THE REJECTION

Chapter 8

I'm so tired as we trudge into the hotel a few hours later.

We went jet skiing and skydiving, and I still jerk every time I relive the experience. I'm very scared of heights, but Brent was a total gentleman. He coaxed me into it, and he made me feel comfortable enough not to freak out.

I step into the shower while he orders room service and by the time I get out, there's an assortment of foods on the dining table.

The dining area is a small space containing a round, wooden table and two chairs. They're all made from hardwood, and I briefly wonder why anyone feels the need to use such expensive furniture.

I had the pleasure of growing up in a well to do family, but I kept asking myself the same question whenever my parents bought expensive stuff. I just don't get it.

"Anything you like?"

I lift my eyes to look at Brent who is watching me.

"The food is great."

"Your facial expression says otherwise."

"Oh, no. I was thinking of something stupid."

"I want to hear it."

I chuckle.

"No chance."

He stays quiet for another minute before he turns back to me.

"I'm going to meet a friend. I'll be back before nightfall."

"You're going to meet a friend on our honeymoon?"

"She's in town and I haven't seen her in a while."

"She? A woman?"

"Cami, relax. You have nothing to worry about. You can come with me if you want."

If I go with him, I'll just succeed in looking like a jealous control freak so I shake my head.

"I'll wait for you here."

"You can watch a movie or-"

I cut him off.

"Brent?"

"Mh?"

"I'll be fine."

"Good."

*

I'm lying in bed as I watch him get ready to leave. He chooses a pair of rugged jeans and a white T-shirt, and he takes his time wearing perfume and brushing his hair before he leaves. He promises to be back in a couple of hours then he exits.

I keep lying in bed and feeling stupid. I had this silly notion that Brent will somehow develop feelings for me as time goes on but right now, I'm not so sure anymore.

He just left me in a hotel room while he went to meet a female friend who he hasn't seen in a while.

On our honeymoon.

I close my eyes with a sigh.

I'm a stupid b***h, I'm a stupid b***h.

I fish my phone out of my bag and I call Clay. He answers a few rings later, and he's all chatty and in high spirits. Apparently, he has a blind date tonight, and he's looking forward to it.

I'm happy for him. At least one of us is having a good day.

I run a comb through my hair before I walk out of the room. I'll just go to the bar downstairs and pass time there. The bartender is friendly, and I do need some company right now.

The moment I walk into the bar, however, I'm instantly mortified when I find Gabriel seated at the counter with a beer in hand. He's absently peeling the branded paper from the bottle, and he just appears to be so out of it.

Something must be terribly wrong.

I walk in and when I tap him on the shoulder, he turns slowly to look at me.

He sighs when our eyes meet.

"I'm in a bad mood, Cami."

"Great! Then that makes two of us. Can I join the party?"

"Sure." He pulls a seat for me and I lower myself beside him.

"You looked happier this morning."

"I was faking it."

I glance at him when he focuses on the tearing the paper yet again.

"Are you okay? You look like you want the whole world to disappear."

He shakes his head.

"Not the whole world. You can stay. Cassie too."

"You still care about her?"

"The same way you still care about Brent, who obviously couldn't care less. Where is he anyway?"

"You came back." The bartender beams at me. "You know I'm beginning to think that you two make a beautiful couple."

I start to roll my eyes but Gabriel answers first.

"We are not a couple. She's married, and she wants a drink."

He nods obediently.

"What should I get you, Cami?"

"I'll have a glass of wine."

Gabriel, who is trying to ignore me without much success, raises an eyebrow at me.

"Well, that's a definite downgrade from last night."

"I'm not trying to get drunk. I just want to pass time."

"Where is hubby dearest?" He asks again.

"Out."

"Without his new bride?"

"Yeah."

He c***s an eyebrow.

"Is everything okay?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"He's out with his w****s, isn't he?"

I glare at him, and thankfully, he purses his lips. The bartender places a glass of red wine on the counter before me.

"Anything else?"

I force a smile.

"No, that would be all. Thanks."

"No problem."

"Do you ever take a break? You were working last night."

"My shift runs from midday to midnight."

I focus on the glass as he walks away to serve other customers. I take a small sip, and I turn to look at Gabriel when I feel his eyes on me.

"You have something to say to me?"

"I'm just wondering why you're still here in this hotel. You told me that you like Brent, but he obviously doesn't feel the same way."

I keep staring at him, so he continues.

