Chapter 19 – July 4th

Sunday, July 4th, 2021

Gabi's POV

I rolled over hazily in bed as my alarm blared next to me when I suddenly sat up in confusion. Wait, Troy showed up last night but I never remember him leaving last night. I glanced around to see that I was in my bedroom with the same clothes I was wearing last night. I frowned as I looked over at the other side of the bed to see it completely empty. I reached for my phone to see a text message from Troy sitting at the top of it. I smiled as I laid back in bed to open it up.

Troy: Good night sleepy head, I'll see you in the morning. Love ya big.

I couldn't stop the overwhelming smile as he wanted to stay the night last night but he was taking my pleas of dating seriously. We mostly finished the bottle of wine together, while he had water, and then I don't remember much after that. He must have taken me to bed before he left because we were on the couch the last time, I remember doing anything. I sent him back a kissy face before rolling out of bed and going to change for the day. I applied tasteful amount of make-up before pulling on my swim suit that would absolutely drive him crazy all day today especially if he couldn't touch.

It was a bright red triangle bikini with bright red cheeky bottoms. I slipped a white t-shirt over top with a pair of jean shorts. I walked over and found a pair of flats as I packed my bag along with a pair of sunglasses and a beach hat on my head to hopefully shade my face from anybody who might be watching. My hair fanned out around my body and fell just below my breasts when my phone rang. I reached over and picked it up.

"Good morning," Troy said the moment I answered the phone. I laughed, "Good morning," I echoed back with a smile on my face. "I am about to pull up to your apartment. Do you just want to meet me down on the street and just jump in?" he asked and I nodded, "Yea, I'm pretty much ready to roll whenever. Any chance breakfast and coffee will be involved?" I questioned in return. "Yes, ma'am. It is already in my car."

"Was Claire sad that she wasn't going today?" I asked him and he chuckled, "A little bit. Eve is going to spend the day with her girlfriends who have a few kids around Claire's age so that cheered her up. She does want to talk to you at some point today. She misses you." I smiled as I packed my sunscreen and a Hydroflask. "Maybe later tonight. She needs to enjoy the day with her mom. I'll see you in a few minutes."

"See ya in a few," I hung up the phone as I finished grabbing my things. I threw on a handful of chunky bracelets before I collected all my things. Troy sent me a text that he was here as I grabbed my keys, locked up the door, and headed downstairs. I stepped out of the building as his Range Rover was idling on the side of the road. I quickly hopped in the side as he was looking down at his phone. He was wearing a pair of American flag swim trunks with a white t-shirt. A backwards Loyalist hat on his head with a pair of Oakley's.

"Morning," I said as I shut the door and he glanced up with a smile on his face, "Morning," he reached forward and I met him half way as our lips connected. He let a smile grace his lips as he reached up to cup my face. "I was literally gone for less than 12 hours and I missed you." I laughed as I kissed his freshly shaven cheek. "Did I fall asleep last night?" I questioned and he chuckled with a nod as he pulled his car out onto the street.

"Yea, we were talking about the game on TV and you completely passed out on me. Like mid-sentence." I just laughed as I buckled my seat belt. "That sounds about right. How long did you hang out for?" Troy smiled as he reached over and let his hand rest on my knee. "About another thirty minutes. I was content on just sitting there and holding you. I just think you should be proud of me for not staying the night and taking this slow."

I just laughed, "I think I am prouder that we kept our clothes on." Troy groaned, "I highly doubt I will be nearly as good tonight. Especially if I have a hint of what is underneath that t-shirt." I just gave him a wicked smile. "What do you think is underneath of it?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow and he just groaned, "I see red," I laughed as he pulled up to a liquor store when a middle age man came out with a cart full of stuff. Troy popped his trunk before slipping out of the front seat and greeting the man with a smile and a tip. I watched him as he laughed but nodded as the back of his car was loaded with beer, seltzers, and a few different hard alcohols. Mixers and ice were also tossed in the back to make just about any drink imaginable.

Once the trunk was closed and the man was heading back Troy slipped back inside, "Got enough alcohol?" I questioned and he chuckled. "We all have different tastes and I wasn't sure what you were going to want. There is enough of everything to be shared. I like a good whiskey or a beer, Reni will only drink tequila today so yikes, Hanson will be strictly beer and water, and Reggie is a wild card. You never really know. The girls typically stick to seltzers but you can have whatever."

"Wow, I feel like the royal treatment." He cracked a smile before pulling up the grocery store in similar fashion. I just watched in fascination as they loaded the car with food before Troy gave a tip and was pulling out of the parking lot. "So…is this how you do all of your shopping?" I questioned. He cracked a laugh with a nod while he laced our fingers together. "Yea, it's a fuck ton easier. Nobody spots me and I can get what I need painlessly. Eve started it and it just…worked."

