Gabriel (Continued) (Book 2)

Part 3: Old Dog, New Tricks

May 28th (Crash's POV)

"-man, I just don't understand it. Why aren't you hanging out with your girl at

home?"

I turned my head so that my other cheek rested on the wood of the counter and I

was no longer looking at Damon. Because she's my best friends daughter and I'm

technically her godfather...

"Because I have work and she's grounded," was what I actually said.

"Screw work!" Damon was so animated about this, he paced the floor and kept

talking about what I should be doing. Part of me really wanted a cigarette but

the older part of me hated that I had even started that habit- I'd need someone

to help me stop. And then the older part of me wanted to go home and get drunk

with Johanna! Hell, I'd even settle for my underage nephew's party!

"Because Gabriel would probably find out," I say in a monotone.

"But she wanted you to go to prom! She wants details if she can't be there

herself! And, hell, Crash, she's been hanging out with us! She's probably

already there!"

I thought about it and I wanted it to be true. I love her- no! She's my best

friends daughter! And then there was Darla who had known me even when I

didn't.... But there was something different about Niki. Her eyes were so clear

but also pleasantly unfocused. Her smile was huge, and always genuine. The way

she changed...because she had recognized right from wrong...she is beautiful

inside and out.

"Are you goona take this silently? Or like a man?" Damon asks, giving me a pep

talk.

"Neither. I'm goona do what Crash would do," I say enthused. I shrug off my

shirt as I head into the back. When I come back out, I'm wearing black skinny

jeans and a t-shirt that looks like a tuxedo.

"Classy," Damon nods approvingly.

I thank him and then run out to his shitty car and speed all the way to prom.

Gabriel's car is nowhere to be seen and neither is Drew's. There are people

everywhere; some already noticeably drunk, many dancing on the gym floor and a

few walking around the lantern-strung tennis courts. This years theme was To The

Stars. The doorway was decorated with billions of those glow in the dark stars

and there were fake shooting stars throughout the gym. I was absorbed into the

crowd and went with it. I wasn't seeing any of my family members...

Eventually I spotted one familiar person: Lexi.

"Hey, Lexi," I tap her on the shoulder.

She spins around, her curly hair bouncing and she hugs me, "Hey, Crash! I love

your shirt. The fake tux thing is totally you." I smile back.

"I like that you're rockin' the 80s dress." She is wearing a short black and