I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reviews my story, I know I say it every time but it does mean so much to me. Those of you who are regulars and write long reviews are really special to me I feel like you know the characters better than I do! Celestial Love you do make me chuckle with your comments about Troy and how you want him!
But I do appreciate those who even take the time to say Good job etc. Its all good for me to hear!
And I am sorry if he sounds a bit too perfect, I have some new stories in the pipeline where I am trying to ruin that a bit lol.
I have set up a poll so you can vote on whether you'd like to see a One Shot next or a Long Story. Vote Away lol.
And now I will stop rambling so you can read…
CHAPTER 16
"I'm taking you out for dinner" Troy said as they got back to Gabi's room at the small hotel she had booked.
The owners had been more than happy for Troy to share her double-bedded room and were quite star-struck at his arrival at their humble hotel, even pointing out there was a Holiday Inn further down the road, to which he had blushed and shook his head, saying he was quite happy to be staying here.
"Oh?" Gabi said as she lay down on the bed on her back, legs dangling off the end.
"I booked the steak place in town, is that okay?" he checked
"That's really sweet Troy, thank you" she rolled onto her side to get more comfy.
"You okay, babe?" he checked, sitting on the opposite edge of the bed, curling his leg under him as he reached out to stroke her hair.
"Mmm. Kinda. I'll feel better when Amy is out of hospital. Are you sure you don't need to go back?" she asked and he lay next to her on the bed
"I'm right where I should be" he said softly, making Gabi's heart melt as he smiled cutely at her.
"Me too" she added, rolling up off the bed again with effort "I'm gonna have a shower and get changed for dinner" she said and Troy sat up on the bed
"Need a hand in the shower?" he asked hopefully with bright eyes
Gabi cocked her head at him, holding out her hand toward him "Okay but just to shower" she said firmly
"Of course" he looked mock-offended and she smiled at him under her lashes knowingly.
Gabi should have known the minute she saw Troy naked she would have felt this unwavering desire to be with him.
When he started to wash her, she began to moan at the feel of his hands over her skin. He kissed her neck, staring at her under the onslaught of the water.
"You are so beautiful" he murmured, his hair all wet and messy, his muscled body gathering water droplets and Gabi placed her hands against his chest.
"I just don't feel right doing this while Amy is in hospital…I feel guilty you know?" she said, turning the shower off and stepping out to grab her towel and wrap it around her self, Troy following her to do the same, catching her before she walked out of the bathroom.
He pulled her against his chest from behind "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed it" he said then, his arms tightening around her middle and she was throbbing with unsatisfied desire.
Gabi laid her head against his chest, enjoying his embrace.
"I'm going to get changed" she said gently, pulling away.
Troy led Gabi out of the small hotel, surprised to have flashes in his face. The paparazzi had found him quickly this time, he frowned. He checked back to Gabi who looked beautiful in high waisted trousers and a frilly purple shirt, her shorter hair curled this time and he smiled, thinking he preferred it that way.
She was covering her face with one hand so she could see where she was going and he carried on walking, not wanting to smother her.
He opened the door of the restaurant for her and she slipped in, Troy following and the staff were very helpful in getting them seated away from the window.
Troy had a few fans ask for a picture as they ate and Gabi smiled at him as he chatted with them briefly and they respected him by not ruining his meal.
"She'll be okay you know, Amy" he said as he watched her across the table with his big blue eyes.
"I know, she has Pirate to take care of her" she smiled "It just makes me think how fragile she is." She shrugged "We were such good friends, people thought we were lesbians sometimes!" she laughed in memory "we'd hold hands and we'd be really cruel to boys" she smiled
"Good job I didn't ask you out back then" he mused, taking her hand across the table.
She smirked "You would have been burned down" she giggled
"Thanks" he joked
"I would never have looked at a guy like you" she admitted
"Well you don't know what kind of guy I was…" he challenged
"What kind of guy were you?" she asked, putting her chin into her other hand.
"Total geek. Honestly, I was such a square. When I started singing, I got grief for it and it took me a while to get the confidence to do it in public then when I left school I started gigging and eventually got my big break. But the image that the fans see- that's just me styled up, it's not me in my heart you know?" he said with a little frown
"Your fans see you for who you are" Gabi assured him "Without the stylist. Your personality just shines" she smiled "And I'm glad they see that side of you. And I'm glad I get a part of you no-one else does" she said softly
"Well I can't share THAT part around without getting in a lot of trouble!" he joked to make her smile and he succeeded.
"I should hope not" she chided "But I really appreciate all the support you are giving me" she added, looking into his intense eyes and seeing him get a little shy.
"You're welcome" he said "Are you having dessert?" he asked
She shook her head and he called for the bill, paying it with protestation from Gabi but he said it was his treat and led her to the door, stripping off his jacket to put over her shoulders as she hadn't worn one again.
Luckily he had on a long sleeve shirt with his jeans and wasn't too cold.
There were a crowd of photographers now and Troy was shocked at them pushing for a photo, checking Gabi was behind him as he led her by her hand.