I frowned, "I think I would miss grocery shopping." Troy shifted his eyes towards me. "You like it?" I nodded my head, "Yea, I do. I mean…sometimes it's really a chore but just being able to wonder the aisles and only have to think about what am I going to eat the next several days." Troy didn't say anything for a moment as he shifted, "Gabs, I wish I could say once our relationship is public that you'll still be able to do that but I don't know. Eve was hounded a lot. You can't do it if you have Claire…"

I didn't say anything for a moment as I looked out the window, "We'll figure it out. Maybe I need to have another identity." I told him and Troy chuckled softly while pulling up my hand to kiss it. "What kind of stunt double?" he asked me and I laughed with a smiled, "I don't know. I would think blonde with contacts to change my eye color…maybe a Hannah Montana look?" Troy couldn't stop chuckling with the thought.

"You can't sing," he threw out. I laughed, "Rude! I can sing…some," Troy chuckled with a shake of his head. "No. You can't. I give you an A+ for effort though," I just shook my head with a smile as he reached over and let his fingers squeeze my knee with a smile on his face. He laced our fingers together. "Who is all going to be there?" I asked. "Hanson and his wife, Amber. I believe their kids are with their grandparents for the day. Camilla and Lulu, or Lucia, are their daughters' names." Troy turned into a parking lot that held boats but the really expensive boats.

"Reni is going to bring his fling of the month, who honestly knows, probably Allie. He hasn't dated anybody that seriously since I have known him. He is just like you put him, the biggest bachelor on the team. Reggie is engaged to Bianca. They are going to be here together. A few other guys are going to be joining. Elliott, Jones, and Zander. They will all bring different girls that I don't even know. I think Lucas is going to join us." He parked his car and he glanced over at me. "You ready?" I nodded my head, "Wait," I reached over and I let my fingers tug on his neck to pull him close and pressed my lips against his.

"If I can't freely do this all day, I better do it now." Troy grunted, "Trust me, there are inside places on this boat." I laughed as Troy got out first and I got out as I tucked my hat a little lower and put my sunglasses on. He told me to go ahead as he pointed out possible the biggest boat, yacht, on the dock. All these damn millionaires. "Gabi!" Hanson waved as I walked up the ramp. "Hey guys," I said with a smile. "There are a handful of girls downstairs, I suggest you head there as fans are starting to linger." I just nodded in understanding as he pointed me down. I walked downstairs as there was a group of women sitting there.

"You must be Gabi," I looked over at an auburn hair girl with a big smile, "I'm Amber, Hanson's wife. He told me that you were coming and that you are Troy Bolton's biggest obsession," I couldn't help but laugh with a nod. "He's obsessed, that's just about right." She smiled, "Bianca, Allie, Massie, and Emmy this is Gabi. Troy and Gabi used to date way back in high school and broke up before being reunited when Gabi became Claire's nurse." Amber explained almost beautifully as I nodded slowly.

"I was pretty bitter about our whole break-up but as Troy put it this is our second chance. A lot happened to get us back to here." I explained. "We'll welcome to the NFL wives and girlfriends club." The dark-haired girl said. "What is your name?" I asked and she grinned, "Massie, I am dating Elliott." She explained and I thanked her as each of the girls explained who they were there with. Bianca was darker complexed with braided hair and was absolutely stunning. "Allie, are you having any luck tying down Reni?" she just laughed with a shake of her head. "No. I mention commitment and he run away. I stopped mentioning it and realize that he isn't talking to anybody else. I'll just leave it till he figures it out."

There was clatter down the stairs as Troy appeared and he searched the room as he nodded to the girls before landing on me. His face broke out into a wide grin and I couldn't stop my own smile looking at him. "Once we are out of here," I just nodded my head as he came over and kissed my head. "Ladies, we will finish setting up on the deck. I'm assuming your men mentioned, Gabs and I are keeping our relationship under wraps for a little bit. It's a complex story and hard to explain and with Claire, my divorce, and everything else…we just are wanting the media to stay out of this for a bit."

"Amen to that," Amber said and I just laughed as Troy dropped his lips to my cheek before jogging back up the stairs.

"Uhm, wow, Troy Bolton never once kissed Eve in our presence." Amber said with a blink towards me and I felt my cheeks flush. "Yea, I realized that once I was staying with them. It was very unlike the Troy Bolton I dated in high school. He can't keep his hands off of me half the time so I am trying to figure out how in the world he's going to handle today. Because he can't keep his hands off of me."

"I think we are all really glad that Eve isn't around this year." Bianca spoke and I didn't say anything because what was I supposed to say? I actually liked Eve. Yea, she was a bit dramatic but she was a really good mom and only wanted good things for her and her children. I respected that. I respect her. The girls all started a conversation among themselves and when the boat started to move, they all headed upstairs. I stripped my shirt and kept my jean shorts on while the girls did the same. We moved along to the upstairs as the alcohol was all laid out, the food was spread, and we were much further from the dock.

