Chapter 32

Pay up

"Gabi, you have to let me drive." His tone is a warning, but a grin plays on his lips as I lean over and press another kiss to his cheek.

"But you're so pretty," I murmur, trailing kisses down his jaw.

A groan escapes his lips, urgent and needy. "Gabi," he says, his voice thick and husky, and so hot it drives me crazy. "We're going to crash if you keep that up."

I hum against his skin, trailing my tongue along his neck. "You're the only person I'd want to die with."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "As much as I love hearing that, I kind of want to live a few years with you first."

My smile widens, and I pull back to meet his gaze. "Yeah?"

He nods, his eyes softening. "I want to make up for all the time we've lost."

My lips curve into a smirk, and I tug my bottom lip with my teeth. "What are you going to do to make up for all this lost time?" I ask, running my hands down his arm.

Chris groans again, tearing his eyes away from me. "We're nearly home," he says, his voice strained. "You can do whatever the fuck you want to me when we get there."

My stomach flutters at the sound of him calling the apartment ‘home' and I let out a sigh, leaning back into the seat. "Fine." I reach over to the console and turn up the music while he drives. He insisted on driving the whole way back, claiming I was a danger to everyone on the road or something. I have no idea where he got that from, but I wasn't complaining.

I just don't understand how I lasted living with him for so long without kissing him, because these past two days were hell. I want to kiss Chris all the time. Every second of the day.

Ten minutes, and a few more stolen kisses later, he pulls up outside our apartment, and turns the car off.

Our eyes lock for a second, a charged silence passing between us. I don't know who moves first, but we lean in and our lips crash together. There's too much room between us, and I need to be closer. I lean in further, dragging my hands over his chest, around his neck, and tug on his hair.

Chris moans into my mouth, making me even more needy for him. I shiver against him, swallowing his moans as he kisses me. "God, Gabi," he groans, lifting his hand to cup my cheek. "You're killing me."

I chuckle against his lips, leaving a few lingering kisses before I pull back. "We can't have that," I joke, opening the car door and stepping outside.

Chris follows, locking the car as we make our way inside. As soon as we make it into the elevator we're back on each other; his hands roaming over my body like he's mapping it, exploring it, memorizing it with his touch. I cling to him, kissing his lips with a desperate need.

Kissing Chris is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've kissed many people—many. Most of them, I can't even remember their names or faces, and others were pretty good. But this…

All of those kisses combined couldn't compete with Chris.

The elevator dings, and Chris pulls back with a hazy look in his eyes.

"Why'd you stop?" I ask him.

He grins, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. "We're almost at our door, baby."

A shiver runs down my spine at the nickname, and I smirk, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. "You called me baby."

Chris chuckles, running a hand through his messy curls. "I did."

I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I like that."

"Yeah?"

I nod, pressing my lips to the corner of his mouth. "It makes me feel like I'm really yours."

His eyes soften as he caresses my cheek, looking deeply into my eyes. "You've always been mine, Gabi. Even if you didn't feel the same. There's only ever been you for me."

His words make me suck in a breath as our eyes lock together. I could stare into them forever . "I wish I had realized my feelings for you sooner," I admit.

He shakes his head, his brows dipping. "Don't do that," he says. "I don't want you to regret any of your decisions or experiences because of my feelings. Besides…" He smirks. "We got there in the end. I got you in the end."

I smile and dive back in, kissing him. He opens up for me, and my tongue traces over his, tasting and savoring him, showing him how much I love him. There's not a single word in the English language that could express how deeply my heart aches for him, how much he's meant to me all these years, and how empty my soul felt without him here.

And how empty it's going to feel when he eventually moves back.

I shake the thought away, kissing him deeply, and slowly walk backwards until my back hits the door.

"Gabi," Chris murmurs, leaving my lips so he can trail kisses down my jaw and neck.

"Hmm?" My breath comes out heavy and husky, and I keep my eyes closed, feeling his touch everywhere.

"We're here," Chris whispers against my ear, before reclaiming my lips.

God, I want him so badly. We're just a second away from being inside our apartment, but I can't bring myself to move, not wanting to miss a single second of his lips on mine.

"Open the door," I whimper as I grind myself against his leg. "I need you, Chris."

"Fuck." His groan makes my clit throb, and I feel his hand reach around me to unlock the door.

We stumble inside the apartment, immediately grasping at each other, desperate to get rid of the clothes between us.

"Surprise!"

My eyes widen as I pull away from Chris and spin around, only to see my friends standing behind me. Their eyes mirror mine, wide with surprise, and I swallow, wondering what the fuck is happening.

"I fucking knew it," Aiden says with a grin, holding out his hand. "Pay up."

Groans echo as Grayson and Lucas reluctantly pull out cash and hand it over to Aiden.

"I'm so happy I'm too broke to make any bets," James says with a chuckle.

My brows furrow as I shake my head. "Can someone tell me what's going on?"

