Page 19

Chapter 19

Jacob

I grip the steering wheel tightly as I navigate the streets of Chicago, my mind racing faster than the car.

The playoffs are going up in flames.

Two losses. Two gut-wrenching defeats that I can't even drown with Halstead's annoying laugh.

No amount of team pep talking can extinguish the glaring truth hitting me like a puck to the gut...

I can't fucking do this without Gabi.

The morning of Game Two, I woke up to an empty bed and a text.

"Gone for a few days. Need some space."

Space? What the hell did that even mean?

I've called her multiple times, but she hasn't picked up. Did she really think I wouldn't go looking for her?

Later, I drive aimlessly around the city. Doesn't take me long to realize there's only one place Gabi would go when she needs space: her best friend Lexi's house.

I park my car in front of Lexi's apartment building and take a deep breath before getting out.

As I make my way to the entrance, I spot a familiar red Jeep pulling into the parking lot.

Gabi steps out of the car and our eyes lock from across the distance.

She looks...different. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun, there are dark circles under her eyes, and she's wearing my old sweatshirt over leggings. She looks tired but as beautiful as ever.

I sprint toward her, ready to wrap her in my arms and never let go, but she holds up a hand to stop me.

"Jacob, what are you doing here?" she asks with a serious tone that sends chills down my spine.

"Funny. I could ask you the same thing."

Gabi sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "I just needed some time to think. Being around you right now is just...too much."

"So much that you disappear on me?"

Gabi's green eyes flash before narrowing. "I think you did the disappearing first, don't you think?"

"Fuck. I know. I missed the doctor's appointment...I should have been there for you."

Gabi's expression softens, but she still doesn't move any closer. "You were busy. I understand."

"And yet..."

"And yet I still need space."

She stares at me, and I stare right back. I sense that resolving this right here in the parking lot is about as likely as seeing a unicorn ride a rollercoaster, so I make a suggestion.

"It might be better if we take this conversation somewhere more appropriate. Like, I don't know, not in the parking lot next to Lexi's apartment building?"

Gabi hesitates for a moment, then nods. "All right. Lexi's not home, but we can go up."

We walk in silence toward the entrance, our footsteps echoing in the empty lobby. I can feel the tension between us, thick and suffocating.

Once we reach Lexi's apartment, Gabi pulls out her keys and opens the door. We step inside, and she leads me to the overly pristine kitchen. I lean against the counter, while Gabi grabs a glass and pours herself a glass of water.

"So..." I say, breaking the silence. "Are you going to tell me what's been bothering you?"

Gabi takes a sip of her water before answering. "I just...I don't know if we can keep doing this," Gabi says softly, looking down at her hands.

My heart drops into my stomach. "Doing what?"

"It's not just about you missing the appointment, Jacob. It's everything. The pressure, the expectations, the constant feeling that we're going to get caught. First, we faked a relationship, and now you're talking about a real one? Jacob...we don't even know what that would mean for us."

"Hey, hey," I say, stepping closer to her. "I understand that this has been hard for both of us. But you pulling a Houdini on me doesn't sound like the most healthy way to deal with it."

Gabi looks up at me, green eyes hard. "But what's the end game here, Jacob? What are we even working toward? A friendship? A relationship? A family?"

I open my mouth to answer, but nothing comes out. She has a point. We have never really talked about where this was headed.

And right now, she looks almost too beautiful for me to handle. With her hair falling in soft waves around her face and those emerald eyes piercing into mine, I feel like a dumbstruck teenager, completely unprepared for this conversation.

"Well, I...I didn't really think that far ahead," I admit.

Gabi studies me for a moment before letting out a small laugh. "Well, that certainly gives me a lot of faith."

Jaw grinding, I take another step closer. "Hey, I may not have a master plan, Gabi." My skin heats beneath my t-shirt and jeans. "But at least I'm honest about it. Which is more than I can say for you."

The accusation makes her flinch, and I instantly regret it.

She scoffs, her hands moving to smooth her dress over her hips. "Honest? You're the one who's had us lying to everyone. The press. Your teammates. The world. This fake engagement of ours is built on a foundation of lies."

I feel a twinge of guilt in my gut. She's not wrong.

But I'm too mad, too pissed, and missing her too much to admit it.

"You think this is easy for me?" I snap back, unable to keep my voice steady. "Living a lie every day? Pretending like I don't want you when I can hardly breathe without you?”

My hands fist at my sides, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm down before I say something I'll regret. Only a few feet now separate us, and I can feel the pull of Gabi's body toward mine.

"Then why? Why did we start this damn fake engagement in the first place?" she screams.

"You wanna know why?" I growl, finally letting the anger out. "Because you're vulnerable now, Gabi. Even if you don't know it. And I don't trust anyone else around you."

Gabi's eyes widen in shock before narrowing into a glare. "You arrogant, possessive jerk," she seethes.

She takes a step towards me. My heart races as she raises a finger to my face, her voice dripping with venom. "That's why you wanted a fake relationship? To control me?"

I can smell the floral scent of her perfume, and my stomach twists.

"Jesus, Gabs, I don't want to control you!"

"So instead, you lie to everyone and accuse me of being the only liar here?”

“That’s not it! I just…this is not what I wanted."

"Then what? What do you want from me, Jacob?"

I take her finger in my hand, pulling her closer until our bodies are pressed together. She gasps at the sudden closeness and looks up at me with surprised eyes.