Reni catcalled the group of women which caused Troy to turn around and he grunted and shook his head. His teeth bit into his lower lip as his eyes scanned my entire body. Each girl approached their guy as a few other people were on the boat and I spotted Lucas as I went over and gave him a side hug. "Hi," I said to him and he chuckled, "You are going to drive my brother mad today," I just laughed as I looked at Troy who was just staring at me.

"It will be amazing if our relationship doesn't come out this weekend." Lucas grunted, "Look, I just got through his divorce. Can we wait?" I just laughed and nudged him, "Tell your brother that." Lucas chuckled as I shot Troy a wink.

Troy's POV

She was tipsy. She was dancing with a few of the other girls and her head tilted back in a laugh. I wanted to pull on her hair and kiss her neck was what I really wanted to do but there were too many boats out today and we had been recognized too many times. I swallowed on my warm beer when Hanson sat next to me, "You know, if you disappear downstairs nobody is going to come looking for you."

I smirked, "Yea, but if I start, I won't be able to stop." I told him and Hanson just laughed as he looked over at Amber who was talking to Gabi. She had dropped her shorts not long after they came upstairs and her thong bottoms was almost too much for me. It showed her ass and I was…fuck, I was struggling. Her eyes twisted to find mine and I just gave her a smile as she nudged her head down stairs and I swallowed on the lump in my throat.

"Seems like she has other plans,"

I got up after several minutes to follow her downstairs where she was taking a drink of the vodka water that she was drinking. "Hi," she whispered and I kept two feet between us. "Hi," I said back and she giggled which caused me to smile over at her. "You never said anything about my bikini," she interjected and I closed my eyes, "There is a foot of space between the two of us for a reason." Gabi looked around and raised her eyebrows. "Nobody is down here."

"If I start, I am not going to stop and can promise you, you don't want me to stop," she nearly whimpered from my words as I bit on my cheek. "We have so much left of this day," I threw my head back as I tried to gain some sort of self-control of this situation. "What happened to slow?" I threw back at her and she sucked in her lower lip. "Seeing my boyfriend shirtless with this tattoo," her fingers reached to touch my chest and I flinched from the contact and the burn that came with it. Her fingers traced her hand writing. The air was electric between the two of us and when she tilted her head back, I couldn't resist.

My mouth crashed onto hers and I lifted her up to grab her thighs and press her back against the wall. My fingers palmed her bare ass as I kissed her hard and rough. Her fingers pushed my hat off my head and her fingers dug through my hair and tugged. "Troy, please, I've been so wet since you took your shirt off its uncomfortable," I growled into her mouth as I balanced her back against the wall and used my free hand to just move her bathing suit to the side and she wasn't fucking lying. I played her like a piano with my finger as she rode my hand as our breathing elevated and our lips wouldn't stop as I worked her up all the way to the top to withdraw my hand and she gasped. "Troy," I just laughed as I put her legs back on the ground before turning her around and pressed her against the wall.

"This doesn't come off until I take it off of you tonight," I whispered into her ear as I slid inside of her and she tried to find something to grab and her knees shook as I gripped her waist as I found my pace with her as it didn't take longer for her to let go which caused me to roll right behind her. Both of us were breathing heavy as I pinned her to the wall still and our hands were side by side with each other as I did just want to strip her naked right here.

"If I could get us off this boat we would go back to my apartment and I literally would not stop fucking you." I said in her ear and I saw the goosebumps travel down her body as I finally pulled out and found something to help clean her up. "Also, thank god you have an IUD." I told her causing her to smile which was about the only reaction I could get as she jelly legged sat down on the bench. I walked over and I sat on the edge of the table as I pulled her up and in between my legs.

"Tonight, when it's dark, I'm going to pull you in my lap and I can't wait to watch the fireworks with you." She reached up and rubbed my face. "What are we doing, Troy Bolton?" I just smiled as I pressed my lips to hers again. "Loving the fuck out of you."

Saturday, April 25th, 2015

Prom Night

Gabi's POV

I let my fingers trail down my bright red dress that had a deep plunging V neck but it was still tasteful. The body was tight and it flared out at the bottom that was lacy. My hair was down in simple waves as Troy and I weren't nominated for anything tonight since we won homecoming king and queen. It was just going to be a fun night for the two of us together. I swallowed as a few of the football players and their families all rented a party bus.

I took a step down the stairs as I knew Troy was waiting and when I took one step down, he was just standing at the bottom staring up. His eyes were such a bright blue, his mouth parted, and a smile on his face as I walked down the stairs. He just shook his head until I got to the very bottom step and he reached out for my hand to gently spin me around to see the back of my dress. "Gabriella," he whispered quietly and I couldn't stop the blush working over my cheeks.

"Red is definitely your color," he told me while he pulled me closer to him. I took in his dark black suit with the red vest and a black and red tie. "It doesn't look all that bad on you either," I told him and he just gave a smile. "Wow, don't you two make a dream couple!" my mom came out with the camera and we posed for plenty of pictures with each other. His arm looped through mine and our bodies pressed together. He dropped a kiss to my forehead and I could only breathe in his cologne.

