Chapter 16 – Savannah, GA

Monday, May 20th, 2019

Troy's POV

I smiled as I held a bag of food in my hand as I walked into Gabi's office building. It was my first day of summer vacation and I was counting down the days until we were in Savannah together. The past few weeks have been blissful. We had a weekly dinner with her family and she had been staying at my place more and more. I think in her mind, that this long weekend together was going to be the true test to our relationship.

Getting into the elevator, I pressed her floor and it opened up to reveal her douchebag ex. Brad looked up at me and frowned, I didn't pay him an ounce of attention as I walked away. "You here to see that depressed bitch?" I felt my whole-body tense as I felt my hands grip the bag a little tighter, my knuckles itching to punch him in the face. I continued to walk and he laughed, "Yea, you can have her. She's useless anyway," I felt my neck strain with tension. My jaw tensed and I closed my eyes. Keep walking, Troy. Keep. Walking. I heard him chuckle and I snapped.

I turned around as I laughed, "You know, if you were over her you wouldn't give two shits about who she is dating. She doesn't even utter your name. Just that pointless douchebag who was controlling and an asshole to her." He inhaled sharply as he chuckled, "Whatever you say high school teacher." I rolled my eyes before I turned around and continued the walk to her office. I paused outside the door as she was on the phone. Her white blouse tucked into her straight skirt that hit right above her knees.

Her hair was tumbling down her back as she had a pen in her hand and a smile on her face as she talked on the phone. Her beauty caused my breath to get caught in my chest. The fact that she was mine made me thrilled. I knew every inch of that body and I knew that I could never lose her or I would lose myself. The month apart alone proved that. I wasn't the same during that month and I didn't like who I had become either.

She was my better half.

Her chair twisted and her eyes found me and an immediate smile crossed her lips. Those brown eyes widened with surprise and I smiled right back at her before I crossed the rest of the way until I opened her office door. She continued to carry on her phone conversation but those eyes never left me. "Mr. Williams, I assure you that your project will be finished and ready to present on Wednesday next week. I just realized I had a meeting when I scheduled my vacation. I can even move it to this Wednesday if it makes it better."

She stopped talking as I sat down the bag of food on her desk before I went around the back. She stayed home last night and I was achingly missing her this morning. She stayed at my place more than she stayed at her own anymore. We were at four days a week and this next week would prove almost six. We were supposed to meet with her therapist later this week together before we left on Thursday. She ended up being able to get away before Memorial Day so that it wasn't going to be nearly as busy. I was so excited to get this whole long weekend with her away from here.

My fingers traced a path down her neck and I felt the goosebumps travel, I smiled as I leaned forward to press my lips to the path my fingers just were. "Mr. Williams, I can for sure meet you Wednesday morning at 9am." Gabi nodded her head but her eyes were closing as if she was struggling to concentrate. I just smirked. Her hand finally came to mine to stop the assault. "Of course, I look forward to seeing you."

Gabi put the phone down and I nibbled on her ear, "Good afternoon," I whispered. She sucked in a laugh and turned to meet my lips. "What do I owe the pleasure?" Pushing her head back, I just smiled as I let my thumb trace her jaw and cheeks. "Because I missed you." She laughed as I kissed her cheek, "I saw you yesterday."

"You weren't in my bed this morning." I tossed back.

She smirked and shook her head, "I did bring lunch and I do want more kisses." I gave my final offer.

I settled in the chair across from her as I pulled out her favorite salad with a cup of coffee. She couldn't stop smiling as she watched, "Thank you, I did miss you as well." I bit on my lip, "Just move in with me." I whispered over to her. "I want you in my bed every single morning." She laughed, "Let's survive this weekend with each other and then we'll discuss it." I grunted as I pulled out my own food. "Brad hasn't been bothering you…has he?"

Gabi looked up at me with a little bit of shock, "No, he isn't. Did he say something to you when you walked in?" I nodded, "What he said isn't important but he clearly still has issues. Please tell me if he approaches you." She nodded her head up and down as we both ate our lunch together. "What time do you want to leave on Thursday?" I asked her as she took a long drink and smiled, "I'm leaving work at noon. We can leave after that. I'll be ready to go."

I smiled, "Good."

