Chapter 6 – Beer and Friends
Monday, December 31st, 2018
Gabi's POV
I finished looking at my sweater and jeans with a pair of sneakers. Troy had been trying for the past several days to convince me to come with him to Sunday football with him but they had moved it to Monday to watch a lot of college games that were on today. I was nervous and I was terrified they were all going to hate me. It was at Troy's house today so that made me feel a little bit better, but I was still nervous. It had been a rocky week full of emotions. I left Troy's house the next morning and then avoided him the rest of the time.
I felt silly and stupid for doing it but I threw myself into work. I was in trouble for taking time off and then actually being there but I couldn't just sit around and do nothing. I grabbed my purse and then a water bottle as I headed for the door. My family was returning today and they were all supportive that I couldn't do it yet. I wasn't ready for that level yet. I got situated in my car and turned the keys over when I picked up my cell phone.
My fingers pressed on Beth's name as this had become a daily routine with her voice mail constantly always empty. It would have been full by now because we all did this so I knew she was at least listening. "Hey Beth, I am on my way to Troy's house for Sunday/Monday football with all of his friends. I am incredibly nervous. I am also really sad that you aren't here for tonight. I really always looked forward to our nights together on New Year's Eve. We always made the best of memories." I paused and I shook my head. "I know this one was going to be different. It was going to be full of tears but it might be anyways. I would rather have my sister here to hug me than to not." I sighed, "I love you Beth, I'll call tomorrow."
I bit down on my lip and I navigated my car towards Troy's house. When I pulled up there was already several cars parked outside. I took a deep breath before I got out and then went to the front door. I opened the door when I heard Luna bark. I smiled as she came flying around the corner and skidded into my legs causing me to laugh. I smiled as I kissed on her and rubbed her belly as she was wagging her tail so fast.
"Hi sweet girl," she bounced up and licked my face clean, "Luna, Luna chill," I heard his voice and goosebumps went down my back and butterflies erupted into my stomach as I looked up at Troy. His blue eyes were radiating as he was in a pair of jeans with a North Carolina Panther's t-shirt on. "Hey," he said with a smile and I smiled back, "Hey," I stood up and he pulled me into his arms. "You've had an okay week?" he asked and I nodded as I snuggled my head into his chest.
He squeezed me again and I tilted my head back to look at him, "You okay?" I just nodded again, "Nervous." I finally admitted and Troy smiled, "Sage is really happy that you came. Plus, the rest of the guys are excited to get to know you." I smiled as he tucked me underneath of his arm as he guided me to the living room. The four guys plus one other girl was all sitting on the couches drinking beer and snacking on food as a football game was on the TV.
"Guys, if you all don't remember, this is Gabi. Sage, Gabi," he said pointing to her and I smiled waving to her. "Jesse is next to her, followed by Jax, Cameron, and Dylan." They all echoed greetings as I waved back to them. My eyes adjusted to Jesse, Cameron, Jax, and Dylan all sitting in the living room as I put my purse on the corner of a chair as I took a spot on the floor where I could only smirk about the last time I was on this floor. I flickered my eyes up to Troy and he only shook his head trying to hide the smirk on his face. He knew what I was thinking.
"Gabs, you want a beer?" Troy asked as he headed toward the kitchen and I nodded, "Surprise me." I said to him and Troy nodded as he opened the fridge. "Gabi, Troy hasn't shut up about you too much. How's life? Work?" Cameron said and I smiled, "Good. Good. Work is keeping me busy but it should start slowing down after the holidays are all over. Are all of you guys teachers?" I asked as Troy came back into the living room with two beers in hand. "You want the couch?" he asked but I was too busy rubbing on Luna to care. I shook my head no and he gave one to me and he smiled as he sat down behind me on the couch. His feet straddling my hips. "Yes, Cam and I are at the high school with Troy. Dylan is at the elementary school and Jesse is a math teacher over at the middle school." Jax spoke and I smiled, "What do you and Cam do at the high school?"
"I do American History, I know, stereotypical." Jax said, Cameron, let out a laugh, "I teach the juniors English. I majored in English." He spoke and I smiled, "That's fun. I almost majored in English but I loved business and marketing so much more." Troy let his foot drift over my lap and I smiled softly as I rubbed his ankle with my hand. "Sage," I said as to make sure I was correct and she nodded with a smile on her face, "What do you do?" I asked her and she smiled.
"I'm a Physician Assistant." She said and Jesse looked over at her with a smile on her face. "Jax, I hear you have a pretty serious relationship," I spoke and Jax shook his head as all of the guys snickered. "Yes, Sara and I have been dating for some amount of time." He grumbled and I laughed as I tilted my head back to look up at Troy. "Troy said you did marketing?" I nodded, "I do a lot of research for clients and find the best way to promote their products or business." I told her.
"Would you be interested in talking to our hospital?" she asked, "We've had a few bad press moments and need better marketing. Troy says you are really talented." I laughed while I let my head rest on Troy's knee. "Yes, just shoot me an email. I'll have Troy send it to you." Sage smiled and we all focused on the football game for a while. His foot kept moving against my hip and I smiled as I finished my first beer.
The boys all had an ongoing conversation about the game happening in front of them on the TV. It flickered from one game to another, I got up at one point and Luna perked her head up. Troy gave me the same look and I glanced at him. "I'm just going to get a snack," I said and he smiled, "Okay," I walked into the kitchen as I found a paper plate and began to stack my plate full of the foods around the kitchen. Troy told me not to bring anything but I knew next time I would bring something.
