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"Screw it," I mutter to myself. I've already made some seriously questionable decisions tonight. I might as well go and see what happens next.
"I'm coming," I yell, running after him.
"Nice pajamas," says Gabe sarcastically when I finally catch up to him." Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I should have dressed better for bed, knowing I'd have to bail your belligerent ass out of jail!" I snort back. Honestly, right about now, I wish the other guy had knocked him on his ass. It’s the least he deserves.
Gabe just fires me another murderous look before replying, "It was a fucking holding cell, not jail."
We continue walking in silence for about fifteen minutes until I hear a very soft voice. So soft that I might not have heard it at all if it hadn't been so quiet around us. "Did you say something, Gabe?" I ask tentatively.
"Why?" he softly repeats.
"Why what?" I ask.
"Why... did... you...come?" Gabe repeats slowly, sounding genuinely curious.
"What do you mean, why did I come? They called and said you had been arrested. I couldn't just leave you there to rot," I explain, confused by his question.I know we're not close, but does this man honestly think I could hear he’s in jail, in need of help, and still go back to sleep? I’m not perfect, but does he honestly believe I’m that evil?
"Why didn't you just leave me in there and pretend you didn't get the call?" snarls Gabe bitterly, not even bothering to look at me as he speaks. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the fact that we were alone out here, I wouldn’t have realized he was talking to me.
"Pretend I didn't get the call? Why would I do that? You needed help, so I helped you. I really don't understand the question, Gabe,'' I explain breathlessly.My god, it's hard to keep up with him.
"Well, you've already said that Nate doesn't know I called. Why come? Why not just hang up the phone and let me rot in peace?" Gabe says, stopping and grabbing my arm forcefully to make me look at him. I pull my arm away but continue looking at him.
"Are you out of your mind, Gabe? I know you don't like me very much, but to be honest, I don't know why. I've never been anything but nice to you. You're practically family. I love your brother and plan on being with him for the rest of my life. So, sorry, bud, but it means you’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.
You're Nate's big brother, the person he loves the most in the whole world. And whether he asked me to or not, I'll still come and try to save you. I'd never do anything to hurt him. That’s why I keep trying to repair this stupid rift between us. You're important to Nate, which means you're important to me as well. So, just in case it's not fucking obvious yet, I've come to get you and I'm walking the streets at almost five in the morning in my fucking pajamas with no fucking idea where we are or where you're taking me because I care about you, you goddamn psycho!" I scream in frustration.
I never go off on people like this. I’ve been taught from a young age to always be polite and friendly, and to never raise my voice or question the actions of my elders. But right now, he doesn’t deserve my friendship. He needs putting in his place, and god, did it feel good to finally go off on someone and let out some of my built-up tension.
Gabe just stares at me with an odd look the whole way through my rant.What is that? Happiness? Respect? Pride?It's hard to tell with that boy, but it's not the usual contempt he shows me, that's for sure. He watches me storm off, finally fed up with his shit. At first, I assume he’s just going to leave, but he surprises me by jogging alongside me. "I'm taking you home, princess," he smirks obnoxiously.My tummy feels uneasy at the way he uses that word against me. When Nate says it, he means it with love and adoration. Yet from Gabe, it's always said with so much disdain and hatred. How can one word have such a different meaning to each brother?
We keep walking down a small side street. I look over at him and see him grinning to himself, as if he’s just heard the funniest joke and he's trying not to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I like your bitchy side. Who knew the cute kitty had claws?" Gabe snarls at me.
"I'm not a bitch; you're just an asshole. Besides, you woke me up in the middle of the night. No wonder I'm a little grumpy," I snap, crossing my arms. Seriously, this guy is the biggest jackass I’ve ever met.
"Oh no, did I make the little baby mad?" Gabe teases, nudging me on the shoulder.
"Fuck you," I grumble and attempt to storm off and away from him, even though I have no idea where we are or how to get home.
"Wrong way, princess," he calls after me before bursting out in hysterics. I swear to God, I might just slap his big, fat, stupid, smirking face if he carries on.
I turn around and reluctantly start to follow him again. "How do you even know where we're going?! Everything looks the same! You're probably taking me somewhere, so you can murder me and bury my body in the woods."
"We're almost there, princess, andbesides, I like this irritable side of you. I'm having too much fun teasing you to kill you just yet. Not to mention, Nate would most likely try to murder me if I let anything happen to his little Bella boo." Gabe laughs again at his own pathetic joke.
"Wait! What's that noise?" I gasp dramatically, pretending to look all around quickly.
"What? Where?" Gabe demands, stopping suddenly and copying my rapid head movement, sounding all fierce and possessive like Nate does when he's worried.
"Oh, it's just hell freezing over." I laugh, trying to push him away, but he moves away so quickly that I almost trip. "Who knew the big, bad Gabe Scott actually knew how to laugh?"
"It's pretty hard not to laugh at those stupid, fluffy pajamas. What are those anyway, puppies?" he questions, poking me in the ribs and trying to open my coat to get a better look at my pajamas. If I didn't know any better, I would say he’s actually being playful with me.Maybe this is all just a drunken dream.Either that, or I drank myself into another universe. One where Nate’s brother and I actually get along.
"You woke me up. I was asleep." I stamp my feet to feign frustration, kind of enjoying this back and forth we're having because it's the first time I've seen this side of Gabe since… well ever. I look ahead and realize we're just across the street from the one Tucker lives on. I feel a little sad that our playful exchange is almost over, but maybe he'll come inside and me, him, and Nate can all laugh about this night.
"Is that your go post bail outfit or your special occasion party wear? Or do you always sleep in cute, little puppy pajamas?" he jokes back.