"Enjoying your first day of summer vacation?" she asked me, I nodded, "Luna is as well. We went for a run this morning and then played ball together. I told her I was coming to visit you and she pouted." Gabi laughed and nodded, "I bet she did. I'm sad I missed the run." I shot her a grin, "Stay the night with me and go on a run with us tomorrow morning." She grinned with her own look over towards me. "Maybe. I do have to work a little later tonight to make up for missing sometime this week."

My eyes leveled with her, "And I'm leaving early on Wednesday for our appointment with Regina. Are you sure you still want to go? I don't want to force you." She started to ramble and I smiled reaching across for her hand. "Hey, yes, I want to come. I think it would be good for our relationship. I want you to move into my house. I want you in my life always. This is important to you, it's important to me." She gave me a reassuring smile when her phone started to ring.

"Gabi," she answered picking it up. I began to quietly collect our trash as she talked on the phone with a client. She laughed a few times and I watched her do her thing. She hung up after about ten minutes and I smiled, "I'm going to get out of your hair. I'll cook dinner. Just give me a time." She let a tiny smile cross her lips, "Seven?" she said quietly, I went over and I tipped her chin backwards, "Good. I'll see you then."


Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019

Gabi's POV

I wrung my hands nervously but Troy put his hand on my thigh in a reassuring matter. "Troy, I don't know why I am nervous." I whispered. He chuckled, "Because this matters to you." A smile was shared between the two of us as I exhaled. His hands rubbed my back soothingly while we waited for Regina to finish with her patient. "Tomorrow, I figured we would just make it to Savannah, check into the hotel, and then go get food?" Troy questioned.

I nodded, "It sounds good. I really can't wait."

Troy pressed his lips into my hair when the door opened and Regina smiled with her other patient. She bid her farewell before looking at the two of us. A big smile coming over her face. "Gabi," she said with a smile and I stood up as I laced my fingers with Troy. "Regina, I want you to meet my boyfriend…Troy Bolton." I introduced him and she smiled, "Troy, it is a pleasure to meet you." They shook hands and Troy smiled. "I'm glad that I was invited to come."

Regina sent me a look and I smiled, we all settled onto the couch in her office. "It's a pleasure to have you." Regina offered all of us water and once we were all settled, she smiled, "This isn't a typical couple session that I do all the time but these are some of my favorites. I love getting to see the young love. Troy, Gabi has made a lot of progress since the very beginning of seeing her and I see how much happier that she is now. Especially seeing you sitting next to her," I blushed and Regina smiled. I felt his eyes on me and I leaned into his shoulder.

"We're just going to start off easy…name three things that you love about each other." Troy grinned, "That's easy. I'll start with my favorite, it's her resilience. The fact that she's been through so much these past several months and the fact that she smiles, wants to get better, and is able to love again…it's so impressive. I love seeing her find the new things that she loves and helping people grow and learn. I love how big she loves. The love she has for her family, her nieces and nephews, for Jenna, and for both of her sisters. Her heart and passion for her people is one of my favorite things about her. I think I am slowly getting into that circle of people." I laughed as I had to wipe away the tears that were falling. He laced our fingers together and squeezed gently.

"Lastly, I love her." He said simply, "All of the little things, all of the big things. The smallest details and the biggest details. There isn't anything that I don't love about her. All of her flaws and all of her good. There isn't something that I would change about her. No matter how we met, when we met, or how much she's had to battle through the everyday grief…I wouldn't change it. Nothing. She is who she is and that's what I love about her. She doesn't apologize for being herself. For being sad or for having to breathe. I love her for who she is."

I bit down on my lip as I couldn't stop the tears. He reached over to brush them away and I laughed as Regina smiled between the two of us. "Well, Troy, I think you love some of the best qualities about Gabi. Gabi, what about you?" I wiped away some more tears and breathed out deeply, "I love Troy for his patience." I smiled softly as I leaned into his body. "We met each other at a really hard time and I saw his patience early. I see it with me and all of my problems. I see it with his students. I see it with his basketball team. His dog. I see his patience everywhere."

I breathed and smiled, "I love his presence. He knows when I need him without me having to ask him. His presence is so calming and comforting. The day he showed up because it had been five months since my sister died…it was a day I knew was special. He knew that I just needed him that day. When we took that month apart, his simple text, letting me know he was there. It makes me love him more and more."

