Part 11 (1/2)

s.h.i.+t. s.h.i.+t. s.h.i.+t. I totally forgot that we had made dinner plans before I decided to come to Portland to end things with Gavin. We all know how that turned out for me.

I know. I'm so sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you.

I hit send, flipping my eyes nervously between my phone and where Gavin is still standing in the kitchen. I feel more than a little guilty for lying to Bryan, but oddly enough I feel even guiltier for texting Bryan while I'm here with Gavin. f.u.c.k me. This situation is so screwed up.

When are you heading back?

Another incoming message pulls my attention back to my phone.

Not sure. Probably not until tomorrow.

I immediately pull up Joy's name and shoot her a quick text letting her know I'll have her car home tomorrow. Not that she's missing it. She has four others which is precisely why I don't own one. I can walk almost everywhere and when I need to drive, I know Joy will always let me borrow one of hers. h.e.l.l, she'd probably have already bought me three of my own if I would let her.

Bryan has already text back before I even get the message to Joy sent. When I finally get to opening his latest message, my stomach knots as the guilt once again smacks me right in the face.

I was hoping to spend some time with you this weekend. Call me as soon as you get home, and I'll come over.

Deal.

I text out one more response before locking my phone, dropping it back into my purse just as Gavin appears in the living room, balancing two plates in one hand and two bottles of water in the other.

”Sorry.” I immediately stand, relieving him of one of the plates.

”Everything okay?” he asks, gesturing to where I just put my phone.

”Oh yeah, just fine. I was just texting Joy to let her know I'd have her car back tomorrow,” I say, ignoring the little voice in my head chanting liar.

”Who says I'm letting you leave at all?” He settles down next to me on the couch before handing me one of the waters.

”Pretty sure you're gonna have to let the girl leave eventually.” Paxton appears from the kitchen, a beer clutched in his hand.

”Thank you, Paxton.” I nod in his direction before giving Gavin a teasing look.

”Ganged up on by one of my best friends and my girl. Something's wrong with this scenario.” He laughs, taking a large bite out of his sandwich despite the fact that his statement has rendered me completely speechless.

My girl... He called me his girl.

The statement causes my heart to pick up speed until it is thudding violently against my ribcage. Paxton quips some smart a.s.s remark at Gavin who only laughs before turning his eyes back to me just as Paxton exits the room.

”You okay?” he asks, clearly seeing something on my face the warrants the question.

”Yeah. I am,” I admit truthfully, shaking off my temporary fog. ”I'm more than okay.” I lean forward, laying a soft kiss to his jaw before turning my attention to my sandwich.

Gavin flips on the television and we eat in silence, both completely enthralled with the latest episode of House Hunters International on HGTV. It's a comfortable silence, one that makes me feel more at ease than I've felt in a very long time.

I find myself flipping my eyes toward Gavin every few minutes, smiling every time I see that adorable grin on his face when he realizes I'm watching him.

When Paxton leaves again less than an hour later, we are still on the couch, only now we have moved from sitting side by side to me laying with my head in Gavin's lap as his fingers lazily trail through my hair.

Before too long my eyelids start to grow heavy and I find each second more difficult than the last to keep them open. I don't want to sleep. I don't want to miss one moment of this incredible day I've gotten to spend with Gavin. I'm so scared that I will wake up to find it was all some crazy dream.

Unfortunately, that fear is not enough for my body to fight off exhaustion any longer. I don't even realize I've dozed off until I feel Gavin stir beneath me. Seconds later I'm being lifted into the air and cradled against Gavin's chest. I barely register the movement, rolling to the side the moment I feel the mattress beneath me.

Within seconds I feel Gavin's arm snake around me as he settles in behind me. The last thing I remember is his lips grazing the back of my neck and then sleep takes me under once more.

Chapter Thirteen.

Harlee ”So why are we here again?” I look at Gavin just seconds after he kills the engine of the truck behind Deviants.

”Thought it'd be good to get you out of the condo, show people you're still alive.” He winks, pus.h.i.+ng open the driver's side door before sliding out.

”By people you mean Kimber.” I shake my head, following his actions as I exit the truck, shutting the door behind me.

”I've kept you all to myself for the last two days, and as much as I would love to lock you up and never let you leave, Kimber has requested to see her friend. And by that I mean Decklan has been hounding the s.h.i.+t out of me since Paxton told them you were with me.” He laughs, dropping his arm over my shoulder as he leads me toward the rear entrance of the bar.

”I'm not ready to return to the real world just yet,” I whine, stopping just feet shy of the door.

A large grin takes over his impossibly handsome face just seconds before he grabs my hand, pulling me to him. Wrapping his arms around me, he drops a kiss to my forehead.

”Neither am I,” he admits, holding me just long enough that I know he one hundred percent means his statement.

When he finally releases his hold on me, he spins, pulling open the door before either of us can delay any longer. Waiting for me to enter first, he steps directly in behind me, the sound of Paxton's voice immediately filling my ears. I turn toward the left, catching sight of him sitting in a barstool in the center of the stage, his acoustic guitar resting in his lap as he speaks out to the rather impressive sized crowd for a Sunday night. I don't know why but I expected the place to be a ghost town.

Paxton's wearing tattered jeans partnered with a vintage Smas.h.i.+ng Pumpkins s.h.i.+rt, his hair pushed back in its usual style, not a strand out of place. He really does look like a rock star up there. I dare say anyone who witnessed the sight of him would agree with me.

”Come on.” Gavin pulls my attention back to him as he wraps his hand around mine and pulls me through the bar.

He leads me toward the back where the majority of the room is made up of high-top round bar tables, not slowing until we reach the back corner where I spot Decklan and Kimber leaning into one another. Their faces are just inches apart, and both have ridiculous smiles pulling up their mouths.

My G.o.d they look happy.

I immediately flip my eyes to Gavin, really letting myself grasp for the first time that he has the ability to make me just as happy. When I look at them, I see us in a way. The way Kimber looks at Decklan, the way Decklan looks at Kimber, reminds me a lot of the exchanges Gavin and I have shared over the course of this weekend. The thought makes my stomach twist in both excitement and fear.

Kimber's eyes widen when she spots us approaching, drawing Decklan's attention to our arrival as well. Both sets of eyes follow us until we stop directly next to their table.

”Bout time you two showed up.” Decklan leans forward casually, taking a long drink of his beer.

”You're lucky we're here at all,” Gavin bites playfully, sliding into the stool next to Decklan which prompts me to take the seat between Gavin and Kimber. ”How's he doing?” Gavin gestures toward the stage where Paxton has just begun to play a new song.

I recognize it immediately; Vulnerable by Secondhand Serenade. I know it the moment he strums out the first few chords, seeing how it's one of my favorites.

”Really well.” Decklan nods, taking another gulp of his beer. ”Women are eating him up per usual,” he adds.

”No surprise there.” Gavin shrugs, turning his attention back to the table.

”Hey girl.” Kimber nudges her shoulder against mine, for the first time pulling my gaze to her since we arrived at the table.