Dom wasn't in the bed when Gabriella woke up. She knew he wouldn't be. He always got up early no matter if he slept the night before or not. She rolled over pulling the sheet above her head as the sun shone inside the room. She could stay in there forever. She wanted to. She didn't want to get up and face the world. She just wanted it to go away. She heard shuffling of feet outside in the hallway. Everyone in the house was up. They never knew how to keep quiet.
"Gab!" There was a loud bang on the door before it swung open. She didn't move from her spot. She just laid there with the sheet over her head. "Gabriella!" Vince yelled.
"What?" She yelled.
"Are you not working at Harry's today?"
She threw the sheet off of her head and just stared at him. "Do I have to?"
"You just started and now you want to quit?" He walked into the room shutting the door behind him. She knew he was about to have his moment. She sat up leaning the pillow against the backboard and stared up at him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. He knew I would be in here last night."
'You use to do it a lot when you were little." He smiled. He grabbed a hold of one of her hands and squeezed it. "If I die before I am thirty it's going to be your fault."
She shoved him away from her as she squirmed back under the sheet. "I always love our talks Vince."
"Get up!" He yelled slapping her with his hands.
"Owe!" She threw the sheet off of her again as she slapped him back. She took the pillow from behind her and began hitting him in the head with it.
"I surrender!" He yelled holding his hands in the air. She stopped before chucking it at him once more then running for the door. "Yeah you better run!"
She ran straight into her room and to her closet. Harry let her wear anything to the shop only because they didn't have shirts in her size right now. The largest was a large and it would swallow her whole. She put her hair back in a pony tail before moving back to the door. "I'm leaving!" She yelled as she grabbed her keys and ran outside. She was late.
"Whoa!" Jesse yelled grabbing her. He jerked her towards him kissing her before shoving her away. "Bye."
"I'll see you tonight."
She hurried down the stairs and into her car before speeding down the street to Harry's store. She saw the familiar truck sitting in the parking spot when she pulled up. Brian greeted her at the door as she walked up.
"Nice of you to join us." He smiled holding the door open for her.
"Sorry, had a rough night last night."
"I heard. Is everything okay?"
She stopped and stared at him. "Yeah, just a run in with an old friend."
"Who tried to kill you?" He eyed her. She gave a small laugh before shaking her head. "It's all over the place right now. People won't stop talking about it."
"Awesome, that's just great." She threw her hands in the air. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude or anything, I just honestly don't want to talk about it right now. It was from my past and I would like to leave it there."
"Sure, I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Yes I am okay. And thank you." She nodded her head at him. She moved away from him as she moved to the back to make sure everything was in place before they opened. She looked at him through the mirror as he began counting the drawer of money. There was something about him, she couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something about him that told her to stay away.
People had begun to line up in the store as soon as they opened. That was Los Angeles for you. The home of street racing so of course everyone would come from all over to get there parts from Harry's. He really didn't have any competitors around. Dominic Toretto was also living in Los Angeles so many came to watch him race. It still stunned Gabriella when people would ask about him. Her brother was famous. She laughed as people asked about him. Today was different. People began asking about her.
"Yo!" Hector walked in. He had some people with him but he walked around the counter and straight over to her. "You alright?"
She wrapped her arms around his waist letting out a deep sigh. "Everyone has been asking all day about it. I didn't know so many people knew. It's like it's the top story of Los Angeles right now."
"It kind of is."
"I just want it to go away."
"I saw Johnny. He was there."
"He's the one who killed Brianna. He saved my life."
"If you need anything, you know that I am here for you right? Anything that you need you just ask me."
Gabriella nodded her head. "I know Hector. Thank you."
"I got to go, but I will check on you tonight okay." He kissed the top of her head before moving to the door. Gabriella let out a sigh as she put her elbows on the counter.
"So I am going to ask one more time, you alright?" Brian walked up behind her. She smiled at him as she nodded her head.
"I was racing last night and a girl that set my brothers garage on fire was just let go from jail. I kind of…shot her. She was back for revenge. She pointed a gun at me and was going to kill me but Johnny stopped her. I didn't see anything else, I just heard the shots."
