Chapter 15 – One Date

Wednesday, June 9th, 2021

Gabi's POV

My eyes blinked towards the ceiling of my bedroom as I haven't slept a wink since Monday. I said yes. To a date. With him. I felt the bile rise in my throat from the minor thought of going on a date with him. I never in my life thought I would agree to that statement but the kiss had my knees weak again. It had my heart racing. My stomach full of butterflies. I nearly dragged him to my bedroom during that kiss. The tingle in my lips, the feel of his warm body against mine – it pushed me over the edge. I couldn't fight it.

The worst part was I didn't want to fight it.

Maybe everybody was right – I should let him explain. I was thrown back into his life for a reason and for whatever reason it was maybe I shouldn't ignore it. I watched kids not get to live their life because of cancer and it should remind me that I needed to live my life. Yea, it scared the ever-loving shit out of me to let him back in. It scared me that he could shatter me again. My heart clutched in fear of that single thought alone.

I swallowed down as my alarm on my phone went off to go change Claire's chemo. I stood up as I brushed my fingers through my hair before walking across the hallway. She was passed out in her bed after a long evening. She was refusing water and food because the sores in her mouth were intense. She puked the other half of the night and I slowly saw Troy's heartbreaking in front of me. He wanted to do anything he could for her. Which is why I wasn't surprised to find him curled up next to her in bed.

He was in a t-shirt with a pair of basketball shorts as he had a protective hand on the top of her little arm and she was just as snuggled into him. I quietly picked up the bag that was ready to go and I switched it out with another one as after this one was finished; I was going to run fluids for the rest of the night to keep her hydrated. I gently reached over to hook up the new on and Troy's eyes popped open but he instantly relaxed when he saw it was me. "Sorry," I whispered quietly to him. He shook his head as he let his fingers brush over her bald head.

I turned on the pump and made sure it started to run smoothly before I turned to head back to my room. "Gabs," he said quietly and I turned around to face him as I knew that meant he wanted to talk. Just the two of us. Not about Claire. My heartrate instantly picked up a few paces as I nibbled on my lower lip. He sat up in bed as his blue eyes pinned me to the wall behind me. "You, okay? You look tired." He whispered and he gently moved off the bed as he nudged his head to the hallway.

I followed him as I pinned myself back against the wall outside of her room as he looked at me expecting an answer. I just stared at him for a moment – those blue eyes holding me with curiosity, the tiny frown on his lips, and the way my heart was rapidly beating in my chest. I hated that he knew me so well – even though it's been eight years apart from each other. "I'm scared," I blurted and his eyes morphed and narrowed slightly before he swallowed.

"Scared?" he questioned, the night seeping in around us as my eyes were still trying to adjust to look at him. His hair was standing up in ten different directions and his eyes flickering around trying to understand. I just nodded my head towards him and he did the one thing that only made my body react to him. He trapped me against the wall, his towering body above mine. "Why are you scared, Gabi?" his voice was a husky whisper and I clenched my body together.

I swallowed heavily and I looked up at him praying that I could answer him. My tongue was becoming sand paper and my palms were starting to sweat. "Gabi," his voice was almost a demand and I took a deep breath. "I can't handle you breaking my heart again. Everything inside of me wants to just do this again. To date again. To love you again. To be with you. To feel safe and at home again with you but…if you break my heart again? I won't survive, Troy. I almost didn't survive last time."

His eyes stared down at me with a strong gaze, his big hand reached up and he brushed his fingers against my skin. "I have zero intentions of breaking your heart again, I told you that already but I get it. You get to be scared. I'm scared you're going to walk away. I'm scared that if I don't chain you to this apartment that you'll walk away and never look at me or Claire again. I'm scared, too." He whispered into my ear and I felt my eyes fill with tears.

"I'm scared I'm going to get too close to her and not be able to leave even when you don't want me." Troy nearly growled underneath of his breath and his lips came dangerously close to my own. "I am never going to not want you. I didn't want to walk away 8 years ago. I don't want you walking away now." His breathing was nearly rapid and his nose brushed against mine. "You are only walking away because you can't do this and you can't forgive me. If you tell me no, I won't protest but fucking hell you'll be ripping my heart out."

I tipped my head back and our lips nearly brushed with the movement, "I promise, if Claire is doing okay on Monday I'll see if Eve wants her and I will tell you everything. We can talk about everything. You can ask me anything. I know how scared you are and I want to reassure you how much I want this between us. I. Missed. You."

I just blinked and nearly missed that his lips pressed against mine. My entire body hummed to life and I pushed back against him, my fingers gripping his neck, and Troy groaned into the kiss. My tongue slipped into his mouth. He picked me up and pushed me back against the wall, my legs locked around his waist while I stroked his tongue with my own. He pulled away after a moment and his head dropped on my shoulder. "I am going to stop now because if I don't – I won't be able to and I want to talk first. We need to talk first."

"I don't want the whole world to know that we're…doing whatever we're doing." I told him and his eyes locked with mine as he nodded. "Okay," he said quietly and I blinked my eyes, "I know you say all of these things Troy but you said all of these things last time, too. You told me you would tell me. You promised to keep me in the loop and you didn't and that's what has me terrified." I watched him swallow as he still was holding me up against the wall.

