by Amy Miles
“I felt you,” he whispers, gently rubbing his thumb along her cheek. “I can’t really explain it without sounding crazy, but I could. I knew you were alive but I didn’t know where you were. Then this morning I just couldn’t stand it anymore. I got in my car and drove around the city, trying to think, and that’s when I felt you. It was faint, almost like a small pulse when I turned onto the interstate but I decided to follow it.”
“This pulse led you to my door?” she asks, amazed.
He nods, a smile stretching across his face. “It was the strangest thing, but I knew I would find you. I didn’t care how far I would have to drive or how much it would cost me, I was going to see you again. Thankfully you were only a few hours away ‘cause I sort of forgot my wallet when I ran out of the house this morning and didn’t love the idea of having to thumb a ride when I ran out of gas.”
A small laugh escapes her lips. “Somehow I think someone would have given you a lift.”
He returns the smile. His hand slips around to the back of her neck. “I found you and I am not letting go this time.”
The intensity of his promise stakes Roseline to the ground. The fire in his eyes cannot be denied, nor can the flames burning within her chest. This is right, as incredible as it is, and Roseline doesn’t want to fight it any more.
She had been wrong to assume that he would be able to forget her. By whatever magic that binds them together, Gabriel has become just as in tuned with the bond as she is. The why’s and how’s will no doubt plague her for many nights to come, but in this moment she feels her resistance falter.
Her fingers curl around his shirt, pulling him toward her. His eyes widen but she only smiles as she brings her lips to within a hairsbreadth of his. Gabriel’s hands press firmly on her arms. She frowns, leaning back, annoyed at his rejection.
“No offense,” he says, crinkling his nose. “But you kinda reek.”
“Oh,” she gasps, scrambling to her feet as she realizes the state she is in. “Don’t look at me.”
She makes a mad dash for the bathroom and slams the door behind her. She slides down the door as Gabriel’s chuckle reaches her. “Take all the time you need. I don’t want you stinking up my car.”
“Be thankful I can’t reach you right now,” she threatens through the door as she reaches to turn on the shower. Freezing water sprays in erratic squirts as she strips and jumps in. “You never said what your dad did when you stopped going to practice. Did he flip?”
“You could say that,” Gabriel responds. “I practically had to sign over my life to him to make up for nearly getting kicked off the team. If it weren’t for the fact that they need me to win State, I would be long gone.”
“So what did you have to agree to?” Roseline rubs the suds into her hair, sighing with relief as days of filth wash away.
“I’m not allowed to miss any more practice. I have to make up all of my homework that I’ve missed and I have to wax his car every weekend until I leave for college.”
Roseline reaches out to shut off the water. Small wisps of steam rise from her unnaturally warm skin. She yanks down a towel and dries off before tiptoeing to the door. “I’m really sorry, Gabriel.”
“It’s worth it.”
She gazes at his profile through a narrow opening in the door, wishing she could run her finger over his smile. The memory of their kiss in the museum makes her weak in the knees. Heat begins to flame in places best ignored during situations like this, alone, in a grimy motel room.
“Can you throw me that bag by the door?” She holds the bathroom door tightly against her chest to minimize his view.
Gabriel snatches the bag and peeks inside. “You mean this one? The one with all of your clothes?”
Roseline narrows her eyes at his mischievous chuckle. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” he says, grinning from ear to ear. “Would it be my fault if I accidentally threw it just out of reach so you’d have to come get it?”
“Trust me, you will regret it if you do.” Her threat falls weak as she bursts into giggles.
Silence fills the room. She leans back against the bathroom wall. “Gabriel?”
“I’m thinking.”
Roseline chews on her lip, thinking over her options. She shrugs and gives into her reckless side as she slips out of the bathroom. The towel she is wearing is small, more like a glorified hand towel, but it covers her well enough. Gabriel stands just a few feet away, twirling the bag around his finger. The moment he sees her, his mouth drops open and the bag falls to the floor, forgotten.
