by S. N. Garza
Alann stands and says, “Yeah, but I’ll go with you. You don’t have to cater to us, Willow. Gabe and your uncle are adults.”
“Alann, it’s okay. I like doing this.” Then she turns to me and asks, “Right?”
Seeing as how she feeds me and the guys almost on a daily basis, I give her a smile and a wink. “Yeah. She does. Like I said, fucking weird. Maybe it’s a girl thing.”
Her hand reaches to smack my shoulder and laughing, I capture it and with my heart pumping hard in my chest, I bring her hand up to my lips and watch as her face blossoms a pretty pink color.
“And like I said, you’re fucking sweet, Gabriel Saint.”
“Jesus. Don’t ever say that word again.”
Alann groans and makes a gagging sound. “God, y’all should have had enough of each other. Come on, Will. Let’s get some food. I’ll help.”
“You know what I like, Willow-Tree. Get me a Miller Lite, Alann.” Her uncle tries passing Alann some money and if people are going to be drinking, I might as well get one too.
“Get me a Corona with a lime, Worsch.” And I pull out my wallet and Alann throws his hand up.
“I got this round. I’m sure if Willow insists on dancing, we’re going to need more than one drink.”
“Dancing?” Is she expecting me to get out there and dance with her? Oh, fuck me. It’s been a long time since I danced. The last time was probably with my mother when she was showing me how to when I was about eight. She took me to so many concerts growing up. Just me and her… I miss that about my mother.
And here I go… thinking about shit I learned to stop thinking about ages ago.
But dancing? With Willow?
“Yup. And don’t think you’re going to get out of it, Gabriel Saint. I’m a girl who likes to dance. I might not do it often, but I like having fun.”
“There are other ways to have fun, Willow.” I can’t help saying, trying to get off the topic of dancing.
Luke huffs and groans. “Please, don’t get into that. Y’all go and bring us food and drinks.”
While they’re gone, I see Worsch throw his arm around Willow’s shoulder and I can’t help bristling at the friendly gesture.
“You do know he’s just trying to be friendly, right?”
“Does it look like I care?”
Luke rolls his eyes, giving up. Good. I don’t care if he’s not into girls. There’s this jealous streak I haven’t been able to get a grip on yet. There’s gotta be a learning curve somewhere. I don’t want anyone touching her.
“Have you told Willow?”
“Not yet. And neither will you.”
Great. Another fucking secret. “I don’t like keeping secrets from her. Why don’t you people understand that?”
“You people? You mean your dad?”
“Yes. And I’m pretty sure you know what I’m talking about. About her family back in Grifton Falls.”
“She’s not—
“I swear you say she’s not ready I’m going to punch you, Luke Mason. Just as I punched my old man. You do realize when she does, she’s probably going to hate you.”
“She might. For a time. But she’ll learn to forgive and move on. And technically, as her godfather, Marcus could have taken her in if he had wanted to. And then the two of you would have been treated as siblings. Just thank your lucky stars, Gabe.”
“That wouldn’t have stopped me. If I had wanted her, nothing would have been in my way. No blood relation.”
“That’s kind of disturbing.”
Maybe it would have been different if we had grown up together, but we didn’t, so it’s a moot point. So, I don’t say anything and look for her. Watch her. Wait for her. See the way her face lightens up when she smiles. She’s different here. She’s at home. Would she come back here after she graduates? Is Brisbon a place she wants to come back to? Is Father right? Grifton Falls is another world. A world full of douchebags and bitches. And Willow is no bitch. Not a real one. Not like the girls back home.
“You look like you’re in love with her, Gabriel.”
And I feel no shame or embarrassment when I say, “I am.” And I look right into his eyes, showing him I mean it. And I really hope he doesn’t do anything to keep her from me either in the long run. Grifton Falls is my home. It’s where our base of operations is. Would she want to move back here?
