Dancing with Danger

CHAPTER SEVEN: Gabe

Chapter Seven: Gabe

It was a Saturday afternoon when I opened the backdoor to the garden with my book on one hand, a pillow on the other and our dog Ringo following me out. I spent the entire morning playing with him that I was too tired to, if that is what he wanted. I crossed the short grass towards the wooden bench that stood on the other end. I loved this part of our house. It was a small bench, enough to cater two adults and one kid, it had a shed so that when the sun was angry, it was still comforting to stay there. The weather was nice and at times, I just wanted to be alone.

I placed the pillow behind me as I sat crossed legged on the bench. Ringo immediately climbed the bench and cuddled onto my lap that can only accommodate his head because he was a little too big for me. I was happy at his gesture and I had no room for complaints as his fur touched the skin on my thighs.

"I love you," I whispered to him as I stroked his head. His muscles only relaxed and stayed there as I started to read.

Even as I read, Charlie's confession kept replaying in my head and my failed response to his words.

"You know what? I blame you for all this. Why do you have to be so charming and shit that it's consuming me. And Jesus Christ, this isn't even a compliment," he said after a smile left his lips.

I stood there, motionless and speechless with a confession that I certainly did not expect from him. The silence between us grew as I tried thinking of something that I could say. I wished I could have said something that would comfort him, at least, as he poured his feelings out. I liked him. I really liked Charlie but for some reason, I couldn't say it out loud.

Charlie sighed, and he did, I assumed, because I could not say anything at all. He smiled at me, a beautiful smile spread across his face. "It's alright," he said, breaking the awkward silence. "You don't have to say anything."

"I don't know what to say," I broke out.

Keeping his smile, he said, "I know." He chuckled. "Looks like it. But don't worry, really. I told you that I should be the least of your worries."

I managed a small smile but felt extremely bad inside. "I'll take that against you," I joked.

"Holy shit, I did not think of that." He laughed. "Let me just walk you home."

We started to walk and Charlie went back to the old cursing cocky little smart ass that he always was. Despite the fact that I seemed to have indirectly rejected his proposal with my silence, he seemed okay about it. As if he did not expect anything better than what happened.

"So, see you tomorrow, I guess," he said as we stood in front of my house.

"Thanks for walking me here," I said with a smile.

"It's the least I could do after shocking you to death," he said with a laugh.

"Can I give you a hug in exchange for the silence?" I offered, hoping he would say yes.

"Always," he said. He opened his arms and I took a step and enclosed myself in him. He smelled like new laundry with a hint of masculinity. He was warm, the kind of warmth that made me want to sleep in him or wear his clothes. I figuratively poured my words onto his clothes as we stayed in a quick embrace, hoping it was enough even if it wasn't. He left after I went inside the house.

"Thank you," he said through a text message shortly after we parted.

What could I have said better that made the situation even better? Should I have said that he was consuming too? But I did not felt consumed by his existence. He made me happy, that was it. He made me feel excited to go to school, which was a big deal. But how could I have been so silent? But what's done is done. I should be glad he even gave me a hug.