Chapter 14: Hot and Heavy
Tyler's lips were soft against mine as I molded myself to him. He grasped my hair in one hand, tugging as he devoured me. He was a fantastic kisser. He grabbed me, and I cried out as he picked me up. I automatically wrapped my legs around his waist as he continued to kiss me. I fumbled with his shirt buttons for a moment before it finally broke free, and he watched me. His grey hooded eyes focused on me as he rested his head against mine. With a renewed sense of urgency, we tore at each other's clothes until suddenly, the door sprung open. All the boys stood. All of them had their own reactions, and then I met the ice stare of Gage. I'd fucked it up this time.
***
"Seriously, I leave you for five minutes, and you're like fucking animals", snapped Gage, pacing my living room. Tyler stood shirtless, watching Gage with a look I couldn't quite gauge.
"It's my life, Gage!" I shouted loudly. I watched fear flick onto all the boy's faces. Suddenly, Gage darted forward, his hand wrapping around my throat in a bruising grip. I whimpered, trying to break free from his powerful hold.
"Excuse us, boys, while I go and explain Melvore's rules to the princess?" he sneered, dragging me off into the bedroom. Slamming the door shut, he watched me intensely.
"What was that about?" he asked softly.
Gage was almost being ... nice.
"Nothing, really. Me and Tyler just have a spark, Gage", I managed seriously. Gage nodded at me, still staring into my eyes, reaching for all the secrets of my soul.
"I love you", he blurted, watching my reaction. I couldn't do this, not right now anyway. I froze unable to speak I couldn't say anything to him right now. I looked up to him with wild eyes begging for him to understand. He never said a word just watched me. Then it was like a realization hit him and he jumped back anxiously like I'd burned him.
"No," he said with a knowing look, "I understand. You want someone else. You've chosen someone else."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I pleaded, "I've chosen you," hoping to draw him back into the conversation, but he remained unmoved.
"Wait!" I cried out as he rushed out the door.
"Why so you can insult me further?" he hissed as I approached the kitchen.
"Please," I said, grabbing his t-shirt. He pried my hands away and glanced at the boys.
"Story doesn't need any of us anymore. We are leaving", he shouted and stormed out.
"Please", I called after the boys sadly. None of them answered, and Haze closed the door very quietly. Panic wriggled through my stomach. Had I just lost the best thing that would ever happen to me?
***
The next morning, I woke up and lay in bed staring out the window wordlessly. I had maths in a few hours, and the thought made nausea swim through me. I heard the front door slam shut, and I sat up quickly. "Just me, princess", called Quinn as she entered my bedroom.
"What are you doing here ?" I asked, confused.
"Gage drank himself silly and got in the ring. I thought it had something to do with you", she managed seriously.
"We had an argument. All he wants to do is control me", I exclaimed, getting out of bed, annoyed.
"I get that, my cousin has been brought up with a bunch of control freaks, but you don't know the whole story", she managed, sitting on the edge of the bed. She sipped her coffee.
"Gage's mom, my aunt, died a few years ago in a terrible car crash, completely unexpected. Gage used to be kind and sweet, but after that, he became controlling, stressed and anxious. He thinks he's unlovable", she murmured. My heart squeezed at the thought. Gage was hurt that badly and turned to no one; he was just lost in an endless sea of tears and pain. "I need to apologize", I stated, getting dressed quickly.
"Maybe, but don't cut him slack or tell him I came around here and spoke to you about all this", she managed, pointing at me.
"Scout's honor", I smiled, putting up my fingers.
"You're not a scout", she laughed. I laughed with her for once, feeling okay.
***
Walking arm and arm with Quinn, we gossiped, and she caught me up on the Fight Club meeting. Ryder hadn't said who I was going to fight. I bet that didn't help Gage's temper. Heading up the stairs, all the boys stood, speaking in low murmurs.
"Hey, dickheads why the solemn faces? Has someone died?" Quinn called with a smirk. Her blue eyes shined with mischief. Gage studied her darkly, and all the boys turned to look at us. They weren't laughing or joking. Not even Izack. He seemed somewhat annoyed.
"Look, Gage, I'm really sorry", I managed, walking closer to him. He nodded. A cut just above his eye.
"Princess, right now, we have more shit to deal with than the love hexagon between us all," said Izack seriously.
"What's happened ?" I quizzed curiously. Gage watched me cautiously, like telling me would cause a whole load of problems.
"Gabriella is in hospital. She was beaten badly. The baby is in NICU, but we don't know what's going to happen, especially to Gabriella", stated Gage. Haze stared down at the floor quietly.
"Who did it ?" I whispered quietly. Gage reached into his pocket and pulled out a red piece of card. The blood in my veins turned to ice, and I gulped hard. He handed it to me.
'I'm back, princess, you defied me. Now you pay for it,' it read. Defied him how ?.
"What have I done ?" I cried. Izack walked towards me, wrapping me up tightly in his arms.
"You joined fight club" stated, Haze quietly. What had I done?