"Just let me explain it, Gabi." I nodded my head as I reached forward and rested my head on his shoulder. He relaxed as he held me, "Come lay in my bed with me. No games. No sex…I just…we never got to share a bed together through an entire night." I swallowed and he must have felt it before he rubbed my back with one hand, "You need sleep," he reminded me and I pulled back to stare at his face. My eyes taking in that face. "I have to change Claire's chemo out in 90 minutes and then start a bag of fluids. Plus, Claire doesn't need to see us together."

"She asked me the other night if I liked you." I felt my eyes spread wide and Troy chuckled softly at my reaction, "I told her nothing. I just…she sees it. She said I never smiled at Eve like that." I didn't say anything but I knew what he was saying – he was happier with me around. Troy started to walk to my bedroom, "We'll stay here tonight. That way we are both close to her." He sat me down on the left side of the bed and I looked up at him.

"You remembered," Troy chuckled, "I still sleep on the right." He whispered to me and I felt my stomach flip-flop. I laid down on the bed as Troy laid back on the right and he gently pulled me closer to him. In my head I figured this would be awkward but it was anything but – it felt normal. Right. Our bodies molded together and my entire body relaxed. His arms were so much bigger than the last time I did this with him. His chest was built and strong behind me. He tucked me closer to his body and I eased back into his warmth.

"I want to go slow," I whispered to him.

"I know." He whispered back to me.

I blinked tears away from my eyes, "I don't want anybody to know if we do this whole dating thing. Not for a little bit. I don't want the constant phone calls and talking about it. I just…I want to get to know you again."

"We're going to do the dating thing." Troy reassured me and I let my hand fall onto his hand.

We both laid in the quiet for the longest time, our breaths were the only thing either of us heard but I knew he wasn't asleep. His thumb would flicker every so often and I would wiggle to get closer to him so when my alarm on my phone went off – I quietly started to sit up and Troy dropped his arms. He rolled onto his back and I looked at him in the bed I had been sleeping in the past several months. God, the past several months had been such a whirlwind.

"How long will her fluids run?" Troy questioned, "You need sleep." I just nodded with a tiny smile, "The rest of the night." He just nodded as I went over to Claire's room to start the bag of fluids, I programed them, and tossed all of the chemo before I walked over to the bedroom as Troy had pulled back the covers to the bed and was half asleep on it. I sat down as I looked at him for a moment as I reached over and brushed my fingers through his hair.

His eyes flickered open and he smiled as I shut off the lights. I crawled into bed and he rested on his side to face me, "Do you know that I begged my mom to let you stay over one night. I literally told her that no funny business was going to happen – that I just wanted to share a bed with you for one night." I rubbed my lips together as I watched him. "It was towards the end of our senior year and she just laughed at me and said that you had to be gone by midnight per normal."

I smiled as Troy brushed his fingers through my hair. "I wish she would have." I whispered to him. "It's not like they didn't know we were having sex." Troy chuckled underneath of his breath and nodded, "Yea, my dad gave me the talk too often in high school especially at the end." My eyes took in his face that I could barely see within the dark. The blue eyes stood out though and I reached forward and let my own fingers press against his face. The familiar feel of his nose, his cheeks, and when my fingers danced over his lips…those were just as familiar.

He inhaled sharply but didn't say a word as our eyes never disconnected from each other. His lips were smooth as my finger traced them. "You need some sleep," he whispered quietly after I stopped moving my finger. "So, do you," I whispered back and he let the corner of his lips lift up. I gently removed my hand and Troy gently tugged me closer to him and I flipped onto my other side with his arm securing me. His lips pressed into the back of my head and I felt the overwhelming feeling make my chest grow tighter because I truly never thought I would be here again.

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Troy's POV

I threw the football down the field as we were undefeated in our regular season and were already taking the number one seed. I knew there was scouts here tonight as the coaches already told me that I was going to need to talk to them and hopefully start setting up visits.

College.

It made me anxious. So anxious because of Gabi. She loved North Carolina and she loved her family and was so close to all of them. I loved her. I wanted the best football opportunity but I wanted her as well. The thought of it made me distraught and I wasn't sleeping because of it. I grouped our players back together as I rattled off the next play but the team knew I was distracted. They all knew I was distracted but I tried to shove it all away.

I was able to do that until I heard her voice over the crowd.

It made my heart thump louder. My heads were sweaty from just that. I handed off the football and I watched the running back take off with it down the field. Focus, Bolton. Liam came up behind me after the play was whistled dead and smacked my helmet. "You look distracted. You have way too many people here watching you tonight. I know you're worried about her but you have to let it go. This is your future." He hissed and I just swallowed and didn't say anything.

She was also my future.

I blew out a deep breath of air and I looked at the stands for a brief moment, and then just nodded my head, I had to do what was best for me and that was play damn good football. I could worry about Gabi and I after this game. I pushed all of the thoughts away and I focused. We scored a touchdown on the next play. Liam patted my back and we exited the field together as we got the extra point. I talked with the offensive coach about the last drive and found the things we needed to change for the next one.

