Apologies for the wait. Oliver is still in the NICU and I really haven't been in the mind frame for editing. I've been in the NICU every day with him. He improved so much, he's breathing on his own, weighing 4.10 pounds and finally out of the incubator. I can't believe it's been almost two months of doctors, machines and sterilized/monitored family time. Today we were told that the doctors might let him come home. I've never been more nervous/relieved about anything in my entire life. I love my son so much and I just hope that we can do everything we can to make him a happy and healthy little boy.
Her Monday morning passed with a few awkward patient encounters and some looks from Gina, but she did her best to put it all out of her mind. Everyone had been staring at her since the news of the wedding being canceled began making its way through the gossip mills.
"My mom wants to do a game night soon," she said into her phone as she broke apart another piece of the brownie she picked up from the breakroom.
"Oh, fun!" Kelsi said sounds of the register opening sounded in the background.
"Yeah, personally, I'd rather sit through a root canal, or maybe a spinal tap, but she's set on the idea, so I just wanted to get a quick headcount."
"Well, you can count me and Ryan in for sure. Is Troy coming?"
Hearing his name made her lips curl up and she was relieved to be alone in her office. Away from prying eyes or suspicious best friends she had no way of hiding her feelings from.
To think a month ago she'd barely allowed herself to give Troy a second thought, but somehow in this short amount of time, she'd gotten accustomed to talking to him whenever she wanted. To him being there, listening, always paying attention, always watching her.
"Probably," Gabriella said before taking a deep breath, hoping Kelsi wouldn't notice the slight change in her voice. "Troy's social life these days seems to be pretty nonexistent.
"Well enjoy it while you can. Now that word has gotten around that he's back, I've been getting a suspicious number of calls from old friends and acquaintances. They pretend to want to catch up, but every conversation leads to Troy and his relationship status."
On that note. "Speaking about Troy, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Me too," Kelsi said matter of fact as if she'd just remembered something. "I meant to ask, how was the fair? Mrs. Grace didn't give you too much grief, did she? I sent Troy over to keep you company but I think I might have made matters worse." Kelsi explained in a low tone.
Gabriella straightened, having to clear her throat that was thick with guilt. "What do mean, made what worse?"
"I overheard her talking to some of the other women from the council and she said some things about you and Troy."
A nervous spike shot through her. "Oh wow, that's crazy."
"I know, I told Martha it was crazy to even think like that. You and Troy are practically siblings."
Gabriella leaned forward, resting her forehead against her palm. "Yeah, I know. That's … that's insane. I mean, could you even imagine what that would be like? Troy and me, together? Like, if we were in a relationship?" Gabriella added that last part to test the waters.
"Seriously," Kelsi said with a laugh. "Troy can't do relationships. I swear it's like the words forever and commitment are just not in his vocabulary."
Gabriella's shoulders slumped. "Right."
"Besides that woman just can't get over the fact that someone doesn't think her son is absolutely perfect."
"I used to think she was sweet," Gabriella said with a frown. "I almost can't believe there was a time when I thought being part of her family was something I wanted."
"Was it really though?" Kelsi chuckled. "It seemed to me like you were just going through the motions."
"Yeah," Gabriella let out a breath, a little relieved with the change in topic. "Maybe I was just a little."
"Well, she's just bitter because she knows how amazing you are and she's disappointed about not having the adorable grandchildren we both know you're capable of creating."
"Ha!" Gabriella picked up a pencil from nearby and filled out some of the mindless paperwork on her desk. "I ran into her last night outside my front door."
"Seriously? Why was she even there?"
"Mom says she came by to have coffee." Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Which makes me curious because they've never really been close." And her mother seemed a little upset when she'd gone to bed, making her anxious about the possibility that her mother had overheard them on the porch.
"Oh, to be a fly on that wall."
Gabriella leaned back in her chair and brought a hand up to her temple. She really needed to confess. All this lying wasn't doing any good. Gabriella let out a long breath, "Look, Kelsi I know-"
"Gabriella?" Dr. Rhett's voice called and she looked up from her desk and seen him in the door way. "Do you have a moment?"
"Hey Kelsi, I gotta go. We'll pick this up later." She hung up the phone and stood up. "Sure, what do you need Dr. Rhett?"
"Follow me," he said leading her back to his office.
