I'm sorry about canceling last night, but you can come over anytime today if you want.
Gabriella read over her text to make sure she didn't make any mistakes and sent it to Troy as soon as she got into her house from spending the afternoon at the Children's Hospital with Ashley. Yesterday, she had canceled because she completely forgot she had dinner with her friend that was in town for two days and she couldn't cancel on her. Now was the perfect time for him to come over and talk about their relationship or lack there of.
Okay, I'm at my buddy's house, but I can be there in about 5 minutes?
Gabriella smiled at the text knowing Troy would be coming sooner rather than later, and she just hoped that his feelings didn't change over the course of two days because hers most certainly didn't and she really wanted this.
10 minutes later, she heard her doorbell ring. She got up off her couch and walked towards the front door, stopping in front of her mirror in the foyer, fixing her hair a bit. She pulled down her dress she was wearing, took a deep breath, and then opened the door. There Troy was, standing casually in some jeans, a simple black t-shirt, and some converse. She didn't think it was possible for someone to get better looking every single day.
"Hi," she told him, waving for him to come in.
"Hey," Troy told her, "I didn't actually see your house last time I was here. It's very nice"
Gabriella closed the door behind them and walked towards the back of her home where the kitchen and one of her living rooms were, "Thank you. I actually designed it myself"
"Really?" Troy asking, following her, "Recently?"
Gabriella nodded, "Yeah, well I moved in recently, like 3 months ago, but I started construction on this at the end of last year. I just wanted something nice and cozy"
Troy looked around as he walked through the house, "yeah, yeah, it's really nice. I'm impressed."
Gabriella smiled, "Well, thank you. Do you want something to drink?" she asked him as they made their way past the kitchen. Troy shook his head, saying he was fine, so Gabriella led them to the living room where she had a TV, a few couches and a sofa chair that was the most comfortable thing ever.
"So how have you been?" Troy asked her as he sat down on the couch next to her, putting his arm around the couch and setting the other one on the arm rest, "How was work?"
Gabriella took a sip of her water bottle that she had on the couch prior to sitting down, "I'm doing good," she told him, after swallowing her water and putting the cap on, "Work was work. A kind of stressful event that had gone a bit wrong, but it turned out fine. How was basketball?"
"It was alright. It was just kind of to not get out of the swing of things and we just went over a couple of things"
Gabriella nodded, not knowing what else to say next or how to start the conversation they both knew they had to talk about. Luckily for her though, Troy spoke up.
"So..." he told her, "I know you probably don't want to talk about this, but..."
All Gabriella could think about when Troy was talking was their kiss and how wonderful it was. All she wanted to go was prance on him and kiss him as much as she could. And even though she was trying her hardest not to, she just couldn't not do it. She scoot herself forward on the couch so she was right in front of him. She looked inside of his eyes as he stopped talking and looked back at her. Without thinking, she put her hand on his face gently, and then leaned forward, "Then let's not talk"
She put her lips on his and slowly kissed him, while he brought his hands up and cupped her face, putting more pressure into the kiss and slowly moving his lips against hers. She opened up her mouth a little, allowing him entrance and then moved her hand from his face to his chest, scooting closer to him. Troy moved his body, getting more comfortable, as he took his right hand and put it on the back of her head, running it through her hair. Their tongues met and sparks flew, feelings growing more intensely. He pulled back, for less than a second just to get a look at her, before capturing her lips again in a series of pecks. This time, Gabriella pulled back and they both shared a smile.
"Well, I definitely prefer that over talking," Troy told her, laughing, "but um, you know we have to"
Gabriella leaned back, "But doesn't that answer all your questions?"
Troy placed a hand on her leg, "You're willing to give us a try? I don't even have to tell you why you should?"
Gabriella nodded, looking down at his hand on her leg and smiled. It felt so natural to be like this. "I am," she told him, "and no, you don't. I feel like I've taken too long to realize this. When this happened back home, I should have known right then and there... I mean, I literally think I had electricity flowing through my body. But I'm stubborn, and, you know cautious. I realized I should never judge a book by it's cover... or what cover they're on, in your case. I had doubts about you being able to commit, but I just need to take a chance, whether it ends up good or not. And um, if you're still interested, I want this"
Gabriella was happy she finally got everything out in the open, and felt relieved that she could just let go and be with him. She was still a little nervous how a relationship with a famous athlete would play out, but she was willing to try.