"Because..." My voice is barely audible inside the silent kitchen, my hands shaking. "Because I couldn't resist being close to you, even if it was just pretend." I lean in even closer. "Because having you for pretend was a million times better than not having you at all."

I can barely breathe as I look into her eyes, the tension between us almost a tangible thing.

Before I can second-guess myself or think about the consequences, I close the small distance between us and press my lips to hers.

It's tentative at first, careful, but the spark is immediate.

I wrap my arms around her, cautious of her swollen belly but craving the closeness. Our lips move together in a dance of restrained desire that's been building for days.

I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, rapid and matching the frantic rhythm of mine.

The world outside the kitchen fades away as I turn her gently toward the counter. With her back against me, I let my hands travel down to the hem of her dress, hiking it up slowly. She gasps, a sound that sends shivers down my spine, and arches back into me, her body full of curves and warmth.

I'm trembling with a mix of nerves and desire as I press my lips to her ear, the smell of her hair intoxicating me. "Gabi," I say, my voice thick and husky, "do you want this? Do you want me?"

She nods, her breath hitching, and I feel a rush of exhilaration flood my veins. My fingers find the waistband of her underwear, and I begin to lower them, my lips trailing down the side of her neck.

"You're so beautiful," I whisper, "and I can't get enough of you."

With her underwear around her ankles, I fumble with the button of my jeans, my urgency barely contained.

"I've dreamed about this," I murmur, my words as much for me as for her. "Having you like this. Feeling you against me. No barriers."

I hear her breathless moans in response, her body shaking with anticipation.

"I want to make you feel so good. I want to take you to places you've never been." I slide my jeans down and press against her, the world outside disappearing entirely.

Our bodies align perfectly, and the intensity of the moment consumes me. My cock is hard and pulsing, eager for the heat and softness of her. I position myself at her entrance, feeling the wet warmth that promises unimaginable pleasure.

"Gabi," I whisper one more time, giving her a moment to brace herself. She moans, pushing back against me, and that's all the confirmation I need.

As I begin to slide into her, I’m overwhelmed by the sensation, every nerve ending ignited, every ounce of self-control hanging by a thread.

"Fuck, Gabs," I groan, my grip tightening on her hips as I sink deeper into her, feeling our bodies meld together in a way that’s both primal and magical.

"You have no idea how much I've wanted this," she pants, her voice shaky and full of need.

I grip her hips tighter, my fingers digging into her soft skin. "Tell me how much."

"So much," she gasps, pushing back against me. "All I've thought about...is you having me like this."

Her words ignite every nerve-ending in my body, and I surge forward, entering her in one swift motion. She cries out, a mix of shock and pleasure, and the sound goes straight to my core.

I start moving, slow at first, savoring every sensation, then faster as our breaths turn to desperate pants.

"Yes, Jacob! Just like that. Harder."

"I love how you take me," I groan, thrusting deeper. "You're perfect, Gabi. Absolutely perfect."

She moans louder, her body trembling beneath my relentless pace. "I'm yours. All yours. Don't stop."

Every word, every sound she makes, pushes me closer to the edge.

"I won't stop," I promise, my voice barely controlled. "Not until you can't stand anymore."

Her answering moans are music to my ears, and I feel the tension building within me, threatening to spiral out of control. The world narrows down to the feeling of her around me, the sound of her voice, and the intoxicating smell of her hair.

"Give me everything," I demand. "I want to feel you come apart in my arms."

Her climax hits her like a tidal wave, and she screams my name, her body convulsing around me. The sensation is too much, and with a final thrust, I let myself go.

I bury my face in her neck as I come undone, lost in the ecstasy of the moment.

I kiss Gabi's neck, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath my lips, and wrap my arms around her, holding her close as we both catch our breath. The aftermath of our passion lingers in the air as our heartbeats gradually slow. Slowly, I start putting our clothes back in place, my fingers brushing against her in tender, lingering touches.

But once we're dressed and the heady haze begins to lift, Gabi pulls away from my embrace. Her eyes, still glazed, now hold a flicker of something else.

Something that looks eerily close to resolve.

She turns to me. "Jacob..."

"Are you okay?" I ask, a knot forming in my stomach.

"I am. This was…incredible," she says, her voice softer now than it just was. "But it’s the very opposite of the space I’d asked for. Do you understand?"

I feel a pang of guilt for not respecting her boundaries, even though it was clear she wanted me just as much as I wanted her. But before I can respond, Gabi continues.

"I need time. Need room to think, to breathe."

I plant a hand on the kitchen counter, my chin lowering as I stare. "That's not what I want, Gabs."

"That's just it. I'm not sure what you want. Or what I want." She takes a deep breath. "Sometimes in the moment, things feel different than they do afterward. And I just...I need some space to figure out what I want."

I nod, trying to hide the hurt that’s now coursing through me. "Okay."

Gabi offers me a small smile, her hand reaching out to graze my cheek. "Thank you for understanding."

I don't understand. I wish I could say I did.

The guilt of not knowing that Gabi and I had slept together that first time was terrible. But this? This was so much worse.

I'd had too many family members walk away and never look back. I couldn't handle Gabi being one of them.

I turn and walk toward the door, each step heavier than the last.

I stop, just before crossing the threshold. "Will you be at the game tomorrow?"

Gabi turns to face me, eyes wide. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Just making sure you didn’t need space from that too."

"No, Mr. Walker. I'll see you there."

Gabi smiles, but there's a sadness in her eyes that I can't ignore.

As I close the door behind me, the act itself almost feels final.

I hope that the door I just closed isn't closing the door on us.