"He tackled her onto the ground where she grabbed the gun and when she did he went for it and it went off. The cops were called and everyone scattered except for Johnny. He stayed."
Gabriella nodded her head. "Where are you from?"
"Arizona." He smiled at her.
"And you are here in Los Angeles why?"
"Surf. I love to surf."
Gabriella began to laugh. "Do you know anything about cars?"
"Oh I know a ton about cars. Why do I not look like it?"
She smiled shaking her head. "Oh no, go ahead and say it."
"You just look…"
"Yes?" He pressed on.
"Like a sissy boy or something. You definitely have the surfer look down."
"Wow!" Brian began to laugh. I don't know if I was just insulted but it sure feels like it."
Gabriella couldn't control her laughter as she turned away from him. She took a deep breath as she moved back to the counter and began ringing up customers. "So Dominic Toretto, he's your brother?"
"Yep, he sure is."
"So they call him the king of the street."
"He's pretty much the king of everything. My life to be exact. He enjoys running things."
"He's just protecting you."
She nodded his head. "I gave him the scare of a lifetime last night. But he's a good man. He loves his family and his cars. We have been through a lot." She shrugged her shoulders.
"And your sister?"
Gabriella looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Mia."
"Yes Mia." He smiled at her.
"Hey guys!" Gabriella lit up as Vince walked into the store with Jesse and Leon following him. Jesse had a smile plastered on his face as he approached the counter. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Came to see if you wanted to go to lunch." Jesse smiled. Vince continued to stare at Brian as Gabriella moved around the counter. She looped her arm through his pulling him away with a laugh.
"I'll see you in a few Brian. You okay if I go?"
'Of course, you guys have fun." Brian called after her as she shoved Vince aside. Jesse wrapped his arm around her shoulder kissing her softly on the head.
Vince plopped down next to Gabriella as she flipped through the TV channels. She looked over at him as he continued to stare at her. "What?" She finally asked.
"So this buster kid that you work with, he a good guy?"
"What?" Gabriella sat up. "What are you talking about?"
"That Brian kid!" Vince yelled.
"Is someone jealous? I saw the way you looked at him Vince. You need to lighten up. And to answer your question yes he is a good guy. He helped me a lot with today."
Vince rolled his eyes. "You shouldn't have gone today. I knew people were going to be asking questions."
"It was fine."
"Yo, let's go!" Leon replied as he walked in through the kitchen.
"Where are you guys going?" Gabriella asked leaning up. Leon looked over at Vince before shaking his head and leaving the room. "What's going on?"
"We are headed to a race. We are under strict orders to not let you come." He rubbed his hand in her hair before running to the door and shutting it behind him. She didn't have time to respond before he left.
"No way! This is not happening!" She jerked her phone from the couch and dialed Jesse's number. "You better not be at a race with everyone else!"
"I'm right behind you." Jesse replied. Gabriella turned around. He had a smile plastered to his face as he put his phone away. "They told me to stay here with you. They have had this race planned. Dom couldn't back out. He wanted to trust me, but we need the money. He didn't want you to go. He knew that everyone would be asking questions and he just didn't want that put on you anymore today."
Gabriella nodded her head as she walked over to him wrapping her arms around his body. He laid his head on hers and sighed. "You okay with everything that happened? I know that Brianna wasn't your friend anymore…"
"It was either her or me, Jess. I didn't know Johnny was there. Part of me is pissed off that he was there. But the other part is so happy. I didn't even see anything happen. She cocked the gun back and like a coward I closed my eyes. Next thing I know, I am being jerked away. I don't hear shots but I see the look on Dom's face. He was so scared Jesse. The only other time I have seen him like that was when our father died. Then I heard the shots. I thought it was him. I really thought she had shot him. But he didn't move. He didn't look like he was hurt. He just stared at me. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I thought…" She shook her head. Jesse ran his hand down her face. "I thought that I had lost him again."
"I don't think he knew what to do Gab. He was helpless. He knew something was happening when you got into the car. He had a bad feeling. He was trying to get to you before she got out of the car but it was too late. I don't think he knew what to do. He was prepared to jump in front of that bullet for you. I saw Johnny, he tackled Brianna and then accidently shot her. She was trying to get to the gun and it just went off…"
"He meant to kill her Jesse. We all know that."