"Hey Gabi," I turned to see Cameron walk in with a smile on his face, "Hi," I expressed and he smiled as he reached into the fridge for more beer. "Do you mind grabbing me another?" I asked and he nodded, "Of course, are you and Troy doing anything big for New Year's Eve?" he asked and I shrugged, "I figured he would have plans." I expressed and Cameron nodded, "He was making sure you were okay. He told us you are related to Blaine and well…" I paused as I just nodded as I felt frozen and I had to remember how to breathe.
"Yea," I forced out, "I'm sorry." He spoke, and I just nodded as I took my plate back to the living room but I was trying to remember how to breathe. I was trying to remember how to not fall into the pits of grief, but I took a big breath as the boys all cheered. A hand reached down to grab a chip off my plate and I pushed it away causing him to laugh. I smiled looking back at him, "You could just ask." I said to him and he smiled as he reached down to kiss my forehead.
Luna sat close by as the group all was enjoying their time and I felt like I was being too quiet. "Gabi, did you really know Troy's brother?" I smiled and nodded, "I knew Brady," I said with a laugh, "We partied a couple of times in high school together." The three boys laughed, and I mostly saw Troy shaking his head back and forth. "How do you like that Bolton? Your younger brother found her first." Troy rolled his eyes at that comment, "Brady wasn't lucky enough to catch me for five seconds in high school." I joked causing all of the men and Sage to laugh.
"Did you all go to South Carolina together?" I asked, and all of the men nodded their head up and down. "Phi Kappa Sigma brothers," Cameron said, and I saw Sage roll her eyes, "Were you in a sorority?" Jesse asked, and I shook my head. "No, I was a dancer at Duke." Three heads whipped around to look at me and then up to Troy. "Whoa," Sage muttered, and I smiled, "It was a good time. I loved it." I looked at all three guys who were still staring at Troy as I glanced up at him as he was smiling with a shrug.
"Well…that is pretty badass." Cameron said shifting in his seat, "Was Troy the only insane one to try and play basketball at South Carolina." They all laughed and nodded, "But it's basically what got him the job at James Island." Jesse said, and Dylan laughed, "He stole the job from me." Troy laughed, "No, I didn't." he proclaimed tipping his beer towards him and Dylan laughed. I smiled finishing off my food as I watched the game in front of me.
"Gabs, you a panther fan?" Jax asked, "No, Atlanta." I spoke up and a few heads turned my direction. "What?" I asked innocently. "Oh, C'mon G," Troy said behind me and I laughed, "I'm sorry." I spoke up and I looked over at Cameron who was grinning, "I knew I liked her," he got up and reached across for a high-five from me. I gave it back and I opened my second beer as Troy leaned forward, "Atlanta? C'mon…" I smiled shaking my head. "Come here," he whispered into my ear and I laughed as he eased me up into his lap.
I tucked myself against his body while we watched the football game together. His hand rested on my leg as it went up and down. "Sage, where did you go to school?" I asked her, "North Carolina. I met this buffoon at a party when he came up for the South Carolina/North Carolina basketball game when that one was playing," she pointed at Troy and he smiled. "You mean ride the bench? Because that is what I did." A smile rose onto my face.
"Well...If I could make one observation of the five of you? You know how to have fun with your players during the game. It's a lot of fun to watch you guys coach." The men in the room all smiled at that comment. "Does Troy like…pay you to come watch?" I laughed shaking my head, "No. I really enjoy it." Troy squeezed my hip as I finished my second beer of the night and I knew I needed to stop after that. I needed to probably start heading home.
"I should probably head home," I whispered into his ear as the first game was ending and those blue eyes quickly snapped to mine, "No, stay," he said back, and I smiled, "I just…" I took a deep breath, "It's a hard day." I reminded him, and he nodded his head as he knew, "That's why I want you here with me." He said quietly back, and I let my eyes flicker to his best friends who were all paying attention to the game but we're also trying to listen.
"C'mon, let's take Luna outside and we can talk." He said as he brushed a strand of hair away from my face and I nodded as I stood up as he followed. "C'mon Luna," Troy said and we both walked towards the back door. He opened it up and his hand folded into mine. The backdoor shut, and I took in a breath of fresh air. "You okay?" he asked me, and I just nodded. "I don't want to completely ruin your boy's day," I told him, "I feel like I am."
Troy shook his head as he pulled me up onto the deck, "You aren't." he stressed, "I told them before you showed up that it might be a hard day for you because of everything. I didn't want them to be caught off guard if you were just having a bad day." I breathed as I couldn't be mad at him for telling his friends because I never knew what mood I was going to be in, but they were trying to be careful around me. "I know, Cameron said something," I said to him and I let my eyes settle on his.
"I was hoping you would go out with us tonight." He said as his hand found the bare skin on my hip and I shrugged, "Do you want me to come? I am not sure how I am going to be tonight." I whispered, "My sisters and I used to go get so drunk together after we all turned 21. After I turned 21. Even before I was 21 but we just stayed in or I used an old ID of one of my sisters. It was just something we did together, and it was full of so many memories. We had the best of best times on New Year's Eve and me just…" I took a big breath and I looked into his blue eyes. "I don't know." My eyes filled with tears and he kissed me softly.
"How about you stay for this next football game and then come out for just a little bit tonight. If you need to, we can come back here early and watch a movie together or something." I just nodded my head as I rested my head on his shoulder. "Luna, c'mon babe," he took a step back from me, but I pulled him back into my body. "I'm sorry," I spoke as I looked up at him and he shook his head. "Do not apologize for being in pain." He whispered, and I just nodded as he kissed me one more time before we both went inside.