Great. Now what? Gabriella followed him until they were inside his office and he shut the door behind. Not a great sign of things to come.
"How are you doing Gabriella?" he asked shifting some of the papers around on his desk before taking a seat and motioning to the chair in front of him.
"I'm doing great," she said, relieved when she didn't have to force a smile. She was great. Despite her call with Kelsi and her run-in with Mrs. Grace, this last weekend with Troy had been… great.
Things had never been that way with Thomas, she'd never felt so satisfied and content with herself. She still had to find a way to tell Kelsi about them, but she was hopeful that Kelsi would understand. She had too.
Right?
"Warmth, and investment in your neighbors." She was pulled back into the room, realizing that Dr. Rhett was talking. "You see, I pride myself on running a practice that engages with the community. Too often, doctors get so caught up in making money that they forget the reason they got into medicine in the first place. Tell me do you remember the fourth line of the Hippocratic Oath?"
She stared at him nervously, before shaking her head.
"I wouldn't expect you to, but it holds a special meaning for me, so I've got it hangin' right here." He pointed to a framed print on the wall behind him.
"I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug." Gabriella read aloud.
"Music to my ears," Dr. Rhett smiled fondly. "It takes a special kind of doctor to be a family doctor. In a small town like this, generations pass before your very eyes. From this humble office, I've watched children grow up and start bringing in children of their own. I've been with old folks when they die. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you'll become more than a doctor to these people, you'll become part of their families. Do you think you can handle that responsibility?"
She had learned so far forward during his speech that she nearly fell off her chair when she nodded.
"Yes."
"Good, because I've made a decision." He folded his hands on his lap and let out a cheerful breath. "I'm going to take a few weeks off and while I'm gone I'm leaving you in charge. See this, as a test run for my retirement."
"Whoa," Gabriella shook her head. "I mean, I won't let you down sir."
"I know you won't."
Gabriella was still floating from this afternoon's high when she hopped off her bike and walked it down the few houses until she came to a complete stop in front of hers. There was Thomas. Sitting on the steps, waiting, for her.
Her shoulders instantly fell and she forced herself to smile at him as best she could. "Thomas? I thought you were in San Francisco."
"I came back for a few days," he said a little out of breath as he got up from his spot. "I keep thinking about things and I just feel so…off."
She bit down on her bottom lip. Ashamed that she couldn't say the same. That for the past week she'd been just fine. A little embarrassed by all the knowing looks but nothing felt off. In fact, for the first time in a while, things felt right.
"Wow, you look… you look really good."
"Thank you," she said quietly. Her eyes glanced back up at her house and the curtain shifted in the front window. Great, they had an audience. "What are you doing here?" she said cautiously.
"I needed to see you, I've been thinking and—"
Gabriella rolled her eyes as she walked past him and towards the steps. Dusting off the step she sat down and waited a moment before glancing up at him. He was staring at her. "What?"
"I don't know, you just, you look different."
She sat up a little straighter. "It's just some highlights," she said brushing a strand of her off her temple.
"I'm sorry I didn't appreciate you," he said quietly. "You are an amazing woman, you know that?"
"Thomas-"
"Gabriella, we were really great together, weren't we?"
Gabriella let out a breath, her hands clasping together and stretching out in front of her. "We were good on paper, yes. In theory, yes."
"What happened?"
"I don't know Thomas," she lied. The truth was Thomas wasn't Troy. And what exactly did that mean? Her thoughts drift back to those unsaid words.
I might be falling in love with you.
His presence filled the space beside her and she shifted as Thomas's familiar scent surrounded her. She used to find that scent comforting. She used to wear his shirts to bed because they made her feel warm and safe. Loved even. Now, all she felt was distance and familiarity.
"Was it the sex?" he mumbled quietly.
That made her jerk. "What?"
Thomas made a face, "I know, it's a very man thing to ask. It's just we haven't in so long and I couldn't help but wonder if-"
"Stop." Gabriella sprang up from her seat. "Just stop."
Thomas let out a sigh and brought his hands up through his hair. "Jesus. Look, Mom's been saying things and I-"
"Your Mom." Her voice was a little louder than she intended. "You came here because of something your mother said." Gabriella looked over at the house next door. No signs of Troy. She looked back up the window where she imagined her mother still stood. Sighing she crossed her arms.
