I looked at Gabe across the table. “Was it something I said last time?”
Gabe grinned. “No, honey. He just wanted privacy. And he probably knew I was gonna make you a margarita. He’s more sensitive to Cecilia’s addictions than she is.”
I tilted my head. “Well, I didn’t have to have a margarita Gabe.”
He shook his head. “My woman’s getting a ‘rita with her tacos. Period. Besides, what it really is, is that he wanted to get her in her bikini, and not have any company.”
“Okay,” I said, then ate my beans and rice.
“So, do you think you’ll beat me at Halo anytime soon?”
My brows drew together. “I don’t know, Gabe. What I do know is that game is a massive time-suck! No way I can play that after tomorrow.”
“Why?” he asked finishing his burrito.
“The new semester begins Monday. I’m gonna be up to my eyeballs with classes and working at Club Eclectic.”
“Then we better make the most of tonight and tomorrow, Daughtry.”
SUNDAY MORNING CAME around too soon. More to the point, Gabe kept me up way too late, but in the best ways. I had no idea it was morning because of the blackout curtains. When my cell rang it lit up the room. I saw not only was my mother calling, but it was eight-fifteen.
Gabe groaned next to me and yanked my pillow toward his face.
“It’s my mother,” I hissed to him. “Hi, Mother,” I greeted her, trying to sound awake.
“Cassandra, were you sleeping?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
“Well, I can’t believe you haven’t answered your door. I’ve rung the bell twice and had to resort to pounding on the door.”
I sat bolt upright, taking the sheets with me, causing Gabe to groan again. “Mother, I’m not home.”
“Now, Cassandra. I saw your car in the lot. Your sister was right. You truly are due for an upgrade.”
“Gimme the sheets back, woman. It’s freezing in here.” Gabe grumbled loud enough I knew Mother heard him.
“He’s in your bed with you?” she asked.
I bit my lip, but steeled my resolve. “I’m at his place, Mother. He lives in the complex.”
She sighed. “Well, I suppose I should’ve called first.”
My eyes widened, and I bit back my snarky comment that it was far too late for that. I exhaled softly. “Is there a particular reason you dropped by, Mother?”
I heard the sound of her heels on the stairs before she finally spoke. “I was hoping to take you to Mass this morning and hear more about this young man, but clearly that won’t be happening. Indeed, I should’ve called first. Seems I’ve wasted a trip.”
There was a trip happening all right, a guilt-trip ticket for one, with my name on it. “No, Mother. I’ll be over there shortly,” I had to lean forward because Gabe reached to snatch the phone from me, “And I can be ready—”
“Cassandra, it’s nearly eight-thirty now. You won’t be ready until ten ‘til nine at best which would cause us to be late.”
“Mother, I can go to Mass without taking a shower.”
I heard her car bleeping and her door opening. “No. Really, Cassandra. Some other time. I do intend to meet this man you’re spending time with, though.”
“All right,” I said with a sigh. “I’m sorry you wasted a trip.”
“Yes, well. I guess we both learned something today. Try to get to the later Mass, Cassandra. Good-bye.”
“Bye,” I whispered.
I flopped back onto the bed, closing my eyes. The bed jostled, and I heard the distinctive whoosh-sound of the sheets being lifted up, then Gabe laid down next to me. The sheets softly fluttered down around our bodies.
“Guessing I didn’t make the best first impression on your mother, eh, baby?”
I sighed. “It wouldn’t have mattered. I made her waste a trip; I wasted her time. No matter who, how, or what it is, I am always the reason things are messed up.”
Gabe shifted so he was on top of me. “First of all, Cassie-Cass, you are never the reason things are messed up. I don’t care what she says. And second of all, the next time I’m tryin’ to get your phone from you, let me. I’d have damn well put her in her place.”
I stroked his cheek. “Gabe, you can’t fight my battles for me.”
“The hell I can’t. And the hell I won’t. You’re mine, Cassie. You said it yourself the other night. I might be your baby-daddy, so get used to it. Nobody’s gonna make you feel like shit. And damn sure not the two women who should have your back.”
His room was pitch dark, but I could feel his intensity roiling off his body. My phone, laying next to my shoulder, chimed and lit up with a notification and in the dimness I saw Gabe’s intensity.
The room went dark again, and I said, “I wish I could tell you I love you all over again for the first time.”
He shook his head, if the movement of the bed was anything to go by. “Explain, Daughtry.”
I fought smiling. “Gabe, if I hadn’t already admitted to loving you, that look on your face and those words damn sure would’ve done it.”
He tagged my phone and rolled to his side of the bed, putting the device face down on his nightstand. I sat up because my bladder begged me to visit the bathroom, but Gabe must have been used to the darkness of his room because he grabbed my waist like he could see me. He settled us both on our sides, his arm loose around my waist.
“You got two choices, Cassandra. We can go back to sleep... But we both know you’re not likely to do that, or you can restart my morning with that luscious mouth of yours.”
“Gabe, you’re about to piss me off. I’ve got to go to the bathroom first and foremost, and how can you say your morning needs to be restarted. You didn’t get a
