The Road Home Page 8

  “Does it feel good to be here?”

  I bite my lip, thinking over the answer to his question. “I guess. I’ve missed my dad and Amelia terribly. I hadn’t realised how much until I saw them again. It’s nice being back in this room with the memories but I feel like I don’t know that person any more. It’s like they are someone else’s memories and I’m just watching their old home movies or something.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” And I believed he did. We sat in a comfortable silence for a moment longer until another yawn escaped. Gabe followed immediately after. “Well, goodnight, Em.” Before he climbs off the bed to leave, he plants a kiss on my forehead.

  “Night, Gabe.”

  ~ CHAPTER nine ~

  I spend an hour tossing and turning before finally giving up trying to fall asleep, my mind and body were both exhausted but I feel restless and unable to relax with thoughts of Gabe half naked only a few metres down the hall plaguing my mind. A vision of him has my pulse racing and before I have time to reconsider I climb from my bed and pad quietly down the hall.

  Without risking waking him up with knocking I guide the door open just wide enough to see in. The naked flesh of his strong back is illuminated by the light from the hall. His skin looks flawless and suddenly I’m desperate to feel the warmth of it.

  “Gabe?”

  “Emmy? What are you doing?” His voice is thick with sleep, I had disturbed him.

  “I can’t sleep, can I get in with you?”

  Without answering he shuffles over further to make room for me. The bed was warm from where his body had heated it. I lay still, staring at the ceiling, hyper aware of his being next to me.

  The weight of his arm flops across my waist before he pulls me closer into him. I can easily feel every inch of muscle that moves through my thin nightgown, tucking his hand under me between my side and the mattress, Gabe nuzzles my hair. “You smell sweet like apples.”

  Relaxing, I close my eyes and fall into peaceful sleep.

  “How about this one?” Gabe and I had woken this morning, fixed ourselves a pot of coffee and had breakfast in preparation for our shopping expedition. Holding out a cornflower blue one at him I jiggle the coat hanger. I was enjoying the whole process more than I hoped he knew. Each time he opened the change room door to model the new shirt I got to take a few minutes to appreciate his physical form but my favourite part was when I brought him a new shirt to try. The door would open and Gabe would be standing bare-chested waiting for the next garment. I made sure only to find one shirt at each search; otherwise, I would be missing the best part of the show.

  “Em, can’t I just pick one I have already tried on?”

  “This one will match my dress.”

  He gives in with a sigh, taking the shirt from my hand.

  “Well?” I hear the lock of the door twist before it springs wide.

  Flipping his sunglasses down to the bridge of his nose he strikes a pose. The colour was perfect on him with the fabric hugging and molding his body as if it were tailored just for him. I couldn’t help but stare.

  “Does it look that bad?” Pushing the sunglasses back to the top of his head only reinforced how the shirt was perfection, his eyes sparkled a dreamy colour of blue.

  Just as I was trying to find the words the salesgirl walks past, falters and steps back to admire the view. “You have to buy that shirt. It looks, wow! I’m not even just saying that like I usually do, this time I really mean it.”

  Gabe grins, happy with her reaction. “Right, well then, we have a winner.” He closes the door to get changed again.

  “I hope you don’t mind my saying, your boyfriend is gorgeous.” If I didn’t find it so funny I may have found her comment a little confronting.

  “Hear that, Honey?” Checking out the girl’s name tag, “Dayle thinks you’re gorgeous.”

  The door swings open again, Gabe had removed the shirt and was standing there topless. I swear Dayle’s bottom jaw just about hit the floor. “What was that, baby?” Flashing his stunningly unadulterated panty dropper smile, he acts as if he hadn’t heard me.

  “I was just saying Dayle here, was telling me how gorgeous my boyfriend is.”

  Laughing, Gabe pulls his t-shirt over his head, covering up the flawless flesh below. “Isn’t she sweet? Aren’t you sweet?” He addresses first me then Dayle in turn.