Troy thumb stroked my skin, "Finally, I think his passion is his other quality that I love. His passion for his family, for me, for his basketball team, for his friends. I think it's similar to his love but it's strong. It's so strong. His passion for life, his passion to help kids, his passion to just be a good human and to love…it makes me love him more. To see all of his favorite things and for him to grow as a human. It's special. He's special. My love for him is special."

A smile was shared between the two of us as Regina smiled looking at us. "It's clear that you two are in love. I love to see it. Especially, knowing how Gabi was just a few months ago." Regina said, "I know when Gabi came to me, she was very broken, very lost, and very heartbroken because she felt like she was failing you." I swallowed hard and Troy squeezed my hand gently, I lifted my eyes to look at him. His face was full of concern, care, and love.

"She wasn't failing me." He said quietly, "She was grieving and hurting. I never thought she was failing me." Regina smiled, "I know you think that and it took a long time for Gabi to realize that she wasn't failing you but she was failing herself not allowing herself to grieve. She cried more tears here, grieved more here, and learned to grieve but also live. She's trying to live again and I think that helps her cope with her thoughts of failing you."

I cleared my throat, "Yea, I…I did need to grieve. Troy you were the first person to notice that I never grieved and I will never be more thankful than that. For you allowing me to do that, for allowing me that time and space to just…breathe. It meant the world to me." I whispered. He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. "She said she's told you that you have to be open with communicating when she's falling back into a hole…is that something you think you can help her with?"

Troy bit on his lip and nodded, "I think it'll be hard but if it is going to help her…if it's going to give her what she needs. I'll do it. I love her. I want her to be herself and who she wants to be. How do I approach that though? What am I looking for?" Regina smiled over at Troy, "Gabi?" she redirected the question to me and I sighed, "I think it's me spending too much time with the kids, becoming their mom role again, working late and throwing myself into my job, and not dealing with my emotions. Just pushing them off." I picked at my jeans and I sighed, "I don't think it has to be all of them or one of them. I really think it's just…about my mental and emotional state. I think the 6th will always be hard for me and I feel like I get a pass for that day. If it be spending time with my family or just working a little longer to not deal with all of my emotions but the other days? I need to be present. I need to live. I need to be happy because that's what Zoey would want me to do."

Troy's hand twitched in his lap and I knew he wanted to pull me closer to him. To bury his face in my hair and ignore the world together. He just wanted to protect me from all of the emotions. "How do you want me to approach you?" Troy asked, his voice calm and quiet. I blinked away tears as I looked over at him. The amount of love on his face, the caring, the want to just protect me and help me. I knew in that moment I was going to marry this man.

"I think the best way would to just be open with me. I don't know how I'll respond but just tell me your concerns. If I lash out or get angry…I hope you know that it's not directed towards you. It will never be directed towards you. It's directed at myself. That I am allowing it. That I am not living. Hopefully, I'll be receptive to the conversation but just tell me. You don't have to dance around me. I want us to be in a relationship together. I want to communicate and love each other. I want us to be able to talk with each other."

Troy reached forward and brushed his fingers over my face and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, "Okay."

"I think the two of you have such a strong relationship. You realize when you need to communicate. You realize that this isn't easy and that the road ahead is a long one. Troy, your openness to let her grieve, to be herself, and to just figure out this next step with you by her side? Is exactly what she needs. You are doing everything correctly and you will make mistakes. You will lash out and just know…it's normal. Gabi, you will lash out in response, you will cry tears of frustration, and you will have hard moments but just realize…you both love each other. You both have a strong foundation and you may have had a rocky path…you made a strong path."

Troy squeezed my hand as I wiped the last of my tears away, "I feel confident in your relationship. I'm not saying that you won't have struggles, arguments, or a bad moment but you will come through okay. Trust each other, have faith, and be happy. Live in the moment and make memories together. I think, if you two feel it's the next step, moving in together wouldn't be too fast or too harmful in any part of the relationship. I think you both are ready."

We shared a smile and he put his arm around me and pulled me in close, "I hear you two are off to Savannah…any big plans?" Regina asked and we both laughed with relief filling our bodies.


