Gabe buried his face in Carly’s neck, curling his fingers up in her hair. She melted into his arms as she clung to him. He smelled like he’d come from the earth, like he’d been running through the woods all night.
“It’s so nice to see your face,” Gabe breathed as he pulled away.
Carly took his hand and led him back to the house. There was no denying the electricity flowing from Gabe’s fingers into hers. “It looks like Crystal took off,” Carly said as they stepped into an empty kitchen.
“Probably. You wouldn’t catch her wearing the same outfit two days in a row.”
Carly held onto his hand as she turned to examine Gabe’s face. There were a few scrapes on his cheek, but other than that, he was perfect. “You should probably get some sleep. Especially if you plan to go out again tonight.”
“Of course I’m going out again tonight, Carly. I’m going to go out every night until those things are dead. I’ll be fine for a day or two without sleep. I’ll just have a few cups of coffee before school and I’ll be good to go.”
She squeezed onto his fingers, and her heart skipped a beat as he squeezed back. “We have a solid hour before we need to leave for school. Follow me.”
Gabe made no protest as she led him to the staircase, up to her room. He eyed her as they stepped over to her bed, but lie down next to her without hesitation. “What if your dad comes up? I mean, what if he sees us like this?”
“He won’t care,” Carly spoke with confidence as she met Gabe’s gaze. True or not, there was no way she was going to let Gabe go anywhere right now. He was the first boy who’d ever made her nervous, and that only left her wanting him more.
Gabe rested his head on the pillow. “Are you, um, are you sure? I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”
“What you’re doing for me, how you’re taking care of me, is more than my father could ask of anyone. We both owe you for that.”
Gabe’s eyes flitted closed, his face relaxing into the pillow. “I guess I am kind of tired.”
Carly inched closer, curling up against his firm chest. She wrapped one arm around his torso as she memorized his scent. Gabe was a mix of cologne and forest, but there was more to it than that. Something about his smell begged her to kiss him. “Don’t worry,” she whispered, resisting the urge. “I’ll wake you in time for school.”
Gabe positioned his arm around her waist, his hand resting on the small of her back. “Won’t you fall asleep, too?”
She realized then that he had no idea how much she liked him—not if he actually expected her to sleep. “No, Gabe, I’m quite certain there’s no chance of that.”
* * *
Carly tried her damnedest to pay attention in her classes, but it was next to impossible with Gabe in every single one. He was more than just her friend—he was her savior. He was the sole reason she was alive.
Gabe yawned as their final class ended for the day. He set his eyes on Carly as he jumped up from his desk. “Want to hang out?”
“Yeah, definitely,” she gushed as she hopped up beside him. “We could get a cup of coffee, since you’re probably going to have another late night.”
“It’s like you always know exactly what I need. Hey, Esther, want to join us?”
Esther shook her head as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. “Can’t. I promised Kyle I’d help him with a paper.”
“Have fun with that.”
“You know how much I love doing homework that’s not mine. See you two later.”
Gabe led the way out of the classroom, capturing Carly’s gaze as they hit the hallway. “Guess it’s just you and me then.”
“I guess it is,” Carly agreed with a grin. The more time she spent alone with Gabe, the more she wanted to be alone with him. She was surprised he didn’t seem to notice.
“Your dad invited me and my dad over for dinner tonight,” Gabe said. “They used to be pretty good friends when they were younger. I think it’s really cool they’re getting to hang out again.”
“That is cool. I’ve barely spoken to your father, so it’ll be nice to get to know him better.”
“Well, he seems to be a pretty big fan of yours.”
“Yeah?” Carly asked. “I wasn’t sure what he’d think of me after… I didn’t exactly make the best first impression.”
“Says who?” Gabe countered as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. He led the way to his Jetta and opened the passenger door for Carly.
It was silly, really, how excited she was to be alone with him. But at the same time, it was nice to have the distraction. It was nice to dwell on anything other than the fact that her life was in imminent danger.
“Well, if it isn’t Gabriel Hutchinson, live and in person,” Lila cooed as Carly and Gabe walked into the coffee shop. “What can I get for you this fine afternoon?”
Carly wasn’t sure how to react to Lila, or her tenacious flirting. But that’s all it seemed to be—flirting—so Carly wouldn’t let it get to her.
Gabe pulled out his wallet as he led the way to the counter. “I’ll have a large black coffee. And whatever Carly wants.”
Carly turned to Lila, and presumed, “Still no soy?”
“Still no soy,” Lila confirmed, narrowing her eyes.
“Then I’ll have the same as Gabe—a large black coffee. Thank you.”