His gaze follows the beads of water slowly sliding down her shoulder, dripping from her wet hair. The farther south he looks, the hotter his cheeks grow. All of Roseline’s former confidence vanishes as she fidgets under Gabriel’s intense scrutiny. For the first time she is struck with low self-confidence. It’s a foreign feeling, one that she detests. He gulps, finally returning to meet her gaze.
“Wow,” Gabriel says.
Roseline smiles timidly. “Can I have my bag now?” Her fingers dig into the towel’s rough material, praying that her trembling hands do not betray her and let go.
Gabriel’s Adam’s apple bobs as he nods, dipping low to pick up the bag. He steps forward, leaning to hand it to her. His rampaging pulse sounds loud in her ears as he closes the distance. The instant his fingers touch hers, Gabriel jerks back and marches determinedly towards the bed. He flops onto it and plunges his hands through his hair. A heavy sigh escapes his lips.
“Are you okay?” Roseline asks, suddenly unsure. She has never had a guy react like this before but, then again, she has never been with a guy who is physically able to walk away, especially when she presents herself in such an appealing manner.
“Uh…yeah,” Gabriel clears his throat, blinking slowly. “I think so. I’m just not sure how much self-control I can manage at the moment.”
“Right, well I’ll just go get dressed.” Roseline slips back into the bathroom. Even through the closed door, she can hear his whispered groan. “Calm down, you idiot. You’ve just found her so don’t mess this up.”
Roseline’s fists pump in a small surge of triumph. So, Gabriel isn’t completely immune to her charms.
Nineteen
The ride back to Chicago is filled with lengthy silences and awkward sideways glances. Neither of them knows what to say after the towel incident but it is obvious by Gabriel’s heavy breathing that it lingers in his thoughts.
Roseline takes another bite of the massive burger Gabriel insisted on ordering her from a roadside truck stop with the spare change in his car. Greasy fast food has never tasted so good.
“Is your dad going to force you to play in the State Finals next month?” Her words come out garbled as she chews.
Gabriel casts a worried glance her way. “Rose, the game is this weekend. Don’t you realize how long you’ve been gone?”
The burger loses all taste in her mouth. Three weeks? Was she really gone that long? Roseline lowers the passenger side window and chucks her half-eaten burger out. She can’t stomach any more.
“No.” She shakes her head. “I guess the days all ran together. I didn’t really have the strength to care.”
His eyes remain glued to the road ahead, but his concern is nearly palpable. “Will you come to the game?”
Of course she wants to see him play, even though she has decided that she loathes the sport, but is unsure how she should answer.
“Sadie will probably be there,” he says.
Roseline nods. Of course, Sadie will be there. She is swept up into football fever along with the rest of the school. “Well, then I should probably go.”
Gabriel agrees. “Sure. For Sadie.”
“Definitely,” Roseline agrees. “For Sadie.”
As if this agreement has decided how they should move forward with their awkwardly intense relationship, they fall into silence. The miles pass by slowly. Bleak, wintry farmland stretches as far as she can see. Chi
cago rises on the horizon as the sky begins to darken with a vibrant dusk.
“I know things are confusing right now and I’ll admit I’m kinda freaked out by all of this, but I need you to promise me that you won’t run away again.” Gabriel’s voice is strained as they reach the outskirts of the city. His fingers grasp the steering wheel in a death grip. “I can’t lose you again, Rose.”
I can’t lose you either, her mind fills in silently.
She turns in her seat and admires his handsome profile. The ridge of his brow sweeps into a blunt nose; his lips are soft as silk. The memory of their fiery embrace makes her close her eyes as she speaks her heart. “I think we should try to make this work.”
“Are you sure?” He flips on his turn signal and pulls off at their exit. His foot adds more pressure to the gas pedal than is necessary to take the ramp. “I thought you were worried about us being well…us.”