Troy's POV

Thursday, May 23rd, 2019

Gabi tilted her head back, a laugh echoing through her mouth, and a wide smile coming onto her face. My heart eased with a look over towards her, those brown eyes relaxed and her whole body at ease. She scrolled through my playlist on my phone and I reached over to rub her knee with my thumb. "You have the Jonas Brothers on here?" she questioned, those eyes just dancing with amusement. I rolled my eyes with a tiny laugh. "Macken," I reminded her. "She sits in that same seat and adds music to my phone. She used to add shit for the hell of it and fuck with my music. Justin Bieber, Nickelback, Gwen Stefani," I just rolled my eyes thinking of all the random shit I would find on my phone.

Gabi sent a sly look before pulling up the next song. She started to sing along as I shifted while driving down the highway. We were close to Savannah as the sun had set and we were having a lot of fun just laughing and driving together. Just sitting in the car with her was fun. Laughing together and making up stories or telling stories from our childhood that we didn't know yet. This was a time that we didn't have anything else but us. I don't think either of us were talking to anybody else and the only reason we were using a phone was because of music control. My eyes looked over at her for a brief moment before I pulled back to the road. We were getting closer to Savannah and I couldn't wait to pull up into our hotel and take her upstairs. I only wanted her right now. She sent me a smile and my gut tightened with that one look. She knew me inside and out at this point and had to know that her smile did things to me that nobody else could elicit.

In all of my life I never reacted to a girl like I react to Gabriella Montez. The way her smile can make me hard is a problem. Just one look and my dick was hard. I want her constantly and you'd think there would be a phase where that went away where I became immune but fucking five months later – it was still there. It was worse now than it was when I met her which is a big problem. I had to control that shit and she made it next to impossible to do it.

I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed it, "I love you, B." she smiled, those brown eyes giving me a soft look. "I love you, too. I can't wait to spend this entire weekend with you." I smiled wide, "I am pretty happy as well. Just you and I until Tuesday." Gabi let a smirk cross her lips as if this trip went well – it would basically seal the deal with her moving into my house. Her lease was up in the beginning of July and I wanted her in my house. I wanted her in my bed. I wanted her period. Tonight, tomorrow, and every single day after that.

Her voice sung along to the words and I felt my chest beat a little faster. Damn, I loved her. I loved her in purest of ways and I knew I was going to marry her. It was only thirty more minutes before we were pulling up to our place in Savannah. It was already dark as the sun disappeared and I sent her a look, "How about we get settled and room service tonight? I don't think I want any clothes on," I whispered as I tugged her closer to me. It was words that I promised to live by because I didn't want clothes tonight. I wanted her skin on me at all times.

She giggled against my lips and nodded as there was nothing to see anyways. I pulled up to the hotel as I gave her a big smile, "So we're in agreement that no clothes tonight?" she smirked, "Yes, Troy, no clothes tonight. Just lots and lots of sex with you." She whispered, that caused a big grin to come over my face. We both hopped out of the car and I slipped on my backpack plus picked up her bag. "Troy," I shook my head, "Nothing, baby, I got it." She sent a smile as we walked in together. "Hi, how may we help you?" the receptionist asked, "Reservation for Bolton," I spoke leaning up against the counter. Her fingers wrapped around my waist and I smiled down at her. Her head leaned into my back and I felt her breaths through my back.

"Oh yes, perfect. I'll just need a payment method." I smiled as I slid over my credit card. I buried my lips into her hair as we waited as I took in her fresh scent. Her fingers went up my shirt and I felt my abs squeeze. She smirked pressing her body into mine as the lady slid over a receipt and my card back. I stashed my card and signed before retrieving the keys. She told us the room number and I pushed Gabi forward with a smirk.

Gabi chewed on her lip and smirked before turning over to look at me. "You ready for this Bolton?" she giggled before darting towards the elevators with laughter ringing from her lips in the purest of ways. Yup, I was going to marry this girl.


Friday, May 24th, 2019

Troy's POV

My eyes couldn't stop watching her as she was curled up onto her side, her hair spilling everywhere, and a bruise on her collarbone that was exposed. Her whole face was peaceful and I just wanted to stroke that soft skin. Last night, we ordered room service and spent the entire night laughing and talking in bed in-between me taking her every six ways to the sun. We laughed more last night and learned so much more about each other.

Rolling my lips together, I reached forward to stroke her cheek with my thumb while I smiled softly. I wanted to wake her up and kiss her but I knew she was exhausted. I had plans to go get breakfast and walk through the park together. Stroking her cheek again, she leaned into my touch subconsciously and I leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek. Her skin was so smooth and perfect, her complexion was gorgeous and even though she's been through hell this past year…she was still smiling.