"I don't know." Thomas shrugged as he stood up from the stoop. "Is it true? Were you or weren't you with him behind my back."
Gabriella felt her cheeks grow hot at the accusatory tone. "Thomas, we agreed that this wasn't working. We talked about this. What happened after that, isn't any of your business."
"It is if you slept with him while we were still engaged."
"No. I didn't sleep with him when I was with you."
"But you're sleeping with him now."
"That's none of your business."
"That's funny because we were perfectly okay until he came into the picture. In fact, that's when you started acting weird. So, what did happen that night I left you alone with him?"
Guilt came in waves, turning her stomach and leaving her gut in a twisted knot. "We kissed." She said quietly.
Thomas's sharp inhale made her flinch and she brought her hand up to her temple as her emotions began spinning out of control. "I wanted to tell you, I tried to tell you."
"Did you?" Thomas said in a harsh tone.
"Yes, I did," Gabriella said. "Nothing about what happened between us had anything to do with that."
"How the fuck do you figure?"
"Because we were not working. Whatever this was only worked because I didn't care." She blurted.
"You didn't care?" Thomas's eyes widen.
"I cared." She corrected, shutting her eyes and praying for this moment to be over. "What I meant was I didn't know what I wanted. Well, I always sort of knew but I just kept hoping that it wouldn't matter."
"What wouldn't matter?" he asked.
Gabriella let out a breath. "Thomas. It didn't work. It just didn't work. I am not going to stand here and try to go over the last nine years."
"Why not?" Thomas shouted. "Don't you think you owe me that much?"
"Owe you!" Gabriella's voice raised as she glared at him. "I owe you?"
"You said yes." Thomas flushed. "I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me and you said yes. Then what happened? You just stopped giving a shit?"
"You asked me to spend the rest of my life as your wife. You offered me a job position, not a life. You didn't want me. Do you really want to know what the hell happened? You want to come here and ask me about sex, when was the last time we even had it? Because I wanted sex. I wanted to have sex in the back seat of your stupid car and you told me that was for stupid high school kids. Remember that? If anyone stopped giving a shit it was you."
"You guys alright?" The sound of Troy's voice made her jerk and she quickly covered her mouth.
"Oh, God." Gabriella spun around, her back to both of them.
"Troy?" Thomas's voice was strained. "We didn't see you."
"Clearly." Silence followed and then Troy cleared his throat. "Maybe you guys shouldn't be having this conversation out in the middle of the street. Small town and all."
Oh, God. She could die. She could just disappear into the sidewalk and die. How many people had heard her screaming about their sex life? Oh, God.
"Actually, I think we were finished," Thomas said tightly. "I should be going."
"Right." Gabriella murmurs as she felt Thomas brush past her and make his way down the street and into his car. Not once looking back at her. The car started, and then he was gone.
"Are you alright?" Troy asked quietly.
She nodded, not sure she could respond just yet.
"Turn around gorgeous."
She hesitated. Knowing her cheeks were still a deep shade of crimson. Gabriella felt like her head was going to explode.
"Come on, firecracker," his voice was soothing and she let out a low breath as she slowly spun around to face him. "I'm guessing this might have something to do with you canceling our plans last night."
Gabriella let out a breath as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Can we not talk about this right now?"
Troy shrugged. "If that's what you want."
Her eyes met his and she could feel a small flutter of guilt tear through her at the confusion in his expression. "I'm sorry."
Troy shook his head. "Don't be sorry about needing to take a minute. If you need one, take it."
Gabriella's shoulders tighten as she inhaled and looked back up at her house. "I should probably go inside before my mother sends a search party."
"You do that," Troy said quietly shifting what looked like mail from hand to the other.
"Thanks," she shifted a little uncomfortably and began making her way towards the porch, turning around for only a moment to find him still standing there before he turned to leave. She paused for a moment with her hand on the doorknob, not sure exactly what to do. Then she let herself inside.
"We have an offer for you," His agent's voice sang out cheerfully.
"Oh," Troy slowly sat down on the stairs, the sudden rush of sadness flooding him without warning. It shouldn't have been a surprise that the house would sell so quickly. After all, it was in a great neighborhood, with a great school not too far away and perfect for a family of four.