Once he left, Liam plopped down next to me, "Look, I get it. You love her and she is your girl but this is high school. I want you both to work out because I know how much you both care about each other. I just think this isn't the time to put her first and then football. You don't know what will happen after graduation and you are going to be one of the best college quarterbacks. If you can have both – then good but listen and take the best one. If all goes well, you'll be a damn NFL quarterback and I'll be sleeping in your house."

I couldn't stop the chuckle, "I just don't know what to tell her. I know she wants to stay in North Carolina."

"And I want a million dollars. Life isn't always meant to work out like we want it too. If you just talk to her then maybe just maybe it'll all work out." I sighed heavily and just nodded as I took my helmet off and dragged my hand through my hair. "I just want to make both of us happy."

"You deserve this, Troy. You've worked your ass off every single week for years. You've done camps. You've done private practices. You work harder than absolutely anybody else. You. Deserve. This." The whistles blew and I looked up to see that it was 3rd down and 15. They yelled for offensive to get ready as I tugged my helmet back on and I twisted my head around as I spotted her. Wearing my jersey with a pair of skinny jeans with her hair in a messy bun.

She was sitting with Lucas and Gianna, my parents in the row behind them as they were all laughing and Gabi had her own eyes right on me. She patted her heart and I reached up to mine as I turned back around and headed on the field.

I deserved both.

Friday, June 11th, 2021

Troy's POV

Claire was sandwiched between Gabi and myself. Claire was struggling with the side effects of chemo this week and I was heartbroken watching her. Gabi was doing everything she could to make her comfortable but the chemo was harsh and nasty. Claire leaned over and she laid her head in my lap and her feet stuck in Gabi's as Trolls played on the screen in front of us. One hand gently massaged Claire's head and my other hand snaked around to tug on Gabi's ponytail.

She twisted her head to face me and I smiled at her. Waking up with her right next to me the other morning – I wanted to never get out of bed. It wasn't long before Gabi rolled out and went to change fluid bags in Claire's room and then went to the bathroom and started to get ready. I didn't say anything but I would have given anything for her to just come back to bed. I wasn't trying to scare her off though and I was taking my time with her.

"I talked to Eve and she'll take her Monday night." Gabi raised an eyebrow in my direction, "This is the sickest she has been from any chemo, I figured you would want to keep her." I shifted as I looked down at Claire to see that she was fighting sleep as I continued to rub her bald little head. "I know. I called Eve to see if she wanted her for the evening. She'll pick her up around 4 and bring her back around nine." I told her and Gabi chewed on her lower lip for a moment. "I also figured that since we want to keep this on the downlow…I would do something here for us and I know what you're thinking but…I'll make it a date. I promise."

She twisted her head around to look at me and then down to Claire who was fast asleep already. "I think that's a good idea, I trust you," Gabi spoke softly and I curled my fingers around her hair. I gently tugged and she closed her eyes as I dropped my fingers to her neck. "I still want to see you dressed up," I murmured and she shot me a smile. "As long as you dress up," I sent her a smile with a nod. "I am going to go work in the hospital next week and start teaching yoga classes again. Once we start the prep for BMT it will be a little dull."

A smile over towards her and a look down at Claire, "Okay, you should come do a yoga class for the Loyalist." I suggested and her eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?" she questioned and I couldn't stop the chuckle from leaving my mouth. "We have different things on Friday's during preseason. We've done yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and rock-climbing stuff before as a team. It changes up our workouts and has a bit of team bonding." I said and Gabi busted out laughing. "I'm trying to picture 300lb lineman doing Zumba,"

My eyes took in her laugh with her smile wide and her brown eyes glowing. "Yea, it's a sight to be seen but I can tell coach that I know a yoga instructor and maybe you can come do one of our Friday morning sessions." My eyes watched her throat swallow on it and her eyes flickered around the apartment before landing on Claire. "Are you sure? I mean…" she didn't finish her words and I lifted my hand to gently pull her chin towards me. Our eyes connected and my thumb stroked her chin as she shivered underneath of my touch. "Yea, I'm sure. I can take a class first if you want me too,"

"Maybe we can do a personal one here." She offered, "Claire can do it when she's feeling better."

I smiled, I loved how she always included Claire. "Yea, let's do it." Gabi gave me a smile as I let go of her face, "I am going to put Claire to bed. Do you need to do anything?" she nodded, "I need to give her some night time meds." We all three got up off the couch as I carried Claire to her bed and I laid her down as I gently pulled off her socks and tucked her underneath of her covers. Gabi came over with a few different syringes and pushed them all through her port before flushing the line.

She then hooked her up to fluids as I stepped back and watched her in her element. She tossed everything in the trash can and then turned to find me watching her in the doorway. I sent her a smile and she smiled back as I backed out of the room. I went into the kitchen as the Trolls ending credits were rolling across the screen as I poured two glasses of wine. Gabi shook her head, "I need to go to bed," she said and I laughed. "Just one glass. C'mon," I nudged my head towards the door.

"Troy," I looked at her again, "Just a drink, you can choose the topic." I bargained with her. I just wanted all of the time with her. "Keep those lips to yourself," she demanded and I couldn't help but laugh. "No promises," I hummed causing her to send me a glare. I held up both of my hands, "Okay, fine, I'll keep my lips to myself." Gabi was in a pair of leggings with a t-shirt as she walked across the apartment in her bare feet.