  After an argument with Gabe, I ended up purchasing two shirts. Even though the price was more than I had ever paid for any shirt in the past I would have paid twice as much just to see Gabe wearing the blue one again.

  “What’s next?” He asked me as we left the store.

  “I have to go back to the bridal shop for my dress, then maybe we can grab some lunch?”

  “Sounds good. Do I get to see you in this dress? It’s only fair I would’ve thought.”

  Rolling my eyes at him, I hesitantly agree.

  “This is not what I had expected.” I got the feeling Gabe was overwhelmed by the boutique. I was shimmying into my dress as he sat in the armchair outside the fitting room suite. The staff had offered him a drink whilst he was waiting.

  “What were you expecting?”

  “Well this place has beverages, I was not expecting that. And this chair. It’s so awesome I feel like I could take a nap.”

  Pulling the curtain back I spin away from him, still being able to see his reaction in the mirror of the changing cubicle. “Can you fasten the button?” The halter-styled dress was made of silk, with a plunging back line. The fabric caressed my body in a way that made me feel sexy.

  In the reflection I see Gabe’s adam’s apple slide up and down his throat as he reaches shaking fingers toward the bottom of my hairline at the back.

  “Does it look that bad?” I mimic what Gabe had said to me earlier.

  “You look fucking amazing Emerson.” He runs his palms over his thighs after securing the button. “Like, fucking wow.”

  “Really?” I suddenly had the overwhelming urge to blush.

  “Yes, really. I feel bad for the bride.”

  Gabe carries my garment bag back to the car, hanging it after tossing in his own bag holding his shirts.

  “Lunch?”

  “Yes.”

  Gabe laces his fingers with mine, it felt right and natural walking like this with him. I knew I was growing attached to him and I knew how dangerous that was, he would be gone in a few days and it will all become a bittersweet memory. Silently, I promise myself to enjoy the now and not dwell on Gabe leaving.

  “Hey, what’s with the face?” Gabe squeezes my hand, bringing my eyes to meet his as if he had just been reading my thoughts.

  “I was just thinking that in a couple of days we’ll be saying goodbye.”

  “Em, right now I’m here and you’re here and that’s all that counts.” Lifting my hand to his lips he plants a kiss to my knuckles. “I’m in the mood for sushi.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I do my best to brighten and appreciate the moment of now rather than worry what will happen in the days after my sister’s wedding.

  ~ CHAPTER ten ~

  I’ve never understood the reason for having a rehearsal dinner, it isn’t that complicated I wouldn’t have thought, having dinner. Most people do it every day. I knew the reason my mother wanted to have one, she wanted to show off to the family how far she had come and to her friends who liked to gossip. I had learnt long ago it was all about status with her, so why should this dinner be any different.

  Thankfully, Gabe and I had snared seats on the same table with Amelia and her fiancée, the table was rounded out by two of our cousins and the other two bridesmaids.

  I had been nervous that we would’ve been stuck on a table with Mark, instead, he sat with Kellie Timmins at the same table as our parents. Occasionally, I could feel his eyes on me and then the evil looks being cast by Kellie.

  The clinking of metal on glass brings everyone’s attention from their chatter directly to where my mother was standing in
the middle of the room, to say she relished at being the centre of attention is grossly understated.

  “Can I have your attention, for just a moment,” She pauses dramatically until the entire room is in a hush. Amelia and I roll our eyes at each other before silently giggling. “We wanted to thank everyone for coming to share our Amelia’s special time, of course, we thought it would have been Emerson getting married first but here we are. Luckily our deposits were transferrable.”

  From across the table, Amelia lets out a horrified gasp while my skin burns red. A sudden crashing off a chair to the floor diverts all eyes from my mother to our table and more specifically to Gabe. He was standing unceremoniously with his glass of wine raised.

  “To Amelia and the lucky bastard getting to marry her.”