"You smell so damn good," I told him and he laughed while he kissed me. We bid a good-bye to my parents and Troy promised to have me home by 1 this morning. We walked out of the door together and I got into his car while we were meeting the rest of the group at the stadium. I relaxed back in the seat as Troy couldn't stop stealing little glances at me. "I really love you in red," he said and I just laughed, "You've never said this before when I have worn this color."

"I never really thought it that much before but that dress is just sexy as sin on you." I clasped our hands together as I felt light and free tonight. We were almost done with school and we had our whole college future together. "Troy, you promise when we go to college that we still find time for each other? I don't want to be one of those couples that drifts from each other and doesn't last. I love you so damn much."

He stopped at a red light and his eyes looked right at mine, "Baby, I am never going to let you slip through my fingers. We might have to watch film together or do homework together but we will be together. College we are going to have so much more freedom and we can sleep over with each other…I can't say I am not excited about that." I just laughed as our parents were so strict with us staying at each other's houses even though I confessed to my mom that we were having sex. Mostly because I wanted to get on better birth control and because I didn't want to hide anything from her.

She wasn't surprised and was proud of my honesty with her about the situation. "I can't wait to sit in the stands and watch you," his fingers squeezed mine. "Are you going to sit in the student section?" he questioned and I shook my head. "Probably not. Troy, I like to watch you play. I love to see the intensity and the work on the field that you do. In the student section they are all drinking, not paying attention, and aren't there to watch the game. It's there for a good time." A smirk played at the corner of his lips as we pulled into the stadium.

He parked his car and then he helped me out of his side as he grabbed his phone and we took a selfie together. "I love you," he whispered. His blue eyes watching my face and he dipped down to kiss my lips. I locked my arms around his neck and I just breathed his in. I closed my eyes and I held him to me. "I am so happy you chose UNC,"

"I'm happy that I am staying with you,"

We walked over to the bus together as we greeted everybody and more pictures were taken of the large group. Troy's parents met us here and took pictures of us until we were all boarding the bus to go to dinner together. Troy sat down and he pulled me onto his lap, "When we get married, can you please wear red?" I just tossed my head back in laughter. "No, I think I am going to wear white…maybe some red shoes."

Troy smiled, "How about red lingerie?"

I pressed my lips to his, "Yes,"

I watched as Gabi stopped drinking hours ago, and I stopped drinking right with her as the rest of the boat got drunk. We ate, laughed, and I did my very best to not touch her and keep two people between us at all times with other people around but as night time fell and the fireworks were starting, I grabbed her hand as we went to the back corner of the boat. I sat down and I tucked her between my legs as I pressed my lips to the back of her neck.

"Tell me about a memory after us," I whispered and she let out a sigh that was so soft. "Not many of them are all that great." She replied and it was a shot to the heart but I only nodded. "I didn't make that many friends. I kept to myself. I don't know. I struggled at UNC." My fingers dug through her hair as the fireworks popped in the sky overhead. Both of our eyes watching them closely. "My first touchdown at Alabama…it was such a thrill. Knowing that I was capable of throwing a touchdown at one of the best SEC schools, one of the best football programs."

"I miss watching you play football," she admitted. Her head tilted back as it hit my shoulder and I looked down at her. "I'll fly you to every single game." She looked away and I hated that the thought that she was leaving in just a few short weeks was between us. "Do you have to go?" I asked her and she didn't say anything. She just laced our fingers together and we both watched the fireworks together. Our fingers stayed together as neither of us spoke again.

"Do you remember prom?" she asked quietly and I just nodded my head with a smile, "You wore that damn red dress," she gave a tiny smile back with a nod. "Yea, I really thought we were going to be forever that night." My gut shifted and I kissed the side of her head. "We were supposed to be forever at that point."

She buried her body into mine and I just protected her. Holding her. "Bolton," my name was called out and I didn't want to get up but I knew I needed, too. "C'mon, the sooner we can get the fuck back to the dock the sooner you are naked in my bed." Gabi just smiled as I held her hand until we made it back to the dock. Our fingers separated and I already hated it. "Hey man, wanna help with this?" I nodded as I began to pick up the trash and the alcohol on board.

"You two disappeared for a bit," Hanson mentioned and I shrugged, "We were just sitting together and watching the fireworks. Trying to think of all the good memories." Hanson smiled, "Amber can't believe how much happier you look." I laughed, "Because I am so much happier with her. It isn't a close comparison."

"She has never seen you give a dose of PDA before until tonight and you fucked her downstairs which you would never do with Eve," I chuckled, "Have you seen her in that red bikini? How could I not fuck her and she was practically begging for it downstairs." Hanson just shook his head. "You would marry her tomorrow."

"Yea, I would. I knew when I was 17 that I wanted to marry her. I just…fucked up."

