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“He did? Right after he left here?” I question, and she nods.
Camilla lets that sink in. Gabe stood up for me. Before I can fully process this, she continues, “I didn't know until last night that Gabriel hasn't heard from you. You've been ignoring him, and he's been ignoring me.” Gabe hasn't been talking to his mother? “I came over to apologize and to let you know that he got hurt last night.”
“What?” I breathe what little air I have. Her final words steal all my breath from me. “He's been hurt? Is he okay? Where is he? What happened?”
She gives me a reassuring smile. “Gabriel will be fine. He was shot twice in the shoulder, and he'll need some time to heal, but he's okay. He's still at the hospital. Would you like to go back with me to see him?”
Gabe was shot? Oh, my God. My heart rams into my chest furiously. She said he was okay. That's what I keep repeating in my head as I nod to let her know I want to see him and I go change. I'm a wreck, and I'm rambling at an all time high as I worry. Two sentences are a calming mantra in my head.
He's okay. He's going to be fine.
I'll be fine once I see it for myself.
Chapter Seventeen
Gabe
I've just finished eating breakfast. My boss and Fredrick have already stopped by to see me as well as some others from the station. Mom peeks from around the door. Dad and Owen must be here now. I try to sit up a little more.
“Are you up for some company?” She asks.
“Absolutely.”
Mom disappears instead of walking in with my dad and Owen behind her, like I expect. Instead, Ryan hesitantly enters the room.
“Hey,” I greet. A smile instantly appears on my face. To say I'm thrilled that she's here in the same room as me doesn't even begin to cover it.
“Hey. Your mom came to my apartment this morning and told me you were hurt,” she explains, still standing by the door. Ryan clasps her hands together in front of her, and I realize that she's nervous.
“My mom went to your place?”
Ryan nods. “You didn'
t know?”
“No, I didn't.” Wow. I can't believe my mom personally went to Ryan's. But I'm so happy she did. Ryan is standing too faraway from me, so I add, “You don't have to stand way over there, you know.”
She seemed to be waiting to me to give her a sign that I wanted her here because she rushes over, the words spilling from her mouth.
“I'm so sorry, Gabe. I shouldn't have been so angry not to listen to you, to let you explain. With your parents and then my parents, I wanted some time to clear my head. I'm so sorry.”
“I love you,” I interrupt. I just want her to know, but it doesn't faze her rambling. By the far away look of terror in her eyes, she didn't even hear me.
“You have to understand that I was just upset. Ever since I met you, you opened my eyes to better things, to the possibility that I can have more, should have more, and I haven't been able to completely figure out what to do about that. Or how to fix things with you.”
“I love you,” I try again. She still doesn't hear my words.
“I've never wanted someone like this in my entire life. That scared me more than anything, and I'm so sorry. I-”
“Ryan,” I say as sternly as I can. She blinks, her eyes finally focusing on me. “Did you hear me?” Ryan shakes her head. “I told you, twice,” I add, laughter hinting in my tone. “That I love you,” I finally finish, grateful to have her undivided attention.
Confusion flits across her face for a moment before it's replaced with relief. “You do?” The corners of her mouth tilts up slightly.
“Absolutely.” I squeeze her hand. “I love you, Ryan.” My words are soft, but the love in my voice is unmistakable. She leans forward to kiss me, accidentally leaning on my shoulder. “Ow,” I flinch in pain.
“Shit! Sorry!” Ryan moves to the other side of the bed, carefully hovering above me and kisses me. “I love you too. I'm so happy you're okay, Gabe.”
“It's nothing serious. I'm fine. I'm more happy to see you.”