We both went out to the balcony as the night life of Boston was slowly carrying up but nothing to be bothered about. We both settled in a chair as I gave her a glass of wine as she took a sip and tucked both of her feet underneath of her. Neither of us spoke for a few minutes as we enjoyed the night breeze and the company of each other. "What did you end up majoring in?" Gabi randomly asked and I twisted around to face her for a moment. Her eyes blinked twice and then she shrugged.

"Nutrition and Health Science," I told her and her eyebrows jumped in surprise. I chuckled at her reaction, "Seriously?" she questioned and I put my hand over my heart pretending to be wounded. "Wow, did you have that little faith in me?" Gabi couldn't stop her laugh and she shook her head. "I just figured you would go for like sports recreation management or business or something like that to help with the football schedule."

I smiled over at her and nodded, "Everybody said I was a bit insane but I loved it. I loved learning what foods would make my game stronger and how I could balance what I needed and the foods to get the most benefit. I can actually cook a decent meal because of those classes. It was kind of an escape from football sometimes and I was friends with more people than just the football team."

"I did notice you had a really good diet that maximized everything," A rumble of laughter left my chest and I looked out at the street, "It's one less person I have to pay. I can do it all myself." We both laughed at that and she took another drink of her wine. "I figured you would go into education," I told her honestly and Gabi bit on her lip to try and hide her smile. "Honestly? That was my first major. I didn't really care for the classes though and when I shadowed a nurse…I loved it. I loved it so much."

I couldn't stop my own smirk from knowing that was her original goal.

"I can't say that I was too surprised when I found out you were a nurse. It kinda of clicked together and worked in my head – after I gotten minutes to digest that you were here." Gabi smiled, "What did you think in that moment?" she asked me and I shifted in my seat. "I think I actually knew before you walked in the door. They kept telling us that your name was Gabi and I knew that it wasn't you. I kept telling myself over and over again that you were in North Carolina and that you were happy there – hopefully married and maybe pregnant. I don't know. I would build fantasies about you to make sure that you were okay." I paused and released a breath as I stole a glance at her.

Her brown eyes were focused on me and she was playing with the bracelet on her hand. "The moment the door opened – the hair on my arms stood up and my heart was pounding and I just…everything kinda shifted as if my world was realigned back into the center for the first time in eight years and I knew that it wasn't possible because my daughter was just diagnosed with cancer and I was meeting her nurse and the only person who could make me feel like that was…you." I told her honestly and she gulped down another sip of wine.

"Then it was you standing in the doorway and I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I didn't have a damn clue what I should be doing because it shouldn't be you standing in an oncology ward in Boston." She nibbled on her lip and I sighed, "I was shocked, scared, and realized that you still made me feel the same exact way that you did when I was 18." I blew out a hot breath of air and I shook my head. "I felt comfortable and knew that everything was going to be okay because…you were there."

She wiggled in her seat and brushed her fingers through her hair, "I was so angry. I was angry when you were drafted to Boston. I was angry that you were so good. I was angry that you were again invading my territory. I walked out of the meeting and I just sobbed in the bathroom," she said honestly while her fingers ghosted around the rim of the glass. "I know, I saw the anger develop on your face and I knew in that moment that I crushed you. I was hoping that just maybe you understood what I was doing."

She shot me a look this time, "I'm not going into that whole story tonight. I don't want any interruptions and I want your undivided attention with that conversation." I reached over and let my hand rest on her knee as I tried my hardest to get her to pay attention. "It was never my intention to break you and hurt you like I did. I will never be able to apologize enough." She just nodded her head and exhaled before her eyes tilted up. "Why were you red shirted your freshman year? I know you could have started."

I swallowed and I didn't answer for a few minutes as I just stared at Boston. The lights were twinkling in the sky and the stars were nowhere to be found as the city lights diminished all of them. I shifted my weight, "I didn't start because I couldn't pull my head out of my ass. I didn't do anything my first year at Alabama. It was a small miracle if I showed up to practice and did something decent. I did the minimum in the weight room and I only left my dorm to go to class and to go to practice. I was just…unhappy." He clarified and she squinted over at me for a brief moment and then blinked a few times. "What happened your second year?"

I chuckled, "Lucas and my dad had a sort of intervention for me. They cornered me and told me that I was throwing absolutely everything away and I was going to get kicked off the team. Lucas started dragging me to more workouts, my dad would make sure I showed up to my quarterback work outs with a private coach, I started to gain my motivation again to do it all and I realized how much I craved to be the best and how much I needed football in my life. They may or may not have also told me that breaking up with you would have been for absolutely nothing if I didn't actually do what I was supposed to do at Alabama."

Gabi chewed on her lip, "You were that way because of us,"

"Yea," I said quietly and she just rolled her lips together. "I'll save my response to Monday after I hear everything." She concluded, "But, I do think I would have been pissed if you would have never played and done anything then we could have gone to North Carolina together." I chuckled as I swirled my wine around in my glass. "I'm glad they woke me up. It took mentioning you to get me off my ass. My coaches were shocked as hell and I beat out the senior quarterback after two games to take the starting position."

