Gabe's POV
I glance at the screen of my phone, Cassandra's latest message staring back at me. It's in response to the message I had sent in response to her earlier one where I stated that I could not make it to her family's reception party. I could not make it to the wedding either.
[We need to talk. It's important. Call me when you can.]
It's the third message she's sent this today, and I've been dodging every single one. With a sigh, I thumb a quick response.
[Can't right now. Busy. Later.] I'd been busy a few days now for her calls and messages.
The excuse feels flimsy, but I can't muster the energy to care. Whatever she wants to say, I'm not ready to hear it. Not today. Not with everything else clouding my mind.
I shove the phone into my pocket and glance at the clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes until the end of this session- more like fifteen minutes I'll spend pretending to review notes while my thoughts are tangled somewhere else entirely.
Somewhere? No. Someone.
Meg.
She's been consuming my thoughts in a way I can't quite explain. For years, she's just been Megara Lee- the younger daughter and half-twin of my dad's business partner, a sharp-witted high school student, nothing more. But now? Now she's…something else. Someone else.
Of course, we'd met before, when our fathers were not colleagues yet- but it was just a formality while my father and her's- well theirs because I met all three of the sisters. Our fathers' gave speeches and they introduced us. I had wondered about their life- three kids and all girls? See, I am an only child, and my father has no brother who is childless. So, no cousins either to come over for the holidays.
Anyway. I sent a text to Meg earlier and she has not replied, so now I will spend the remainder of today moping until she does it seems. I'm not even in the mood for the workshop this evening either and I am the guest speaker.
I think about last night, how I walked into my room and found her thrashing on the bed, her legs tangled in the sheets. She was crying out, her voice hoarse and raw.
"No, no! Mom! Arvielle!"
At first, I thought it was just a bad dream, but the desperation in her voice was so palpable it felt like a scream in my chest. I'd sat by the bed, shaking her shoulder gently until she jolted awake, her eyes wide and wild.
"What happened?" I'd asked, my voice softer than I meant it to be.
"I have to save them."
"Save who," I'd asked, but she only looked up at me and smiled then muttered, "It's a bad dream." She slept away again but thankfully this time peacefully.
A dream. Sure. But the look in her eyes wasn't the kind that comes from nightmares. It was deeper like she was carrying something she couldn't set down. And it's been eating at me because I recall what her mother said last night.
Something was hurting Megara's mental state.
The bell chimes from across campus, signaling the end of one class and the start of another. And I call Megara's phone but she does not pick up.
Before I know it, I head toward the parking lot, grab my helmet, and slide onto my Kawasaki Ninja 650, seat, without a second thought. My destination is clear, even if my reasons aren't.
---
By the time I reach the hotel, my hands are gripping the steering wheel tighter than I realize. I exhale sharply, trying to shake off the unease simmering in my chest.
What am I even doing here?
I ask myself this question every time I come to see her. Every time I find myself rearranging my schedule or pushing things aside just to be near her. It's not logical, but then again, nothing about this feels logical.
Is this what love feels like? I don't know. It's not something I've ever stopped to consider. But this pull, this maddening, magnetic pull toward her- it's undeniable.
When I knock on the door, she answers almost immediately, like she's been waiting. Her eyes are a little red like she's been crying, and her hair is tousled from lying down. I'd just left her... how could she be so... different?
"Gabe?" she says, her voice soft and almost disbelieving.
"I just wanted to check on you," I say, stepping inside before she can invite me. God, I feel so protective of this woman. Why do I just want to grab her up and pull him into my arms to shield her from whatever hurt she is battling inside? On the outside, I show calm and even raise an eyebrow to show indifference but not too much because I want her to know I care.
She closes the door behind me and leans against it, arms crossed over her chest. "I'm fine," she says, but the way her voice wavers tells me she's anything but.
"You don't look fine," I counter, crossing the room to sit on the chair, I've sort of grown accustomed to it. "You barely slept last night."
Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she's going to argue. But then her shoulders sag, and she lets out a sigh. "I've just been…stressed."
"About what?" I ask, even though I know she won't tell me the full truth. She does not remember waking up last night from her nightmare, I realize.
She hesitates, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "God Gabriel, I'm in college. What is there to not stress about?"
Dan. I hope it is not him. I remember her twin sister mentioning him. Nah, definitely not him. Not the way we were on fore today in the pool. I gave her an 'I don't believe shit of what you said' look.
"It's…complicated."
I shake my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You keep saying that. 'It's complicated.' But Meg, I can't help you if you won't let me in."
Her eyes snap to mine, wide and startled, as if I've just said something impossible and my heart goes out to her.
"I don't need help," she says quickly, her voice rising slightly. "I just need…" She trails off, biting her lip.
"You need what?" I press, my voice gentler now.
She looks away, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I need time. Space. I don't know. Just…trust me, okay?"
My heart aches. Space? No, not when I want to- invade it. No, she cannot ask this of me- no, I refuse it. I exhale slowly, leaning back on my hands. "You're asking a lot."
"I know," she whispers.
For a moment, the only sound in the room is the faint hum of the air conditioning. I watch her, trying to decipher the storm of emotions flickering across her face.
"Last night," I say finally, breaking the silence. "When you were dreaming…you kept saying something about your mom. And Avrielle." I need her to know that I have some sort of inkling as to what is bothering her, so she won't feel too ladened.
Her head snaps up, and there's a flicker of panic in her eyes. "I told you, it was just a dream."
Ah, so she does remember. "It didn't sound like just a dream," I counter. "It sounded like-"
"Drop it, Gabe," she snaps, cutting me off.
Her tone is sharp, but I don't miss the way her voice trembles. Whatever this is, it's bigger than she's letting on. And it's tearing her apart.
"Okay," I say after a moment, holding up my hands in surrender. "I'll drop it. For now."
She looks at me, surprised as if she didn't expect me to back down so easily.
"But Meg," I add my voice firm, "you don't have to go through this alone. Whatever it is, I'm here. You know that, right?"
She stares at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nods. "I know."
It's not much, but it's enough. For now. Megara knows I mean more than what I say out loud right? I mean, in my actions? I'm not one to just make out with her and leave- I showed her I am showing up after. That counts right? God, this is so confusing.
Hugging her, he kisses her lightly leaving with the words, "Just text me to let me know you're good."
Later, as I head back to campus, her words replay in my mind.
"I just need time."
I don't know what she's running from or what's weighing on her so heavily, but one thing is clear: I'm not letting her face it alone. Whatever this is, whatever she's hiding, I'll figure it out.
Because the thought of her hurting, of her carrying this burden by herself, is unbearable. And the more time I spend with her, the more I realize something I've been trying to deny.
I don't just care about her. I'm falling for her.
And that scares me more than anything else.