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“If she’s sick, I’m sure you’ll save her?” The question slips out, half-hopeful, half-skeptical.
“No, I just . . . I want to be there for you. Is that so hard to understand?” His frustration is evident, yet there’s a plea in his voice, an earnest desire to support me.
I cross my arms, my defenses back up. “I don’t need you to babysit me,” I retort sharply. “Not then, and not now.”
Gabe moves closer, circling the kitchen island. He reaches out, his lips briefly touching the top of my head. I hold my breath trying to avoid his familiar scent that would make me easily fall for him again. “But I told you when we met, maybe I’m the one who needs you to take care of me, Ame. Maybe I’ve always been the one who needs you to hold me because I’m too broken.”
Leaving the kitchen, he heads to the living room and picks up my backpack. “I’m taking this upstairs. You’re staying in the second guest room, at the end of the hallway. I’ll leave one of my shirts there for you.”
I shake my head, trying to mask my vulnerability. “Don’t worry about me.”
As Gabe walks away, he warns me, “The security alarm is on. If you try to leave, we’ll have a major problem—and the SWAT team by the door in less than two minutes.” His words carry a blend of humor but somehow I don’t feel like he’s joking.
I shake my head, deciding to let him win. Despite my desire to leave, I’m painfully aware that there’s nowhere for me to go. My original plan to wait at the airport until I could reach Izzy has been changed by Gabriel Decker. Without a word, I focus on finishing my food.
Heading toward the stairs, I pause, my eyes drawn to a series of framed photos on a bookshelf. One picture catches my attention: Gabe with his twin and cousins. Seth stands next to a woman holding a baby, and Piper is also with a child. She’s between Archer and a second man who holds a little girl.
Time has passed, and yet there’s no one beside Gabe.
As I continue looking at the pictures, I find hers there. Leslie is still the only person who deserves a picture—and his heart. Thankfully, I’m older and more mature. I have gotten over him and all I feel for him is pity. Gabe Decker continues to dedicate his entire life to a girl who died long ago and refuses to live again.
He believes the lie that forever is real, and he’ll meet her when he dies. He’ll never be anyone other than the brooding doctor who wants to save the world and feels responsible for everyone around him.
This only reminds me that I have to leave soon. Yep, I need to leave before Gabe decides I need ‘saving.’
I’m grateful for everything he did when I was young, but now I can fight my battles and hold my own.I’m not that person, and he’s too damaged to see beyond his past.
I don’t need him in my life.
Chapter Seven
Gabriel
“Weird, it’s seven-thirty, and you’re still at home,” Lyric says, breezing into the kitchen. She reaches for a mug from the shelf, the corners of her mouth twitching.
I remain leaning against the counter, arms crossed, trying not to lose my cool so early in the morning. “Good morning to you, too,” I respond drily, working to control my irritation.
She saunters toward me and places her palm against my forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Should I call a doctor?”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s gotten into you this morning?”
She touches her chest lightly, eyes wide. “Moi? I’m just concerned since you’re usually at work by now? Something serious must have happened if you decided to change your routine.”
I lift a shoulder, trying to hide my annoyance. “I cleared my schedule for the day,” I respond, hoping I don’t have to give any explanations.
“Aww, you’re the sweetest brother.” She rolls her eyes. “But like I said last night, we’ve got everything under control. You don’t need to be involved unless we think it’s necessary.”
I curse under my breath. “Fuck, I completely forgot about Harper.”
Lyric’s eyebrow arches. “Oh, so this grand gesture wasn’t for us?” She gives me a playful pout.
I shake my head. “No, sorry. I did it for Ameline. She shouldn’t be facing her sister alone.”
Lyric reaches out, her hand gently squeezing mine. “Always the hero, huh, Gabe?”
I give her a puzzled look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She sighs, her eyes softening with affection and a hint of sadness. “You’re always there to save the day. For everyone, but mostly her. If she’s in trouble, you’ll be her savior. Her mother was dying, and you set up the house so she would be able to be with her during her last days. Then, it was Ameline’s turn. You were there during her chemo and radiation, too.”
