Page 119 of Under the Lies

It’s Gabe.

Gabe who’s been quiet this whole time.

Gabe who’s swaying with a nonexistent breeze.

Gabe who presses a hand to his side.

Gabe whose body just seems to crumble. Falling at the knees to the ground.

Reeve lets loose a string of curses, pushing his gun into Thea’s hand, and lunges to catch his friend before he hits the floor.

Gently, a word I never thought I’d think in terms of Reeve Morgan, he lowers Gabe to the ground, talking to him in a voice too low for me to hear.

I shoot a look at Thea, who mouths, Are you okay?

I’m a mess. And have been for weeks now…longer if I’m being honest.

Reeve clears his throat and I’m shocked at what I see.

Gone is the look of playful indifference and in place is an expression I never thought I’d see on Reeve Morgan.

Fear.

“Gabe’s been shot.”

Fingers wrap around the back of my neck, an arm secure at my waist. Sweaty forehead to sweaty forehead.

I don’t know whose embrace I’m in, only that their hips grind into mine and my pulse beats in tune with the song.

Multicolored laser lights zip between us. The weight of his body is enough for me to ignore what will be awaiting me when I venture home.

The wrath of my keeper.

This morning he told me not to leave the apartment. As he has told me for the past few days. Ever since Gabe was shot.

Not that I care what Noah says right now.

I haven’t cared about anything the past few days.

Not him.

Not my sister.

Not this fake dating thing we’ve put on.

Not the feelings that have taken root inside me.

Nothing. I don’t give a single shit about anything.

Gabe might’ve been the one that got shot but as the hours ticked on that night, the more locked up I became. To the point where even Noah couldn’t provoke a response out of me.

I don’t even know why I’m like this, other than the fact that I can’t shake the knowledge of a gun being pointed at me.

They were after me.

And someone got hurt because of it.

Gabe’s fine, sleeping the days away in Noah’s other guest room.

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