I was going to make the most of being with his friends because they were all close. I wanted to let go of everything, but my heart couldn't focus on it. I couldn't do this. I took in a shaky breath as I moved back to the floor as I laid with Luna. "Gabi, do you have a dog?" Cameron asked, and I laughed, "I wish. I'm not home enough for a dog. I work a ton." Luna curled into me and I laughed, "Better be careful Bolton or that dog is going to steal your girl."
Troy laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh, "Good thing they are both my girls." I smiled back at Troy as he made a possessiveness over us and I felt my body tingle. "What do you boys do in the summer when there is no football on?" I asked turning to sit up and look at all of them. Sage laughed, "We golf." Dylan said, "Every Sunday." Cameron said with a nod and I laughed, "This is quite the bromance." I said, and Sage laughed, "Do you wonder why I am the only girl here? I am about the only one who can handle them." I smiled tilting my head towards Jax.
"Why doesn't Sara come?" I asked him, and he sighed, "She normally spends Sunday preparing for a work/school week. She's in law school. She comes every few weeks when she doesn't have as much going on."
"She's cool," Sage said with a smile, "I feel like I am breaking up with S theme here," I said with a laugh and the group laughed, "I'm dating a girl name, Lennon." Cameron spoke with a smile, "No worries on that front." I smiled at Cameron while I looked back at Troy as he was just looking at me. A mix of worry and fascination etched into his features. "Dylan are you dating nobody?" I asked, and he shook his head while Jax, Jesse, and Cameron all busted out into laughter. Sage and Troy tried to hold back their laughter while Dylan just rolled his eyes.
"No, okay, I am not dating anybody. The last girl I dated broke my heart in half and I swore off dating ever since." I narrowed my eyes, "When was this relationship?" I looked over at Jax and Jesse who were biting down on their lip and Dylan sighed, "In middle school, okay? I really liked her, and she dumped me for the boy on the other side of her locker." I lost my shit after that as I laid on the ground laughing my ass off.
Luna seemed to like that as she came over and began to lick my face causing me to laugh harder. "Okay, okay, it's not that funny. I just love to find myself a girl to have fun with and then carry on." I shrugged in understanding. "I was that way before I met my ex-fiancé," I said aloud, and a few looks turned my way and a few looks just turned towards Troy making sure he knew about this part of my life. Yet, Troy was looking at me.
"What?" I asked looking back at him, "I can't picture you just sleeping around," I laughed and shrugged, "You better just be lucky one of them wasn't your brother." I said wiggling my eyebrows and he frowned shaking his head. The boys all laughed with that one, but I knew Troy didn't find that one very funny at all. I would definitely have to make that up for him later. "You were engaged to somebody?" Jax asked and I nodded, "Yea, he wasn't the guy for me and then a lot of shit happened, and I found that I didn't want to settle for him in my life." I shrugged because I had no issues being honest.
The boys all focused on football and when Troy moved to the kitchen, I got up to follow him. "I was just joking about your brother. I haven't seen him since a party during my senior year of high school." I told him, and Troy just nodded, "I know." He said, and I slid onto the counter as I tried to get him to look me in the eyes. "Troy, hey," he finally lifted those blue eyes to look at me and I looked back at him. "What's wrong?" I asked him this time and he exhaled.
"I would be lying if I said the comment didn't rub me the wrong way, but I know you were just making a joke. Like, there is nothing against that. It's just…" he shook his head, "I loved listening to you laugh at Dylan and I loved seeing you smile at me. I just want to keep you happy. I am worried that there is just too much other shit in your life for me to be successful." I bit on my lip and I looked down at my thighs because I wasn't sure what to say to that.
"That's fair," I admitted to him, "And I wish I could give you an answer back that I am going to be happy all the time and that you are going to be that happiness that I need but…" I paused, "I have really bad days," I told him, and Troy just gave me a smile and a nod, "I know. I also am still trying to process you sleeping around." I laughed, and I shook my head, "It was a wild phase my senior year and freshman year in college."
"Man…what I would have given to meet you in those days." He whispered leaning in and I laughed as I wrapped my arms around his neck to kiss him roughly. He took a deep breath to relax and I squeezed his hips.
Troy's POV
I pulled up to her apartment as after the second football game she left my house and I told her I would pick her up at nine. It was interesting to get to see her interact with my friends, but I knew that today was hard for her. She wasn't her normal self today. My friends all loved her and Sage wanted to get to know her better. I bit down on my lip and turned my car off. I walked up to her apartment door with my dark jeans and a Henley long sleeve shirt.
I knocked on the door once and it was quickly opened to reveal a person that I did not know but resembled Gabi in every different way. I raised an eyebrow, "Is uh…Gabi here?" I asked and she nodded, "You are?" she asked, "Troy…" I started and she gasped, "Oh! Yes! The man…" she paused as she looked up at me. "Uh…she's having a…" I brushed past her at those words as I walked into the apartment that I had been in twice before but not for very long.
I moved to the back bedroom where she was sitting on her bed with a really cute v-neck blouse and high waisted skirt. "Gabs," I said quietly and she looked up quickly and her eyes met mine, "No, no, I thought I had time. I just…" she started to ramble and I shook my head, "No, Gabi," I said quietly as I sat down next to her in the bed. "You told me that today was going to be a hard day." I whispered into her ear, "Yes, I know, but I was going to do this for you. You have done a lot for me recently and I wanted to do this for you." She looked up at me and I just nodded, "I know," I whispered into her ear, "I know,"
My body pulled her against mine and she rested her head against my shoulder. "I want to go." She said and I nodded, "I know you do."
