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"You're a psycho, Gabe," I declare, getting between the two men, both of whom are ready to attack, their chests swelling with anger. "Davis was showing me pictures of his daughter, nothing more," I explain.Though why I feel the need to do it when he's the one acting all suspicious and manic is beyond me.
"Where the hell is Nate?" Gabe demands, looking slightly less hostile now.
"He's talking to John about wages. HE is the one who told me to stay here with Davis because he knew I'd be safe here."
"Well, I'm here now, so you can leave," Gabe states coldly as he continues glaring. Davis gives me an uncertain look, obviously uncomfortable with leaving me with Gabe when he’s acting like this.
"It's fine. I can handle this caveman," I reply with a reassuring smile.
Davis walks away and turns back once more to check on me, so I give him a thumbs up, and he goes back inside to work.
"You owe him an apology, Gabe. You were way out of line," I say sadly, as I sit back down against the wall and pat the space next to me.I hope Gabe sits down too because this weird threatening gesture he's doing as he looms over me is making me feel uncomfortable.
"Only doing what I had to do to keep Nate's girl safe." He shrugs as he sits down next to me.
"Oh, so now you care about keeping me safe? Where was that Gabe, when you left me sitting on my ass alone last night? I swear to God, your Jekyll, and Hyde routine is giving me whiplash," I huff, feeling my blood pressure rise as I relive the back and forth we had last night.
"I knew you were safe," Gabe admits with a shrug.What does he mean he knows I was safe?"I got you home, didn't I?"
Well, I suppose when you look at it that way, yeah, he did. It was still a total dick move to abandon me, though.
We sit there for a few more minutes, bantering and squabbling, just like we did on the way home last night. Once again, I think we're just about to rebuild our relationship and maybe become friends until I see Nate running over to us, and then again, out of nowhere, Gabe’s walls suddenly go up. I see his whole demeanor change, and his mask slides back in place.God, this man’s exhausting to try and befriend. I feel like we’re constantly taking two steps forward and one step back.
"So, what were you two chatting about?" Nate asks hopefully.
"You need to keep a leash on your woman. I caught her flirting with Davis when you weren't around," Gabe snarls venomously.
"What?!" I scoff. "We weren't flirting, baby, I promise. He was showing me pictures of his daughter."I'm so fucking angry. Who does he think he is? Accusing me of cheating! What I would give to be able to kick him in the balls right about now.
"I believe you," Nate admits, pulling me into his arms.
"Whatever," Gabe snorts as he walks away.
***
NATHANIEL
We make our way to the car, hand in hand, but I can tell Bella isn't herself.
She climbs into the seat without saying another word and is still gazing ahead by the time the engine starts. "Seatbelt, baby," I say softly. She reaches for it but seems to be struggling, so I undo mine and reach over to help her with hers.
"Thanks," she mutters. I clip mine back on, but don't restart the engine.
"Are you okay, Bella? Do you want to talk about something? I'm here to listen anytime; you know that, right?"
I can tell from the way she is twirling her hair that she's nervous about something, but I don't know what.She was fine just a few minutes ago. What changed? Did Gabe say something to her?
"I'm fine," she lies. I don't want to force her into talking if she's not ready, so I let it slide. Instead, I reach out, take her hand in mine, and give it a small kiss before placing it on my lap, so I can drive.
A few minutes later, as we’re driving down the road, I hear a little voice call my name. It takes me a second to realize the tiny voice came from Bella.
"Hmm, did you say something?" I ask as I reach over and take her hand into mine again.
"You know Gabe was lying back there, don't you? Nothing happened with Davis. I really was just looking at pictures of his daughter, you know."
"Bella, is that really what's been worrying you?" My sweet girl can't honestly think I'd take Gabe's word over hers, surely.
"Well yeah. Gabe is your brother. I would never hurt you like that, Nathaniel. I promise, with all my heart."