And he should know.
"We'll just have an inspector come out later this week and then we'll begin negotiating the terms. I know you wanted this to be quick and easy and I think that's exactly what we got."
"That sounds fantastic," Troy said quietly. The light over the dining table emitted a soft golden glow, leaving the rest of the house in shadow. It seemed even quieter and emptier as the night set in.
"It was such a pleasure working with you Mr. Bolton."
"Yeah, you too."
The agent rattled off a few more details before they said their goodbyes leaving Troy alone with his thoughts. Taking a breath, he brought his hand up and shifted it through his hair. This was supposed to be a good thing. This was exactly what he wanted, he needed this place to sell so we could tie up all those loose strings and make a little extra to live off for a while.
He looked down at his phone and pulled up his contacts. His thumb hovering over Kelsi's name. He should call her and let her know. He should call her and tell her about the offer waiting for him in California. Because he was planning on leaving, wasn't he? That had been the original plan. Comeback, sell the house, leave for the next gig.
His phone chimed and he looked down to see Chad's name on the screen.
Chad: Your running out of time. What is taking so long?
Troy: Wrapping up the sale on the house. Just got an offer. Should be done soon.
The message sent and the screen went dark. It wasn't a lie. The house did have an offer and he was about to wrap up his life here in Albuquerque.
Troy let out a sigh and got to his feet and made his way upstairs. Stopping on the landing to stare at the door to his parent's bedroom. Thoughts of them flooded him and he was unable to deny the small ache inside of him. He did miss them, especially his mother. The way she'd cared for this place, taken care of it, and made it a home.
His smile shifted into a frown as his father's betrayal came to mind as well. It had been the event that had pulled the wool from over his eyes. The moment he'd detached from everything this house represented and the supposed happy family living inside it.
Turning away from the door he entered his old room and walked over to the window that overlooked the Montez's back yard. He shifted and seen the light from Gabriella's room on. He checked his watched. It was almost eight.
He wasn't sure if it was the face she'd been the forbidden fruit, or if it was something else, but all his thoughts led back to her. Having her at his will for the last week had ruined him for life. He knew he had been hung up on her before but now all he could think about was kissing her, touching her, and her touching him.
He pulled out his phone and quickly sent out a message.
Troy: Are you alone?
It was a simple message, well-meaning and straight to the point… and not five seconds later his phone lit up.
Gabriella: I live with my mother. I'm never alone.
He huffed.
Troy: Where are you?
Gabriella: My room.
Troy: That's a shame, you should be in mine.
Gabriella: I'm about to get in the bath.
Troy lifted a brow as he tapped on the screen and brought the phone up to his ear. She picked up on the third ring.
"What do I owe the pleasure?"
"I can be there in two minutes."
She laughed. "You will not. My mom is still up. It's too risky."
He groaned. "I like risks."
The sound of water running in the background made him shut his eyes and visualize her in a bubble bath.
"Well, I don't." She said a little sharply.
"Okay," he said lifting a hand in surrender. "I'll stay put."
"Good," she said quietly. "People are already having a field day about my personal life. I don't need mom too."
There was a splash of water and a low exhale on her end. His dick twitched. "Are you in the bathtub, Gabriella?"
He waited for a moment. Not sure if she would answer him. Then she whispered. "Yes."
He cleared his throat. "Are you naked?"
She laughed, "Of course I'm naked. What kind of baths do you take?"
He laughed then, "No no no… We're not talking about me, we're talking about you."
"Okay then. Yes. I'm very much naked."
"Are there bubbles?"
She sighed. "Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm trying to visualize you, and every detail helps."
"Oh yeah? How am I looking?"
He bit his bottom lip, loving the playful tone in her voice. Imaging her sinking deeper into the water while whisking up a pile of bubbles with her fingers.
"Hot. Really hot."
Her breath hitched, "And you? Where are you tonight Mr. Bolton?"
"In my bedroom." There was a seductive tone to his voice, but he didn't elaborate.
"Is that right?" her sexy voice came through the receiver again.
"Grab the soap, Gabriella."
The line went quiet. "I'm not grabbing the soap," she said firmly after a moment.
"Why? Do you not like soap?"
"No." She laughed. "I just know what you want me to do and I'm not about to do it."
