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"Ugh, incest much?" Ava laughs and pretends to gag.
"Then that just leaves Gabe because John is at least sixty and all the other guys are around 40, so more like my dad than my brother," I reply, feeling increasingly confused by the second. Ava gives me a look that lets me know she's just as flabbergasted by the situation as I am.
"But, why would it be my fault if Gabe got into a fight with someone?"This whole thing doesn't make sense. How did I somehow get stuck in the middle of whatever this is?"That man hates me, so I can't imagine anyone thinking he’d beat someone up at my request."
"I don't know, but weren't we supposed to meet up with the guys tomorrow after school to go to the movies? We'll have to stop by O'Malley's on the way there. Maybe you can ask him," Ava suggests as she clutches my arm to walk to class.
"You know I love you, Ava, but perhaps you were the one who sustained the head injury if you think I'm just going to walk up to Gabe and ask what happened." I laugh, even though I know there’s got to be more to the story.
"Glad you ladies finally made the effort to come and join the rest of class," Mr. Richards says, tapping his foot loudly and crossing his arms in frustration. "Now hurry up, find your seats, and be quiet before I give you both detentions," he orders. Ava and I look at each other, roll our eyes at Mr. Richard’s threat, and then take our seats. I hear Mr. Richard's voice droning on at the front of the room, but if I’m being honest, I haven’t paid attention at all during class. I keep thinking back to who would have beaten up that guy and why.
After school, Ava, Riley, Harper, and I head to the locker room to change. Tucker has a big football game, so we all decided to dress in school colors. Painting his jersey number on our cheeks for good luck. Nate is saving seats for us. I'm shocked to learn that he's somehow managed to convince Gabe to come along too. Although I doubt he'll be sporting the school colors or showing any kind of school spirit. Gabe and Tucker seem to get along pretty well. Plus, as much as he pretends not to, I think he secretly enjoys cheering Tucker on. After all, what's not to love about football?
We're on our way to the stadium when I see Gabe leaning against a wall, drinking a beer. "Girls, go on in and find the rest of the gang. I'll meet you there in a minute. I need to go get a drink."
Ava is about to question it until she sees where I'm looking and says, "Oh yeah, no problem. Come on, ladies," she replies, linking arms with the twins and leading them away before either has a chance to protest.
I walk over to Gabe, who looks every bit the intimidating thug as usual, with his dark, tangled hair, tattoos, and dressed head to toe in black, with his signature biker jacket.
"Hey Gabe, can I talk to you for a second?" I ask, nervously.
"If it's about the money..." Gabe grunts, not even making eye contact with me.
"No, don't worry about that. We'll sort it out another time," I say, dismissing him. "Did you get into a fight with anyone at the party?" I ask nervously, unsure of how Gabe is going to handle my question. He and Nate are bad at discussing things they think should remain private.
"Yeah, the winey, red head? I followed him home and ambushed him near the forest. Bastard deserved everything he got and more," Gabe calmly admits, almost as if he's talking about the weather or what he had for lunch, not about beating someone up.
"Wait, so you admit you did it? But why?" I ask, shocked but also impressed that Gabe actually opened up to me a little.
"I had my reasons," Gabe admits, already sounding bored with this conversation as he takes a cigarette out and attempts to light it. "What does that have to do with you anyway, princess?"
"Well, since it was me, he decided to pin up against the locker today as punishment, I think I deserve an answer," I reply stubbornly. I don't know what it is about Gabe: his no nonsense demeanor, his quick-witted tongue, or the fact that every time he talks to me, he makes me feel like a stupid kid, unworthy of his words. Either way, it infuriates me to the point that I just can't help but snap back.
"What?! He did what to you?" demands Gabe as he throws the cigarette on the floor and starts looking around angrily.
"It happened earlier at school, not now," I clarify, putting my hand on his arm to calm him down. He quickly pulls his arm away, almost like my touch burns him.
"So, what happened? And why does he think it's my fault, Gabe?" I ask again, standing with my arms crossed, trying to mirror his stance.
"Just let it go, Izzy, it's no big deal," Gabe hisses.
"Well, it's a big deal to me. It's not every day that I have men pinning me to a locker and screaming in my face. It's also not every day that people tell me they've jumped someone and don't even seem remorseful about it, but maybe that's because I'm not a giant asshole," I huff. I don't know why, but Gabriel Scott seems to bring out the worst in me.
"All right, princess, no need to get your panties in a big old twist." Gabe laughs.
"Why do you always laugh at me whenever you make me mad?" I pout, stomping my foot.
"Because it's fucking hilarious to see little Miss Sunshine and Rainbows get her claws out and totally lose her shit," Gabe admits, laughing even harder now.
"Okay, so what the hell happened?" I question again, still frowning and crossing my arms, pretending to be scary.Even though the whole idea of me trying to intimidate Gabe just makes me want to grin.
"Fuck sake!" Gabe huffs as he runs his hand through his hair and downs his beer. "You’re not going to let this go, are you?"
"Nope, so you might as well tell me, as I’ve heard I can be quite annoying when I want to be," I reply with a grin. I hear him mutter something that sounds like, "You’re always annoying," but I let it go as I want to hear his reasons.
"Well, while you and little Miss Firecracker were busy dancing, I was watching that guy. He and one of his low life friends put a pill in a drink and tried to bring it over to you both. So I tried to knock it out of his hands, but I think he ended up throwing it over you instead. Nate and Tucker came over and interfered, so I decided to back off. But then I noticed that his disgusting friend was all over your friend, Harley? Harpy?...."
"Harper?" I yell in shock, interrupting him.