"I'm just scared."
I kissed her temple, "I know,"
I sat there with her for several more minutes when she pulled away and she looked up at me with her big brown eyes. "I'm ready," I raised my eyebrow and I looked at her to really make sure, I searched deep into her brown irises to see if she was telling the truth or if she was just doing this for me but I also knew deep down that she was doing this for herself as well. This was something that she had to face eventually. "Are you sure? We don't have to do this." I reminded her and she just nodded her head up and down. "Please, I need to get out. I need to have fun tonight." She spoke and I smiled softly as I let my thumb trace her lips and carefully rub her jaw, "Okay, but the moment you want to leave we will."
She just nodded her head up and down and she got up from the bed. I took the opportunity to look at her body as she was showing off so much. The blouse plunged into a deep V down the front while it tucked into the leather black skirt that stopped mid-thigh. She had high heels on that made her calves seem so much more defined. She was gorgeous. I really just wanted to put her back in this bed and really not leave. I took a deep breath as I got up as she slipped on a bracelet with a necklace that highlighted her plunging neckline. "Is that your mom?" I asked pointing my finger over my shoulder and she nodded, "Yea, that's one way to meet my mom." I smiled, "I didn't really meet her. I kind of brushed past her." Gabi let a smile slip over her lips as she let those brown eyes look at me for just one moment. I still wasn't sure how it had yet to even be a month yet because our connection was intense. It was everything. I wanted to tell her that I needed her. Wanted her.
I followed her out to the back of the living room where her mom was sitting on the couch. "She knew I was going to have a rocky evening so she came over to see me. She wanted to make sure I was okay after leaving San Diego early and when I told her I was going out with you she was really happy." I smiled as I took her hand and Gabi cleared her throat, "Mom," she spun around to face us and she couldn't wipe a smile off her face.
"This is Troy, Troy, this is my mom Gina." I smiled as I reached out my hand to shake it, "It's really good to meet you, Gina, I'm sorry about earlier. Gabi told me it was going to be a hard day and I just needed to make sure she was okay." Her mom got a really big smile after that, "Oh Troy, I can't thank you enough for caring." She then gave me a big hug and I smiled in the hug. "You two have a fun night. Gabi, do you want to come over for brunch tomorrow?"
"I'll see." She said and I slipped my hand within hers. "Troy, you are more than welcome to join her. It was a tradition of sorts for the girls to go out and have a good night but there was always brunch the next morning." Gabi let her smile falter for a second but she recovered, "Maybe mom," she repeated and I nodded, "Thank you for the invitation but I have to run my basketball team through a hard morning practice." Gina laughed, "Sounds about right."
Gabi gave her mom a quick hug as I let her loop her arm through mine before we walked out of the room. "Good to meet you Mrs. Montez," I smiled and she smiled back, "It was good to meet you too Troy," we left Gabi's apartment and down the stairs. "So, what are the great plans this evening?" she asked and I smiled, "We're going to meet the guys at a party downtown if that's okay," I said to her and she nodded her head, "Yea, that sounds amazing."
"They all really liked you." I spoke up as I took her to my Jeep and she smiled, "I did have fun today. I'm sorry that I was really…" she paused as if she was trying to find the words for it. "Foggy." She finally said lifting her eyes to look at mine. I let my thumb slid against her bottom lip, her lips parted gently as I tried not to smudge her make-up. "You are strong Gabs," she smiled with a tiny nod as I easily lifted her up at the waist and sat her in my car.
"Have I told you how stunning you look?" I asked leaning in and she smiled as she brushed her fingers through my hair. "You don't look half bad yourself." She said with a wink and I smiled as I couldn't resist anymore. I leaned forward and pressed my lips lightly against the corner of her mouth and she smiled, "C'mon, we have a party to get too."
Gabi's POV
His hand stayed firmly on my back as I sipped on my Vodka Tonic and he nursed a Jack and coke. We were laughing in the club that Cameron had somehow successfully got all of our names on. The boys all dressed up nice and I met a lot of the other girls among the group. Sara was very sweet, and she was happy that there was another girl to talk too. Sage was giggling with us and Lennon was just as beautiful as her name. Cameron was all over her and couldn't really leave her alone all night. Just the same way Troy and I were.
Troy let his hand drift up and he squeezed my side as we had danced and the more, I drank the more relaxed I felt around the group. I laughed loudly as Sage tried to do a new modern dance move all of the kids were doing on TikTok but she struggled. Troy let out a chuckle as I leaned back against him, his lips automatically pressing against the top of my head. His hand wrapped around my front and his fingers would find exposed skin every now and again to let his thumb brush against it. "Shots?" Dylan yelled over the music and we all quickly agree as he grinned moving towards the bar. He had been flirting up a storm with the bartender causing mostly free drinks for our group this evening. I wouldn't be surprised if Dylan let all of us go while he stayed behind to give her payment.
I moved in front of Troy as I eased back against him and the beat changed as those fingers found my bare skin as I rubbed back against him. My ass against him as I went up and down on him and I could have sworn a hiss emerged between his teeth, but it may have just been the atmosphere. I then let my back pressed against his chest, "You're teasing," he whispered into my ear and I giggled as I turned to face him, my arms going around his neck and my drink dangled in my hand.