Gabi chuckled, "That is the man I know,"

"How are your sisters?" I asked her. Gabi smiled as she thoughts of her three sisters – Scarlett, Sophia, and Layla. "Scarlett is good, she is dating a new guy and his name is Brent. She is a high school teacher for the English department and she absolutely loves it. We all thought she would do younger kids but something about high school kids spoke to her. Soph is getting ready to start PA school. She fell in love with medicine and there was no looking back. She almost did a nurse as well but she liked the PA aspect more. She'll actually be in Boston for schooling," I raised an eyebrow and Gabi smiled, "I am kinda glad one of them is moving up here. I miss them."

I frowned.

She loved her family and I hated that I drove her away.

"Layla of course just graduated high school. She isn't sure what she wants to do yet but is looking at nursing, she's looking into any sort of management, and she even thought about a registered dietician." I let a smile flicker over my face because Layla was 9 years old when we started dating. "I miss your sisters but I bet they aren't the biggest fans of me at the moment." Gabi laughed into her wine glass as she took a big sip. "When we were in North Carolina they were hoping that we had already gotten back together."

I couldn't stop my laugh, "Apparently there is money riding on it but I think they all think we're getting back together. Scar was the one who told me that maybe this is a second chance." My eyes lifted to find her eyes, "It was when you said it again…that maybe it was a second chance. Maybe it was worth it to just listen for a minute. I want to be honest. I don't know what I can give you, Troy Bolton. My heart was shattered by you once and I will not survive it again."

I stood up and I reached for her hand, I took away the wine glass and tugged her to a standing position. My hand framed her face and I stroked my thumb against her cheek as she flinched. "My greatest mistake was hurting you, you know, Gabriella, that I don't make the same mistake twice." My voice was barely above a whisper and her eyes shifted up to look at me. She swallowed and I ghosted my lips over her lips. Our eyes connected to each other and I gave her a soft smile, "I promised,"

Sunday, October 26th, 2014

Gabi's POV

Troy Bolton was distracted.

He had been for a while now. I wasn't sure what was distracting him but it made my stomach flip-flop. I blinked my eyes and I glanced over at him as he was watching the Panthers play but his eyes were glossed over and he wasn't really paying attention. His hand was rubbing my thigh and I looked at him, "Troy," I said quietly as we were the only people home and typically that meant we forgot about football and did…other things.

"Hmm?" he questioned. His eyes never moved from the TV and I scrunched my eyebrows. I twisted and I plopped myself down in his lap while I brushed my fingers through his hair. "Troy," I directed again and his blue eyes finally blinked and glanced at me. "Yea?"

"What's wrong?" I whispered. He shook his head as if it was nothing but I threw him a look. "Troy, you are so distracted. You have been for weeks. Your parents and siblings aren't home and they won't be for hours and you haven't even tried to take my shirt off or…" I stopped and Troy flickered his eyes to me. His mouth was set and he took a deep breath, "I'm just…in my head a lot about colleges. I picked my top five." I blinked a few times, "Troy, why haven't you told me?"

"Because I was making sure they didn't change. This is a lot, El," I swallowed as I stared at him and I battled tears. "Then why are we together if you can't share the hard things, Troy. I am here to support you and I love you and I just want to know. That's all I ask," I stood up off of his lap and he interlocked our fingers and tugged me backwards. "Gabi, wait, I'm sorry. I don't know how to handle this." I spun around to face him, "I've told you how to handle them!" I yelled at him. I never yelled at him but my anger was simmering.

"I've told you to just keep me in the loop. I will go with you anywhere."

"You want to stay in North Carolina," he argued back.

"If you were going to ask me, then yea, but I. Love. You." I pronounced each word and I looked at him closely as my tears fell. "I love North Carolina, I love my family, but I also love you. My family will support me no matter what." I swiped at my hot angry tears. "I just can't do this anymore," I whispered and I began to walk away. My feet dragging as the tears fell down my face faster and faster. "Wait, wait, El, please, wait," his fingers gripped my shoulder.

"What do you mean you can't do this anymore?" he questioned, his own fear developing in his eyes. "I can't continue to be scared that you are going to just up and leave, Troy. We are in this together. If you loved me…you would just tell me. I'm not asking for all of the gritty details. I just want to know what you are thinking and I feel like I deserve that. I deserve better." Troy swallowed and he just started spewing words. "I chose my top five last night after Coach chewed my ass out for not setting up visits. North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Clemson. I chose four of them because they are the best and I chose North Carolina because of you. I chose it because of you. I am going to visit all of them and I want to do what is best for both of us and if that is North Carolina,"

I pressed my lips against his lips to just shut up him and he groaned picking me up to press me back against the stairwell wall. "I am so scared that I am going to hurt you in this process and I don't want to do that. I don't want to hurt you." He whispered once he pulled our lips apart. "I love you; I love football, I love doing this life with you but I do want to go pro and…" I kissed him again and I locked my arms around his neck. "We'll do it together, you just have to tell me," I whispered into his ear.

He squeezed me, "Okay,"

Monday, June 15th, 2021

Gabi's POV

My stomach was filling with butterflies and the nerves were exploding as I chewed on my nail while digging through my closet for something good enough. I shouldn't be nervous because I had been living with him since March. I had conversations and saw him daily but for some reason – a date seemed…official.