  A chorus of “to Amelia and Stuart” circled the room, Gabe would have been murdered in a room full of people by my mother if looks could kill. I watch her as she relaxed her face and forces a smile before taking her seat next to my father.

  Shortly after the disaster of my mother’s speech, the food begins to be delivered to the tables. The courses had been handpicked by mother without consideration of the guests who were to be eating them. The entrée has been a choice between pork and a beef dish, I was disappointed for Gabe. He had assured me it was fine but it just reminded me of how self-centered my mother could be.

  “Gabe, I’m sure we could get you something else if I just asked.” I whisper to him as the plate is placed in front of him.

  “Thanks, Em. I appreciate the thought but really it is fine.”

  I pray she had been a little more considerate of the main course.

  “So Gabe, how did you meet my big sister?” Amelia asks followed by a kind smile, whilst resting her entrée fork against the edge of her plate.

  Gabe fills the table in on how he and I met, I add details to his story about my car and our trip to the museum and Gabe’s thoughtful gestures along the way. We both leave out sharing the more intimate details between us but I can tell he’s thinking about them just the same as I was. My cheeks flush as I remember.

  “Wow, you actually caught waves at Bells Beach?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “And survived.” I added.

  His grin was electric; sparks were flying between us as we sat at the table looking at each other.

  Amelia clearing her throat reminds me we are sitting in a room with over a hundred other people.

  “What is next for you, Gabe?”

  “I’m thinking of heading west to see my dad. It’s been a long time since we spoke and it might be nice to reconnect.”

  “You are?” Gabe hadn’t mentioned this to me before when I had asked him.

  “Yeah, I’ve just recently considered it, being here has made me realise how much I may have missed out on by not having much of a relationship with him.”

  I planted a smile on my face but it was all for show, I should probably thank my mother for teaching me the art. Gabe had gone from wanting to take the next few days as the now to planning what he was doing once he’d left me behind. I couldn’t help the heartache that was taking over at listening to him. I knew he was going to move on eventually but I hadn’t expected it to hurt as much. My appetite was lost, I couldn’t fit another bite in when there was so much dread already filling my stomach at the thought of our goodbye.

  “That’s great, Gabe. I’m glad you’re going to see your dad.” Taking his hand I squeezed it, I hadn’t missed the look of concern that flashed across his face, sadly, it was a relief to see it. He was beginning to know and understand me more than I had realised.

  After the tables are cleared the speeches begin again, our dad stands, pausing whilst the room is hushed and silenced.

  “Hi everyone, as Catherine has said, we really appreciate everyone who has come from all over the country and some other parts of the world,” he charges his glass at where my Uncle and Aunty sit at another table, “to celebrate our baby girl’s marriage and we want to welcome Stuart officially into our family. We aren’t losing a daughter tomorrow but we’re gaining a son. We couldn’t be more proud of you both and we love you very much. Here is to a lifetime of happiness and may the challenges you face be together, the good times and love be only at the hand of the other and the bad times make you stronger.”

  Everyone follows dad’s lead and charges their glasses “To happiness.” Amelia looks to have tears pooling in her eyes, Stuart pulls her in close to him and they laugh together as he kisses her forehead. The sight soothed my aching heart. Amelia was happy and in love and I was over the moon for her.

  The car ride home was in silence, which had become the new norm when travelling with my mother. I was almost certain she was still fuming about Gabe’s interruption but she would never voice this out loud, not while he was a guest in her house, unwanted or not, instead she will just vent to me about how disappointed in me she was and how rude he was after he’d left. Through the darkness Gabe reaches for my hand, the warmth of it against the cool leather of the seat is a stark reminder of what will be missing in a few days. A single tear rolls silently down my cheek cloaked in the blackness of the night as I continue to watch the world whiz by outside the car.

  Upstairs Gabe helps me by unzipping the back of my dress.

  “Em, are you okay?”

  Another fake smile is stretched across my lips before I turn to face him. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You’ve been quiet for most of the night. I was worried something was wrong. I thought maybe I’d upset you in some way.”