“Sure,” Lila said as Gabe threw cash on the counter. “I’ll bring those right out.”
“Thanks,” Gabe replied, and walked to a quiet table in the corner where he sat down across from Carly. He stretched out his long legs, which bumped into hers. “We made it through the first night. That’s got to count for something.”
Carly looked from his pale blue eyes down to his plush lips. “I’m just hoping we don’t have too many more nights like that. I know you don’t need a lot of sleep, but I can tell it’s wearing on you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not usually quite so active. But your dad said he’s making steak tonight, and I must admit, I’m a sucker for a good steak.”
“What else would help?” Carly wondered, leaning across the table as she searched his gaze. “I mean, is there anything I can do to make things easier for you?”
Gabe licked at his lips. “Maybe another nap like we had this morning? I think that was the most restful sleep I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
“Two large black coffees,” Lila announced, setting the drinks on the table. “Can I get you anything else? I know you’ve got a sweet tooth, Gabe.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” he said without meeting her gaze.
“Just let me know if you change your mind. I’m here if you need me.”
Carly eyed Lila as the woman walked away. “Does that ever get old?”
Gabe took a sip of coffee. “Does what ever get old?”
“Women—the way they react to you. And men, too, I suppose.”
“Honestly, Carly, I haven’t always had the best luck with women.”
Carly let out a laugh. “I find that hard to believe. You’ve got them falling all over you wherever you go.”
“No, I mean, yeah, they tend to like me.”
“You think?”
Gabe stared down at the cup in his hands. “They tend to like me, and that’s kind of the problem.”
“I doubt most guys would have a problem with women drooling all over them all the time.”
“Just because they like me doesn’t mean I’m always the best at picking up on it. There have been several instances where I’ve been close to a girl who’s had a pretty big crush on me, and… I guess, I… I tend to lead women on. Unintentionally, of course. But it’s only because I’m totally brain-dead—because I don’t get why someone would like me so much. So, I might pay them a lot of attention because I think we’re just friends, but she sees it as something more, and, well, it blows up in my face.” He sighed as he met Carly’s gaze. “It’s not that I’m a jerk, or I do it on purpose. I just usually don’t get it until it’s too l
ate. Until a girl really, really likes me and has somehow convinced herself I like her back. But I think I’m getting better at picking up on it—at stopping things before they go too far.”
Carly tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. Gabe had said a mouthful, but the message had been clear. “Oh.”
“Look, it’s not like I’ve been trying to hide it from you or anything, it’s just never really come up before. But now that we’re getting… well, closer, I think we should talk about it. I mean, I think you should know that about me.”
She wanted to get up and run right out of there, but ironically, it was humiliation that kept her seated. “Yeah, well, yeah…”
“So, you understand?” Gabe asked.
Carly stared down at her writhing hands. She understood all right—she was one of those stupid, pathetic girls who’d fallen for him without any chance of her feelings ever being reciprocated. Gabe had only put up with her because he was being nice, because she was a shifter, and he felt obligated. Not because he had any romantic interest in her, as she’d led herself to believe.
“Carly?”
She shuffled in her seat, tapping her fingers on the cup in her hands. “Yeah, I-I understand.”
Gabe cleared his throat. “Good. I just figure it’s best to be honest with you.”
“Yeah, I appreciate it.”
“There’s more.”
Carly smirked. “Gabe, I get it. Really. You don’t—”
“Yes, I… I think I do.” He took a drink of coffee, his gaze flitting around the room. “There was one woman in particular who got hurt because of my stupidity. Really, really hurt, and it was all my fault. I totally let things go too far physically, and she thought it meant we were dating, but I just… wanted to stay friends.”
Carly was ready to jump out of her skin. Why was Gabe telling her this? Why did he feel the need to twist the knife he’d already gouged in her heart?
“Carly, I’ve never been more ashamed of anything in my entire life,” Gabe continued. “I should have stopped what happened, because I knew I didn’t have any real feelings for her. But I didn’t, and I can’t take it back. No matter how much I want to…”
Carly set down her cup, folding her hands in her lap. Why hadn’t Gabe had this conversation with her from the beginning? Why hadn’t he spared her the embarrassment of actually thinking he might like her?
Carly peeked at his face, but Gabe’s eyes weren’t on her. He was, instead, focused on Lila. Perfect. So, she was the mystery woman he’d fooled around with, or worse.
Carly jumped up from her seat and headed for the door. She hadn’t seen any of this coming and wasn’t sure what to do with herself. But she sure as hell couldn’t stay here.
“Carly, wait!” Gabe sprinted after her, catching her on the shoulder just as she stepped outside. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you any of this before.”
She refused to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry, too.”