"Is she going to Philly still?" my shoulders shrugged and I didn't say anything. "I asked her tonight if she had to go and she didn't say anything back. If that is what she wants then she can go but I am going to be with her every chance I get. I am going to fly her to me every chance she gets. I'm not letting her go because she has to go to Philly."

"You are not becoming an Eagle." I laughed and shook my head as we continued to clean up and give each other shit. Gabi and the other women were cleaning up and I knew these women were outside of Gabi's league besides probably Bianca and Amber. The others were all temporary, unless, Allie could finally get Reni to commit but there was a bad relationship in his past and I wasn't sure Allie was the one for him.

The boat was nearly docked again and we all paid the captain and the crew on the boat with mighty tips for dealing with us all day long. We were all sun soaked, half hungover and the other half raging drunk. The food was mostly gone and we were all happy with our day. "Hey Gabi," I called out to her and she turned towards me as she had pulled back on her t-shirt and shorts and her hair was up in a bun.

"They know we are here. I am going to have you hop into the back seat of my car and Emmy is going to hop up front while Jones hops in the back. Just to mix shit up, I'll drop them off and then we will be up front together." She just nodded but I saw her lips fall a little. I walked over as I made sure we were blocked from any of the sights as we tucked in the corner. "You tell me the moment you are ready to go public and baby I will be ready to make us public. You are my queen and I am going to tell the world that."

She swallowed and I kissed her as I clasped our fingers together, "I know, I just hate how public your life is." I nodded as I pressed my nose into her neck. "I know,"

Gabi's POV

We bid good-bye to Massie and Jones as I slid up front without getting out of the car as Troy drove off from the apartment complex that they lived in. "Take your shorts off," Troy told me and I shot him a look and he looked over at me and I knew he was serious. "Shorts off, Montez." His instructions were clear as day. I unbuttoned them and wiggled them off my body as he paid zero attention to my doing and all of his whole attention on the road.

His fingers reached up my thigh, "How tinted are your windows?" I questioned and he just chuckled as if it was a dumb question while he used just one hand to push my thighs apart and his fingers stroked me setting my entire body on fire with one flick of his finger. My fingers gripped the seat, "Just making sure you are primed and ready for when we get back to my apartment because I am taking absolutely no mercy on you."

"Are you rich and famous that you have your own elevator?" I questioned; my breathing labored as he continued to just play me like a fucking violin. He barked a laugh as if he wasn't fucking me with his fingers. His thick, quarterback, fingers. "Maybe. Need me to fuck you in the elevator?" I raised my hips to try and get him to go deeper but he just withdrew and pressed me back into the chair of the car.

"Troy," I cried out in need and he stopped at a stop light and took one glance over at me with hooded lids and desire behind his eyes. "Two blocks," I looked up to see that we were almost back to his apartment complex. "Shorts on," he commented and I almost reached down to finish myself off because I was so close. Troy shot a look when my fingers reached down and he nearly slammed on the breaks, "Absolutely not. Not while I'm driving. I want to watch that show." I just smirked, "I got rather good at it over my time alone," Troy grunted and I shimmied my shorts back on as Troy pulled into the parking garage and into an exclusive area of the parking garage.

Once the car was parked, we both hopped out and Troy slipped his hand in mine while we raced to the elevator as he got his card out and waved it before we both stepped in. He pressed the card to the elevator and then pressed the top button. Once he was done, I was up and my back was pressed against the elevator wall. He was kissing me so hard I couldn't even breathe. I cried wanted to be closer to him but I couldn't physically get any closer.

The elevator pinged and Troy walked off and down only one door, he never even dropped me as he unlocked the door and pushed in and kicked it shut. He locked it with one hand as we made out the entire time. "Everything but the swim suit," he said and I just grinned as I stripped off my t-shirt and shorts again to reveal the red swim suit. "I was fucking hard as a rock all day long looking at you. Your breasts, your ass, your stomach, your lips, your hair, your…fucking everything." I couldn't control my breathing as he took five steps forward and let his finger run down my collar bone and to the straps of my swim suit. He dropped one side and then the other side as my breasts popped out.

He eased me onto the kitchen counter as he sucked my breast into his mouth and I tossed my head back in complete appreciation. He kneaded the other one and played with my nipple until he switched. "You have such a beautiful body and you aged like fine fucking wine. Your girlish body turned into womanly curves, your ass rounded, your boobs perky if that is even fucking possible." I ran my fingers through his hair and kept his mouth right there.

"Beautiful," he murmured as he pressed his lips to my sternum before picking me up and carrying me across the apartment to his bed. I knew that he was about to fuck me restlessly and I was giddy about it. "Hands and knees," he said as he dropped me to the bed and I went to grab my swim suit but he shook his head as he pulled off his shirt and ditched his swim trunks. I just went to my hands and knees as he let his hand skim my ass as he grunted, "So fucking beautiful," he placed his lips on my ass cheeks before he pushed my legs further apart.