  “No, Gabe. You’re fine. I guess maybe I’m just tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure. Goodnight, Emmy.”

  Gabe walks past me and is almost to the door when I find my voice.

  “Gabe?” His hand drops to his side before he spins around.

  “Yeah?”

  “Will you stay with me tonight? I tend to sleep better when you’re there.”

  Gabe’s smile is shy and not one I had seen before now.

  “Sure. I’d like that.”

  Without any further inhibitions, I let my dress fall to the floor while Gabe stands in front of me. The desire in his eyes and his sharp intake of breath is the only encouragement I need to approach him wearing only the black lace panties I had specifically picked out earlier in the night.

  “I didn’t think you could be any more stunning than you had already been in that dress, Emmy. But I was wrong. You are fucking gorgeous.”

  Sliding my hands up his arms and over his shoulders, they made their descent over his chest, button by button until his glorious naked chest and stomach were revealed for my touch. Not another word was spoken as we continued to undress each other. Words were not needed when our eyes and touches said enough. Gabe peppered a series of kisses from my shoulder along to the nape of my neck and to my earlobe; the touch of his lips set my whole body on fire whilst my skin broke out in goose bumps.

  “Make love to me, Gabe. Please.” I begged him, with the fear of embarrassment at my demand.

  “Emerson,” He says my name as if it is carried on the wind before his mouth was crashing into mine, consuming me completely until the Universe is only this moment and nothing more.

  Banging on my bedroom door in the morning startled us both awake. In a scurry we did our best to cover our still naked bodies.

  Thinking the door opening was only going to reveal Maria, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Standing in the doorway was my mother. If she had been shocked to see Gabe in my bed she didn’t show it, to her credit. Her stony-faced mask not slipping once.

  “Emerson, you need to get up, we have breakfast waiting for us at the beauty parlor.” Not once did she acknowledge Gabe, she barely made eye contact with me before spinning on her heels and closing the door behind her.

  “Hi.” Gabe rolls onto his side to face me.

  “Hi.” Resting my hand on his cheek his stubble tickles against my h
and. “I really like this.”

  “My attempt at facial hair?”

  “No, well yes, but your face.” The stubble on his chin is wiry and scratches softly as he turns his face to kiss my palm. “I’d better go get ready before Satan herself comes back for me.” Taking my face in his hands, Gabe kisses my lips in the sweetest of all kisses.

  “Yeah, okay. I have to go finish my article to send in today anyway. I’ll see you later?”

  “Count on it.”

  Our mother was complaining there was no salmon included as part of the breakfast buffet she’d had catered, she’d reminded us several times that she’d paid enough and it should have included salmon.

  Whilst she was worrying over fish I was concerned my sister was turning into a giant bundle of nerves.

  “Mils, you doing okay over there?’

  She smiles nervously at our reflection in the mirror. “I just can’t believe it is finally my wedding day. I’m so happy you are home to share it with me, Em.”

  “Are you kidding me? There is nowhere else I would be.”

  For a time the stylists work on our hair. Amelia glows as she talks to the stylist about the plans she has for today, positively lighting up when she talks about Stuart, retelling the story of how they had met as a setup on a blind date with two of their friends. She couldn’t believe her luck at meeting someone that made her feel so comfortable and supported, beyond just loved.

  “I want this for you too, Em.” She turns to me, a tear glistening on her bottom lash. Reaching into my lap she squeezes my hand.

  “Hmm, sorry, what was that?” My thoughts had become preoccupied with Gabe as Amelia recollected her story.

  “I want you to find someone who will worship you. Someone who gets you,” Her voice lowers as she leans into me, “I knew that wasn’t going to be that dickhead Mark and I’m so glad you could see him for what he was.” She checks the reflection to make sure our mother hasn’t heard her before straightening in her chair. “Who knows, maybe Gabe is your Stuart.”