Troy smiled, "I don't think I ever stopped being interested, no matter how hard I tried," he told her, "And I just want to forget everything and just start from here. We can take it slow, however you want"
"Slow is good," Gabriella told him, grabbing his hand with hers, "But I really am sorry. Sometimes, i just try to see the worst in people because I'm screwed up in the head when it comes to relationships."
"Well, I've screwed up in relationships too, so we'll help each other manage," he promised her, taking his hand off her leg to grab her hand, "But we just have to take a chance or we'll never know what could happen"
Gabriella nodded, "I agree."
"Hey" Gabriella heard Troy's voice through her cell phone, "what's up?"
"I'm with Weslie doing a bit of shopping, what are you doing?" she asked back.
She rummaged through some clothes in Saks 5th Ave as she held her phone up to her ear, waiting for him to respond.
"Oh. Well the guys are coming over and we're making food and stuff and I was wondering if you wanted to come? There's going to be a lot"
Gabriella stopped rummaging through the clothes and looked at Weslie who was across the store looking through the jeans. She walked towards the entrance of the door and exited so she could hear him better and so she wouldn't have to talk so low.
"Oh, no, I don't want to interfere with your guy time, we have tomorrow," she told him.
During the last five weeks, she and Troy have been hanging out a lot, but they make it a point to not neglect their friends. But, Friday and Saturday were their days. They would cook at home or get take out and just hang out. She hadn't seen Troy in 2 days, but she really didn't want to take away from his guy time. She wasn't that type of girl.
"You wouldn't be," she heard Troy argue on the other line, "Come on, you can meet the guys, it'll be fun. Bring Weslie"
The minute Troy said that, Gabriella heard her stomach growl. She was hungry, and she did miss him, but she was just kind of nervous about meeting the guys. She had met Chad, but she didn't really know any of the other guys cause when she hung out with Troy, it was just them two. Or them and Weslie.
"Okay, fine," Gabriella caved, "We'll be there in 20 minutes?"
"That's perfect. See you soon," Troy told her before she hung up her phone.
She shoved her phone inside her purse and walked back inside to find Weslie in the front of the store looking for her. "Where did you go?" Weslie asked her.
She looked up for her phone and saw Weslie standing by some shirts, waiting for her. Over the past few weeks, her and Weslie have been strangely close. She wouldn't say they talk more than her and Troy, but it was close. Since Weslie wasn't working at the moment and she was staying at Troys while looking for a condo, they would hang out a lot. They had a ton in common and she reminded Gabriella of her friends back home.
"Oh, I was talking to Troy," she told her, "He asked if we wanted to go over and have some food"
Weslie set down a shirt she was holding, deciding not to buy it anymore because food sounded so much better. "Oh my gosh, yes. I'm starving!"
"Wait," Gabriella grabbed her before she made a dash to door, "All his teammates are going to be there"
"Derrick too?" Weslie asked, a little nervously. She hadn't seen him in a while. Last time she saw him, she was still with her boyfriend, but now she was single, and she found him so attractive.
"Yeah, well I don't know if all his teammates are, but the ones he's close to, and so yeah, Derrick's going to be there"
Weslie turned around and slowly opened the door for her and Gabriella. They walked out and made their way down the street to her car. "Okay, I don't know if I want to go anymore"
Gabriella laughed. She knew Weslie found Derrick attractive, but she didn't know if she wanted to start dating again. "I don't really either, but only because I don't want them to think I'm trying to cut into their guy time."
Weslie nodded, getting where she was coming from, "Yeah, I doubt they'd see it as that, but I get you. Maybe we can just eat and then leave? I'll say we have facial appointments."
"Okay, perfect," Gabriella smiled, happy Weslie was on the same page as her, "You don't really want to see Derrick?"