God, I loved her.

Rolling out of bed, I stood up as I went and turned the shower on. I knew that she was going to be sore when she woke up and I didn't want to push it too much. I wanted to just spend time with her. I took a quick shower and when I got out, I wrapped a towel around my waist as I went to check on her to see she was scrolling through her phone. "Hey sleepy," she smiled as she dropped her phone. Those brown eyes flashing to mine. I walked over and dropped a kiss onto her lips, my hair dripping onto her body.

"Hey handsome," she squeezed my bicep and I smiled, "If you wanna get up and get ready we can go get some brunch and walk around the city." I offered and she smiled, "I think that sounds amazing," I brushed her hair away from her face, "You feeling okay?" a lazy grin reached across her face as she nodded, "We need more nights like last night." I agreed, "That we do," I backed up as I went into the bathroom to throw in my contacts, brush my teeth, when she scooted in front of me.

I wrapped one arm around her waist and I looked in the mirror as she reached for her tooth brush, those brown eyes happy as she started to brush her teeth. I buried my lips against her neck and trailed my lips down until I met her collarbone. "You're so damn beautiful," I whispered into her ear, she smiled while I hummed next to her. My entire body wanted to take her right here but I held back while I looked at her crazy hair, messy face, and toothpaste foam lips and I knew that she was going to by my wife.

I leaned into her pinning her against the counter and pressing my lips to her ear, her eyes met mine in the mirror and I smirked, "I'm going to marry you," I whispered and the goosebumps ran down her arm and I dropped another kiss on her neck as she let a slow smile curve on her face, her toothbrush still in her mouth, "Really?" she mumbled in response and I chuckled with a nod, "Yea, I'm going to marry the fuck out of you one day."

She spit out the toothpaste, wiped her mouth, and then turned around to wrap her arms around my neck tightly. She kissed me hard and I groaned as I pushed her up onto the bathroom counter. "I can't wait to marry you one day," she whispered in response and I smiled as I devoured her lips with my own. "You're my girl, I love you," I whispered into her mouth and she moaned before pulling at my towel and releasing it.

"You started it," I pointed out to her and she laughed as she didn't stop with my words. That only encouraged her and I knew I met my match. She was it for me. There was nobody else. I struck damn gold when she sat down next to me at the basketball game. I inhaled sharply and kissed her rough before I kissed down her body. I stripped my t-shirt off of her and tossed it behind me as there was no barrier between us.

I slipped between her thighs and pushed them apart, I didn't think twice as I slid into her our pace quick and frantic. Our lips were hungry for each other and she gripped onto my shoulder tightly. "Brie," I grunted her name as her nails scrapped my back. I couldn't hold back with her and once we both were panting and exhausted, I pulled back and pressed my lips to hers gently, "I love you," I whispered into her ear and she smiled, "I love you, too,"

She rested her head on my chest, and I circled my arms around her. "C'mon, we need to get out of this hotel." I said with a laugh and she smiled pulling back to look at me. "Do we though?" I couldn't stop the laugh and I kissed her again. "Yea, c'mon, let's go do something."


Gabi's POV

We strolled hand in hand through the park, my fingers gripping his bicep while we walked together. This morning, when I was brushing my teeth, and had bedhead, I could see it in his eyes. The love and happiness that were in his features. When he whispered, he was going to marry me? I believed him. He was content, happy, and loved me for who I was. It was a beautiful day with a perfect breeze and warm sun.

The park was packed with people and I smiled watching every single one of them throughout the place. "You seem to be thinking pretty hard," I looked up at Troy and smiled, "Just thinking. Nothing too fancy. Just…" I breathed, "Just happy. I was thinking about this morning and how when you watched me brush my teeth this morning…I could see how much you loved me. How much you wanted to be with me and I was just brushing my teeth."

Troy let out a chuckle, "Yea, I do really want to marry you. I know we haven't been together for that long yet but I know it, Brie. I know how much I need and want you in my life. You're important to me. I want the whole thing with you. Marriage, kids, growing old together, and everything in-between," I stopped as I wrapped my arms around him in a hug. "I love you, Troy. I love doing life with you." We both shared a smile.

