Page 56 of Michael's Awakening
My heart was heavy in my chest as the words left my lips, the emotions from that night surfacing once again. Noticing that Zack still hadn’t said anything, I peered up at him through my lashes and froze.
He looked more pissed than I had ever seen him. His hazel eyes blazed with a furious intensity, and then he pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry that happened, Gabe. If I ever find out who did it, I might need that help you offered earlier about hiding the body.”
A mixture between a sob and a laugh came out of me as a lone tear fell from my eye. “You’ll have to fight Michael for that position. He has already claimed dibs on tearing that asshole apart.”
Zack pulled back and looked down at me. “So, he took care of you when all that happened?”
I nodded and wiped the wetness from my cheek.
“Good.” Zack gave me a pat on the back and then ran a hand through his hair. “I’m glad you told me about it, Gabe.” Worry clouded in his green-gold eyes.
“I’m okay. Really, I am,” I reassured him.
He gave a brisk nod of his head and sighed. “Okay, let’s get back in there.”
“Let’s go.” I looped arms with him like we were children, making him smile, and we walked back down the hall and into the living room.
Dad and Michael looked at us curiously, but didn’t say anything about what happened, although I knew Michael would ask me about it later. We all talked for a while and gave our stomachs time to settle from the large dinner before bringing out the dessert.
Which was fantastic, by the way. I did an amazing job on the blueberry cheesecake.
My dad seemed to really like Michael. They conversed a lot about work, life ambitions, and anything and everything that came into their minds. I had never seen Michael socialize so well with other people before. Sure, since we had been together, we went out in public and he talked to a few people, but never like that.
The entire time we were with my family, the smile that I loved so much never left his handsome face. He seemed so happy and at ease that it touched my heart.
I knew they’d love him. Just like I did.
“Gabe, did you bring your cello?” Dad asked as we all sat in the living room by the warm, crackling fire. Zack and my dad were each sitting in one of the Victorian chairs, while Michael and I were sitting together on the couch.
“Maybe.” I hid my face in Michael’s shirt when everyone looked at me.
I felt Michael’s chest rumble as he chuckled softly. “Yes, he did.”
I nipped at his shirt with my teeth and he leaned down to kiss my forehead.
“Aw, come on, Gabe. Knock off that shyness,” Zack said, amused.
I poked my head up to look at my brother and stuck my tongue out at him, my signature move.
Michael laughed and kissed my cheek before speaking. “I’ll go get it from the car.” He shifted out from under me and stood up to go get my cello.
Once Michael left the room, my dad looked over and smiled at me. “I like him. He is a very well-put-together young man who seems to have a lot going for him.”
“Yeah, he’s kind of awesome like that.” I grinned.
When Michael returned with my cello, I got up and stole Zack’s footstool, causing his feet to thud to the floor.
“Jerk,” Zack sneered.
Ignoring him, I took a seat a on the stool and placed the cello between my legs. After adjusting the endpin at the base of the instrument, I examined my bow and tightened it. Reaching into my cello case, I pulled out my container of resin to spread onto the hairs of the bow in order to help the bow speak better on the strings.
Glancing briefly at Michael, I saw his warm smile and it made my heart soar. Taking a deep breath, I readied my bow and began playingCello Sonata No. 3 in A majorby Beethoven. I didn’t have the piano accompaniment to go with it, but I improvised.
As I played, I could have sworn my mother was there with me—her hand placed gently on my shoulder and a bright smile lighting her face. I wished she could have met Michael. She would have loved him, I was sure of it.