Jesse nodded his head. "Come here." He kissed her on the cheek before bringing her into his arms. "Let's not talk about it anymore. It's over and you are okay. That is all that matters to me right now."
He brought her over to the couch sitting her down. She brought her feet up and laid her head on his chest. "Thank you for being so perfect." She whispered.
"I'm not perfect, you just think that I am." He laughed.
Gabriella moved the boxes from the counter when she heard the door open. "Can I help you?" Gabriella never lifted her head.
"Yeah, I need these." He slid the paper across the counter catching her attention. She looked up and gasped.
"Johnny! What are you doing here?"
"I just need some parts. That is all. I called Harry already and he said they would be ready for me today. I didn't know you worked here."
She looked over at Brian who was watching her carefully. "This is equal ground Gab, I'm not here to cause trouble."
She sighed as she lifted the paper and looked at it. "We just got all of this stuff in. It's a lot. You planning something big?"
"Just a few races. The Desert next year has a lot to do with it."
She nodded her head as he smiled down at her. He brought his hand up to her face moving a piece of hair away. "I am glad you are alright." He told her. "I don't know what I would do if I knew something happened to you."
"This is the second time you saved my life. I wouldn't make it a habit." She replied softly. She moved away from him. "This is everything that you need I think. You going to pay today or just put it on your account?"
"Gab, can we just talk for a minute?"
Gabriella looked over at Brian then back at Johnny. She sighed before nodding her head. "Just a minute Johnny, I can't have this escalating into something its not."
He nodded his head at her. "Brian, I am going to help him out with his stuff. I will be right back okay."
Brian nodded his head, he looked worried but he didn't say it. He didn't say anything. He continued to stare at Johnny.
So you racing full time now?" Johnny asked taking the boxes from her.
"Trying to. Dom said it was okay. He seems to think I am good at it." She laughed. "It was like déjà vu on Friday. I knew something was off. "
"I don't want to talk about Friday. I want to know how you are doing."
She nodded her head. "Good, trying to stay alive these days. Thank you for what you did Johnny. I know that it was hard…"
"You act like us being friends never happened to you. Just because I took Jake's place doesn't mean that those feelings aren't still there for you."
She nodded her head. "I don't think that at all…"
"You still with Jesse?"
Gabriella looked down at the ground. "Yes, I am. You dating anyone?"
She smirked up at him as he smiled at her. 'Here and there. Haven't found the one yet."'
"Listen, I should probably get back. I can't leave the new guy in there alone. Thank you Johnny. It really means a lot to me that you came by today." She leaned over to him kissing him softly on the cheek. "I wouldn't come back though. I don't want any trouble."
He nodded his head. "Goodbye Gab. I'll see you around."
She felt her stomach in her throat as she watched him climb into the Honda. His sunglasses were covering his eyes but she knew it hurt him too. Many years of friendship was thrown away all because of some rivalry against their families. It hurt. It really did. She watched as he drove away.
"Gabriella, everything alright?" Brian came walking outside. She turned around to him nodding her head. "I was going to go to lunch but I can wait if you want me too."
"No Brian, that's okay. You can go." She took a deep breath as she walked back into the building. The TV was on. She looked up at him before turning the TV up.
"The latest news, a tractor trailer filled with DVD players and CD players was hijacked today. All the goods were stolen from the truck but they left the driver knocked out in the passenger's seat. NO one was injured at the moment. The police have stated they do not have any leads but are looking further more into it. We will come back with an update as soon as we find out more information."
Gabriella looked over at Brian who was just staring at her. "Who robs a truck full of merchandise?" She asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but supposedly it just started. I guess they get the merchandise and sell it at the black market. You can make a killing off of it."
Gabriella nodded her head not saying a word. She shook her head as she moved from the counter. She couldn't let it show that she knew what was going on. She knew she had to talk to Dom. This was getting out of hand. They were top news and it didn't sit right with her.
"Enjoy your lunch Brian, I will see you later." She smiled.
AN: uh oh! :) hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Have a moment of silence for Paul tomorrow! RIP we still miss you!