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“I think it does,” he croons.
“I mean it. Just leave this alone.”
Silence and then, “Would that I could do as my lady asks-oomph.”
Gabe balls over himself after my fist slams down on his stomach. “Fuck.”
“I’m not a lady. And I’m also not in the mood for your sarcastic shit this morning.”
“Asshole,” he groans as he slowly straightens out again. “Hitting me is not going to end this conversation.”
“Why the fuck not?”
Frustration is riding my spine at the moment, and Gabe is not making it easier by wanting to talk about my feelings.
I don’t talk. It’s not my thing. He and Tanner love to just chat shit up, but I’m the silent one.
“Because we’re worried that this is becoming just like ten years ago when we first left for college. You were a nightmare for over a year.”
“And Damon,” I remind him.
Gabe shakes his head.
“He was never as bad as you. And that’s the fucking problem. We all know how both of you feel about Emily, but you take it a step further than Damon. You always have.”
Another glance my direction.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Or would you rather I find new and inventive ways to bug the shit out of you until you do? I’m good either way. And with Ivy around, I’m sure she can help me brainstorm-“
“Fine,” I growl, but only because bringing Ivy into this would cause more problems. “Damon and I both want Em.”
He blinks. “Okay, I fail to see the problem. You’ve shared her before.”
Our eyes meet, and he purses his lips. “Unless, sharing her is the problem.”
A heavy breath pours over my lips.
“I know she wants to be with me. There’s no doubt about that. She’s always wanted that. But she doesn’t want to hurt Damon.”
“And he was pissed this morning because?”
“I tricked her into fucking me last night and falling asleep in here. Then I stayed awake all night, waiting for Damon to walk in and find us.”
Silence again, the weight of it crushing me.
“While I can see how that would get your point across, I’m pretty sure it was the worst way to go about it.”
“Yeah,” I grumble, “well, I’ve never been one to play around. This shit needs to end. All of it. And even if I walk away, I wasn’t sure Damon would.”
“So you made sure he would.”
“Exactly.”
“And you’re sure you can walk away?”
Teeth grinding in response to that question, I attempt to play it off.
“Yeah.”