"Am I?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow and he chuckled shaking his head, he was trying his damn hardest to not ruin my make-up, but I really needed to kiss him. My hand free from my drink I reached up to play with the hairs on the back of his neck as goosebumps flashed down his skin. "Gabriella," he whispered, his warm breath sending my own goosebumps down my neck. A straight shot to my core. I closed my eyes and reached up to kiss his neck. "What?" I asked innocently, and he shook his head back and forth as I smiled pressing my lips back to his final. He pulled me closer to him, "Alright lovebirds, break it up," Troy closed his eyes tightly as he pulled back.
"Dylan," Troy snapped, and I giggled as I slipped my fingers through his while we all went to our two tables pushed together. Troy gripped me back against him while he picked up his shot and Jesse smirked, "Here is to the year that I might not be the only one married." Jax choked on his drink that he was taking before the shot and Sara rolled her eyes. "Yea, whatever," Sara mumbled, and Jesse shook his head sending a look our way. A smug smile crossed over his face.
His eyes seemed to lock with Troy's and I felt the stubble shake of his head as if Troy knew where this was going. I tilted my head to look back at him and he just gave me a smile before shooting daggers at his best friend. "Okay, okay, here's to all of us finding happiness in the next year…except for Dylan because well…" Dylan rolled his eyes and the group all laughed as we finally drained the shot and all of them collapsed back onto the table with a familiar clank against the wood table.
I grimaced slightly at the tequila as I took a sip of the vodka tonic as I finished it before putting that on the table. A current song came over the DJ as people were going crazy for it and the room started singing as I spun around to face Troy. His hand moved off my hip as I moved, and his attention was brought back to me. Those blue eyes were high with amusement and happiness dancing on his face. His strong jaw and the small amount of stubble on his cheeks made me want to feel him absolutely everywhere. "Hi," I said with a smile as I felt lighter, I felt free, and I felt good. He smiled as that thumb came back to my bottom lip, "Hi," he said, and I smiled up at him. His own smile was wide and happy, "Did I tell you how damn beautiful you are?" I laughed quickly but he swept in with a kiss quickly. His large handheld my face closer to his and he smiled.
"Want to go get new drinks?" I asked him as I surveyed his Jack and Coke was almost empty. "Yea, c'mon," he said as he put his hand on the small of my back while we moved towards the bar in the back of the room. When we got close to the line, I pulled him towards a little corner as he put his empty glass on a table while I pressed my body against his. He finally did what I wanted from him all night that made me even more intoxicated than before as I could taste the whiskey on his lips. His soft lips parted mine and let his tongue slid into my mouth, my knees weakened.
"All night, this is what I have wanted to do all night." He whispered causing the warmth to go down my neck. I squeezed his arms and he inhaled, "We probably shouldn't stay with each other tonight." He whispered, and I shook my head, "Why?" I asked, and he just shook his head looking at me. His eyes were hooded over and held complete desire behind them. "Because this blouse?" he bit his lip and shook his head back and forth slowly. "I only want to take it off of you." There was pure want behind those eyes and I reached up to kiss him again.
"Why is that so bad?" I asked looking up at him and he let out a low groan as if I was really testing him tonight. "Because…what we did the other night? That tested me beyond my measures. I need to be sure G, that you want this, you want us." I tried to not laugh in his face, but I reached up to kiss him again, "Troy," I breathed as I let my fingers slip into his Henley t-shirt. "I wouldn't have come all the way here from San Diego to just come home. It was you that drove me home. I think you keep getting caught up on how long we've known each other and honestly…" I paused tilting my head back as another new song came on and I shook my head as those blue eyes flickered over mine.
"I want this to work." I told him, and he just nodded his head, "I know and I don't want to rush it." He said, that thumb was back on my chin and I rested against him. "I don't know where you are at with everything Gabi and me just…I just want to be sure before we take that step with each other that you aren't going to fall apart around me." I closed my eyes because bless this man. I grabbed his shirt and I pulled him into a deep kiss. He groaned as he pressed himself forward and against my body to show me how much he wanted me right now. "I want you so damn bad baby," he whispered into my ear, "I give zero fucks if I have known you for one night or almost thirty-one. All I know is damn you drive me up a damn wall. I've taken more cold showers this month than I have in months."
A laugh spurted from my lips and I kissed him slower this time. "C'mon," I told him, and I leaned into him while we waited at the bar. I laced our fingers together and I held him closer to me, my head leaning against him. "I don't deserve you," I whispered and I wasn't sure he even heard me but he squeezed me closer to him. "If you stay over tonight you better freaking behave yourself," Troy said and I laughed tilting my head back, "And if I'm not?" I whispered letting my chin rest against his shoulder.
Troy just growled, and I giggled with happiness sneaking in around me before I could even realize what was happening.
Friday, January 4th, 2019
Gabi's POV
Troy moved across the court and he pointed to something before yelling and he ran his fingers through his hair. He sat down next to Jax and they discussed something before Troy pointed around and the team scored allowing Troy to breathe. It was their first game back after Christmas break. Yesterday was Blaine's and today was Troy's game making it easy for me to attend both. A week from today would be the big game between the two teams.
Jenna and Ethan were both with me tonight as we were all going to get drinks after the game. We did end up staying at my place on New Year's Eve but we first had to stop and get Luna on our way back, thankful our Uber was willing to let us pick her up. We then had one more date with each other, but he focused in back on basketball and returned to the classroom on Wednesday. Our lives had been fairly busy since the holiday, but he was excited to be with my friends tonight.
