Page 30 of Slay Bells

He couldn’t help finding the humor in the situation. “You’re going to shoot me?”

Gabriela rolled her pretty eyes. “No, but I’ll shoot up everything in this room.”

Admittedly, he’d started the conversation off wrong. On second thought, perhaps he’d wait and propose fully dressed. The ranch would make a good backdrop, and he could ask his mother to take a picture or something. Damn, he was turning into a mushy bastard.

Fingers snapping got his attention. Gabriela had yanked on her panties and was now fastening her bra. “Talk. What is it?”

He sat up and was glad he’d been working out when her gaze traveled down his chest to his flat stomach.

“On second thought, we can talk later. I’m considering how to see each other more often.”

“I don’t believe you.” Gabriela’s eyes narrowed. “You’re up to something. Is it that woman Carol?”

“Cassandra?”

“Whatever. You’re on and off again relationship hootchie.”

He chuckled. “No, I haven’t spoken to her since she walked up to the table that one night.”

“Hmmm.”

They finished dressing; the entire time Jeremy kept kissing Gabriela as she remained annoyed. It was wrong, but he enjoyed it tremendously. Damn, he was in deep.

His cell rang.

“Hey man.” It was Henry. When he called it meant something was up. It was never good.

“What are you up to?”

“I’m at the station. Got arrested for…”

“He’s a public nuisance,” Williams said, obviously taking the phone from Henry. “He was in the grocery store parking lot telling people not to buy oranges.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Jeremy asked.

“He was stabbing the fruit and making a mess. Scared the crap out of my Aunt Betty.”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“Nothing, I’m not sure why he called you.”

“Drop him off at the ranch. I’ll warn Mom.”

“What’s for supper?” Henry called out.

The entire drive to the ranch, Gabriela slid him questioning looks. “Are you going to tell me you’re gay?”

“Nope.”

“That you’re not into being long distance anymore?”

“Nope.” He leaned over and grinned. “It’s really not that big of a deal.”

“Promise?”

“Nope.”

They walked into his parent’s house and immediately Gabriela was pulled into tight hugs by both his parents. As per usual, they congregated in the kitchen where coffee, tea and cake was always available.