He slammed into me from me behind and I tilted my head back as he gripped my hair gently, "Is this, okay?" he asked and I just nodded, "I need words, Brie,"

"Fuck yes," I groaned.

Troy's POV

Her body pressed against mine as I let my fingers stroke down her skin. Her brown eyes flickered up to me and I smiled as I cupped her face and I kissed her roughly on the lips. "Troy," she said with a laugh and I smiled with a shake of my head. "I seriously can't get enough of you." I whispered and she just rested her head on my shoulder as I had taken her ten ways to Sunday since we had gotten back. Every position I could think of besides the last one I wanted to do with her – and that was slow.

I wanted to take my time and mesmerize her but I believe I was going to wait until the morning to do that one. I ran my fingers through her sex hair as she was sated and sleepy as she yawned deeply. "I have Claire for the next several nights," I told her and she smiled, "I am working the next several nights if that makes you feel better." I grunted with a shake of my head. "No, it doesn't. I want you here with us."

"I will be on days when Claire is in the hospital. I already looked at the schedule and picked her nurses based on who I think can handle your family and the publicity and who is just the best." I smiled hearing those words and she placed a kiss to the corner of my chest. "I love you,"

"I love you, too. I am so tired though; I think we should sleep." She whispered as her eyes were already fluttering closed. I just brushed her hair with my hands as I soothed her to sleep. Her body relaxed into mine and I just held onto her. My phone buzzed on the night stand and I reached over for it to see that it was Eve. I frowned as I opened up the text message.

Eve: Claire is running a fever.

I sat up quickly as Gabi rolled off of me and I felt my heart race.

Troy: Any other symptoms? Is she okay? Puking?

I chewed on my lip as I waited for her to text back but I just called her instead.

"Is she okay?" I barked as soon as she picked up the phone. I stood up and I pulled on a pair of shorts and I found a t-shirt in hamper to throw on. "She is running a fever and complaining that her throat and ears hurt. I don't know if it's just strep and an ear ache or if it's something else or I don't know Troy. She's running a fever and I know that she could be sicker and where is Gabi?" my eyes swung to my bed to see her passed out even though I just jerked her whole body around.

"She's here. I will come get Claire and bring her back for Gabi to assess."

"Bring her with you." Eve argued, "No, she's sleeping right now and I am just going to get her and bring her back here."

"What did you fuck her tonight and she's too exhausted to be her nurse?"

"Unfucking called for, Eve. I handed a perfectly fine Claire over to you this morning. I didn't expect this to happen. I will be there in ten minutes."

"With Gabi," she argued back.

"No." I hung up the phone after that and I pulled on my shoes before grabbing my keys and dashing out the door. I pressed the elevator ten times before it popped open and I was racing to my car. I hated that couldn't fucking finish my morning like I had planned, too. I sped across the streets until I came to Eve's apartment complex and parked in the front of it illegally. I hopped out and I ran up the stairs to the seventh floor and four doors down as I banged on it several times.

The door opened up and I could hear Claire crying in the background as I pushed past Eve and Claire looked sick. I picked her up in one quick swoop and she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Daddy, I don't feel good." She sobbed and I just held her close to my body. "Daddy's here, Daddy's here." I whispered into her ear as she gripped my shirt. "Troy, I can take care of her if it's strep. If you would have just brought Gabi but you had to make this more complex," I took a deep breath as I looked at Eve.

"Jesus, Eve, you act like I knew this shit was going to happen. I am giving Gabi and hour of rest before I woke her up for the rest of the night. If I had adult activities with her or not is none of your business. I don't care what you do and I know that she's Claire's nurse but she technically doesn't even live with us anymore so it doesn't matter. I'm not paying her anymore. So, maybe lose your attitude over the situation." I bit and Eve just frowned over at me.

"Then why is she still at your place all the time?"

"Her BMT is in a week, Eve. I don't think it really matters anymore. Do you want me to take her back or not?" I questioned. Eve just nodded her head and I exhaled as I nodded, "I'll update you with what Gabi thinks is going on. If it requires a hospital stay, I will call you." Eve just nodded as she kissed Claire bye as I took her back down the elevator as she cried into my neck the entire way. "Daddy's here," I whispered and she just gripped my t-shirt.

"Where is Gabi?" she asked as I put her into her car seat, "At home, baby. She'll be there." She sniffled and wiped her face as I buckled her in. I drove in a less scary fashion back to my apartment and back into the parking garage of my building. Claire was wake in the back but she kept complaining of being cold and not feeling well. It didn't take long to park the car and get her out. She snuggled into my arms and wrapped her body around mine.

Once we were back into the apartment, I sat her down on the couch, "I'm going to wake Gabi up, okay?" she nodded as I turned on her TV show and she started to watch it while I walked into our room to see Gabi had curled up on her side. I sat down on the edge of the bed and I reached forward as I gently brushed her hair away from her face. "Brie," I said quietly and her eye lids fluttered open. "More?" she questioned with a small smile on her lips.

