Chapter Thirty-Seven - He Doesn't Know How To Make Am Effort

Chapter Thirty-Seven - He Doesn't Know How To Make Am Effort
Peyton

“Are you still in a huff with me?” Gabe chuckles from across the table as we wait for our lunch. 

I lift my head, glaring at him. “Yes, I am. You had no right to pay for my things. I am not your girlfriend.” I whine. 

Everything I bought today that I needed, he tapped his damn card before I could have a chance, throwing his money around like it was nothing. He should know me better than that. Even when we were together, I never asked for a damn thing! I helped pay for things because I didn’t want to rely on him and his millions. His parents used to accuse me of being a gold digger, which was utter bullshit since I never took anything from him. Now, we aren’t even together, and he thinks it is okay to pay for everything! No, that isn’t how it works. That isn’t me. I always pay my own way, no matter what. 

“Would it make you feel better if I let you feel for lunch?” he asks. 

“A little. I am still annoyed at you, though.” I state firmly. 

Gabe fights back a laugh. “Yes, ma’am. It is all good, I know how to handle your little tantrums.” The laugh he is trying to hold back escapes from his lips. 

I flip him off and lift the menu to cover my face and roll my eyes. 

Gabe chuckles loudly. “Why are you looking at that? We already ordered.” 

I glance over the menu. “Because I want to.” 

He nods, laughing again and shaking his head before he takes a sip of his coffee. I am not one for tantrums, as Gabe likes to call them, but when I am already him, things are different. Apparently, if you act that way around someone, it is because you feel comfortable and safe with them. I hate that he brings that side out of me. 

Gabe reaches over and snatches the menu off me, setting it aside. “It is rude to hide when you are with company.” He says with a smirk. 

I swear he is purposely trying to get under my skin today. 

“And it is rude to spend money on someone who didn’t ask or want you to,” I reply smugly. 

Gabe rolls his eyes and goes to reply. I am sure he had some smart-ass comment to come back with, but before he can, my cell starts ringing. I take it from my bag, and Kaitlyn’s name is flashing on my screen. 

I answer it. “Hey.” 

“Hey, where are you?” she asks; the tone in her voice is off. 

“I am out for lunch with Gabe. Is everything okay?” 

She sighs loudly. “Max showed up here looking for you. I told him I hadn’t seen you, but I know you are safe, but I didn’t say anything more than that.” 

My body tenses. I hate that he is somewhere close by. Kaitlyn and Anthony’s apartment isn’t far from here. 

“What? Who the hell does he think he is? He can’t find me.” 

“Peyton, what happened? You are keeping something from us.” 

“He lifted his hand to me. He backhanded me on the face and knocked me to the floor and then ran off like the coward he is.” I whisper, trying not to get upset. 

I notice Gabe grip the table as I speak the work. Anger takes over his face once again. The one he got when he found out. He looks like he wants to kill him still. 

“If I knew that, I would have strangled the bastard with my bare hands while he was here and disposed of the body without anyone knowing. No one would miss the bastard.” She hisses. 

“I love how protective you all are, but Max isn’t worth it.” 

“No, he isn’t. Be careful, okay, because he is around somewhere. Are you coming back here?” She sighs. 

“I will be, I promise. No, I am going to stay with Gabe, but will come see you soon.” 

“Okay, that is fine, as long as you are safe.” 

We talk for another couple of minutes before saying our goodbyes and hanging up. 

“Can we take lunch to go, please? I don’t want to run into Max, not because I am scared he will hurt me again, but because I don’t want you to end up getting arrested defending my honour. Plus, I don’t want to see him or want any drama.” 

Yes, it is a big city, but knowing my luck, I will end up running into him. Gabe sighs and nods. He grabs the attention of a staff member, informing them of the change, and I pay the bill before Gabe has a chance. 

Why did Max have to ruin my day? Our food arrives, and we hurry out, heading to Gabe’s car. We drove because we couldn’t be bothered walking or using public transport. Gabe makes sure I am safely in the car first before he climbs in starting it. 

I take in my surroundings, keeping my eyes open for Max, and I spot him. He is across the road. Shit! He can’t see me. Gabe can’t see him. He wouldn’t think twice about running him down in the car. I put my head down, pretending to do something on my cell. I didn’t want to be obvious. If Gabe noticed a change in my behaviour, he would know something was off and would look around, spotting him. 

I keep an eye on Max’s movement until Gabe draws out of the space and drives off in the opposite direction from Max, thankfully. I relax once we are at a decent distance. Gabe doesn’t need to know; even if we are away from him, he will still end up going out to search for him. He'd better not stick around too long. I don’t want to see him ever again! He is a cheek to even show up looking for me after what he did. In what world does he think I would forgive him for it? Max had no idea where Gabe lives, so I don’t need to worry about him showing up there. 

Sighing, I sit up straight and stare out of the window. Gabe places his hand on my knee, not saying a word. He rests it there, and it is enough to bring me some comfort, which he knows. I smile to myself. I am staying locked away in Gabe’s apartment for the next few days to make sure Max is gone! He will give up eventually because he doesn’t know how to make an effort. He will get bored with trying to win me back soon enough and move on. I’ll be waiting eagerly until that time arrives.