AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When he said he didn’t like to share, he really didn’t. His brother always took things from him, even now in adulthood. He despised the word “share.” Because of the way his father always labeled it, “Share with your brother.” Always turned into Champ taking and never returning it. That wasn’t sharing. That was stealing.
He wouldn’t have Jaxson stealing Gabriella from him.
“Hey, Dane, wait up.”
He pushed the button for the elevator, praying it would open and close before his brother got near him—no such luck. Champ stopped right next to him before the elevator even opened.
“Leaving already? I’m shocked. This woman must have you under a spell.”
“Is there something you needed, Champ?”
The elevator doors swished open. He walked in without waiting for an answer, hoping his brother took the hint to leave him the hell alone.
He didn’t.
Champ entered the elevator as well.
“I thought I’d say hi to my brother.”
His brow rose. “Give me a break.”
“I can’t say hi to my brother? I need a reason to speak to you?”
“Since when do you visit me without a reason?”
“Mom’s birthday is coming up. Did you want to go in on a present?”
He chuckled, anger sifting through his veins like a volcano intent on erupting. “So, we get to the heart of it. You don’t know what to get her and want to pawn off of my gift. The last time I fell for that, you wrapped it up and said it was only from you, and I looked like I forgot to buy her something. Go to hell.”
Could this elevator go any slower?
“It won’t happen this time. That was an accident.”
“Nothing is an accident when it comes to you.”
The door finally opened. He stepped out and walked away. Thankfully, his brother didn’t follow him.
He knew Champ hadn’t gotten the clue. He would nag him up until their mother’s birthday finally got here. Well, news flash. He wasn’t caving this time.
It had crossed his mind to have Gabriella help him pick out a present for his mother. Of course, first, he had to work up the nerve to ask her to join him this weekend at his parents’ house to celebrate his mother’s birthday. It wouldn’t be a big affair—supper with his parents—and unfortunately, Champ.
He was also pushing his luck since the party was on Sunday. Two days from now.
He had never brought a woman to meet his parents. This was huge. His mother would probably find that as her birthday present. She was dying for one of her sons—him, specifically, since Champ was nowhere near settling down—to meet a nice woman and get married. Have grandchildren.
He wasn’t sure what Gabriella would say. Or think. Meeting one’s parents was a huge step in a relationship. Were they ready for that step?
Although they had taken a huge step when they exchanged keys. Maybe she wouldn’t find this request odd either. He should feel bad; they rarely went to his apartment. But he liked her place. She made it feel homey, and he felt more content than in his own home. Probably because he was rarely there anyway. Before Gabriella, he spent most of his time in the office. He had only used his apartment to sleep and shower. He didn’t even eat supper there.
How sad.
Instead of going home first to change and freshen up, he went straight to Gabriella’s. He had a few articles of clothing in her closet anyway, and he missed her. He hadn’t seen her since Wednesday. Two days was too long. And with his thoughts venturing into dangerous territory, he had an intense need to see her. Hold her. Confirm she was his.
Just like she said, Jaxson and Mia had a habit of walking into her apartment without knocking, he did the same thing. If they could, so could he.
She never said he couldn’t.
And he didn’t like how Jaxson could and he couldn’t, so he did it one day.
