Chapter 15

Drunken confessions

"Honey! I'm home." Gabi's slurred voice echoes through the dark room.

Blinking, I tear my eyes away from the TV as Gabi walks inside.

Maybe ‘walks' is the wrong word.

She sways against the door, managing to close it before tripping and dropping to the ground.

"Gabi?"

"Obviously," she replies, with a scoff. "Were you expecting anyone else?"

When she mentioned going to a party with her friends tonight, I stayed home, just waiting for her. I paced the apartment all night, wishing time would speed up so I could see her again.

And the later it got, the more I was worried sick about her possibly hooking up with someone tonight. The thought made my stomach churn, and I did even more pacing, checking my phone to confirm that—yep—she was still at the party. I know eventually I'll have to face the reality of her dating someone, but I'm just not ready for it yet.

The memories of seeing her with other guys in high school still haunt me. I don't think I could handle witnessing it again.

So, I just waited. Hoping and praying she would be back home soon… alone. What I didn't expect was for her to be this drunk, though.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, rising from the couch to approach her.

"I live here," she says, frowning at me.

"I mean, why are you on the floor?" I clarify, leaning down to look at her. "It's three in the morning."

"Oh. I lost track of time," she says, chuckling as she tilts her head back against the door. "I just came back from the party," she explains, her words slurred.

"I know." Against my better judgment, I brush her hair behind her ear, meeting her gaze as I do. God, she's so fucking pretty . Even in this state, drunk and stumbling to the ground, she's the most stunning girl I've ever seen. "I stayed up, waiting for you."

She blinks, her lips curving up into the cutest smile. "You did?"

"Of course." It feels like all I ever do is wait for her. "You obviously need my help," I say, smiling down at her. "How much did you drink tonight?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. Not a lot." I shoot her a skeptical look, and she sighs. "Okay, fine. A lot."

I let out a laugh and wrap my arms around her waist. "Come on," I tell her, lifting her up into my arms.

"You're taking me to bed?" she asks, wiggling her brows at me. "Buy a girl dinner first."

"Jesus," I breathe out a laugh. "You're wasted."

"And you're so cute," she says, running her fingers through my hair. My face drops, and she looks down at me with her brows tugged together. "Why are you frowning?" she asks, gently smoothing two of her fingers over my eyebrows. "You don't like when I compliment you?"

I shake my head, carrying her to her bedroom. "I love when you compliment me."

"Then what's the problem?" she asks, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I look up, our eyes locking, and I sigh. "I just wish you were sober when you did."

"Why?" Her eyebrows furrow, and for a moment, I'm tempted to lean in and press my lips to hers. I want to kiss her so bad. She's so pretty, and smells so good, and is saying all the right things but…

"You won't remember it in the morning," I murmur, pushing her door open before I place her down on her bed.

I pull off her shoes, setting them neatly by her nightstand. When I glance up, her top is halfway across her chest before she pulls it off and flings it across the room.

I lift off my knee, feeling a rush of breathlessness, and quickly turn around.

"Why aren't you looking at me?" she asks.

I hesitate, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "You're...getting changed."

She sighs. "I saw you naked yesterday." Christ . I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to regain my composure. "Shouldn't we make it even?"

I glance behind my shoulder for a split second, catching a glimpse of Gabi's brown hair spilling over her chest, clad only in a lacy black bra. Fuck. Quickly, I snap my head back into place and grab one of her t-shirts, handing it to her. "Here," I tell her. "Put this on."

I feel her hand take the t-shirt from me, and I focus intently on a spot on the wall, trying to ignore the tension in the air, until I hear rustling from her sheets.

"Are you…" I turn around, slowly. "Are you decent?"

"Yeah."

I turn to her, finding her lying on her side, wearing a black t-shirt, her gaze locked on me. "Are you okay?" Gabi frowns, shaking her head. "What do you need?" I ask her, wondering if she wants water, food, or something else.

Her tongue darts out, moistening her lips. "You."

I blink. "What?"

She scoots back, pulling back the covers. "I want you here with me."

I run a hand through my hair, my head shaking, heart pounding. "Gabi, I don't think—"

"Please?" she interrupts, her big blue eyes pleading. "I feel safe with you."