Troy let his eyes fade over to the clock to see the team up by five with two minutes left of play. The other team called a timeout as Troy gathered his players around and talked to them as he squatted in front of them. He drew plays out on the board and the team followed along with him as they switched everything around causing a few questions but by the time the whistles were blowing again they were saying knights and moving to the court again.
Troy had on another suit this time it was grey with a white shirt and a blue tie that was perfectly fit onto him. His hair had been cut before he went back to work and it was sticking up in a messy way. It made my mouth water just looking at him because it was just perfect to allow my hands to grip it and pull him towards me. My cheeks flushed at the thought of him because we hadn't done anything since that day. I tried my damn hardest to seduce him the night of NYE but he was relentless to make sure I wasn't drunk the first time and that I was okay.
It was fair. I wasn't sure I was okay yet. I just knew how much I wanted him.
Troy yelled something and it caught my attention as he was suddenly in the ref's ear about something but the ref just walked away and Troy ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He sat back down as I realized the score was tied but the Knights had possession. They ran a play and the ball fell through causing them to go up by two. The coaches and boys on the bench were all excited as the clock ran out as soon as they got the ball inbounded.
Troy grinned from ear to ear as he slapped hands with the other team and then his own players before they all disappeared back into the locker room. His hand stuffed in his pant pocket and a sexy smile on that face that made my stomach fill with butterflies. A smile formed on my face as I turned to Jenna and Ethan. "He's good," Ethan said with a smile and I shrugged, "He's freaking hot," Jenna mumbled and I couldn't stop my own laughter as Ethan just rolled his eyes at her. I was excited for tonight but was also nervous because tomorrow would mark four months without Zoey and I just wasn't prepared. I inhaled and then exhaled thinking about it as James wanted to do dinner tomorrow but…I shook my head trying to erase all thoughts.
We moved to stand in the middle of the court by the scores table as we all talked about what bar we wanted to go to tonight. We all three had slipped in after the game started and I wasn't sure if Troy saw me come in. I wasn't sure if he even knew I was coming tonight because all we had talked about was meeting up after the game. I watched the locker room door open and Troy was the first to step out with Cam and Jesse. They were all talking as Troy scanned the crowd for a moment, went right over me, but his eye quickly snapped back.
A smile spread over his face and my own matched as he walked away from the two boys without even looking back. Jesse and Cam both just shared a look with each other and a shake of the head as Troy got to me quickly, his hands squeezed my waist and I smiled, "Good game," I said as I reached up and adjusted his tie. A smug smile came over his face, "Good game?" he leaned down to whisper in my ear causing an explosive amount of goosebumps to trail down my back. "I didn't know you were even here," he said pulling back and I instantly missed the heat he provided as his hands even pulled away.
His eyes shot over his shoulder to the locker room and I couldn't stop my smile because he wasn't ready for the constant razzing from the teenage boys yet. "We decided to just meet here after work so we could go straight to the bar." Troy nodded with a smile, "Well, Jenna and…" he dragged it out and I felt bad, "Ethan, this is my boyfriend Troy. Troy this is Jenna's husband Ethan." Troy shook his hand with a force and I smiled, "Thank you both for coming. I'm glad it was a good outcome." Troy ran his fingers through his hair again and I was going to have to tell him to stop or I was going to combust. "I'm going to change in the locker room or my classroom really fast," Troy said as he turned his eyes over to the room again to see a lot of his players filing out.
"Belmont?" Ethan asked and I nodded, "I think we're going to run home and let Renny out really fast." Jenna said and she winked causing me to shake my head. "Ah, yes, the life of a dog owner. My brother has Luna tonight," Troy said as he rubbed his face with his palm and I exhaled. Ethan and Jenna both congratulated Troy again on the win before they left walking out hand in hand. Troy slipped his hand into mine as he jerked me to follow him.
He dropped it when he came to a thong of his players all standing around and talking among each other. "Coach B, what time is practice tomorrow?" Troy tilted his head to the side as he stopped, "Nine," he responded and the kids all groaned, "Why?" he asked and Troy tried to fight the smile as I knew why because he wanted to take me out on a date tomorrow. I wasn't going to clue them in though. "Because I'm 28 and still have a life." He concluded and the boys all laughed. "Sure, whatever you say Coach B."
Troy rolled his eyes as we walked forward and a few of the guys looked my direction. I move with Troy as we disappeared in the opposite direction of the locker room and out a set of double doors. Once we were in the hallway his fingers were laced through mine causing a smile to jerk to my face. "Maybe I should leave something right here," I said pressing to the back of his neck that was exposed and he tightened his hold on me causing a giggle to leave my mouth. "I would be given so much crap," he said as he moved a little bit faster until he was standing in front of a door with Coach Bolton labeled on the outside.
He stuck a key in before opening the door and pulling me inside. He pressed me back against the door once we were in the dark and his lips were over mine. I groaned underneath of him as I missed him since I returned back to work and so had he. His hands pulled me closer to him and I tilted my head back against the door while he pulled his lips from my face. His thumb came back and rubbed my chin gently and he smiled shaking his head back and forth. "You just continue to surprise the hell out of me." He whispered and I laughed as I kissed him again.
"C'mon, you need to go change," I said tugging at his suit and he smiled as he glanced down at it. He began to step away as he flipped on his classroom lights and I took in the rows of desks and chairs. Multiple dry erase markers lined up at the bottom of the whiteboard and his desk shoved in the corner. He went over to his desk and he pulled out a bag of clothes while he plugged his cell phone into a charger. My eyes went back to the back walls which were littered with different sports awards. I walked to the back to take them all in and I smiled looking at them as it was mostly of him playing in high school and then his current team.
