.”

  Holy cow. Holy cow! He admitted he knew it was me. He finally admitted it! Oh, my God.

  Dad looked up at me. “That true, Scout? You not giving this young man a chance to say what he has to say?”

  I frowned down at my dad then raised my head glancing at both Heath and Holden who were looking at me as if a terrible injustice had been performed on my behalf in my not hearing Gable out.

  Shit. The level of crazy in the house hit an all-time peak.

  I looked at Gable who smirked at me knowing he’d won over the crowd.

  Oh, my God.

  Okay. Well, two could play this game.

  “First of all, he has tattoos. Full sleeves!” I informed them as I stared at Gable, my tone sounding like he’d committed a serious crime.

  I saw movement and looked over to see Heath rolling up his sleeve then gasped when I saw he had inkwork started on his arm. Holy shit.

  “Wanna try again?” Dad asked.

  I huffed because all the wind had been knocked out of my sails but then I rallied. “He’s slept with tons of girls! Mostly skanky girls!” I nodded as if this would put an end to this madness.

  “Scout,” Holden said making me turn his way. “You forgetting how many girlfriends I had in high school?” He grinned at me when I’m sure my face dropped.

  I stood stunned at the epic betrayal my family was committing against me right now. And then I got even angrier.

  “Are you guys serious right now? Why are you taking his side?” I screeched. And then to my mortification, I kept going. “He… he… he slept with me then acted as if he didn’t know it was me! Then he danced with another woman right in front of me!”

  The room got very quiet. Then I heard Holden snort which made me turn my glare on him at which he just grinned. God!

  “Scout,” Dad said, dropping his hands from my wrists, turning in his chair to see me more clearly.

  Oh, lord. I was in serious shit now for letting that cat out of the bag.

  I looked down at him with a wince waiting to hear how I’d be grounded until I was at least fifty.

  Dad closed his eyes and took a deep breath then opened them, looking up at me. “Although I hate the idea of my little girl not saving herself for marriage,” he pinned me with his steely gray eyes making me bite my lip nervously. “I think I know you well enough that you’re not one of these skanks that you mentioned and you’d only give yourself to someone you cared about.” Now his eyes landed on Gable and I hoped he was going to lay down the law to him. “But, young man, if I find out you’ve used my daughter in any way after engaging in amorous congress with her, then you’re treading on thin ice right about now.”

  Amorous congress? What the hell?

  “I love her, Mr. Patterson,” Gable answered, looking my dad right in the eyes.

  “Well, then, it seems as if you’ll pass muster,” Dad said, getting up out of his chair. “We’ll give you two a chance to talk. Boys, how about driving into Idaho Falls with me to pick up a Christmas tree? I’m sure Jocelyn has a fine eye and will keep me from getting a Charlie Brown version like I did last year.” He patted my arm with a chuckle then I watched in disbelief as they all went to the front door pulling their coats off the coat rack, donning them and out the door they went leaving Gable and me alone.

  Again, what the hell?

  I now heard Gable chuckle and my eyes slid to his, and, believe me, I was not happy with how things had just gone down.

  “Are you kidding me right now?” I hissed as I glowered at him.

  “Seems as if I’ll pass muster,” he said, his eyes looking at me in amusement.

  I huffed again. “Just because my dad thinks that it doesn’t mean I do,” I replied keeping the glower going.

  “Scout… I’m sorry.” He took a step toward me.

  “You stay right where you are, Gable Powers,” I demanded, pointing my finger at him. “You…” I swallowed the lump that had risen in my throat. “You hurt me,” I whispered as tears stung the backs of my eyes.

  I saw the remorse on his face when he said, “I know I did, and I’m so sorry.”

  “Why?” I asked, wanting to know his reasoning behind it all. And not able to keep my emotions in check any longer, I felt my lips trembling as a tear escaped to roll its way down my cheek. I don’t think I’d ever been hurt so badly before.

  He took a few more wary steps toward me and I just didn’t have it in me to stop
him. So taking full advantage of my weakness he kept coming toward me until suddenly I was in his arms.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry,” he said against the side of my head as he held me. “I was an idiot. I was scared.”