I can't deny her. I never could. "Fine." She scoots back even more, and I hastily remove my hoodie before climbing into bed beside her. All night, I waited for her, my mind consumed by worst-case scenarios, but now, with her cuddled up against me, it feels like I can finally breathe again.

"You're so warm," she murmurs, trailing her hand over my chest. My heart pounds harder, faster, beating only for her. "And cozy." She nuzzles into my neck. "I missed this."

I wrap my arm around her, as I rub along her back, feeling the soft fabric of her t-shirt beneath my fingers. "I missed this too, pretty girl."

She inhales sharply, lifting her head to meet my gaze. "I love when you call me that."

Her eyes hold mine, and my heart pounds as they flicker down to my mouth.

I stop breathing.

Fuck.

Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I murmur, "You need to sleep," closing my eyes before she can act on the impulse she'll undoubtedly regret in the morning.

Gabi is the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on.

Even with her makeup smudged on her face, hair tousled against her pillow, and soft snores escaping her parted lips, I can't tear my gaze away from her.

I hardly slept last night, my eyes glued to her as she slept, making sure was okay and didn't puke.

But looking at her now, I feel more awake than ever.

It's really hard for me not to believe there's a God when something as beautiful as her exists.

A smile curves my lips as I reach out and brush her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. She lets out a groan as she stirs, starting to blink awake.

"Chris?" she murmurs, her voice thick with sleep.

I chuckle at the sight of her with one eye open and the other squeezed shut. "Expecting anyone else?"

"Oh, god," she groans, closing her eyes. "Please stop screaming."

"How much did you drink last night?" I ask, a little worried. She would get drunk in high school, but never like this.

"I don't even know," she says. "I lost count."

My brows dip. "Why the hell did you drink so much?"

She sighs, shaking her head. "I need a shower," she says, ignoring my question. "And food. And sleep."

"How about one thing at a time?" I offer.

"Food first."

"Good," I say with a smile. "Because I made pancakes."

She shoots up, sitting upright in bed. "You did?" The hangover seems to hit her all at once as she drops her head in her hands and groans. "Oh, fuck."

"You're such an idiot," I tease, sitting up alongside her.

She lifts her head and narrows her eyes at me. "Don't insult me when I'm dying."

"You're not dying, you drama queen."

She sighs. "Everyone calls me that. I'm starting to think I'm in the wrong profession."

"No way," I say, shaking my head. "You were born to dance."

A confused look crosses through her face. "You've seen me dance?"

I let out a snort. "You're kidding, right? Did you forget when you made me dance with you to Dancing Queen after we ate those brownies?"

She blinks. "You remember that?"

I breathe out a laugh, running my hand through my hair. "There isn't much I don't remember about you, Gabi." My jaw ticks. Even prom. I remember every painstaking detail of that night. "Come on," I say, lifting off her bed. "Let's get you fed before you fall asleep again."

She sighs. "I'm too tired to walk."

"Is that an excuse for me to carry you?" I ask her, arching a brow.

She lets out a dramatic gasp. "I would never do that," she says, but then she flashes me a grin. "But yes."

I chuckle, turning around. "Hop on."

I feel her legs wrap around my waist as she leans against me. I tighten my hold around her legs and stand up, carrying Gabi out of the bedroom with her draped over my back.

"Don't let me fall," she says, her lips brushing against my ear as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"I never will," I reassure her.

"Really?" she asks, and I glance up to see the mischievous look on her face, her brown hair spilling over her face. "What if I do this?" Her hands slide up my neck, and she starts to tickle me.

Little shit . "Then I'll just do this." I retaliate by moving my fingers up her bare legs, tickling her mercilessly, before I swing her around to my front.

"Oh my god," she laughs between breaths as I continue to tickle her. "Stop. Stop. Okay, fine. You win."

I stop tickling and chuckle, gazing up at her. "You gave up way too easily."

Her smile fades as our eyes meet, and it's just now that I realize I'm holding her in my arms, her bare legs wrapped around my waist, wearing nothing but underwear and a t-shirt, with her lips only a few inches from mine.

Her chest rises, her breathing quickening, and I can't rip my gaze away from her.