"And what's that?"
"I am not having phone sex with you, Troy," she whispered into the phone.
Troy let out a low grumble. "I didn't ask you for phone sex. I asked you to grab the soap."
"Why do I feel like 'soap' is the code word for phone sex?"
He laughed. "Because you're a prude?"
She gasped. "I am not a prude, I–"
"Then grab the soap, Gabriella."
He could see her narrowing her eyes because there was no denying the blatant "I dare you" in his request. He was positive she wouldn't be able to resist it.
"Fine. You win."
"Good," he said in a cocky voice. "I like winning."
"Well I like cocky men, so I guess we're both winners."
He laughed again, but only for a second, because the mood had suddenly changed to something more serious.
"Now that I have the soap, sir, what do you want me to do with it?"
He groaned as he imagined her sinking in deeper still, letting her head loll back until the tops of her breasts were all that could be seen above the water. "Rub it between your fingers, Gabriella. Squeeze it, until a thick white foam builds between your hands."
He lowered his hand reaching down to his pants as he undid the button. Imagining her manipulating the soap and building the suds between her fingers, until they were slick.
"Now place your hand at the top of your knees. At the very top, where you have that one little freckle on the left side. Do you see it?"
She gasped, "How do you–"
"I'm observant," he smiled as he thought about the freckle in question. He'd been taunted by that freckle for years as it peeked out from underneath her skirts and shorts.
"Okay," she whispered. "It's there."
"Now slide your hands down, slowly," he whispered. "Imagine my hands with yours, sliding the slick soap all the way down your thighs, until our fingers tangle in the hair between them until we feel how wet you are." He paused for a long moment and could hear her breathing. "Are you wet, Gabriella?"
She inhaled. "Oh God, Troy."
"Answer me."
"Yes."
A loud knock sounded on the other line.
"Shit," Gabriella hissed. "I gotta go!" she said quickly. Before he could ask why the line went dead.
Troy grunted as he pulled the phone away from his ear, his fingers tapping at the screen and opening their text thread.
Gabriella slid the phone across the bathroom floor, quickly rose out of the water, and stepped out of the tub. "Just a minute!" Then she pulled on a fluffy grey towel from the rack and wrapped it around her head.
She was still tying the belt at her waist when her mother finally opened the door.
"Are you decent?"
Would it have mattered? Gabriella let out a breath. "What do you need mom?"
"What did Kelsi say about game night?"
Gabriella let out a long breath as she sank down so she was sitting on the closed toilet seat. "Seriously mom?"
Maria shrugged, "What, you're the one who jumped out of the tub? You didn't have to go through all that, I'm your mother remember?"
"How could I forget," Gabriella lifted a hand and pressed lightly on her temple. "Kelsi and Ryan are coming."
"Good, and have you talked to Troy about it?" Her mother said watching her carefully. A cold sweat spread over Gabriella's body, but there was no help for it. The rumors were spreading around town and if they weren't it was only a matter of time before they were.
"About Troy–"
"What do you think about Jessica O'Conner?"
"What?" Confused Gabriella cocked her head. "I mean, she insisted on playing the baby Jesus in the church nativity play until she was thirteen," Gabriella said crossing her arms over her chest. "Even worse, everyone was happy to give her the part because she was so angelic. Am I seriously the only one in town that thought braces on the Lamb of God was a bit of a stretch?"
"Well, I thought she did an excellent job as Jesus." Maria defended.
"Ma, why are we talking about Jessica O'Conner?"
"I thought she might be a good match for Troy."
Gabriella straightened, inhaling as quietly as possible while she's tried to stomp down on her panic. "So, what you're playing matchmaker now? Why? And why Jessica O'Conner?"
"He seems lonely."
"He's not lonely," Gabriella argued.
At that Maria raised a brow. "He isn't?"
Backpaddling Gabriella let out a sigh. "He's been hanging out with the gang."
"The gang?"
"Yeah," Gabriella shrugged, "Kelsi, Taylor Sharpay…"
Maria laughed, "I don't think Troy wants to hang out with the girls. I think he's doing that to be nice and because he doesn't have any friends here in town."
Gabriella drew a blank. "What if he's seeing someone?" She shrugged. "We don't know everything about him. He could be out there living a completely different life we know nothing about."