Why the hell am I even thinking so far ahead? I mean, a lot can happen over the next four years of her being in college. She might not even—
Nope. She said she loves me, and I don’t plan on letting her go… ever, so I know exactly how it’s going to go. I’ll wait until we’re a few years in, get her to move in with me and then we’ll get married and have kids. Oh, my God.
Fuuuuuuck.
Eighteen
Gabriel
“Whoa, you okay there? You done got all pale, Gabriel.”
Pale? I just said married and kids in the same fucking sentence. Luke Mason’s hand settles on my shoulders and he shakes me back to reality.
“Hey! What got your girdle?”
“I just… you don’t want to know.”
Doesn’t matter though, I know what I want and even though it’s too soon to say anything, I know exactly what I plan on doing for the rest of my life. I love doing what I’m doing right now in the company. I know Father will loosen the reins and we’ll be more equal partners sooner rather than later. There’s travel involved and as I watch Willow come back to us, I wonder if she’d like to travel with me. Would she like to see the world outside of Grifton Falls and Brisbon? Is she like her mother in that way? From what Father said, her mother loved traveling with her husband. My father only traveled for business. Never for pleasure and he never took Mother or me anywhere.
I have Willow. While we haven’t known each other for a lifetime, I know my life will never be as good as it is, now that I’m with her.
Willow carries a few plates on her arm as she weaves back to me. How she does it, I don’t know, but she looks incredible. She sets down three massive plates of creole crawfish packed with red beans, rice, sausage, potatoes and corn on big fucking serving trays. Alann trails behind her with three bottles of beer and then a regular sized plate with food.
“He didn’t help you?” I glare over to Alann, who rolls his eyes.
“I’m carrying her food and the drinks. She doesn’t want her barbecue plate touching the seafood. So just shut up and eat, douche.”
I grab the plate teetering on her arm and with a thank you, she sets one down in front of her uncle and the other down where Alann parks his ass.
“You don’t like seafood? How did I not know that? You’ve cooked salmon for us at the house.”
“I didn’t eat it though. I served it to you guys. I ate a grilled chicken breast. Have you ever had crawfish?”
“Food is food, Willow.”
Then I start eating and all the spice and flavor hits my mouth.
Alann must have the same reaction, because we both moan with appreciation. “Damn. This is pretty good.”
My thoughts exactly. We eat and yeah, I can see how both Alann and I shovel our food down as if we’ve never eaten before. Both Willow and her uncle look at us with bewildered expressions on their faces. When I face Willow, she has this adorable as fuck smile twitching on her lips and then she picks up her napkin and reaches for my face, wiping whatever it was on the corner of my lips.
“Gag me. You two look like you’re swooning for each other.”
I shoot him another glare as heat rushes up my neck.
“Oh, hush you!” Then she does the same thing to Alann who jerks back in mock horror.
“I’m not a baby, like someone obviously is.” He sends me a sardonic look which makes me want to pop him one. Fucking dick.
“He’s not a baby, Alann. And y’all are enjoying the food. I’m so glad. They definitely don’t have this kind of food in Grifton Falls.”
“Is that a must have for you?” Yeah, I feel myself aski
ng, because I don’t want her feeling as if she can’t one day call Grifton Falls her home. Her permanent home.
Her uncle snorts and smacks me on the back. “Don’t let her fool you. She might not eat crawdad’s or creole food, but she knows how to cook it just fine. She worked at the Crawdaddy Shack every season since she was fifteen up until the end of June this year. She can cook all this and more, ain’t that right, Willow-Tree?”
“Maybe. Thank you, Uncle Luke. You’re always my champion, aren’t you?”
I watch as he looks at her, this fatherly love shining in his gaze when he gives her a wink. “Of course, I am. I’m your uncle, Willow-Tree. Always will be. No matter how far you go. And they loved you. You brought a lot business to them with being so sweet and friendly.”
“You really worked?”
“Of course, I did. Come to think of it, I should probably start looking for a part-time job back home. I mean, Grifton Falls.”