"Cami, you deserve a man who is crazy about you, and that man ain't Brent."

"Are you that man by any chance?" I ask mockingly, and he smiles.

"No. One heartbreak was enough to teach me a lesson. I'm not trying to date you. I'm just asking you to open your eyes and stop thinking with your heart."

"Good. Can we change the topic? I don't want to discuss my husband with you."

"Fine. We can talk about something else."

"Like?"

"What did you do back home? For a living, I mean."

"I mostly minded my own business. You should, too. It's easier when you keep your nose in your face, not in other people's marriages."

"Cami, I'm not the bad guy here."

"I'm having a hard time believing that. So you and Brent are supposed to be sort of enemies, and you somehow got married on the same day and chose the same honeymoon destination and the same hotel? Are you stalking him?"

He laughs.

"I know you'll find it hard to believe this, but I'm a busy man. Brent is no one of importance so stalking him would be meaningless to me."

"I don't believe you."

"You can believe whatever you want."

I shake my head before I sip the wine. It's dry and crisp, just to die for. I absently twirl the glass between my fingers as I think, and the swirl of the wine fascinates me.

"Wait, Gabriel?"

"Yeah?"

"So we come from the same city then?"

"Yeah. I live an hour away from Brent's family. Why are you asking? You wanna visit sometime?"

"No, I'm just curious."

"We might be running into each other at times if that's what you're worried about. You'll get to see me again, so don't look so sad."

I scoff.

"You're so humble, Gabriel."

"I know. My name betrays me."

"Why do you look so lost anyway? If I didn't know better, I'd think that you're about to cry."

His lips lift in a small smirk.

"The last time I cried, I was nineteen. That was ten years ago."

"Really? Why did you cry?"

"My brother shot himself right through the eyes." He taps the wooden counter with his knuckles as he holds my gaze. "I'm the one who found him hours later, cold and long dead in his bedroom. I'm the one who read his suicide note."

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. It's been ten years." He hesitates before he sighs. "Today would be his twenty seventh birthday. He would probably be happy, married, successful. He wanted to become a scientist. He had one of those smart brains, borderline genius. He was a nerd; a very shy nerd. People couldn't believe that we were blood brothers because we were exact opposites."

I place my hand on his.

"I'm so sorry."

He glances at our hands before he raises his eyes back to my face.

"I'm sure you are."

"Do you want to be alone?"

"No. I wanted to be alone, but you showed up, and now I don't want to be alone anymore."

"Do you want to talk about something, anything?"

"You do the talking. I'll listen."

"I have a little brother. I actually have three little brothers but I'm talking about a specific one. Noah."

He cuts me off.

"You have three brothers? How do you stay sane?"

"I have no idea, but I would do anything for them."

"Like getting married to a total snob to afford their education?"

"Among other things."

"So, Noah?"

"He tried to kill himself once, about two years ago. He took a lot of sleeping pills. I found him, just like you found your brother, and I read his suicide note too. I can't remember a moment in my life when I felt that scared. I could barely breath."

I lift my eyes to Gabriel's when he turns in his seat fully to look at me.

"I couldn't carry him to the car because, well, he's strong, so I called an ambulance and my best friend. By the time we got to the hospital, he was almost gone. I cried so hard for days, even after he got better. I don't think I'll ever be totally over it."

Gabriel flips my hand which is resting on his, and he holds it, lacing our fingers together.

I don't pull back.

"What was wrong?" He asks gently. "What was in his suicide note?"

"He was being bullied at school. What was in your brother's note?"

"He was being bullied at school."

"Noah wouldn't tell me the kids who were bullying him. I would have taken action. Did you brother mention his bullies?"

He nods.

"He did."

"What did you do about it?"

"Nothing. I should go."

"Where are you going?"

"I'll just drive to town and walk around."

"Gabriel, are you really okay?"

"Every year on Andy's birthday, I buy a cake, and I celebrate his birthday. I told you that I'm a sentimental fool, and I usually have a hard time letting the people that I care about go. If you want to judge, you can do that. I don't care. And, I need my hand back."

I shake my head as I pull my hand from his.

"I'm not judging you for trying to hold your brother close. Can I come with you?"

"What?"

"To town. To get the cake. I'm idle, and maybe you can have someone to talk if I'm not a bore."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

He shrugs.

"Fine. Come on."

I quickly text Brent, telling him that I'm stepping out, and when Gabriel offers me his hand, I take it without a fuss.