"Have you picked a day for me to come and talk to your students?" I asked him as I continued to walk and look at all of the different coverage of his teams. I turned to see him buttoning a pair of jeans and slipping on a black t-shirt that framed his muscles. Holy fuck was he beautiful. "Not yet, how about you comply two days that you can manage to get over here for the day. I'm not sure I am going to be able to handle that very well but…you let me know." He said and I laughed nodding my head as he slipped on a pair of Converse and sat in his chair to tie them.
The door pulled open to his room and Dylan walked in with a smirk on his face, "Oh…I better start knocking before coming down here." Troy rolled his eyes while I chuckled with amusement as Dylan kept letting his eyes bounce from me to Troy. Troy leaned back in his chair while he kept his eye on Dylan, "Here is the stat book for tonight, the iPad, and the officials reviews that need to be filled out." Troy rolled his eyes and shook his head because he wasn't a fan of them tonight.
"What are you two love birds doing tonight?" Dylan asked leaning back against a desk and Troy smiled looking over at me with a big grin that made me just shake my head because I could see his excitement. "We're going out with her best friend and husband." Dylan smiled with a friendly nod, "That sounds like a grand time, just one friend over there Gabs?" I nodded with a shrug, "My ex didn't like a lot of my friends so I lost a lot of them. Jenna was persistent to stick around though no matter how much Brad disapproved." Dylan scrunched up his face and I saw Troy pull his hands through his hair again, fucking fuck he needed to stop.
"Well good for Jenna, married?" he asked as if he heard right and I nodded with a laugh, "Sorry buddy," Dylan sighed and Troy chuckled, "Speaking of, we gotta go." He said as he stood up stuffing his wallet into his side pocket with his cell phone close behind. He plugged in the iPad instead and picked up his backpack. He walked over and laced his fingers with mine. Dylan glanced down but just smiled shaking his head as he walked in front of us. Troy shut off the lights and locked the door.
"Do you just want to ride with me and then we can either a. come back and get your car in the morning or b. come back and get it tonight." He offered and I smiled, "Let's see where the night takes us." I told him and he smiled nodding his head as Dylan just laughed, "Have fun tonight," he said disappearing back towards the gym with a smile on his face. Troy shook his head and we went out a set of side doors where I spotted his Jeep. He went over and pulled open my door as he tossed his backpack into the back before letting me in. Once I was in the seat, he pulled me towards him, and his lips locked with mine again.
"I just really want to do this all night," he whispered as he gently bit my bottom lip and I closed my eyes tightly so I didn't call and cancel on Jenna. "I know, the feeling is very mutual," I muttered and Troy chuckled because he knew how badly I needed him, wanted him. He went to shut the door but I stopped him as I pulled him by his shirt and those blue eyes watched every single movement I made before they settled on me.
"Oh, and I have one request," I whispered and he arched an eyebrow in response as I leaned in really close to his ear and whispered into it, "Please stop running your hands through your hair and pulling on it. You're seriously killing me every single time you do it," I breathed into him and he groaned as he rested his head on my shoulder for a moment. "Fuck Gabs, stop making me drive you to my house instead of to a bar with your friends."
I laughed, "I'm just telling you. If you keep doing it, I am going to jump your damn bones in the bar." That caused a chuckle from him and I squeezed his hand, "Soon, plus, Sunday it will be one month." He echoed as he shut the door and I felt my gut sink into my body and I could feel my pulse skyrocket.
Sunday would be a month for us? Sunday would be four months from Zoey. I felt like I couldn't breathe, I was aware Troy got back into the car and I was aware of his hand on my knee but I couldn't breathe. "Gabi," he said after a moment and I looked at him as I was trying to focus and I put up a decent smile but I just shook my head as he went on about something but all I could think about was the day. The sixth.
I didn't like the sixth.
Troy's POV
My eyes watched her as she disappeared tonight. I wasn't sure where she went too but she wasn't there. She was sexy and flirty the entire time in the classroom but the moment we got into the car she froze up and was stumbling over a lot of words. Jenna kept giving her concerned glances and she was still on her first drink of the night. I was pacing myself with her but something wasn't right. My eyes flickered to Ethan and Jenna again as we were having a decent night.
I kept my hand on Gabi but her eyes were just frozen. I inhaled and pressed my lips against the top of her head and I nudged my head towards Jenna. She nodded setting her drink down and whispered something over to Ethan before I walked towards the bar with her. "Is she okay?" I asked her once we were out of earshot. "I don't know Troy, she's…not there." She answered and I nodded, "I know that but she was fine at the game. She was fine in my classroom. She was laughing with Dylan and then we get into my car and she just…shut off." I told her and Jenna sighed running a hand through her hair. We could tell Gabi was putting up a front tonight but I just wanted to know why.
"Did I do something?" I asked her and Jenna laughed and shook her head, "No, you didn't. She is never shy about telling people why she's upset with them. This is something up here." She tapped her temple and I nodded my head as I looked at her. "Sunday will be four months." Jenna said, and I snapped my head over to look at her. "Fuck," I muttered as I ran my fingers through my hair as I instantly thought of her telling me to stop doing it because it was turning her on.