"Honestly," Maria shook her head. "I don't know what has gotten into you. I thought you would be on board with this idea, given all the rumors flying about."
Gabriella inhaled. So, she had heard.
"I know you didn't cheat on Thomas. I raised you better than that. Hell, Troy knows better than that given what happened between his parents."
Guilt sunk in her belly, but then Gabriella frowned as she ran through what her mother had said, "Wait, how would he know better than that? What happened between his parents?"
Maria's eyes widen and she shook her head as if she'd said too much. "Oh nothing, just seeing them together, knowing how happy they were. He wouldn't get involved with a practically married woman. Anyway, I just wanted your opinion on Jessica. You two have been hanging around more often so I thought you might have a suggestion."
Gabriella narrowed her eyes, not really believing her mother story. "Yeah. Well, I don't."
Her mother sighed, "Oh, that's alright I'll text him myself about game night." She was about to turn and leave but she hesitated. "Ella Bean," she said softly. "Is everything alright?"
Gabriella swallowed, "Yea, I'm doing great."
Her mother frowned, "Thomas seemed rather upset earlier. I've never seen him like that before."
Gabriella's chin dropped. "It's a breakup," she said unsure what else to say about it without going into much detail. "He's just having a hard time."
Her mother nodded seeming momentarily satisfied with her answer. "You're not thinking about getting involved with him again are you?"
Gabriella shook her head, "No."
Her mother nodded. "Not that I would judge," she sighed in relief. "It's just that if someone makes you miserable more than they make you happy, then it is time to let them go, no matter how much you love them."
"I know." Gabriella frowned before she forced herself to smile. "I'm alright, I promise."
A noise sounded from the corner of the room and her eyes fell to her discarded phone on the bathroom tile.
"You know you can't just leave these things around Ella," Her mother bent down to pick up her phone, handing it to her without looking at the screen. "Damn things are so expensive.
Gabriella smirked. "I'll be more careful."
"Great, I'll let you get back to your bath. Give me shout if you need me."
Gabriella watched her mother leave the room shutting the bathroom door behind her. Looking down at the phone in her lap she taped the screen.
Troy: Have you ever heard the term 'Blue Balls'?
Later that night, Gabriella entered the kitchen and filled a glass with water from the sink. When she turned off the faucet she heard music emanating from outside. Acoustic guitar, low and mellow. She listened for a while, hanging on every note and admiring just how much passion he had for his art.
Slowly she tipped toed to the sliding door in back and looked out into the yard. He was sitting on the small separating wall between their yards. He'd stopped for a moment to jot something down on a notepad beside him. She watched him for a little bit longer before taking a deep breath and making the decision to join him.
He glanced up at the sound of the door closing behind her and even in the darkness, she knew he was smiling. Holding her glass against her chest she made her way towards him. Pausing when he began strumming a familiar tune on his guitar.
"What day is it? And in what month? This clock never seemed so alive, I can't keep up and I can't back down, I've been losing so much time." he sang with a wicked grin as he strummed along
Gabriella rolled her eyes as she sat down next to him. "Does Kelsi know that you know that song?"
Troy smirked shaking his head as continued the verse, "'Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose and it's you and me and all of the people and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you."
"Let me guess? Popular song with the ladies back in the day?" The man hadn't changed at all since high school.
Troy grinned, "It was popular with you."
Her eyes narrowed, "Kelsi liked it too?"
Troy's shoulder brushed hers and he said, "You use to listen to that song on repeat while you sat back here and read The Lucky One." His mouth was near her ear, teasing away the strands of her hair.
"You remember that."
"I remember everything," his warm whisper blew across the skin of her throat, and her heartbeat picked up speed.
As she turned to question him, she was startled to realize how close his mouth actually was. Licking her lips, she watched his eyes drop down and his head bend further. "You never really came on to me before that night. I didn't think you ever thought about me that way."
He moved closer, the warmth of his breath fanning across her lips, and she started to close her eyes. "I always thought of you that way."
"Troy?" She brought her hand up and pushed at his chest gently. "My mom said something tonight that seemed a bit odd and I wanted to ask you about it."
Troy sat up a little straighter. "This would be when she interrupted our phone call?" he said with a raised brow.
Gabriella couldn't help but smile a little as she looked down into her glass. "I can't believe I almost had phone sex with you."