"No, no, uhm, Claire is sick. She's running a fever," Gabi let her eyes snap open and she pushed up, "Is she here?" I nodded. "She's in the living room. I just got back from picking her up. Will you look at her? I know you are exhausted." She just stood up and grabbed a sweatshirt and a pair of shorts while walking out into the living room. "Gabi," Claire called out to her and I immediately watched Gabi go into nurse mode and was checking everything over asking Claire questions.

Gabi peered down her throat and she grimaced, "Troy, she needs antibiotics and to make sure this hasn't spread further. Her immune system is so weak," I dropped my neck and she blinked, "I can't go up there on no sleep and be her nurse." I just nodded my head in understanding, "I can call and get you guys a room ready and see who is working." I again just nodded, "She should be released in the morning because I think it's just strep but we have to be sure."

"I know, I just, are you sure you can't go?" she shook her head, "Troy, I literally haven't slept in like 24 hours. It would be unsafe of me to go into the hospital and take care of her to the best of my ability. Plus, if they find out we're in a relationship before I tell them then everything will get messy."

"I don't fucking care about messy and if people finding out," my voice rose and Gabi looked at me, "Also, you can't tell me you haven't worked through worse fatigue." Gabi just blinked at me as my irritation focused in on her. "You wanted to do this. You knew the complications that it would bring. Also, do not ask me to put my license on the line because you want me when you had your way with me earlier." She fought back and I ran my fingers through my hair. "we said this wouldn't complicate things. That you would still be her nurse." Gabi just laughed and shook her head, "That was when I haven't been underneath you for the past four hours. You can't have best of both worlds." Her words were fire and I turned away because I couldn't handle this right now. She walked away as she made phone calls and I called Eve saying that I was taking her to the hospital just to get labs and antibiotics under Gabi's guidance. Gabi called it all in and when she returned to me, she nodded, "They are waiting for you."

"Okay, I will be back later."

"I think I am going to go back to my place," she said brushing her fingers through her hair and I wanted to say something but I knew I pissed her off. I swallowed on the lump in my throat as I watched her walk into the room. "C'mon baby, we have to go get checked out at the hospital."

Monday, July 5th, 2021

Gabi's POV

I drank my coffee on my couch as my legs were curled underneath of me as I did come back to my place last night, after Ubering back, and I went to bed but it was a fitful sleep because I don't know what Troy wanted for me. He kept me up all night long fucking me ten different ways and then wanted me to be the best nurse there was for his daughter. I was annoyed by him and I was pissed off that I was even put into this position. I knew I shouldn't have done anything until I was done with Claire's assignment. Which, technically, I was done. It was by chance that I was there last night.

I knew this wasn't okay and I shouldn't take care of her during her BMT. I should disclose my relationship to my boss and just be around for Claire, Eve, and Troy. Or Troy and I should just wait. The lump grew thicker in my throat and I took another drink of my coffee. A knock sounded at my door and I looked at it wondering if I wanted to get up. I knew who was behind it because he had called me four times and with no answer, he was going to show up here.

I stood up and walked over as I swung the door open to see a very sleep deprived Troy Bolton sans Claire. "How is she?" I asked. He frowned and nodded, "Just strep. Got antibiotics and I dropped her back off with Eve." I just nodded my head in understanding as I looked at him. Irritation grew on his face.

"We need to talk,"

"Maybe I don't want to talk," I shot back to him. "You seem to have some real big expectations for me that are really unrealistic." Troy palmed his face and he rubbed it up and down with a shake of his head. "No, I don't. I was flustered and frustrated last night. I understand why you couldn't be her nurse last night." He reached for me but I pulled away and I walked away. "Gabi," he said following me in and he shut the door as I went to pour myself more coffee.

"I don't know what you want me to say Troy, you have really put me in a hard place. I shouldn't be taking care of Claire anymore and you want me too while she gets her BMT,"

"Yes," he said immediately but I shook my head as I felt the tears in my eyes. "Then we can't be us."

Troy blinked and then blinked again before he laughed, "No. Why? You've been doing both," I shook my head. "Not really. We started our relationship on the end of things and we weren't fucking until four in the morning. I can't be her nurse if we're in a relationship. I love that little girl like no other and I know I have so much bias. I love you and I would do anything to put her above my other patients. I can't continue to do both."

Troy shook his head, "Gabi, I can't be with her for most of her BMT. You can't do this shit to me. I need somebody who is going to make sure that she comes home to me." His words broke my heart but there had to be a choice behind it.

"I'm not saying we can't be together later but we either need to put us on the backburner or I step back from being her nurse while she gets her BMT. It's not like I won't be there and be a watchful eye. I just won't be the one." Tears filled his eyes as he looked at me. "No, because if I put us on the back burner then you are going to Philly. Then it's something else, and then it's another thing, and guess what Gabi? I am done putting you on the back burner. You are the love of my fucking life, the one that I have never gotten over, and you want me to put you on the back burner?" he just shook his head and a few tears dripped down his cheek.

