Imagine
Amputate - Bella Stine
Adea
After taking at least a dozen deep breaths, I pushed my door open and walked toward the kitchen. Gabe had his back turned to me. He wore black slacks and a fitted black polo. It showed off his arms and highlighted his body. He was making us a fresh batch of coffee, and I groaned as the aroma hit me. Nothing topped the smell of freshly ground beans. Hopping on the first stool, I leaned over and grabbed the first croissant I could reach.
“Good morning. You were up early,” I said.
“More like I was up late,” Gabe chuckled.
He turned, made his way around the counter, and handed me a cup of coffee. It was frothy. I took a small sip and sighed. Perfection. Gabe made the best coffee. He was busy grabbing his croissants when I put my cup down.
“Are you saying you didn’t go to sleep? At all?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying, Ady,” Gabe hummed.
“When did you get in?” I asked.
“When I told you I got croissants,” he said.
Looking at Gabe, we locked eyes and my heart warmed seeing the ease there. Leo was making him happy, and that made me happy. His eyes shined, his face was free of stress lines. My best friend was glowing, and that eased the heartache. Concern laced his features. He reached out and poked my swollen eyes.
“Oh, you know. Just life,” I joked.
“Who do I have to beat up?” he asked.
“You don’t need to deal with my shit. I can handle it,” I said.
“I know you can. You are a force to be reckoned with. You’re that bitch,” he said firmly. I laughed because it was like he was trying to convince me. And maybe that’s what I needed. “Seriously though. What happened?”
“Men trouble,” I sighed.
“I could smell that,” he teased.
“Mm,” I hummed.
“Men are the worst,” he grunted.
“Cheers to that,” I said as I picked up my coffee.
“Anything I can do?” he asked.
“No,” I said sadly.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked.
“Yes, but not beyond repair,” I whispered.
“If you need me, I’m here. I’m always here,” Gabe said.
“What would I do without you?” I sighed exasperatedly.
“You’d live a miserable existence. We’re basically mates,” he said.
“Gabe!” I fake gasped.
“The twist!” He said as he swiped his hair away from his face.
“Could you imagine?” I asked, my jaw dropping.
“Imagine!” he asked with mock shock.
“A terrible curse was placed on us and we were separated for lifetimes,” I added on. His lips parted and a look I couldn’t describe disappeared as soon as it flashed, replaced with a smile. “We’ve been so close yet so far away.”
“You know… I almost believed you there for a second,” he teased.
“I don’t really go for blonds, but…” I trailed off.
The smile on his face disappeared, and he turned his whole body to face me. Leaning in, he placed a hand on the counter. I swallowed as his head dipped. We’ve spent countless nights together, shared a bed, lived together. My eyebrows furrowed. Not once has Gabe ever joked like this.
“You know what they say,” he whispered. His lips brushed against my cheek. I would have squealed if I wasn’t trying not to laugh. A smile spread across my face and I leaned close until my chest touched his.
“What?” I whispered back.
“Once you go blonde… you never go back,” he murmured seductively.
We both threw our heads back and laughed. I wrapped my arms around his neck and, and he smiled sheepishly at me.
“Wasn’t able to deceive you?” he asked as he pushed a strand behind my ear.
“If you didn’t love dick so much, you might have been able to,” I teased.
“Mm.. but I love both,” he said.
“Oh, I know, but dick?” I asked.
“Dick,” he sighed.
“See?” I asked.
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. I’m not delectable enough for you,” he mocked.
“Please. You are sex personified, but you don’t need anyone else inflating your ego,” I said. Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, the door opened, and we both froze.
“What the hell is going on?” a voice asked from behind me.
The two of us turn around to find a very confused-looking Leo. He’s standing in the doorway. He’s wearing shorts and a loose shirt that does little to hide the muscles beneath. His eyes dart back and forth between my arms around Gabe to his arm on the counter. A devious smile pulls at the corner of Gabe’s lip and I know without any doubt, he’s about to open his mouth and make this ten times worse. I opened my mouth to warn him, but it was too late.
“Are you upset because you weren’t enough?” Gabe teased. My jaw dropped.
“Gabe!” I gasped. Looking behind me, hurt flashed across Leo’s face, and then the muscle in his jaw ticked.
“You rode me all night,” Leo said quietly. I thought my mouth couldn’t open anymore. I was wrong.
“Are you upset because you weren’t enough, or are you upset because you weren’t invited to join?” Gabe murmured. I removed my hands from Gabe’s shoulders and slapped him in the chest.
“Don’t leave him like this. Tell him the truth,” I said.
“Truth?” Leo asked.
“No, not like that. We were joking,” I said.
“Joking?” Leo murmured.
“Yes, Gabe’s being an alphahole right now,” I said. I glared at my best friend and a smile broke out across his face.
“My bestie’s right. There’s nothing going on between us. Never has been. Never will be,” he said.
“You guys were just playing around?” Leo asked.
“Yes,” Gabe and I said in unison.
“As I just said to Gabby. He loves dick too much,” I said honestly.
“So much,” Gabe laughed.
“Don’t play with him,” I whispered. There was a knowing look on his face, and then he nodded.
“Come in babe. I got chocolate croissants,” Gabe teased. Leo’s sadness disappeared, and a smile broke out across his features.
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