Page 36 of The Tip-Off
He’s still seated and pulls me so that my knees are enclosed by his. “I, uh… wanted to talk to you before we go back.”
It takes a moment for my foggy brain to decipher the look in his eye and the way his thumb gently strokes my wrist. I’m caught so off guard I give my head a little shake, certain I’m dreaming this whole thing up. There’s never been anything but friendship between Nathan and me. Our friendship has been easy and comfortable – not the things of great love, or even great lust, stories. Or at least not from my perspective. The way he looks at me right now though, I think I’ve missed something.
“We’re friends, right?” I ask. He nods and the way his face falls, I feel awful for not realizing he felt differently sooner. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“It’s okay,” he says. “I get it.”
“No, you don’t.” I sit next to him. “The past month has been crazy. I was scared out of my mind, but every step of the way, you’ve been there. No one has been there for me more than you.” It’s only after I’ve said the words that I realize it’s not exactly true. Zeke’s been there for me more than anyone. Forced or not, it’s true. Blair, who will always be more like a sister than a friend, but she’s wrapped up with Wes and her own life. Nathan is a great friend, but he’s not always been there when I needed him. It’s been Zeke at every turn. “We’re friends. We’regoodas friends.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” He lets out a long breath. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m such an idiot.”
“Hey,” I nudge his knee with mine. “You’re not.”
“No, I am. Trust me on that.”
“You can talk to me. You know that, right? You’ve taken care of me the past month, but I’m here for you too. Any time.”
“Thanks, Gabs.”
Back at the cabin we part, a little awkwardness still lingering. The last thing I want is for things to be weird with Nathan. I track down Blair and Vanessa inside and slump down onto the sofa between them.
“Hey, you,” Vanessa says coyly. “Where have you been?”
“On the boat with Nathan.” I let my head fall back.
“And?” Blair asks.
“Did Nathan finally make a play?” Vanessa adds.
I lift my head up and look to each of their smiling faces. “You two knew?”
Their laughter has me shaking my head.
“He cut his hair because of you! You said you liked short hair and voila!”
“No.” But as I say the word, I think back to the kitchen when I’d told him, and everyone else, that I preferred short hair. “I dunno. I honestly had no idea he thought of me like that at all.”
“We know,” they say in unison.
Blair squeezes my hand. “Are things going to be okay between the two of you? I know how close you two have become.”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I think so.”
“So now that Nathan has professed his feelings, who will be next?” Vanessa smirks. “You’ve turned into quite the little heartbreaker.”
My cheeks flush at her teasing and I smile, wishing that were true. “Have you guys seen Zeke around? He was going to help me with one of the items on my list.”
“Which item, Gabriella?” Blair bats her lashes. “Virginity?”
Vanessa’s eyes go wide. “I don’t know what list she’s referring to, but it sounds fun.”
I stand and shake my head at them.
“Anal?” Vanessa shouts after me.
* * *
Zeke