"I bet you guys would get together," Aiden says with a grin as he pockets the cash.

I narrow my gaze at him. "Yeah, I got that. The question is why the hell did you guys bet on us, and what are you doing here?"

"We wanted to celebrate with you, since we technically missed your birthday," Madi says. "But I see you guys are busy," she adds with a smirk.

"And the bet?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at the guys.

Grayson lets out a sigh. "This guy was so cocky, claiming you two would be together by the time you got back," he says, gesturing toward Aiden, who still wears a smug grin. "And I really wanted to shut him up and prove him wrong."

I raise my brows. "So you bet against me?"

He shrugs. "It was so obvious how you two felt about each other, but I figured you'd hold off for at least a week." He rolls his eyes. "But obviously that didn't happen."

Rosie chuckles at Grayson's reaction to losing and turns her attention to Chris and me. "So, are you two finally together now?" she asks eagerly.

I glance at Chris, and he smiles as he reaches for my hand, our fingers intertwining. "Yeah," he says, his chocolate eyes never leaving mine. "We're finally together."

"Thanks to me," Aiden chimes in with a grin.

I raise an eyebrow skeptically. "You literally did nothing."

He lets out a scoff, crossing his arms. "I take offense to that," he says. "I think I did a lot to help you guys realize your feelings for each other."

My eyes soften and I let out a laugh. He might not have been the reason we got together—though he clearly thinks he is—but he helped me a lot during a time when I didn't have anyone to confide in. What I had told Chris was the truth. I talked to Aiden about him. But what he didn't know was that I told him about how I felt about Chris. About the first time I ever felt my feelings change for him, and how I missed him so much.

"I feel like I've missed out on a lot," James says with a frown. "I hate living so far away."

I let out a laugh. "Me too," I say with a sigh. "You're the only funny one around."

"Excuse me?" Aiden pipes in, and Leila narrows her eyes at me.

"Yeah, what was that?" Chris says with an arched brow, amusement written on his face.

Before I can clarify that I'm joking—because clearly, I'm the funniest one around—James walks toward us, staring up at Chris and tilts his head. "You must be Chris," James says, narrowing his eyes. "Heard all about you. These assholes can't stop talking about you. Kinda feel like you've replaced me."

"Trust me, no one can replace you," Lucas assures him with a laugh. "You're still the center of attention, don't worry."

"Alright, I feel better then. Hi, I'm James," he says, offering him a smile.

"I gathered," Chris says with a laugh. "I'm Chris," he replies, returning the smile.

James lets out a low hum, a smirk lifting his lips. "The boy toy."

"Boyfriend," I correct with a grin as I look up at Chris. I've never loved that word more than I do right now. When Chris called me his girlfriend at his mom's house, my heart was pounding so loud I genuinely thought I'd pass out.

He's been just my best friend for so long, that adding another title to our relationship makes it so much more exciting.

"Boyfriend?" James asks, eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, you move fast."

"Way too slow, actually," I chuckle. "This has been a long time coming."

"Well, I'm happy for you," James nods, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "I wish everyone could be as happy as I feel when I'm with Carter. Kinda wish he was here right now." He sighs. "Why does he have to work anyway?"

"Rent? Food? To be able to afford your expensive lifestyle?" Lucas says with a tilt of his head.

James groans, turning his attention to his childhood friend. "I hate when you're right."

I flinch as a furry creature rubs against my leg, meowing. "Ahhh. Get it off me!" I shout, clinging to Chris in an attempt to escape it. But the asshole cat follows me, meowing and pawing at my leg.

"What the hell is that thing doing here?" Chris asks, stepping away from it.

"It's a cat," Aiden explains with a raised eyebrow, scooping up his pet. "And Tiger just wanted to say hi. But I guess cats aren't your thing either." He sighs, stroking the black and white fur. "You two really are made for each other."

I flick my eyes to Chris, and he smiles back at me. "Yeah," he says, his eyes locked on mine. "We are."

"So does this mean you're sticking around now?" Leila asks Chris, gesturing to our hands intertwined.

The mood sours as we glance at each other, and I see his throat moving as he swallows. "No," he says, meeting my eyes, a frown forming on his lips. "I still need to go back to London."

I know this. I know he has to go back. He told his mom the same, and we've talked about it. But it doesn't hurt any less to hear it all over again.

"Well, the mood just soured," James interjects with a nervous laugh. "Let's put some music on and get the alcohol out, because I'm starting to get bored."

The guys chuckle, and Rosie leans over to grab the speaker, connecting it until upbeat music fills the apartment, and James comes back with two full cups in his hands.

"Are you okay?" Chris asks, lifting my chin with his hand to meet his eyes.

I force a smile, and simply nod, pressing my lips together. But his frown just deepens. Chris knows everything about me, and I know he can tell when I force a smile, but what does he expect? I just got him back after all this time. And I have to lose him all over again.

Chris is leaving.

In just two weeks.

And there's nothing I can do to stop it from happening.