“I am,” she sighs. She has had plenty of time to think it over during the agonizing drive home. “Obviously being apart didn’t work out so well for either of us and, to be honest, I’m sick of fighting it. Contrary to what I have said in the past, I really do want to be with you, Gabriel. I’m just…worried.”
“About that guy?”
She nods. “Let’s just hope the past stays in the past.” It is a painfully flippant answer but she is too weary to think beyond this moment. Fighting against the bond that holds them together is too difficult.
Gabriel’s silence worries her. What is he thinking? Is she wrong about how he feels about her? No, surely not. He just threw his life out of the window because of her. That has to count for something.
“What are you thinking?” she whispers, too nervous to look at him.
Blowing out a breath, Gabriel shakes his head. “I’m not really sure. A part of me keeps waiting for you to change your mind.”
“I won’t,” she promises, biting down on her lip. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” Gabriel glances at her as he eases the Range Rover to the side of the road, only a block from his house.
When she looks back at him, she watches his face soften against the tears curling down her cheek. “Because I am bound to you.”
Gabriel stretches out his hand and gently brushes back a stray hair from her forehead. Golden highlights in her hair shimmer under the streetlight glowing through the sunroof. His hand pauses as he gently cups her cheek. “That’s the way I feel too,” he whispers.
Roseline leans into his hand, closing her eyes. Warmth radiates from his palm. It is not the same searing blaze she is used to. This is tender…loving.
“I shouldn’t let this happen,” she mutters, holding his hand to her, refusing to let him pull back. “But I’m not strong enough to resist you anymore.”
“So this is what you want? To be with me?” Gabriel asks, his hope shining through his words.
She nods, pulling Gabriel’s hand away from her face. She softly brushes her lips against each of his knuckles before releasing him. “Yes. I want this…but I need time. And I need you to promise me something.”
“Anything,” Gabriel says as his gaze rises from his knuckles.
“If something were to happen to me…” her voice cracks. “Please don’t come after me. I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.”
His thumb tucks under her chin as he raises it to look at him. An intense heat burns in the depths of his eyes. “I found you this time, Rose. I will always come for you.”
His altered promise ignites a fire in her chest. Never before has anyone spoken words with such fathomless love. Roseline knows Gabriel would move heaven and earth to find her. “I know. But I had to try.”
Gabriel leans across the console. He stops a nose length from her. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Rose. Now that I’ve found you I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
She desperately wishes she could believe him, but the reality is that Gabriel would never stand a chance against Vladimir. “I should probably get home.”
“You want some company? Your mom might be pretty ticked.”
“No. She’s away for work. I doubt she even realizes I’m missing.” She hates to carry on the lie with him but knows that opening completely up to him will only further endanger his life.
“Lucky you,” he smirks as he turns down his street. “Steve’s gonna be furious when he sees me.”
She reaches out to squeeze his arm. “You’ll be fine. I’m not sure so about me,” she groans as Sadie barrels out her front door as the Range Rover pulls into the driveway. “Sadie is going to kill me.”
Twenty
As odd as it might sound, Roseline is thrilled at Sadie’s refusal to speak to her after their initial reunion. She decided that the only fitting punishment for abandoning her without so much as a phone call is to implement the cold shoulder tactic. Roseline walks silently beside her friend, trying desperately to hide her smile. It feels so good to have a friend who cares enough for her to be that put out.
It is Friday afternoon and school ended early in anticipation for tonight’s state finals. Roseline is a ball of nerves, excited and leery all at the same time.
“I know you’re not talking to me right now, but I was kinda wondering if you were still planning on heading to the game tonight.” It is all Sadie talked about before Roseline ran off.
“Of course I’m going,” Sadie cries, breaking her vow of silence. “How could you even think I’d miss the biggest game of the year?”
“But aren’t you still mad at me?”
Sadie waves her off. “Oh, pish posh. I don’t hold grudges,” she offers a sheepish smile. “Well, not for too long anyways.”
