Free Forgiven by J. B. McGee Page B

belly button up to my breasts with his tongue. “I think you might have.”
    “Ah.” I exhale as my eyes roll into the back of my head. “Mhmm. I did.”
    “Well if I can get to enjoy this with you every morning...”
    “What’s this?”
    He takes my bottom lip into his and sucks, then swirls his tongue around. When he releases, I peek at him. He points to me. “You.” Then he moves his finger back and forth between the space in between our bodies, which is small. “Us.”
    “Ah.” I smile. “I see.”
    “Gabby, we’re this. And it’s worth losing sleep over.”

Gabby's been so different since the move. It's funny how I had thought that being closer would be easier, when in actuality, it has been far more difficult. I’m so frustrated with her. She's assured me it's just school and wedding stuff, but I can't shake the feeling that it's more than that.
    I can’t help but feel like she’s on the verge of leaving me. She’s a runner. That’s what she does. When the going gets tough, her natural tendency is to withdraw. I feel it. I know that’s what she’s doing. It’s like she’s pulling back so that walking away will be easier. My decision to stand by Veronica through all of this can’t be easy for her. I’ve never been insecure like this. It’s unnerving. I don’t know why I’m surprised. Nothing about Gabby and our relationship has been normal or ordinary for me. I have nothing to compare this to.
    Part of me feels really bad for following and checking up on her because I trust her. I do. I shake my head as I try to reassure myself that I’m not trying to convince myself of that. If I’m trying to convince myself, that would mean that I doubt my trust for her. I can’t doubt that. Not when I’m about to make her my wife. We can’t start a marriage on a rocky foundation of questionable trust.
    I just need to know what is going on with her. Something is bothering her. I can feel it. If she’s not going to trust and confide in me, then I’m going to have to find out on my own. I’m no private investigator, so I hope I don’t botch this. If she finds out I’m sneaking around behind her back then I’ll lose her trust. I just feel like I’m losing control of everything, of her. I don’t know what else to do to stop it.
    It’s a Thursday, and she said she meets her tutor, Emmi, at this coffee shop in Suwanee. I’ve tried to park as far away as I can to stay hidden, but close enough to see in the windows. I did have the smarts to borrow Sharon’s car. It would be much more difficult to hide a shiny silver sports car.
    I roll my eyes and put my head back. This makes me feel like such a dick. The thought crosses my mind to leave before I find myself in real trouble, but it quickly fades as I see Gabby at the entrance to the coffee shop with another girl. I’m relieved. That must be Emmi. I decide that just because she’s meeting Emmi doesn’t mean she may not be meeting someone else afterwards. I hate that my father’s actions have made me question everyone’s motives, especially hers.
    I feel like an amateur. Hell, I am an amateur at this. I should have thought to bring my binoculars. After she goes inside, I pull the car a little closer so I can see through the windows. It’s obvious they are studying. Gabby has pulled books from her book-bag. She looks less than thrilled to be there. At least I know her sour demeanor isn’t just with me. I guess this should make me feel a little better? It doesn’t. I want to know why she’s so bothered. I want her to tell me so I can make her feel better.
    What I see isn’t at all what I expect. There is a guy who has brought them their drinks. He’s older, my dad’s age. There’s something about the way he looks at Gabby. It’s gnawing at my insides. It’s like he’s some kind of pervert or creep. I clench my fists. It takes everything in me to not want to storm through the door and ask him what his problem is, but I know I can’t do