They got to the car and Weslie through in one of her shopping bags in the back, and Gabriella got into the passenger seat. Weslie looked for oncoming traffic and when she didn't see any, she walked to her door and slid into her seat. "It's not that I don't want to see him, I just don't know if I'm ready to like and flirt with someone again? You know... those cute text messages"
Gabriella placed her purse on the ground, grabbing her iphone out placing it on her lap as she buckled up. "Yeah, but you know... there's a chance he could be dating someone OR maybe you two won't hit it off."
Weslie looked over her shoulder for oncoming traffic and when there was none, she pulled out of the parking spot and made her way down Beverly Blvd. She liked how Gabriella was honest with her, but didn't sound like a bitch.
"You know, you're right," she told Gabriella, "who's to say he'll like me? I mean, the flirting in the past probably didn't even mean anything. Let's just go. And if we're bored or whatever, we'll leave"
"Deal" Gabriella agreed, looking over at Weslie and smiling.
"So where is everyone?" Weslie asked as she sat down on the couch with a bottle of water, "You invite us over for food and there's nothing to eat?"
Troy laughed from the kitchen where he was taking out some chips and salsa to serve. "Calm down. Chad and Derrick are bringing the meat in a little bit. There's some chips and salsa if you're that hungry"
"I'm that hungry!" Weslie said as she jumped off the couch and walked to the kitchen, "Um so who's coming?"
Troy scrambled around the kitchen looking for a salsa bowl and his chips bowl, forgetting where he put them, "Um, Chad, Derrick, Mike, Jordan..." Troy found both bowls and walked back to the counter to distribute both items, "uh, Jason and a few others, I forgot"
Weslie nodded. She had met everyone coming, but was just nervous about Derrick. They were always really friendly with each other, but nothing happened of course. She was looking forward to seeing him, but at the same time, was really nervous. For the first time in a long time, she was single and she would be able to talk to him without feeling guilty.
"Do you want any help?" Gabriella offered, "Want me to put some drinks out?"
Troy shook his head, "No, they can help themselves to drinks in here. I just wanted to put out some chips and salsa in the meantime. Derrick can eat these all day and I know he's hungry. Everyone except him and Chad are getting here in about an hour or so, they're training."
"Oh," Gabriella said, not knowing whether or not she'll meet them after all, "So it's just us 5?"
Troy nodded, "Well for now. As soon as they get here, we can start cooking, it doesn't take long"
Right when those words left Troy's mouth, Chad and Derrick turned the corner into the kitchen. Gabriella looked up and then looked at Weslie who was stuffing her face with chips and salsa.
"Hey," Chad called out, "Where do I put this?" he asked referring to the meat.
"Here, come with me," Troy told him as he escorted him out to the BBQ grill outside.
Weslie shot a look to Gabriella meaning she was nervous and Gabriella shot a look to Weslie meaning to say hi. Weslie nodded, and put down some chips and got off the stool she was sitting on.
"Hey," she said to Derrick.
Derrick smiled back at her and walked over to her, and leaned in for a hug, "Hey, you. I haven't seen you in a while," he told her as he pulled back, "How have you been?"
"Oh, I've been good, just trying to get settled here in LA," she told him, pushing some hair behind her ears, "How are you?"
"Oh yeah, congratulations on your internship, Troy told me. That's really great," he told her as he reached for some chips, "I've been good, too. Just starting to train, with basketball season around the corner"
Weslie smiled, feeling a sense of calmness. All her nerves were out the window, well most of them since she still didn't know if he was single or what. But she felt at ease talking to him. "Yeah, should be a good season"
Derrick smiled, "Hopefully," he then turned to Gabriella, realizing he hadn't said hi to her yet. "Hi"
"Oh, Derrick, this is Troy's..." Weslie told him, "Um... I actually don't know what to call you," she told Gabriella, laughing.
Gabriella laughed as well. They were still talking things slow, and she wasn't even sure where they were at, but she did know that she wasn't his girlfriend.
Derrick laughed as well, "Gabriella, right?"
Gabriella nodded her head, smiling that Troy actually has brought her up to his teammates, "Yeah, nice to meet you," she told him.
"You, too," Derrick replied, "I've heard great things"
"Well, I hope," Gabriella told him, "I'm going to go see if they need help." She smiled at Weslie as she walked passed her to the back. She always knew when to leave two people alone and how to not make it awkward.