"You better believe we're going to give that another try as soon as the opportunity presents itself." Troy mused as he strummed his guitar softly.
"Did one of your parents have an affair?" Gabriella asked softly.
Troy hand stopped instantly slamming against the guitar strings and muting the sound. "What do you mean?" He asked cautiously.
Gabriella brought a hand to her temple, her earlier suspicions about her mother's brush off answered. "I mean, did someone step out of the marri–"
He looked up then, cutting her off and making her throat instantly tighten. "My father had an affair. Kelsi doesn't have a clue, so that's why I didn't want you to know. I didn't want to put you in a position to lie to her, but please don't tell her." His voice was hoarse as if he was confessing something that brought him great misery.
She pulled in a breath, trying to get a hold of herself because she couldn't bare the look she was seeing on his face. She suddenly understood him. Understood the man who behaved as though he held the world on his shoulders. Because he did. His family's world. His sister's world. The people he loved.
"How did you find out? "
"Because I walked in on it," Troy said quietly. "He was having an affair with a thirty-year-old woman who was supposed to be his secretary. He'd been lying to all of us for a long time."
Her heart was breaking. Not only for him, but for all of them. Because the Bolton's were solid. Always together. Always strong. "Kelsi really doesn't know?"
"No."
Gabriella shallowed. There was something so heartbreaking about him. So sad. Because she could almost see the little boy who lived inside him. the boy who sorrowfully learned that his father wasn't the man he'd always idolized. That he'd cheated on Troy's mother. Cheated on their family.
"I would really appreciate if you didn't say anything to her."
Gabriella nodded, "I won't."
They were quiet for a while, sitting there in the dark listening to the night. She wasn't sure if he wanted to talk more about it or let it go. She didn't push and he didn't offer.
Deciding to lighten the mood she let out a sigh. "How do you feel about Jessica O'Conner?"
Troy's brow furrowed in confusion he before she saw recognition in his features. "The Braceface Jesus?"
Gabriella let out a laugh, with a nod in confirmation. "Yeah, I think my mom's going to set you up with her on Friday."
Troy smirked. "Why on earth would she do that?"
"She thinks you're lonely."
"And did you tell her I wasn't?" Troy asked a little confused.
Gabriella huffed as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "No, I told her you might have something going on but I didn't go into detail."
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Because why?" Troy asked a little more insistently.
"Because we agreed to tell Kelsi first," Gabriella said defensively.
"And when is that going to happen?"
Gabriella shrugged, "I don't know when all these stupid rumors die down a little."
Troy shook his head, "Why do you care what a bunch of people we haven't seen in years say? Stick and stones."
Except sticks and stones can still leave invisible bruises that last a lifetime.
"You don't understand." She mumbled quietly.
"Then explain it to me."
"It's not your reputation on the line," she said defensively. "As far as everyone else is concerned I'm just that girl throwing her life away for a guy cruising in and out of town whenever he wants." Gabriella tried not to overreact, but she couldn't help feeling a little irritated.
"Your reputation?" Troy's brows narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I've worked hard to get this point, Troy. People respect me and my profession and I don't want to be the idiot left standing still while you go out and live your big rock star life. I came in second once. I won't do it again."
Troy let out a grunt as he stood up, "Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"I'm not him," Troy said swinging his guitar over his shoulder. "I told you we could make this work, I told you I wanted to be different. You're the one who wants to sneak around and treat me like some dirty little secret. Have you ever stop to think about how that makes me feel?"
She stood up, "Troy, I didn't mean it like–
"Like what?" Troy said sharply. "You didn't mean to make it sound like I'm just some fuck up and that my name being attached to your precious reputation was the end of the world."
Gabriella winced, "That is not how I meant it at all."
"You can't even show a little mercy?" he asked harshly. "If you're going break my heart, just do it already. Make up your mind and decide this isn't going to happen. Don't keep coming to me in the middle of the night."
"Troy, I–"
Troy lifted his hand dismissing her words. "Just as much as you don't want to be that girl, I don't want to be that guy. I don't want to be your rebound or your celebrity conquest. I want a lot more from you than that. So, when you figure out whatever this is, come find me."
Troy stormed off in the direction of his house leaving Gabriella at the fence.