“It’s your home now too, Will.” Alann remarks and thank God he said something because I’m sure I would have said something similar, just with more vehemence.
“Thanks, Alann.” Then she turns to me and I swear I feel that adoring look right to the very depths of my soul. “I wonder if there’s anyone hiring.”
“You know you don’t have to work, Willow. I—,” Her uncle smacks me on the shoulder, coughing, interrupting what I was going to say. His eyes tell me to shut my mouth, but I don’t get it. I look back at her and say, “Anything you need or want, I can get for you.”
And I would. It would be my pleasure to take care of her. I like taking care of her. Especially when she makes me go to the grocery store with her and she picks out food to cook for us. I always get money from the guys afterwards, but they enjoy what she cooks. She likes trying new recipes for us and since we’re all health conscience most of the time, she works around that.
Alann coughs, shaking his head.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“You’re an idiot.” He says, rolling his eyes.
What? I look at her uncle, who’s looking anywhere but at me, but he’s also shaking his head. When I look over to Willow, she’s got this red flush to her cheeks and there’s no more smile on her face.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Her shoulders relax and understanding comes over her features. I must have missed something because I still don’t get it. “What? Am I missing something?”
“Nothing, Gabriel. Just eat and enjoy.”
I crunch my brows but otherwise I listen to her and do as I’m told. And only this girl can make me obey like a lapdog.
I wipe my mouth, finish the bottle of beer just as Willow does the same. She sips her Dr. Pepper and her eyes roam over me. I want to know what she's thinking. She looks so pretty. My letterman hangs on her shoulders and her curls flow down her back, she’s got this magical essence around her that makes me want to pick her up and take her somewhere. But instead, I get up and gather our plates.
“I can do that, Gabriel.” And she stands, but I take her plate before she can protest.
“You brought the food, I’ll take care of the trash, Willow. Just park that ass back in your chair. I can do simple shit, you know?”
Yeah, I say that with a little bit more force than necessary, but I need some air to breathe. I don’t understand why it’s a problem when I say she doesn’t have to work. She doesn’t have to. The scholarship takes care of food, board, classes. Knowing my father is the benefactor, I’m sure he puts more than enough for her to do whatever she wants.
When I get back, she’s standing with her back to me, almost bouncing on her feet.
“Come on, Alann. Dance with me.”
“Your boyfriends back, ask him, Will.”
She turns to me and her smile widens. “Gabriel!”
“No.”
Her smile dies and her shoulders drop. I don’t dance. I didn’t really like it when Mother made me when I was a child. And I hate the look of disappointment on her face, but she just crunches her brows and turns her head to her uncle. “You too, Uncle Luke?”
“Still eating here, Willow-Tree.”
“Well, I’m going to dance.”
Jealousy burns inside me, and I know I’m overreacting, but I don’t want to see her enjoying herself in the arms of another man. And yes, I know how controlling and dickish that sounds.
“Willow—
“Shut up, Gabriel Ulysses Saint. If I want to dance, no one, let alone you, is going to stop me. So, while you three be complete wallflowers—
“Hey, I said I was eating. Don’t lump me in with these two scaredy cats, woman.”
“—semantics. You three just sit there and look pretty. I’m going to have fun.”
Then in all her feminine glory and fury, she walks away, her ass sashaying back and forth, and I swear my dick hardens at the lush flesh and knowing she’s all mine.
I keep my eyes on her the entire time she talks to all age ranges of guys and then a semi-fast tempo song comes on and this old geezer, had to be a hundred, goes up with her and starts twirling her around.
When she smiles now, it’s full of laughter and she looks goddamn sexy.
“You do know she’s not going to let you take care of her, don’t you?” Her uncle says and when I turn to him, both Alann and he have the same droll expressions on their faces.
“Excuse me?”
“She’s been independent a long time. She won’t let you steamroll her into doing whatever you tell her to do.”
“I’d never do that to her. And it’s none of your business how our relationship is constructed.”