Weslie and Derrick both nodded at her and smiled. They watched her walk out to the backyard, and then Derrick reached for some more chips and salsa.
"Do you want something to drink?" Weslie asked from the fridge, "there's beer, soda, water..."
"I'll take a coke," Derrick replied, sitting down on the stool, "Thanks"
Weslie walked back and stood across from him, and handed him the soda before leaning against the counter.
"Thanks," Derrick told her again, "So have you found a place?"
Weslie shook her head, "No. I've seen a couple, but I'm not motivated to look when I'm staying here in this nice house, and when Troy tells me I can stay as long as I want"
Derrick laughed, agreeing with her, "Yeah, that's true. But if you're interested, my cousin is actually moving out of her condo in about a month. It's in the hills, and it's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath. It's very nice."
"Really?"
He nodded, shoving some more chips inside his mouth. "Yeah, I'm not sure how much it is a month, but it's very nice."
Weslie knew the Hollywood Hills was a great area, and she had seen condos around the area, but she never got a chance to look inside. She had her friend to consider, who was in Spain at the moment, but she was moving in with her in a couple of months and he needed more than 2 rooms.
"Hm, I'll have to check it out," she told him, "because that sounds perfect. It's just my friend and I, so 3 rooms is perfect."
"Well, good. I can get you the information on it later," he told her, "and maybe my cousin can show you around"
Weslie nodded, "That would be great. Thank you"
"Oh, no problem," he told her, "So are you going to go to games this season?"
Weslie felt butterflies inside her stomach and she didn't know why. She couldn't tell if he was asking because he wanted her to go, or just to make conversation.
"Of course. Hoping for a 3-peat!" she told him, laughing.
"I am, too," Derrick told her, "but okay, every time I score a basket, I'll look for you in the stands."
Weslie felt her cheeks get hot and her stomach flutter once again. She was so embarrassing, and she hated how she got when a cute boy said something that could count as flirting.
"Oh I'm always there," she told him, laughing, "sitting right behind you guys"
"You weren't there much last season," he told her, "Unless you were seated somewhere else"
Weslie was smiling inside, trying not to look like a fool. She can't believe he noticed that she wasn't there that much last season. Last season, she spent her time traveling, and visiting Matt so she only got to go to a few home games.
"Okay, true," she told him, "But I'll definitely be there this season. Every single home game"
"You sure?" he asked her, "Not taking trips to San Francisco?"
Weslie remembered that last time they had seen each other, she was on her way out to San Fran to visit Matt. It was a legitimate question since Chad had asked the same thing a couple of days ago. Everyone knew she would constantly go to San Francisco.
"Oh, no, no trips this year,"
"Tired of the drive?" he joked, "I hate the drive"
"No, I just don't have any business being there anymore," she told him, "Which is good, because I hated the drive too when I took it"
Derrick shifted in his seat, regretting that he even brought it up. He wasn't even thinking. "Oh, um..."
"It's okay," she assured him, "It's over with"
Derrick nodded, realizing that her and her boyfriend were no longer together. On one hand, he felt bad for bringing it up, even though he really didn't mean to. But on the other hand, he was kind of happy because they always had this easy going vibe between them but it always felt restricted because she had a boyfriend. And he thought she was so beautiful.
"Sorry, I didn't mean for it to go that way..." he told her, "Are you okay, though?"
Weslie smiled and nodded, "Oh yeah, I'm fine. He made it very easy for me to get over him. Everything's good"
"Oh really?" he asked, wanting to know, but without directly asking about it.
"He's a jerk. I'm not going to take a break from our relationship at his expense. So it's whatever. If he wants to use long distance as an excuse to hook up with whoever, then he can, but I'm..." she started telling him, realizing he probably didn't care and that his 'oh really?' was probably just an obligatory remark. "sorry, I'm getting carried away"
Derrick shook his head, not minding at all, "No, go ahead, if you want to vent..."
Weslie smiled at him, appreciative of his listening, "I just... Some guys just suck."
"Yeah" Derrick replied, while smiling at her, "some"