Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 117010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
“I don’t understand. Aren’t they going to Paris for a coming-out ball? What could he be planning for that?” I could see he was struggling to find the right words. I’ve known for some time that there was some well-kept secret between the two of them, something that neither has ever shared; I’ve known it since Unc asked me to all but spy on Gabe, but not knowing why had never bothered me more than it did right now.
Unc paced the room back and forth, scaring the heck out of me the more he kept silent. “Don’t be scared, Lance; nothing’s going to happen to him.” Yeah? So why do you look so worried?
“Pop, you in here? Oh, hi Lance, I thought you left without saying goodbye.” Gabe knocked and opened the door to the home office before stepping inside.
I felt guilty, but that only lasted about a second. I’d much rather have the guilt than the fallout from whatever he’s up to. He should know what saying those words would do to me. Not because there’s anything wrong with an almost adult male saying I love you to another; that’s bullshit. But because of who he is, those words carry more weight than most. Gabe’s not big on showing emotion; he shows his love in other ways.
“What did you need, son? Lance was just telling me about your trip.” I didn’t even blink at the lie, just kept my eyes on Gabe, who looked his usual relaxed self. That’s another thing; the guy never gives anything away, so his declaration is way out of place. Was it a cry for help? Is he somehow asking me to save him from himself and whatever this is? I have no idea.
“It can wait. I’ll leave you two alone.” He walked back out of the room, leaving Unc and me to look at each other.
“I’ll talk to him, don’t sweat it,” Unc assured me, but I wasn’t sure. I hated to leave, but my dad would be waiting for me since he acts like the prodigal son’s returning anytime I go away for longer than a weekend.
* * *
GABRIEL
* * *
I think I messed up. It was a moment of weakness that led me to tell Lance I love him like that. Not sure where my head was that day; maybe everything was hitting me at once, and I realized that he was one of the people I’d be leaving behind. I’m pretty sure he was talking to Pop about my strange behavior before I walked in because he’s been on my ass since yesterday.
I’ve seen the looks and the way he wouldn’t leave my side, but at least Gianna hasn’t noticed anything off. I’ve gone out of my way to make sure she had as good a time as she could, knowing what she’d face once we got back here. I waited for him to leave before going back to Pop, who looked like he was about to blow.
“Pop, it’s time.”
“Time for what?” Oh yeah, they were talking alright.
“The lawyer. Let Becky out on bail.”
“You gonna finally tell me what’s going on there?”
“Yeah!” I’d held off telling him until now so that he wouldn’t take matters into his own hands. I told him all of it now, about the murder and everything that came after. I could tell from the way he watched me that he was trying to figure out if that was the only thing on my mind.
“No problem, I’ll take care of it. Anything else bothering you?” Freaking Lance had sold me out.
“Nope, just this. I want to get it over with before Gianna leaves for Paris.”
“I see! Well, okay then, I’ll let you know what happens. It shouldn’t take longer than end of day today. What’re your plans? Do you want me there with you when you confront them?”
“Nah, I’ve got it. I don’t expect any trouble from that end.” I didn’t; I’ve had more than enough time to plan, my only issue being how Gianna will handle things. She says she’s ready to get it over with; in fact, she’d mentioned it as soon as we landed, but she has no idea. I’ve had years to deal with my shit, and it still gets me, so imagine someone as soft as her.
I left Pop to go back upstairs, where she was on my bed playing with the ankle biter. The twins had heard somewhere that pets were susceptible to the virus, something that had been proven false, but they still refused to take theirs on the trip, so this one was acting like she’d been gone for a month.
She looked up when I walked in, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. I wish we had more time that I could shield her a little bit longer, but I’d started the ball rolling, and there was no turning back. I’d already started putting things in place for my trip to Sicily, which was going to be a headache in itself.