Seemingly done with the conversation, I get up, walk to the bar and order another beer. A few minutes later, Alann comes up to me and shakes his head.
“Don’t worry about shit, Gabe. Y’all are still young enough. Who knows what’s going to happen?”
“I do.”
“Oh, yeah? What?”
“She is my future, Alann. The only one I want.”
“Then that’s a compromise the two of you will have to discuss, but it’s still pretty early. Don’t borrow trouble.”
“I’m not.” Why is he getting all up in my business?
“Well, that’s about to change.”
“Yeah, why’s that?” My tone bristles and I know I’m acting like a complete imbecile, but dammit, I’m going out of my mind. It’s all her fault. The fact I like it like that, is beyond me, but I do. I love her making me crazy.
“There’s some dick with his arms around Willow. And she doesn’t look comfortable anymore.”
I whip around and search for her. Red mist clouds my vision when I zero in on the motherfucker with his arms around my girl.
I hear a distant, “Oh, fuck.” But it’s no matter. Some asshole—a young asshole—has his unwanted hands on my woman.
“I said let me go, Chad.”
“We were doing just fine a second ago, Will.”
“I said—
Fire burns in my blood when he doesn’t let go and just as I get close, Alann is there cutting in front of me and pulling that guy away.
“Hey! Who the hell—
“You’re dancing with the wrong girl, pal.”
“She don’t have no boyfriend.”
“Oh, yeah she does. The big bruiser behind me.”
Dick Chad looks behind Alann and sees me and he takes a step back. Goddamn right he better back the fuck up off my girl. And just as I take a step closer, Willow takes my hands and wraps them around her waist.
“Finally. So glad you came out here, Gabriel.”
I pull her in and whisper, “I don’t dance.”
I feel her smile against my chest when she whispers back, “Just hold me, Gabriel. That’s all I want from you. I’ll take it from here.”
And slowly but surely, we’re stepping back and forth and around the small dance floor. I don’t know how she does it, but I don’t feel like a total idiot as we sway back and forth and then when a faste
r tempo song comes on, Willow takes us to the edge of the dance floor.
We step off and she says, “I love this song. It’s Move by Luke Bryan. It’s such a fun song to dance to.” I should nut up and take her back out there, show her I really do know what the fuck I’m doing when her uncle comes up and taps me on the shoulder.
“If you don’t mind, Gabe, I’ll swing her around once.”
Thank God. Willow lights up and then for the next few minutes, her uncle swings her back and forth and do all these turns make me dizzy. Seeing Willow smile wide and hearing her laughter fill the air, I can’t wait to get her alone. Maybe we won’t have to stay much longer.
When the song ends, they laugh their way back to me and just before Luke walks away, he says, “Don’t be too hard on him, Willow-Tree. He has to be broken in gently.”
I don’t know if he means me, but then Willow is dragging me back out and taking my hands and placing them on her waist. I’ve never liked doing this shit in public, but then, feeling her in my arms, is more than nice. She’s perfect.
“Gabriel?” She asks. I pull her close and respond.
“What, fairy-girl?”
“I love dancing with you.”
“I like having you in my arms, Willow.”
“Good, now just hold me and sway with me for a little bit.” I do as she says and after another song ends, I feel her sigh skirt over my chest. Opening my mouth to ask what’s wrong, she says, “Gabriel, I don’t want you to be taking care of me like that, you know? I’m not with you for your money, Gabriel.
“I know that. Who said a stupid ass thing like that?”
“You did, when you implied, you’d take care of anything I needed or wanted.”
“If that’s what you want to think, Willow, but it’s not how I meant it. I don’t know how you were raised, and I know you’re independent and shit, but I guess… I guess I’m an old-fashioned guy. I’m the man in our relationship, Willow. I will pay for whatever we need—
“But—
“Shut up and let me finish, Willow.” She glares at me and I see her hand twitch, but I need her to understand. “Willow, I’m not belittling you or think you’re incapable. Has nothing to do with any of that shit. I believe men and women are equal.”