"Are you wanting to do lunch?" he asked me as we passed a few restaurants and I nodded, "Yea, let's get some lunch." We looked at a few different places and picked an Italian restaurant. We were quickly seated and we looked at the menu. His foot hooked with mine and I couldn't stop my smile. "Do you want a glass of wine?" Troy asked, I looked at the wine list and I shook my head, "Nah, maybe tonight we can go out for a few drinks?"

Troy nodded, "Yea, I think we should. We are definitely homebody's at home." I giggled, "You know, I think we should change that when we get home. You have such a great group of friends. We should do things with them more often." Troy smiled, "You like them? I don't think I've ever asked you this." A laugh bubbled from my throat and I smiled, "They are your friends, some of your best friends, and I love that they love you. That they care about you and want the best for you. They are funny and definitely all boy." Troy smiled with a shake of his head. "I've known them forever and I feel like we've done everything together."

"I wish I had more friends like that." I said with a sigh, I had Jenna and I absolutely loved having her and I was forever thankful for her. I just wished we had that big group that got together all the time and got drunk talking about our week and had weekly lunch dates. If Jenna wasn't able to do something…I had nobody else to turn, too. Now I had Troy though and I loved hanging out with Macken, Sara, and Lennon.

"Why didn't you have more friends? Everybody you are friends with loves you." I shrugged, "I think it had a lot to do with Brad. He controlled my life. He told me who I couldn't and could be friends with and he never wanted me hanging out with people without him. He was a controlling asshole and I am so glad I left him. I just wish it wouldn't have taken my sister dying for me to realize that I needed to leave him." The thought bothered me because Zoey would have loved Troy. "I wish Zo would have gotten to meet you," I whispered. Troy stopped us and tilted my head back. His hands framing my face, "Hey, you got out of the relationship and I wish I would have gotten to meet your sister, too. I think she was an amazing woman because you're amazing. I can't wait to one day meet Beth and I think Zoey knows me."

I smiled as I gripped his wrist and I didn't let go, "I really think she sent you to me. I think she hand-picked you." A small smile tugged on the corner of his lips, "I would have to agree with that. I think we are supposed to be together. I know I am going to marry you and I can't wait to see where this life takes us together. As long as we are together." I hugged him tightly in the middle of the park. The fresh air wrapping around us and the feeling of my body relaxing into his. I don't know how I would have survived the last six months without him. That was also harder to think about – the fact that I've only known him since December.

I felt like I've known him for my whole life. That he was supposed to be the center of my world. "Just so you know, I'll never tell you who and who you can't be friends with. It pisses me off that he did that to you, isolated you, and then when you needed more people you didn't have more people. I know how much you love Jenna and this is no dig to Jenna but in times like you went through you need an army of people. If something happened to anybody in my family or hell even you, I know I would need Jax, Cam, Jesse, and Dylan to be by my side. I know they will be there for me always." I couldn't blink back the tears. "I love you, T. Thank you for always be there for me. I'm glad we get to always stand together."

He sent a smile in my direction, "I still want to punch his lights out." Troy grumbled, "I hate that he sees you every single day. I hate that he talks to you as if you are best friends. Fuck, he annoys the shit out of me. It's not because I'm jealous because I know you don't want to be with him but just – knowing that he's been a dick to you and you still have to see his smug face." Troy vented off the frustration, "He doesn't talk to me. I think he only talks to me when he knows your around." This caused a severe frown from Troy.

Troy looked down with a laugh, "Fuck him. I don't want you to take this the wrong way – because I trust you. I just hate the guy. He's a smug asshole." I couldn't stop my laugh as Troy relaxed back into his chair. We both ordered our lunch with waters as I felt the breeze against my face. There was nothing better than spending time with him in a beautiful location. "I'll plan a grill out for when we get back home. You can invite Jenna and Ethan." Troy offered, I reached across to rub his hand while I laced our fingers together.

"Yea? I think that sounds like a good idea."

"I'll invite Macken and Brady as well,"

"Maybe do BBQ?" I suggested. "Yea, that sounds good. I'll smoke some ribs and then grill some burgers."

"I'll make dessert," I offered. Troy grinned, "Yes, chocolate chip cookies?" he requested batting his eyes and I giggled, "If that's what you want." I countered, he moaned while leaning back and he shook his head. "You make the best cookies, Brie." I chewed on my lower lip and smiled, "Do you really want me to move in with you?" I questioned with an eyebrow raise. A smile formed on his lips, a bright mega-watt smile that would scare anybody nearby.