“I can drive you home if you’d like.”
“I’d rather walk.”
“You know I’m not going to let you do that. Even in daylight, I don’t trust what could be lurking in the trees.”
“Fine,” she relented, marching to the Jetta’s passenger door. She reached for the handle before Gabe had the chance. How could she have been so blind this whole time?
Note to self, Carly thought. Never like a boy ever again.
Gabe soon pulled up to Grant Manor and followed Carly to her front door. “I just want you to know I’m sorry.”
She tried to gain her composure, although his stunning face didn’t make it easy on her. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“I just thought…”
“Look, Gabe, maybe it’s best if we… don’t spend so much time together anymore. I mean, you’ve been staying out all night, and you still have homework on top of it. I just think it would be better if… If you had some more time to yourself.”
He shuffled from one foot to the other. “Yeah, I… I guess, if that’s what you want.”
“I know what I don’t want—to end up as another one of your mistakes.” Carly couldn’t bear to see his reaction and disappeared inside.
Yet, he followed after her.
“I, um,” Gabe mumbled. “I’m supposed to stay for dinner, remember?”
“Carly?” Howard spoke from the end of the hallway, wineglass in hand. “I was wondering when you two would show up. Dinner’s almost ready.”
“I’m not hungry,” Carly said, heading for the staircase. “Is it okay if I skip?”
Concern washed over Howard’s face as his eyes flashed to Gabe. “Is everything okay?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t sleep much last night, and I could really use a nap.”
“Would you like me to bring up a plate?”
“Not necessary,” Carly replied, and hurried to her room without another word.
nineteen
“Carly?” Crystal called out as she pounded on Carly’s bedroom door later that evening. “It’s Crys. Can I come in?”
Carly jumped up from her bed, her lips twisting into a pout as she threw open the door. “What?”
“What do you mean, what? It’s after dark, and I’ve been informed that no one has seen or heard from you in hours.”
Carly stepped back across the room to flop down on her bed. She focused on the movie she’d been watching, hoping Crystal would go away. All she wanted right now was solitude.
Crystal sat down on the edge of the bed. “What’s up?”
“Nothing’s up, other than the fact that my life is in danger. I suppose I should be used to it by now, though.”
“Did you and Gabe get into a fight or something?”
Carly’s face flushed with embarrassment. “What makes you think that? Did he say something?”
“He didn’t say anything,” Crystal replied. “But his thoughts are scattered, weird, like something’s really bothering him. I’ve never felt anything like this from him before, and it’s totally throwing me. I figured you two are close, so you might know what it is.”
“Maybe he’s finally realizing what a huge jerk he is.”
Crystal eyed her. “What exactly happened between you two?”
“Nothing that I want to talk about,” Carly insisted. “Really.”
“Okay, subject dropped. Your dad said you missed supper. Are you hungry? We could go downstairs and raid the kitchen. I’m starving.”
“I don’t want to go downstairs.”
“That’s not what I asked. And like I said before, it’s after dark, so they’re all outside.” Crystal leaned over the bed and grabbed Carly’s arm. “Come on. You need to eat.”
Carly shrugged her away. “I don’t need to eat. I’m not like you. I can live without food for a few hours and be okay.”
“Look, I’m not the one you’re upset with, so please stop acting like it. And you are like me, whether you like it or not. Besides, Howard made chocolate cake, and said we can have the rest of it.”
Carly recognized it wasn’t fair to take any of this out on Crys. After all, Crystal wasn’t the one who’d broken her heart. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. Yeah, a piece of cake sounds good.”
Crystal jumped to her feet. “That’s what I thought.”
Carly didn’t let her guard down as she followed Crystal into the kitchen. She couldn’t handle seeing Gabe right now and was worried he was going to show up for some reason. That would be just her luck—to have a recap of their last encounter.
“I told you, they’re all outside,” Crystal reminded her. “Even Gabe.”
“Yeah, I… I know.”
“Sit down. I’ll get you a piece of that cake.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to, really,” Crystal offered.
Carly nodded, and fell into a chair at the kitchen table. She couldn’t help but to stare out the window into the dark night and wonder what was running through Gabe’s mind. If he didn’t l
ike her like that, if he only wanted to be her friend, why was he so intent on protecting her? “How long ago did they leave?”
“An hour maybe. Your dad asked me not to disturb you, but then I heard your TV, so I figured, what the hell?” Crystal brought two plates of cake to the table and headed back to the fridge for a couple bottles of Coke before she settled into a chair across from Carly.
Carly grabbed one of the bottles and took a long drink. “Have they seen anything out there?”
Legacy: Bloodline Book 1 Page 19