Josh sighed heavily. He was happy he dodged the bullet but he didn't know what to do in the morning. He went to the bathroom. When he came back he got in bed, but before he turned the lamp off Gabi whispered, "Josh."
Josh turned his head around. Gabi was sitting on the other side of the bed, having snuck in while he was away. She looked beautiful: sleepy eyes, tousled hair and one of his alma mater sweaters.
"We need to talk, quietly too." Josh nodded. He was relieved and nervous. "Why didn't you tell him I was here?"
"I wanted to protect you from him. He lied to me about when and why you left," Josh exhaled. "I don't take too kindly to liars, especially when it's my brother."
Gabi nodded in agreement. "Ok, one more question: you love me? You've loved me for a long time? I know you've told me before, but..."
"I know. I do love you. I always have, and I always will. I haven't been honest with you or myself on how I feel about you. But I am now. Gabi, I love you. I love it when you smile. I love it when you make a plan, whether it fails or not haha. I love that you know my heart and that you're willing to hitchhike from Coachella to protect it."
Gabi started to tear up happy tears. "Josh, as I was running away from Jake, Coachella and everything I knew, all I could think of was you. You who knows my dreams and accepts it when I chase them, even if it means sacrificing the love in your heart. You'll never have to sacrifice your love again. We both haven't been honest with ourselves or each other how we feel about us. I love you. I love you more than I ever thought you could love someone, and I'll never run away, or hop on a plane to get away from you again. Here is where I want to be. With you."
Gabi's tears were trickling down her face, but Josh wiped them away and wrapped his arms around her. Electricity flowed through them as they kissed.
When the sunlight woke Josh up hours later, he held Gabi closer to him, happier than he had ever been.
AN: This "You who knows my dreams and accepts it when I chase them, even if it means sacrificing the love in your heart." was my favorite! Sometimes the words flow like water and gems like this sparkle so brightly in my mind.