"Do I? Fucking yes, I love waking up next to you every single morning. I love getting to share a bed with you every single night and plus the added benefit of getting to fuck you so much more? Yes," I couldn't stop my laugh. "So that past few weeks of us spending more and more time together hasn't scared you away?" my eyes flickered up to meet his and Troy's whole face softened and he shook his head, "No. It makes me want you more."

I swallowed on the lump in my throat, "Good. I want to be with you all the time, too. We had enough time apart." Troy looked at me for a minute, as if he was memorizing my features, and thinking hard about what he wanted to say next. "I can't wait to share my life with you, Brie, I want to share every moment with you." I felt the tears fill my eyes, "I know the start of our romance wasn't the same as most people but I still love you all the same."


Troy's POV

Saturday, May 25th, 2019

A slow song came on in the little bar that both decided to go to tonight after our dinner. We were leaving on Tuesday but I only wanted to spend every single moment with each other before we had to go back to our lives. I slipped my hand into hers as I tugged her towards the dance floor and she gave me a shy smile. Her little off-white skirt that was covering the bottom portion of the black body suit she was wearing. It dipped hard down the middle and I had a hard time keeping my hands off of her. Her eyes trailed my body as I looked at my black jeans with a grey t-shirt but it was as if I was naked in front of her. Those eyes burned a fire down my body and I could only assume she thought the same of me staring at her.

She was in a pair of open-toed heels while our fingers collapsed together. I tugged her to the dance floor and when our bodies pressed together mine reacted immediately. We spent all day today doing different tours and we had our own fun in Savannah. Tonight, I treated her to a fancy dinner and then we stumbled upon this hole in the wall bar that everybody raved about. Her fingers gripped around my bicep while we danced together on the floor.

I breathed in her scent as her hair was perfectly curled and fell around her shoulders. She was intoxicating and it caused me want to fuck her endlessly. I breathed out deeply and she smiled, "Thank you for this weekend." She whispered while the blues song echoed around us. There was a handful of couples on the floor dancing around us but I was only focused on her. My girl. "No, thank you for taking this time off for me." I swallowed on the emotion bubbling up in my throat.

"I love you, Brie. I'm glad we got to show our love to each other this weekend. I'm glad we were able to do this together. I think this weekend seals the deal though – you'll move in with me?" a smile stretched on her face and those brown eyes light up with life. "Yea, I'll move in with you." My own smile stretched over my face as I pulled her into a deep crushing kiss. Her arms locked around my neck and I couldn't stop. She was my addiction and I never wanted to go to rehab for it.

Once we pulled apart, the song ended and I tugged her hand back to our table as I pulled her into my lap. "I'm so happy you're going to finally move in with me." Gabi laughed, "You act like we've been dating for years." I shot her a look, "You act like that we haven't been." Gabi laughed but she didn't have a rebuttal to it. It did feel like we had been dating so much longer than six months. "Luna will be so happy that you are finally moving in with me."

Gabi giggled, "We should get another dog. Luna needs a sister." I shot her a look, "More hair?" I requested and I couldn't stop my own laugh. Gabi grinned, "They would be so cute together though. They could run around the backyard together, we could each have one when we walk, and they would be best friends." I rolled my eyes at her words but I couldn't disagree with any of it. "I'm glad you love her. I had a girl – I can't even say friend because we weren't even that, but she hated Luna."

Gabi gasped, "How? She's the sweetest girl alive."

"She was protective of me and she hated it." Gabi frowned, "She likes you." I couldn't stop my smile, "Just like I like you – a whole lot." I whispered as I crushed our mouths together in a kiss. Gabi responded as I locked her into my lap and she did a wiggle that caused a growl to leave my throat. "Gabriella," I mumbled to her and she giggled into my mouth. "I love you," I whispered into her mouth. "Do you think we could have another dinner with my parents when we get back? I want them to love you."

"Do they not?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow and she smiled, "I don't know. I just want them to know how important you are to me." I smiled at her while I pushed her hair behind her ear. "Yea, we can have dinner with all of our families." I hesitated on my next question but she turned her head, "What?" she questioned, "You don't have to ever not ask a question." I smiled, "Where do you think Beth went?" I questioned and she paused for a moment and then breathed out deeply.