I swallowed as I dug through my clothes for the third time before deciding on a white body suit that slipped over my curves and dipped low down into my cleavage but the crisscross pattern of the strings kept all of the girls in. I slipped on the pair of black torn up jeans with a light brown front duster jacket with a pair of booties. I made sure my make-up was still looking okay as I was under strict instructions to stay inside my room until 6pm. I was anxious to see what he had planned but I also knew that this was the perfect date.

I didn't want my face plastered everywhere because I was on a date with Troy. Our history was much more complex than the media will make it out to be. I wasn't just a nurse who happened to be in his house. I was the girl he loved first and nobody would understand that. I also never wanted people to find out because of Instagram or ESPN. I just wanted to get to know him again. I wanted to figure out if this was going to work again.

Without other people.

I took another look in the mirror and tugged on my jacket as it was 5:58 when there was a knock on my door. I felt a cheesy smile take over my lips as I walked over to the door and I took a deep breath and exhaled. Second chances. We both deserved a second chance. I swung the door open and Troy audible groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. That second gave me time to take all of him in. He was in a pair of dark jeans with a white button up that was rolled just to his elbows. His hair was styled and his forearms were on full display. "You're stunning," he finally found his words and I just sent him a wide smile. "You are pretty handsome yourself," I winked and I stepped out as he took my hand and twirled me around.

"In high school, I truly never thought you could get any more beautiful but damn you proved me wrong." I laughed, "You thought I was only going to get uglier?" I teased as I elbowed him while his fingers slipped through mine. He tugged me into the kitchen and I stopped in my tracks. There was a little round table behind the bar with two chairs across from each other. A candle lit in the middle with the lights down in more of a mood lighting. A bouquet of flowers sitting on the bar that were just stunning.

"Troy," I whispered and he just grinned, "Anything for you," he murmured in my ear. I smiled twisting to look at him, "C'mon, let's eat." Troy took me over to the table as he pulled the chair out and I settled down into it as there was soft music playing in the background. He brought over two plates of food and I salivated at the smell of them. It was a red pasta with noodles and veggies mixed into the sauce. Troy poured wine for the two of us before sitting down himself. "It looks delicious," I murmured and Troy's cheeks turned red.

"Thanks," I smiled up at him as I took a bit of the pasta and nearly groaned. "Troy," I mumbled and he laughed again, "It's chickpea pasta, I try to avoid too many carbs unless I'm loading up for a game." He murmured as I stuffed another bite into my mouth. "Why do I cook?" I questioned and Troy chuckled as he took his own bite. "You seem to have more time than me here." I took a sip of wine that was even more delicious. "Wow, it's all good."

I looked up at him and his eyes were just staring at me, a soft smile on his face and I felt my breath get stuck in my chest. "Mozzafiato," he murmured and my entire body flamed alive with that word, tears pulling in on the edges as I missed that word from his mouth. He reached over and stroked my hand, "I didn't know I could miss a singular word,"

"I missed saying it."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You never said it to Eve or Claire?" he shook his head. "No, I've only said it to one girl. The one girl who literally can take my breath away. I should have said it when you opened the door but you literally took my breath away." I brushed my eyes and I smiled at him as we both continued eating. "I thought Claire said you couldn't cook?" Troy chuckled, "I cook her healthy food. You are the fun one."

A smirk etched into my face, "I mean, as a cancer patient, I just want her to eat. Hell, I'd take mud if that's what she wanted. Any calories are good calories. It's a hard adjustment after treatment to eat healthier foods but it'll be okay," Troy smiled at those words. "The mermaid pudding was a hit. I might have to steal that recipe." I laughed and just nodded my head with a smile. We both polished off our food rather quickly while just catching up over the day. Troy cleared our plates and refilled our wine, "I want to do one thing before we talk,"

I turned my head at him as he offered me his hand and I gently took it as he grabbed his phone and with one hit of a button – I Don't Dance by Lee Brice echoed through the speakers a little louder than the previous songs and I just smiled at him.

My arms wrapped around his neck and his around my waist as he tugged me closer to his body. There was little room between the both of us as he led us through the dance and I just let my head rest on his chest while I flashed back to our dance together – the one the first time. "I'll never settle down, that's what I always thought, yea, I was never that kind of man," Troy whispered into my ear as the song started and tears filled my eyes.

God, the ache, the hurt, the everything – it caused my chest to burn. We both rocked each other's worlds back in high school and neither of us say it coming and this song – it practically summed it all up. I couldn't stop the tears from spilling as I just hugged onto him closer. His arm tightened and I knew he knew that I was crying but he just continued to dance to the song. "That night, at homecoming, I realized that I wanted to do anything to keep you. That I wanted every single dance to be with you and nobody else. That we danced so well together because it was the two of us." I swallowed on the growing lump in my throat as I just held onto him so tightly.

The song ended over the speakers and I pulled away as Troy gently wiped away my tears that were dripping down my face. "C'mon, let's go sit on the couch and I'll tell you everything that happened the three weeks before we broke up." We both grabbed our wine glasses as he sat down and I sat right next to him as he rubbed his palms over his jeans. "Three weeks?" I finally asked. Troy just nodded his head, "Everything happened in three weeks. I was set to go to North Carolina until…okay, it all started to fall apart about a month beforehand but it really didn't fall apart until three weeks."