  I pulled away but he kept his hands on my waist not letting me get too far from him. My hands went to my face to wipe away the tears then I rested them on his forearms and looked up at him. “Why were you scared?”

  He sighed, looking pained then he shook his head. “I’ve had only one serious girlfriend, Scout. Her name was Mia and she hurt me bad. She said she loved me but couldn’t accept me as I am. It got old really fast, so I broke it off with her.”

  “Uh, I know this,” I said quietly. He frowned down at me. “Don’t be mad at him, but I asked Loch.” I saw Gable’s eyes get hard. “It wasn’t his fault!” I explained. “I kinda cornered him. He thought I was your girlfriend and deserved to know, so he told me.”

  I watched a flood of emotions move over his face then he seemed to come to terms with things as he nodded. “Then you know what happened… know she’d been cheating with my best friend… before they died…”

  I looked at him sadly and gave him a slight nod.

  “Got the fucking tattoo in honor of him before I knew about them,” he said with a humorless laugh. “But it’s become a grim reminder not to trust anyone.”

  I bit my lips as I watched him, a frown on his beautiful face as he tried to work out the demons he had inside. Then he looked at me and his eyes were suddenly soft, warm.

  “But you were different. You accepted me. Took all my shit I threw at you trying to keep you away.” He brought a hand up and cupped my jaw, smoothing his thumb over my bottom lip staring at it. Then his eyes moved up to mine. “You took all the bad inside me and replaced it with hope. Woke me up… made me feel something again.”

  “Gable—” I started.

  “Loved me for who I was… you gave that all back to me… and that scared me shitless…”

  “Gable—”

  He dropped his hand back to my waist, his eyes intense on mine. “You gave me stitches, Scout.”

  Oh, my God.

  Oh, my God!

  “Gable—” I whispered.

  “Thought if I could just be with you, I’d get you outta my system. Should’ve known better.” His eyes held mine. “I’m with you, Scout.” I knew he saw the alarm on my face since I’d already heard that one right before he’d broken things off with me and my head dropped. His hands shot out to cup my face, pulling my chin up so I’d look at him. “I’m with you, baby. God, I’m so sorry I hurt you. Can you forgive me?”

  I looked up at him seeing that his eyes were so sincere, so how could I not? I loved him and that’s what people did when they loved someone, they forgave. So I tiptoed up, my hands moving to rest against his chest, and touched my lips to his. “You’re forgiven,” I said against his mouth and felt the relief rolling off him.

  “I love you, Scout,” he said then his mouth took mine hard, his arms wrapping around my waist as he pulled me into him tightly.

  He made love to me in my bed, promising that he’d do everything in his power never to hurt me again.

  Yes, I’d have to say he passed muster.

  Week Seventeen

  ______________________________________

  From: 9543254

  Subject: Fair warning

  Date: December 16, 7:12 a.m.

  To: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Six,

  I’m a little wary about the reveal thing we’re about to do in psych class today. I mean, I think you’re cool and all, but I do have an extremely jealous girlfriend and I don’t think she’d like the fact that I’m meeting another woman. I mean, she got mad that I was dancing with my brother’s girl while he took a piss for chrissakes.

  But I will tell you she’s crazy about me and all because, as you know, I’m smokin’ hot, so I’m warning you now to try to keep your hands off me, although the temptation will be great I’m sure. If you can’t resist, she might be inclined to kick your ass if you try to move in on her man. Just fair warning.

  xo

  ______________________________________

  From: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Subject: Cocky SOB

  Date: December 16, 7:14 a.m.

  To: 9543254

  Dear Mr. Four,

  Thank you for the warning. I’ll make sure to keep myself in check as I know that your extreme hotness and my inability to resist it could cause quite the uproar on campus if I were to throw you to the floor right there in the middle of class and have my wicked way with you.

  That being said, I might warn you too that since our epistolary relationship has now come to an end, you’ll no longer be receiving my amorous congress through the written word. I hope your girlfriend will be able to fill that void in your corporeal world.