"What?" Jenna asked me, and I looked over at the girl who was severely broken inside still but was trying so hard to be a normal human. "I guess we met on her sisters' three-month anniversary," I mumbled as I turned my attention to Jenna. "I told her that Sunday would be a month since we met and it has been since that comment that she shut down." Jenna looked over at her friend with a broken heart on her face and she let out a sigh.
"Sunday will be a hard day for her. All of them."
"I'll do my best to keep her with me." I spoke up and Jenna swung her head around to look at me. "Are you sure?" I just nodded my head, "Yea, I told her I would be there for her. No matter what. I didn't realize it was that day we met." I told Jenna and she sighed, "You know, you've been really, really good for her." I let a tiny smile pull at my lips as I looked at her. Her eyes were full of sadness and her body was tired. She was so tired.
"I'm glad. Some days I really wonder what the hell I got myself into but man I also cannot get her out of my head. Every single day the moment I wake up I think about her. All-day at work. At basketball practice. Games. Meetings and with my friends. I can only think about her. I've only known her for a damn month and man as she turned my world upside down. Any time I am able to see that smile and that fucking laugh it makes my day." Gabi gave a tiny smile off to Ethan and I finally turned to see Jenna. Her face was full of something and she looked down at her hands. "She's lucky to have found you. Just don't let her push you away because she's still in pain."
I just nodded my head as I finished my drink, "I'm going to take her home." I said and Jenna nodded, "We'll have to reschedule for a day other than the fifth or sixth." I smiled and nodded, "Absolutely." We both worked back towards the group and I slipped my hand through hers and she leaned back against me. "You want to get out of here?" I whispered into her ear and she just nodded her head; no words came from her mouth as we all began to head for the door.
Gabi got into my Jeep as I waved good-bye to Ethan and Jenna. They were pretty cool and would probably mesh well with my friends. Jenna constantly made me laugh and Ethan was a good counterpart. I got into the car and Gabi had her eyes gazed out of the window and I felt bad. I couldn't sympathize with her in any capacity. She had lost not one but two different sisters in two very different ways. I reached over and let my hand rest on her knee.
She seemed to reach over and put her hand over top of mine. I took a deep breath as I pulled into her apartment complex as I figured familiarity would do her good but I saw her shake gently against my hand. I bit down on my lip and looked at her, "Do you want to stay here tonight or my place?" I asked her quietly and she was just staring at her apartment complex. "You don't have to stay with me Troy, I am assuming Jenna told you exactly why I am like this." I just nodded my head as I put my car into park.
"She did and that's why I am going to stay with you tonight." She released a breath and she was battling tears. "C'mon, I'll sleep on the couch if that makes you more comfortable but I am definitely staying here tonight." She just nodded as we both got out of the car and I went over and pulled her against my chest. She didn't cry but just pressed her face there as if she was struggling to keep herself together right now.
I eased her into the apartment building and she went off to her room. I gave her a little bit of space as I went to the cabinet and took out a bottle of water and then I pulled my phone up to my ear. "Hey T," Jesse said from the other end of the phone, "Hey, I need some help." I said quietly, "What's up man?"
I explained to him the situation I was in and he gave me some advice. "Dude, it just sounds like she's going through a lot right now. Don't push it. You need to take it one day at a time and don't push anything on her this weekend. Maybe you just lay in bed all day with her and just be there for her. I mean, she is obviously able to function on this day because you met her on this day. It's only been four months."
"I know man, I just…I hate seeing her like this." I squeezed the back of my neck tightly because I had been a fucking month and I was freaking out over how she was feeling. I just wanted her to be better. To feel better. To be happy.
"Grief isn't forever," he advised, "It's only temporary but it's a bitch at the moment." I took in a deep breath as I looked up and there, she was in a t-shirt of mine that she stole from my house. My dick wanted to spring to life but the fact that she displayed made it relax back in its hold. "I gotta go, man,"
Hanging up the phone I looked at her, "You don't have to stay." She whispered again, and I just nodded, "I do." I told her, and she came over and sat down in my lap. I held her against me and I kissed her temple. She inhaled against me and her forehead leaned against my cheek. Standing up, I moved her back to her bedroom as I put her back onto her bed and I kicked my shoes off. She curled into my arms and I breathed in her shampoo.
"I didn't realize that it was the day," I mentioned into her ear quietly, "I didn't mean to make you upset with that comment or anything…I just," I tried to find the right words, but she twisted over and she faced me. Her legs crossing as those brown eyes cast down with her hands playing with her comforter on her bed. "It's not the comment that you made." She said as she lifted her eyes up to meet me. "It's what I put together when you mentioned that both days folded over together."
I felt my eyebrows pull together as those pretty brown doe eyes looked right at me, "Zoey did this. Zoey brought you to me." I felt a wind of air fill my body as I looked at her, "I hope that doesn't like scare you off, but Zoey was always talking how she was going to set me up and she was going to find the perfect person to me. I don't know, she was on the hunt and then I got into a relationship with Brad but she disapproved and she was always still looking. She said, "You'll know when I find the one for you." She paused thinking about it and her eyes looked at me again. "I don't know, maybe that's not it. I just…it clicked in my head a little bit."
Reaching forward, I grabbed her hand gently, "I always wondered why I felt such a strong connection to you." I whispered, and a little smile came to her lips and I gave a tiny smile back.
Happy Sunday! I almost forgot to upload the new chapter today! Usually, somebody reviews and reminds me but it was a quick two weeks! That's for sure! I hope you are all enjoying the story! I love reading all of your reviews!
Next Update: August (Whoa…what in the world. How is it already August?!) 9th
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