I swallowed down a gulp of wine because maybe I didn't have the same idea at all about what had happened.

"I got a phone call from UNC coach four weeks before I was supposed to leave. We had just graduated and he called me and basically told me that I wasn't going to start that year or the next several. They just got this transfer as a quarterback and he was better than me. They offered to let me out of my spot and I just didn't say anything because I was pissed. It was one of the things I actually did like about the program. He promised me that I was about to start by at least my sophomore year. He told me that I was going to be a leader and it didn't matter if I went to there or Alabama…. I was going to make a name for myself and I would still get drafted. It all made sense. I got to play early, I got my girl, and I would go to the NFL."

He paused as he rubbed his hands on his jeans again, his nervous habit, "I want to be honest with you, Gabi, I did want to go to UNC. It just made the most sense. It would be easier for my family to come to games, you were going to be there, and I know you said you would go anywhere but the more we talked about the other schools…your eyes dimmed. You didn't seem happy about it. It was starting over and I didn't want to do that to you. So, I chose UNC because it made the most sense factoring in everything. It wasn't the best school but it was the best school for me."

I let our eyes connect and I just nodded my head, "I was livid after the phone call with Coach Becks and you said something about it to me. I was in a piss mood for that entire week and then…Coach William called me. He got wind of the conversation I had with Coach Becks and he offered me the same spot again. Their back-up had just gotten a career ending knee injury and they were in desperate need for a solid #2 quarterback and I just said yes."

I squeezed my eyes closed, "I didn't think, I didn't question it, I just…I just said yes. I remember getting off the phone and I just closed my eyes and absolutely hated myself. I cried for all of the wrong reasons. I cried because I knew that I was going to lose you because I couldn't ask you to come with me. It was three weeks before I was leaving and you had your roommate and were planning your dorm with them and you were so damn excited." Troy winced and tilted his head forward. I blinked away the tears in my eyes.

"I was destroyed and you again called me out on my shit for being distracted and I think that's when you realize that something was really up. I wasn't keeping it from you because I wanted to hide it from you. I was hiding it because I never wanted to admit it. I didn't want to do it. I never wanted to tell you and if I could have somehow pulled off going to Alabama and seeing you in North Carolina every single night…I would have."

"Troy," I whispered quietly and he looked at me, his own eyes filled with tears. "I never wanted to hurt you like that but I didn't know how to do it without just ripping the band-aid off. I didn't know what the hell to do and I was just…lost. I had several conversations with my dad about it and my mom and they just told me to tell you. To ask you. Maybe you couldn't transfer this year but maybe the next one and we could be together again but I couldn't do that to you. I couldn't."

"Why? I would have."

"And you would have spent your whole first year by yourself and you wouldn't have done the whole college thing and I only wanted that for you. I only wanted you to be happy. I didn't think it was the best way for it to happen so…I just…" he shrugged. Our eyes connected again and I just lost it. The sob that broke from my mouth had Troy scooping me into his arms and pulled me into his lap. His arms looped around my body as he pulled me close.

"I would have come," I sobbed into his neck and he rocked me, "I know, baby, I know." He kissed my temple and buried his nose into my hair. "I had a shit freshman year anyways, it didn't matter," the sobs rocked my chest and Troy just held me close in his arms. "I never wanted you to be a trophy wife, El, I never wanted you to be hosting fundraisers and selling products on Instagram or any of that shit. I knew you were destined for big things and…" he exhaled while his hand rubbed my arm.

"I never wanted to be the man to drag you down. You are doing such amazing things with these cancer patients and I regret so much of what I did but I don't regret this. I don't regret you becoming this person. I know thousands of families were lucky to be graced by your presence and if making the decision I made was for that reason…then I'm okay with it but Gabi, I am never letting you go again. I am never letting you walk away. I am never doing it again because I don't think I can handle this again. I don't think I can survive my heart being shattered twice either."

My body turned in his lap and I just hugged onto him tightly, "I thought you just lied to me the entire time," I hiccupped into his neck and squeezed him. "I thought you had lied about everything and you had made the decision so much earlier. I wish I would have known that it all just fell apart. I wouldn't have been as mad. I thought you didn't want me anymore. I thought you didn't love me anymore. I thought I did something to make you upset, to hate me, to stop loving me." Troy's head reared back quickly at my statement and he shook his head. Those blue eyes full of concern and heartbreak.

"No, no, oh God, no, I loved you so damn much I had to let you go and let you spread your wings. You were my volunteering, people loving, the best person I knew and I didn't want my college status to change you. I didn't want my pro status to change you and I loved you so much I had to let you go. I never wanted to let you go. I never stopped loving you. I never stopped, El."

"I never stopped loving you either," my voice was hoarse and his eyes just stared into mine. "Saying those things to you, killed me. Watching you walk away? Destroyed me. It was for the best though, baby, it was for the best." I swallowed on the cry and I just buried my face again because I never wanted to believe that. We were better together than we were apart. We would always be better together. "I wish you would have just told me everything then and let me decide." I whispered into his neck.