Roseline smiles, letting her eyes linger over Sadie’s newest theme. Her hair is dyed black and styled beautifully. Her bangs lay softly across her forehead while the back of her hair falls straight. Gone are the raccoon eyes, spiked jewelry, and flaming pink hair.
Her dress is crimson, which makes her ivory skin glow. Small white-gold hoops hang from her ear lobes and a dainty necklace nestles against the hollow of her neck.
Roseline has never seen Sadie look so good. There is a softness about her that is sadly betrayed the instant her friend opens her mouth. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out on me now.” She yanks Roseline to the side as a group of rowdy football players rush by on their way to the pep rally that should be starting any moment.
Bright posters of varying neon shades line the hall, announcing the highly anticipated victory. It has been nearly twenty years since Rosewood won a state championship and everyone is psyched. Even the teachers have gone easy on the workload for this weekend.
“The bus leaves in an hour and you’re not even ready,” Sadie moans, looking at Roseline’s sapphire blue sweater and jeans. Rosewood’s school colors are black and red, which no doubt inspired Sadie’s new look. “Where’s your school spirit?”
“Right here,” a voice calls from behind them. Before she can react, Gabriel wraps his arms tightly around her waist and draws her close. Roseline can’t help but laugh. She warned him earlier in the week that they should take things slow but sometimes he gets too excited.
“Put me down,” Roseline giggles, batting at him playfully. Gabriel winces and instantly releases her. “Are you okay?”
Gabriel nods, gingerly rubbing his arm. “Yeah. I have been aching a bit the past couple days. Hope I’m not coming down with something.”
“Did you pull a muscle in practice?”
“Nah, it’s all over. Kinda flu like, ya know. But I’ll be fine knowing you’re watching me,” he grins, pinching her side.
Sadie rolls her eyes. She is not too thrilled with the idea of them pursuing a relationship together, especially since she suspects Gabriel is the reason for her best friend’s sudden disappearance. It is a fact that she makes perfectly clear anytime he comes around. “Shouldn’t you be at the rally?”
“Yeah, but I wanted to say goodbye first.” Gabriel pulls Roseline up close
to his side. He tucks his arm around her waist, hooking his finger through her belt loop. “Are you heading to the game with Sadie?”
“And me,” William calls, sliding up to his sister. “Thought I should do my brotherly duty and watch over these two. I’d hate for some guy to snatch them away tonight.”
Gabriel and William stare each other down. Roseline sighs. Ever since Gabriel had made it known that he was with her, William has been a bit testy. “Weren’t you leaving?”
Gabriel’s grip around her waist tightens as he grinds his back teeth. “I’ll see you tonight, Rose.” With a quick peck on the cheek, he turns and is instantly carried away by the swarm of pre-game, adrenaline-laced teens. Roseline acutely feels his departure but quickly covers over her disappointment.
“So, you two seem pretty comfy now,” Sadie remarks, slamming her locker shut. She does not even bother to stop and notice her backpack stuck in the door as she pulls Roseline toward the exit.
“Yeah, things are going good,” Roseline says noncommittally.
“Have you kissed him yet?” Sadie asks. Even though she has made her views on their relationship very clear, she is apparently not about to give up her chance to get some dirt on Gabriel’s famous kissing skills.
Roseline can feel William tense beside her. His expectant gaze makes her bite back a laugh. There is no way she is going to kiss and tell to these two. “We’re just trying to get to know each other, Sadie. Stop trying to turn us into one of your smutty TV shows.”
“That is high-quality programming, I will have you know.” Sadie laughs as she shoves her way through the double doors. A huge bonfire blazes on the edge of the parking lot.
“That’s a bit worrying,” Roseline mutters as they approach the crowd. A stuffed bull hangs low over the flames. The scent of melting plastic curls in her nose.
“It’s all in good fun. I’m sure Claremont is burning our red devil as we speak,” William grins, shoving people out of his way.