She was being crowded and he stopped, stepping behind her "Come on guys" he said to the photographers, using his arm to gently ward them off as he followed behind Gabi now, the photographers making quick succession after them as they rushed down the street back to the hotel.
They ran into the hotel, Troy checking Gabi was okay as they made their way back to their room.
Gabi felt a little panicked at being crowded by the paps, she was so small sometimes she just couldn't see the way out but she kept breathing and followed Troy's lead, grateful now to be back in the quiet of their room.
She looked to Troy, her brown eyes tired "I just wanna sleep, bunny" she said and he hugged her against him
"Go get ready for bed" he said, watching her go and thinking how much she took onto her shoulders and how he felt so hopeless because he couldn't help.
He lay waiting for her in bed and felt her curl into him, tightening his arms around her instinctively, kissing the top of her head.
"I could lay in your arms forever" Gabi murmured and Troy was taken aback at her affection.
"I could hold you forever" he said and she dropped a kiss on his bare chest, curling up to sleep as he turned out the light.
---
Morning came and Gabi didn't want to move from Troy's arms. She marveled at how much love she felt looking into his relaxed face, tracing his thick eyebrows with her finger gently and she felt her stomach curl as his lips moved into a smile.
He opened one eye to look at her "Good morning" he said in his husky morning voice.
Gabi stared at him and wondered if he could get any sexier. "Hi, bunny" she smiled gently, taming his wild fringe.
"Is it breakfast time?" he asked hopefully
She lifted an eyebrow "Well you have to get up if you want food" she said, reluctantly moving out of his arms
"Can't you feed me?" he sulked
She looked at his pathetic baby face, lower lip stuck out.
"No" she said flatly
"I'm famous you know" he said and she giggled
"No!" she repeated
"Do you know how many girls would happily bring me breakfast in bed?" he asked
She smiled "Guess you better go date one of them, then" she quipped, heading for the shower and leaving him grinning.
--
Dressed, still sulking, Troy let Gabi lead him to breakfast before they made their way to the hospital.
Amy was sat up in bed, hugging Pirate as she watched TV.
"Hey, there are my favourite people in the world" she smiled
"Amy, you'd make me breakfast in bed wouldn't you?" he asked her as soon as they came in and Gabi gave him a look.
Amy's eyes flicked to Gabi's "If you asked nicely" she answered carefully and Gabi smiled
"Thank you Amy. IF you asked nicely" she said to Troy "I would have too" she pinched his butt and he jumped a little with surprise.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" he grinned his huge, Hollywood smile.
"That is such a fake smile" she accused "I'm not falling for it"
"It's not too late for me and Amy to get together" he joked.
Amy giggled "I couldn't go out with you if you hurt my best friend" she warned
He looked at her, mock-hurt "Doesn't anybody love me?" he wondered aloud
Gabi picked up the bear, lifting it to him with raised eyebrows as if to say 'him?'
He took his toy and crushed it under his folded arms, his biceps tight and bulging at the action, Gabi eyeing him hungrily. "Pirate is the only one I can truly trust" he said with narrowed eyes.
Gabi looked to Amy, then wrapped her arms around Troy the best she could, though it was hard as he was like a brick wall with his arms folded.
"I love you" she said then, blushing as Amy 'awwed' behind her and she dropped her arms, shy at her declaration of affection in public, even if it was only in front of Amy.
He put the bear back on the bed and looked at Amy under his lashes "Excuse me for one minute" he said then turned, took Gabi's face in his hands, kissed her on the lips and touched his forehead to hers for a brief moment "I love you too" he said in return, then moved round the other side of the bed so he could sit down and talk with Amy.
Gabi volunteered to get drinks and as Amy seemed to be looking a lot better she felt she could leave her.
When she got back, she was telling Troy she would be allowed to go home soon.
"When are you guys going home?" she asked
Troy shrugged "I should really look at getting a flight tomorrow" he admitted "I'm already in trouble with Greg" he grinned naughtily.
"I'll go back when you're better" Gabi vouched
"Guys, really it's New Years Eve tomorrow, you should be out enjoying yourselves" she complained "And if you want a flight you better book it tonight because you wont get home otherwise."
"I'll see what we can do" Troy said "But we'll stay if you need us to" he added
"I'm okay, thank you so much for coming." She smiled.
---
"Hey dude where you at?" Chad asked as Troy answered his phone outside the hospital, waiting for Gabi to finish 'girl talk' with Amy.
"Dude, don't you read the papers? I'm in Colorado" he said with a grin
"Colorado? Dude that's cold!" he said "Get back in Califon-i-a" he recommended
"I'll be back soon" he said "I'm visiting a friend with Gabi" he explained
"Cool, listen the boys wanna go out again when your back. If you're allowed" he added cheekily
"Hey" he complained about Chad's comment "Consider me there" he said confidently, turning as he felt Gabi's hand on his arm "Okay I gotta go" he said
"Alright dude, see you soon" Chad rang off.