  Please don’t try to contact me after today because I too have a significant other who, although I haven’t given him reason to be jealous, might not like it if we kept this tête-à-tête going. Therefore, I regret to inform you that you’re old news.

  Later.

  ______________________________________

  From: 9543254

  Subject: Cold-hearted wench

  Date: December 16, 7:20 a.m.

  To: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Jesus, Scout…

  You’re killing me here. I’m now jealous over a fucking number.

  I’m coming over to claim what’s mine. Be ready.

  See you in ten.

  ______________________________________

  From: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Subject: Cro-magnon cave dude

  Date: December 16, 7:20 a.m.

  To: 9543254

  No need to be jealous, baby. There’s only you. Always.

  And, believe me, I’m ready. Your email woke me up while I was having an awesome dream about you.

  Come take what’s yours.

  ______________________________________

  From: 9543254

  Subject: Holy fuck

  Date: December 16, 7:21 a.m.

  To: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Fuck me…

  Leaving now.

  Taking Ryke’s car. I left the windows down on the Chevelle. It’s all wet inside so I’ll have to get in there and take care of it later

  ______________________________________

  From: 9565876 < student.9565876@hallervan.edu>

  Subject: Boom!

  Date: December 16, 7:22 a.m.

  To: 9543254

  That’s what she said...

  Epilogue

  You know that feeling you get when you meet someone and feel as if you’ve known them for a lifetime? As if you’re just connected in some way?

  Totally had that when I first saw Scout.

  God, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. And the sassiest. And I loved it.

  I don’t know what caused me to stop to help with her tire when I’d actually been on a date with someone else, but I thank God each and every day that I did. In all my life, she’s the only person outside my family who’s truly accepted me for who I am and that means everything to me.

  Oh, it took me a while to get to where I am today but I’d go back and do everything the same if it got me to this place with her. Yes, I figured out she was my pen pal when she came to class hungover. But I was just a terrified prick who didn’t know how to have her goodness in my life after all the hurt I’d experienced. I should’ve known she’d figure it out.

  But I’m not gonna waste your time here with some sappy interlude about how it all went down and how I screwed up (because that would take hours), but I am gonna tell you I’m the luckiest bastard t
here is for how everything turned out.

  I did thank Dr. Horner in my thesis for making us do this assignment because without it, I’d never have landed the most wonderful, fabulous and amazing woman in the world. Who knew I’d actually get something out of a class?

  So to wrap this up (told you it wouldn’t be long) I just want to say, don’t ever lose your hope. I did and Scout brought it back to me. I owe her everything. But even if you do, there’s always a way to get it back.

  Okay, I’m gonna end this now before my brothers get a hold of it and give me hell. And believe me, they’d make me suffer. Long and hard.

  And you guessed it…

  That’s what she said.

  Watch for Zeke (The Powers That Be, Book 2) coming September 2015!

  About the author:

  Harper Bentley has taught high school English for 22 years. Although she’s managed to maintain her sanity regardless of her career choice, jumping into the world of publishing her own books goes to show that she might be closer to the ledge than was previously thought.

  After traveling the nation in her younger years as a military brat, having lived in Alaska, Washington State and California, she now resides in Oklahoma with her teenage daughter, two dogs and one cat, happily writing stories that she hopes her readers will enjoy.

  You can contact her at harperbentleywrites@gmail.com, at harperbentleywrites.com, on Facebook or on Twitter @HarperBentley

  Discover other titles by Harper Bentley:

  CEP series:

  Being Chased (CEP #1)

  Unbreakable Hearts (CEP #2)

  Under the Gun (CEP #3) coming March 2015!

  Serenity Point series:

  Bigger Than the Sky (Serenity Point Book 1)

  Always and Forever (Serenity Point, Book 2) coming June 2015!

  True Love series:

  Discovering Us (True Love #1)

  Finding Us (True Love #2)

  Finally Us (True Love Book 3)

  http://harperbentleywrites.com/