"I don't know. She loved to travel and she loved to help people so I could only assume she's just traveling and helping people along the way. I think that's why she panicked after Zoey died because she couldn't help her. I don't know what she's doing or how she's making money but…she's doing it. I know she's scared and she needed away from all of this but I really hope she comes home soon. I want her to know you. I need her to know you and be there for me whenever we do get married and I just…" I saw the panic begin to build and I kissed her temple softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to make you upset." I whispered.

Gabi gave me a smile, "No. It's good to talk about her. She was the typical middle sister." A tiny smile climbed onto my face while I looked at her. "She loved to pick on me at the same time was the first person there for me all the time. I was closer to Zoey but Beth was always there. Beth was quiet but open and she used to run a daycare. She was damn good at it too but she spiraled. The last time I saw her was right after Zoey's funeral and she kind of went mute. She barely said anything from the moment we all found out to the moment I never saw her again." Gabi paused in her story and thought while she breathed out evenly.

The bar noise behind us was cluttered and loud but it was just the two of us together. "She was wearing a black dress with my shoes…" I couldn't stop a laugh from spilling out of my mouth as she shook her head with her own smile. "We never heard from her again. The last thing we got was a postcard in the mail saying that she was okay but just needed to get away. That was it and it was almost nine months ago." I stroked her bare leg with my thumb and she rested her head on my shoulder. "I love you, baby, you are so strong."

She kissed me roughly on the mouth and I groaned deeply into her mouth in return. "Let's go back to the hotel," she whispered into my mouth. I couldn't agree more as I threw back the rest of my drink as did, she. I threw forty bucks on the table and we got up before clasping our fingers together and running out of the bar. She laughed as we weren't far from our hotel but it was raining. Gabi tilted her head back in a loud laugh and I watched the rain slide down her skin and cover her entire body. My breath got caught in my throat while I stared at her, she turned and took a look at me. "C'mon," she said tugging my hand and we were running through the rain, laughing, and jumping in the puddles that had formed already.

She stopped and my body ran into hers, my arms locked around her waist to steady her and she wiggled against me. I turned to press her back against the building near us and I devoured her mouth with my own. Her fingers running through my wet hair, my hands gripping her waist and trying to avoid looking at her nipples that were straining against the wet fabric. I lifted her up and her legs locked around my waist as we made out in the rain.

"Hotel," she finally found words and I just nodded as I looked up to see that we were only a block away. I tugged on her hand as I dropped her to the ground as we practically sprinted back, we raced up the stairs together as we were stumbling, laughing, and causing a scene but the moment we entered our hotel room our clothes were on the floor. I picked her up and pressed her back into the wall as neither of us were slowing down. Her wet skin rubbed against mine and the entire room was hazy and full of love.

"Troy," her words cried out and her head tilted back with a moan escaping her lips as I slid inside of her. I groaned from the feeling and I couldn't stop. I wouldn't stop. She was my everything. I didn't know where my body began and her body ended when we were connected like this. The entire day had been foreplay and I was going to combust within minutes as she squeezed me tighter. "Fuck," I ground out and she scraped at my back with her nails – trying to get closer and closer.

Her love was chanted across the room as we both reached out climax and came down – our bodies spent and exhausted. A moisture combined of sweat and rain as we were both just trying to catch our breaths. The only sound in the room as she clung to me and I clung right back to her. We needed each other and I never wanted to let her go. "I love you," she whispered while her fingers played with the end of my hair and I smiled against her skin. My lips burying into her neck as I realized she was shivering afterwards.

"C'mon," I whispered to her. I took her into the bathroom as I turned the shower on and I wrapped her in my arms. She gave me a smile and her hair were matted against her body and I leaned down to capture another kiss from her. "I love you," she giggled and kissed me right back. "I love you more…especially after an orgasm like that." I chuckled with a shake of my head – yea, I was a lucky son of a bitch.


Happy Sunday! I hope you are all having a great day! It's been a busy weekend! I officially graduated college this weekend, preparing for my state boards, and I am having surgery next week. So, I am doing everything to get ready for that! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Let me know what you think!

Also…there might be a new story debuting after the new year. If I can get more chapters finished then I will for sure do it!

Please REVIEW!

Next Update: December 27th, 2020