Troy didn't say anything back to that because I don't think there was anything to say to that. We couldn't go backwards. He couldn't change what he did but the story at least made more sense. I forever thought that he just didn't love me anymore. That he didn't want me anymore. That he wanted to go to Alabama and hook up with all of the cheerleaders. That he did it months in advance and never told me. This story made more sense to the Troy Bolton I knew and that comforted me.

I finally pulled back and Troy brushed his thumb over my cheek before his lips were devouring mine. The kiss wasn't gentle or nice – it was an all our war of anguish from missing eight years of each other's lives. I slid into his lap and curled my legs around him as his fingers squeezed my body as his thick erection pressed against my thigh, I rolled my hips once and he growled into the kiss before separating his mouth from mine. His eyes looked over my shoulder and he groaned.

"What?" I murmured as I kissed his check and along his jaw, "Eve will be here soon with Claire." He whispered quietly and I felt my stomach summersault as I started to pull away from him. "What are we going to do about this?" I whispered to him and his eyes flickered to me and he frowned, "What do you mean?"

"You have a daughter. With cancer. I am her in-home nurse and…you're paying me a lot of money." Troy brushed my hair away from my face. "You are almost done anyways, right? She's getting better." I knew Troy was looking for me to say the words he wanted to hear but I would never promise him anything I couldn't guarantee. "She is getting better and her BMT will start in just a month but I have school in August and…"

Troy shook his head, "How about we take this one day at a time? I'm not letting you leave, again. I don't care if you go to NP school, I don't care if you quit your job, I don't care what you do El, besides that you stay here with me because I don't think I can do this life after having a second taste of you."

"Troy, there is something I never told you about NP school." I quietly told him and he cocked his head, "What's that?" I chewed on my lip and I blinked my eyes a few times, "I'm moving to Philadelphia for 18 months to do it. They have one of the best pediatric oncology units and had a spot in their NP program for pediatric oncology all lumped in together. I'll be getting my PNP and specializing in oncology and…I am moving to Philly in August. It's why I couldn't stay on as your nurse after August 19th. I move August 25th."

Troy blinked once, twice, and then a third time as he swallowed, "I am going to take this one day at a time still. I don't know what we are going to do but I do know that I am not going to give up easily. If we have to do long distance, if we have to move between here and there…fuck, I don't care baby. I am not doing this life again without you." I just nodded my head and I kissed him slower this time. Troy pulled back again, "How about after I put Claire to bed, we go out to the balcony again, I do just want to talk. I want to know every detail over the past 8 years." I smiled softly and nodded.

"I need to assess her. I'll change," Troy shook his head back and forth. "Don't change." He shot out and I laughed, "I can't assess your daughter like this," Troy shook his head again, "No changing. I'll get you a sweatshirt or something but no changing. I feel robbed because my daughter is coming back." We both laughed together and I dipped to kiss him again. "I have to tell, Eve." Troy said quietly. I nodded, "Okay,"

"I am dating you again." He whispered and I nodded, "Okay."

"I am going to tell Eve but we can keep it away from Claire as long as you want. Until you are ready to tell her because I would tell her tomorrow so I can go into the kitchen and kiss the ever-loving hell out of you but I understand why you want to wait." I couldn't stop my tears and I laughed, "Thank you," Troy just nodded as he kissed me softly. "I am going to clean up and find a sweatshirt," I said with a wink and Troy just smiled.

"No changing," I laughed as I dipped to kiss him once more before climbing off his lap. I swallowed hard as I walked away, the tears slipping, because I was so scared of what was to come.

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

Troy's POV

Gabi leaned her head into my shoulder and we watched the waves roll onto the beach together, our fingers clasped, I felt better ever since just telling her everything. We had our first big playoff game tomorrow and I was destined to take the team all the way to state. I was nervous but I was more nervous in letting Gabi down. I squeezed her hand and she sent a smile up to me as I dipped my eyes to watch her face.

The red, yellow, and orange reflected across her face and it was utterly…breathtaking.

"Mozzafiato," I whispered and her brown eyes blinked and she smiled. "This is probably the most breathtaking spot. You sitting here, the waves, the sunset reflecting against your skin. Your brown eyes so beautiful, that smile on your lips, and your intoxicating smell, it's just all so breathtaking." She reached up and kissed me softly. Her El necklace firmly around her neck and she smiled against my lips. "I feel better about us. We feel better."

"I'm scared," I admitted to her.

"Why?"

"Because what if I lose you become of something? Anything? Because of college? Football? I'm scared that college is going to rock our worlds." Gabi took her eyes away from the sunset and she twisted and slid into my lap. "We're going to make it all work. I am not going to walk away easily." I leaned my forehead against hers and took a deep breath. "I love you," I whispered to her.

"I love you, too. College, football, cheerleaders, professors, nothing is going to stop our relationships, okay? If we just put the two of us in front then we can do anything, together." I smiled with a nod as I kissed her softly and she locked her arms around my neck.

"I know we're 18 and 17 but…I'm gonna marry you one day Gabriella Montez,"

OH. SO much happened in this chapter. So much to unpack. Gabi is going to Philly for NP school. She truly thought that he was going to Alabama well before it all happened. Troy felt like he was trapped. Ah! What do you think? You will see more of this unfold and more details from the other side in chapters to come.

Let me know all of your thoughts!

Please Review!

Next Update: October 3rd