And I need to talk to a friend right now.
Using my spare key, I unlock the front door to my grandfather’s house half an hour later. I make my way up the stairs as quietly as I can, knocking carefully on Val and Gabriel’s bedroom door.
When no one responds and I’m sure they’re still asleep, I open the door and say, “Pssssst.”
Chase jumps out of bed and runs toward me, wagging and going wild at the sight of me. I crouch down to pet him, smiling at how excited he is to see me. God, I love this little guy. Ever since Val found him at the side of the road and brought him home, I adored him, and he seems to love me too, excitement making the Husky-German Shepherd mix jump against my legs when he sees me.
“I swear to God, one of these days, I’m going to kill you for always doing that,” Gabriel whisper-screams at me, sitting upright and squinting while looking at me because he's still half asleep.
“Can you kill me while we go have some hot chocolate and play a game of cards?” I ask, trying to stay quiet so as to not wake Valentina.
For almost a year, Gabriel and I have made a habit of coming to each other in the middle of the night to hang out and talk about whatever bothers us. We usually play cards and drink hot chocolates. I’ve come to speak to get him for one of our talks a lot more often than he’s come to me, but I don’t feel bad like I would with most people. Gabriel and I might be teammates and rivals, but he’s my brother in every way that counts, and I need him right now. If I’m being honest, I also need my sister, but I know exactly what she’ll say to me.
Give love a chance.
Relationships can be worth it.
Nevaeh is wonderful, she won’t leave like Mom did.
None of that will help me right now, and I need to speak to someone who understands how scared I am. Gabriel was frightened out of his mind when he realized he was in love with Valentina. It made him push her away, and if my sister wasn’t so deeply in love with him, I doubt he could have gotten over his fear of letting someone in.
My sister’s always been stronger than both of us in that regard. Yes, she was scared too after all of our grief, but she figured her shit out a hell of a lot quicker than Gabriel or I did and have.
“Let’s go, Adrian,” Gabriel says, sliding out of the bed when Val grabs his arm and sits up a little, looking around to find me in the door frame.
“Adrian? Are you okay?” she asks, worry creasing her forehead.
“Yeah, all good, Val. Just need to talk to Gabriel for a bit,” I say, and she releases her fiancé immediately, nodding several times as she clearly processes my words.
“Okay, I’m here if you need me,” Val replies, readjusting herself until she’s facing me. Her eyes are still closed, but I know she’s awake enough for what I’m about to say.
“Can you go to my place and pick up Nevaeh later?” This makes her eyes pop open and even though she’s barely awake, she has enough energy to shoot me a disapproving look.
“You left her at your apartment all by herself?” When I don’t answer, merely tense up from her words, my sister scoffs. “I knew you were stupid when it comes to relationships, but I didn’t think you were that dumb. At least tell me she isn’t sleeping in your bed,” Val adds, sitting up and wiping a hand down her face.
Chase runs toward her now that she’s awake, and she pets his head as she waits for my answer.
“I left her a note,” I defend, but my sister looks at me with a combination of disbelief and shock.
“I know you’re new to this, but you don’t leave a woman you have feelings for, who asked to go to your apartment and you took into your bed in there by herself,” Val says as she stands up, stumbling around her room to pick up some clothes.
“How do you know she’s in my bed?” I ask, surprise making my heart beat a little faster.
“Because at dinner yesterday, you looked at Nevaeh like you finally get it. Like it all makes sense now, and she gave you the same look in return.” My sister grabs a towel before stepping in front of me with a sympathetic smile.
“I don’t know how not to be afraid of my feelings,” I admit, and my little sister nods like she understands because she does. She understands me better than anyone, except maybe Gabriel.
“Do you want to know why I let her in? Why I chose to make myself vulnerable, Adrian? It isn't just because I think she is one of the most incredible people I've ever met, which she is. But I let her in because the way you look at her like she's the very oxygen in a room is something I didn't want you to lose. I let her in so you'd see she's worth trusting, and she is.”
Val pauses to look at Gabriel, who sees something in her face that has him closing the distance between them.
“I know you’re not allowed to date her because of her job, but so what? All the best people are worth waiting for,” she goes on as Gabriel wraps his arms around her and presses a kiss to her temple.
“I told her last night I’d wait for her, however long it takes,” I mumble. Val beams up at me in response and Gabriel snickers to himself. I slap his shoulder to get him to stop, but he only bursts out laughing. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. You’re the fucking reason why I’m like this with all of your ‘Oh, I’m so good at expressing my feelings. I’m a fucking ray of sunshine for my fiancée because I remind her how much I love her every second of the day’ bullshit.” Gabriel cocks an unimpressed yet slightly amused brow while I rant.
“Alright, let’s go. We’re not playing cards today. We’re going for a run to help you get rid of all of your pent-up frustration,” Gabriel says, smacking me on the shoulder before kissing Val once and leaving his bedroom to go get ready.
My sister’s eyes meet mine.
