Stone Cold {bxb}

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

"What about me? How I don't belong on this team? How you don't trust in me anymore?"

"Not even close," Vincent spoke, making his way to Gabriel. "I do trust in you, Gabe. I know that you belong on this team. I was just like you when I first joined S-Tech. I lost every test. It took me six years to win another title. They could have kicked me off the team, but they saw something in me. And I see it in you too."

Vincent had backed Gabriel up against the wall and only two steps separated them from their bodies touching. But Vincent took those steps and closed the space between them to whisper in Gabriel's ear.

"You're not going anywhere, Amore," he whispered. "I can promise you that."

Gabriel stared off in space with shock running through his mind but once he saw Vincent move his head back, they locked eyes immediately. Gabriel shifted his eyes back and forth between Vincent's wanting to say everything that was on his mind but didn't know how to put them into words. But finally, Vincent stepped back and walked around the bed so he could grab his bag.

"Hurry up and finish packing. I don't want to be late."

Gabriel watched as Vincent made his way to the door eventually leaving the room without another word or look towards the four eyed male.

~~~

When they arrived at the resort it was 6:23 am. They got off the bus and surrounded Keiway and Caesar. Keiway was talking about something that was probably important, but Gabriel was too busy letting his nerves get the best of him. But eventually Vincent looked over at him and noticed that he was nervous so when he got a hold of Gabriel's wrist the male quickly looked at him.

"Listen closely for your names and your room numbers," Keiway spoke loudly.

He began calling out the names, but Gabriel and Vincent never stopped looking at one another. Gabriel eventually looked down at his wrist that Vincent was holding and he watched as Vincent slowly started to let go.

"Vincent," Keiway called out and both Gabriel and Vincent looked at their coach. "Leo. Nico. Sergio. Gabriel. Room 222."

"No way we're-"

"Yeah," Vincent spoke, interrupting Gabriel. "We're sharing a room."

Once the five boys got to their room, Nico and Sergio had called one of the bedrooms that had two queen beds, Vincent and Gabriel chose the other room with two queen beds, leaving Leo alone to sleep on the couch.

"You can crash on the other bed anytime you want Leo," Nico offered in a whisper that was loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Nico made his way to the bedroom with Sergio following close behind him and he closed the door. Gabriel and Vincent's door was closed to a crack while the two of them laid on separate beds. Vincent was on his iPad most likely scrolling through skaters' routines or Gabriel's routines. Whatever he was doing Gabriel didn't feel like asking so he made his way to the bathroom so he could take a shower to wake up.

He opened the bathroom door and when he turned on the light it revealed a double vanity, a shower that was big enough for two people, and the toilet was right in between the two. Gabriel began to close the door behind him with his foot, but he couldn't help but catch Vincent looking at him through the mirror.

The sound of skates cutting the ice filled Gabriel's ears once he and all the S-Tech members got to the ice rink they were practicing in. There were only three other skaters on the ice, but they were getting ready to leave. Gabriel, Leo, Nico and the other guys on the team sat on the bench so they could put their skates on.

"We have this ice rink rented out to us for the next ten hours," Keiway said. "Use your time wisely."

Caesar followed Keiway to a different section of the ice rink and immediately everyone broke out into a conversation. Gabriel watched as Leo, Nico, and Sergio all went to the ice rink together then Vincent headed in Gabriel's direction.

"You ready?" Vincent asked Gabriel.

"Yeah," Gabriel replied.

Vincent held out his hand and Gabriel looked at it then up at Vincent and after hesitating he got a hold of Vincent's hand. Gabriel rose to his feet and while they were making their way to the ice rink Vincent went on giving Gabriel tips. And once they got to the ice, Gabriel took off his guards and handed them to Vincent. He began skating around the ice and applied the tips that Vincent gave him.

Gabriel went for an axel and when he did, he landed it. He went for another one, but he didn't know that Nico did as well. Both Vincent and Sergio yelled "wait," but it was already too late. Nico had fallen on top of Gabriel and Gabriel couldn't help but think that Nico crashed into him on purpose.

"You're no better than me, Amore," Nico said harshly.

"What is your deal, Nico," Gabriel grunted.

"My deal is that you piss me off. Stealing my title, joining S-Tech and now cheating your way to the top of this competition season. Just remember that I'm coming for the 2024 World Championship title, and I will do anything to claim it. Understand."

"Nico," Sergio called out and Nico stood up then made his way over to Sergio.

"Gabriel," Leo called out, making his way to the four eyed male who laid on his back. "Hey. You okay?"

Leo held his hand out for Gabriel to take and when he got a hold of it, he pulled Gabriel up. Gabriel dusted himself off then once it registered in his head, he looked at Leo.

"You alright?" Leo asked again.

"Yeah," Gabriel replied. "Yeah, I'm good."

He didn't know what it was but seeing Leo help him out and care for him again after everything that happened between them seemed strange.

"This is the second time you helped me," Gabriel stated.

"What can I say?" Leo shrugged. "I'm a superhero."

The two both chuckled but Gabriel couldn't help and saw Nico and Sergio glaring at them.

"Can we talk after practice," Leo asked suddenly.

"Yeah," Gabriel said. "That would be nice."

Leo gave Gabriel a quick nod then skated around him so he could continue practicing. But Gabriel stood in place unable to take his eyes off of the only two members that hated him the most. Nothing made sense to him when it came to Nico and Sergio. But when they both looked away Gabriel was able to snap back to reality and continue practicing.

After practice, Gabriel and Leo both made their way to the lake that was across the street from their hotel. There were so many things that were running through Gabriel's head, so many things that he wanted to ask Leo, but he finally decided on the most important one.

"Why are you hanging out with Nico and Sergio so much?" He asked then looked at the freckled male.

Leo shrugged. "I don't know," he replied then looked at Gabriel, instantly locking eyes with him. "But I meant what I said that they make me feel like I can actually win this competition season."

"But they're so... mean."

Leo chuckled. "They're just threatened by you, Amore. I'm threatened by you too. You won those six tests like it was nothing."

Gabriel stared at the side of Leo's face once he looked away and he could tell that there was something else on his mind.

"Leo," Gabriel spoke softly then stopped walking.

Leo looked back at Gabriel. "What?"

"I-," he started. "I."

Gabriel struggled trying to tell Leo what was on his mind. But Leo took a step closer to Gabriel now both of their bodies are closer than ever. Their eyes were locked onto one another and what came next left Gabriel in shock. Leo had connected their lips too fast for Gabriel to see it coming then slowly Leo pulled back and he opened his eyes.

"I think I like Vincent," Gabriel blurted out.

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