I blinked looking at him as he rubbed his face and I blinked slowly as he inhaled sharply, "Then let me step back, let me disclose my relationship to you with my boss. I will work my required days and then I can be there with Claire as a friend. I can be there and just play with her on my days off. You can't expect me to do both things, Troy. Ethically, I cannot do both things. I can't love her, care for her, and love you." He didn't even blink before he was speaking again.

"I am choosing you." He said and I looked at those blue eyes and he swallowed. "Like I told you once, I chose football over you once and I know this is my daughter but if you promise to make sure she has the fucking best then I don't care. I fucking need you. I can't do this life without you anymore. I can't." I walked over to him as I sat my coffee down and I reached up to wipe his tears away. "Okay," I whispered to him. "I just need you to understand how hard you were on me last night,"

He just wrapped his arms around my body, "I just…I was frazzled. Eve was pissed off that I had fucked you all night and she was throwing it in my face and I just…I want you in my life but I want you forever. I don't want three-month version; I want the forever version." I grabbed his shirt and we just held each other tightly. "You never answered my question yesterday," he whispered and I wasn't going to answer it this time.

"I don't know." Troy just dropped his lips to my head and he picked me up and took me to my bedroom. "I had plans for this morning, I had plans for the sun to filter into the room and for me to slowly wake you up with kisses along your body. I was going to slowly arouse you and build you up until your hips were off the bed and then I was going to slowly enter you and make love to you and right now…I really plan on doing that."

I didn't protest as he did just about everything, he said he was going to do. He kissed along my body, he kissed me, he kissed down there, my breasts, and everything in between until I was having that slow build that was almost more desirable. He pressed my knees apart as he slowly slid inside of me and took his time in slow motions, the in and out. His eyes connected with mine as Troy hovered over me. His eyes full of love as he stared at me, "I am never putting you on the back burner again. I am never going to let you walk away from me. I love my daughter but I love you. Promise me that she is going to be taken care of,"

"I promise," I whispered as I played with his hair. "I promise with everything," I whispered over and over again to him.

"Please don't leave me," he whispered to her and he grabbed me gently as our lips tangled together. I gripped his neck to keep him close to me as our bodies aligned and I knew in my heart what my next step was because I fucking loved him so much.

Troy's POV

Gabi and I were in the back of my pickup at the field as I let my fingers trail over her bare skin. Everything was right in the world with her right next to me. She was the person for me and I was the person for her. We laid together and I loved on her after we ditched prom early. We got a ride back to the high school before going to my truck and I ditched it in the field we like to sit in. Our bodies pressed together as her dress was discarded to the side.

"Did you have fun tonight?" I asked her and she nodded her head into my skin. "It makes me excited for our future together."

I smiled, "I am excited for our future together. What's the first thing you want to do when we get to UNC?"

"Find our favorite little place,"

"That is a good idea," I spoke as we stared at the stars together. "Please don't leave me, not for the first year, let me get my feet wet first," Gabi whispered and I just held onto her as I buried my lips into her hair. "I don't plan on going anywhere."

"Troy, promise,"

"With everything, Gabs, I promise with everything,"

She clutched her fingers to my skin as she sat up and she curled her body over my lap as I stared up at her. "You are so beautiful," she gave me a tiny smile as she slipped onto me as our eyes stayed connected. Her fingers brushing through my hair, down my neck, her lips pressing against my collar bone. All the promises that we were kissing between the two of us. The emotion of our upcoming future, the desire for more freedom, and everything in-between.

I kissed her neck and I loved her so much.

I never wanted to live another day without her.

Hi everybody! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! It was one of my favorites to write! This story is honestly one of my favorite stories ever. Such a complex history and present story to bring and it really is one of my favorites.

One another note – I got a couple of reviews last week about using the term half-black and how they felt like it was offensive in the story. I went back and reviewed each time that it was said just to see what the condition around them was and to make sure my intentions behind it. Firstly, I never mean to offend somebody and I hope I am not coming across offensive. I've only said half-black twice in the entire story. First time, it was Gabi just straight up telling his parents that the baby was clearly not his because the baby was half black. The second time was in the last chapter and I can probably see where that one came across more offensive and more incorrectly and for that I apologize. It was just to mean that the baby wasn't Troy's because of the baby being half-black and nothing more than that. There is no hate for the baby being black. It was more used out of description and as friends chatting in a small circle. I remember pausing as I wrote it and I changed the wording around it because I didn't want it to come across as offensive but if I still did that, I'm sorry. All of the negative comments are only supposed to be because the baby isn't Troy's and it shouldn't have come across it any other way. Please, tell me, how I can do better with this in the future. I would rather this be a learning moment and to do better in my future stories. Thank you all for who said something and I truly want to use this as growth and a conversation!

Thanks for all the love!

J

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Next Update: November 28th