Fuck. I can't think. Not when she's right here in front of me, looking at me like she might want me as much as I want her.

Her nose scrunches up, and she sniffs the air. "Do you smell burning?"

My eyes widen as I remember the pancakes cooking on the stove. "Shit." I quickly set Gabi down and sprint toward the smoke filling the apartment.

"Jesus," she coughs, waving the smoke away from her face. "I thought you were good at cooking."

"I am," I try to defend myself as I turn off the stove and toss the pitch-black pancakes into the trash can.

"I beg to differ," she says, a hint of teasing in her tone. "I'm starting to regret asking you to move in." She sighs. "There are no benefits except burnt pancakes."

My eyes narrow, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. I can't help but think of other benefits I could offer her.

"I'll remember that the next time you want to cuddle," I joke.

"I was only kidding," she says with a laugh, wrapping her arms around my midsection. Her head tips up, gazing up at me. "You know I love living with you."

Yeah, so do I. Even if it is hard seeing her every day, and hiding my feelings constantly, I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.

I'll miss this when I have to leave in September.

"Why don't you get in the shower while I finish up the pancakes," I tell her.

She groans. "I don't want to."

I chuckle at her lips pulled into a frown. "By the time you shower, the pancakes will be done."

She sighs, dropping her arms. "Fine. But you better hurry up."

I grin as she heads into her bedroom, grabbing a stack of clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.

With some batter still in the bowl, I begin scooping it onto the pan when my phone suddenly pings with a text. I quickly grab my phone from my pocket and check the screen.

Grayson:

What the fuck did Gabi do to my girl?

I furrow my brows when I see he's typing again.

Grayson:

Rosie is wasted. Granted, it's the cutest shit I've ever seen, but I don't think she's ever been this drunk in her life

She's puked like three times, and counting.

Lucas:

I've never seen Madi that drunk either. I don't think she's even been drunk before.

What the hell happened last night?

Chris, I know you see this.

I glance at the pancakes sizzling in the pan, flipping them over with a spatula before quickly typing out a reply.

Chris:

I didn't go out last night.

Grayson:

No shit. It was girls night or whatever.

Lucas:

Plus James. He came home, arms linked with Madi, wasted as hell. He gets clingy when drunk, so he ended up cuddling me until he fell asleep.

Grayson:

That's adorable. Pics?

Lucas:

Fuck you. How is it dealing with puke?

Aiden:

HA. My girl doesn't drink bitches.

Grayson:

Where's the block button.

Aiden:

You can't block me. I live with you.

Grayson:

Not if you keep being cocky.

Aiden:

Hey. I didn't make Rosie get drunk. Chris, man. Back me up here.

Chris:

Once again. Wasn't my fault.

Aiden:

No. But it was your girl.

My lips twitch, reading it over. My girl.

Fuck. I run a hand through my hair. I really like the sound of that.

"I'm showered." I quickly tuck my phone into my pants at the sound of Gabi's voice, and when I lift my head, my heart stops.

Holy shit.

"Is that..." My voice trails off as I drink in the sight of her. "Is that my hoodie?" My mouth goes dry as I take in the sight of her wearing my clothes. My heart thuds loudly in my chest, and I struggle to compose myself.

Fuck that. There's no way I can calm myself down when she looks like that , fresh from the shower, with her wet hair draped over her shoulders, and my hoodie on her body.

"Yeah," she replies with a shrug, her voice soft. "It looked comfortable. Is that okay? I can take it off if you want?"

My heart races as I struggle to reply. "No!" Fuck . I clear my throat, shaking my head. "No," I say again like a normal human being this time. "Of course it's okay."

"Great," she says, plopping down onto the stool. "Now gimme the pancakes." I chuckle, placing the pancakes onto a plate before handing it over to her.

Gabi drowns them in syrup, and dives in. "God, these are so good," she says, going back for another bite. "I think I'll keep you around a little longer."

I smile, glad to see her happy, especially considering there was a time when she wasn't. I still remember that night vividly, the memory of it like a knife to my chest. It lives in my mind like a nightmare. I still remember her clinging to me, and begging me not to leave. And now, I find myself saying the same words I uttered to her back then.

"I'll stay for however long you want me to."