Gabriella Ch. 06

He quickly shook the thought. It didn't matter. And for once if they were inside hooking up, far be it for him to stop them. He and Patricia could continue on about their night. He tucked the DVD under his arm and grabbed the pizza.

Simon took a deep breath before he walked through the door. He stopped in his tracks when he saw them. Ella was sitting in Nolan's lap with her head resting against his shoulder. She didn't bother to acknowledge him.

"Hey, Professor Graham," Nolan said.

"Hey." Simon shook off his jacket and walked to the kitchen. Patricia was kneeling by the stove, pulling different pans out.

He tossed the pizza on the table. "What are they doing here?"

She stood and brushed her knees off. "Well, last I checked, Ella lived here," she said with a smile.

"Okay. But tonight was supposed to be our date night."

"Look, you were the one always complaining that the three of us didn't spend enough time together."

"Yeah, but there's not three, there's four."

Patricia glanced toward the living room and placed a finger to her lips. "Shh, they might hear you. And personally, I'm glad I finally get to meet a guy that my daughter is seeing. At least she's here with us and safe. Right?"

She was right. But it still didn't lessen his sour mood. Simon nodded and leaned against the counter. "We don't have enough pizza," he pouted in a last chance plea.

"I know, that's why I popped some frozen corndogs and mini quiche into the oven."

Simon snorted. "Great. Quiche goes well with pepperoni pizza."

"Someone's grumpy," Patricia said, flashing him another grin.

Simon ignored her comment. He grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "Need any help?"

"No, I'm good. Why don't you go talk to them?"

"Because I'd rather stay in here."

Patricia placed her hands on her hips. "Why don't you like him?"

"I do like him. I just don't think he's right for Gabriella."

Patricia reached up and caressed his collar. "He's the reason they're even here. He wanted to meet me and introduced himself, which is more than any other boy has done. Besides, he seems nice and respectful." She wrapped her arms around him. "Although I do appreciate you being the overprotective father—"

"Oh God, that's not what I'm doing, Patricia," he said, pulling away from her. He hated hearing that word when associated with Gabriella.

"Well whatever the reason, I do appreciate it."

Simon picked a pepperoni off the pizza.

"Oh, and don't tell her I told you, but they are dating," Patricia whispered.

"Yeah, I know," Simon muttered.

"She told you already?" she asked, pulling down plates and cups. She was trying to hide the hurt in her question, but he could hear it.

"She just mentioned it in passing."

"Oh, okay."

Simon pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "I'll go keep them company. But don't take too long. I don't know how long I can take college lovebirds. Gross."

Patricia laughed and pushed him through the door.

He found Nolan whispering in Gabriella's ear. She smiled and kissed him, once more ignoring Simon's presence. He plopped down on the coach perpendicular to the two thorns in his side.

Nolan looked up and smiled at him. "Sure smells good in there."

"Yep. My wife knows how to thaw frozen foods," he replied sarcastically. Nolan nodded, while Gabriella shot him an evil look. She turned from him and ran her hand up Nolan's chest, over his shoulder and behind his neck...much like she had done him in the past but now there was a manipulative quality about it all. He looked away from the familiar gesture and grabbed the remote control.

"Baby, he's right there," he heard Nolan whisper. From his peripherals he made out Nolan struggling to keep Gabriella's hands to herself.

"So," she said.

"So can you stop?" Nolan gave a low chuckle while Simon held the up button on the volume.

Simon gave a sigh of relief when Patricia finally entered. She placed the pizza and the plate of warmed up delicacies on the table.

"Bon appétit," she said, passing out paper plates and napkins.

"Thanks for letting me stay for dinner, missus...Patricia. I really appreciate it."

"Of course. It was nice to finally meet you," Patricia said.

"You too," Nolan mumbled, his mouth already full as he loaded three slices of an eight slice pizza onto his plate.

Simon dropped the Bridget Jones's Diary DVD into the player. It was one of Patricia's favorite movies, one that she often quoted. As the opening credits rolled for the umpteenth time, he marveled at the things a man did for love.

Gabriella turned off the lights then settled beside Nolan. She whispered something in his ear and he started choking.

She patted his back and laughed.

"What's so funny?" Patricia asked, smiling hard at the two lovebirds.

"Oh, nothing Mrs. Gr—Patricia. I was just choking," Nolan covered.

Simon read the credits as each name appeared on the screen. Anything to pull his mind from his own memories of what Gabriella had whispered in his ear. Things that would make most blush. Places she wanted him to put his hands, his mouth...his dick. The way she would give him free reign to do whatever he wanted and begged him to do whatever...

Was she doing the same things with Nolan? Simon glanced over at them. Yes.

His face flushed the more he thought of it. He had almost ruined his marriage to Patricia and the chance for her to mend their relationship with Gabriella, for what? His appetite dwindled and his head spun. He scooted closer to Patricia and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled up at him while she nibbled on the crust of her slice.

From his vantage point on the couch, he felt like a voyeur, especially now that the room was cast in a bluish glow. He let his eyes wander freely to Gabriella, not because he wanted anything from her, but just to convince himself she was happy.

He sank further down into the couch, Patricia's head resting underneath his arm and against his chest. Neither Nolan nor Gabriella seemed to be paying him any attention. Nolan stared at the screen, laughing at Bridget's ridiculous behavior.

But Gabriella seemed less interested in the film. She cuddled against Nolan but a moment later, she turned toward him, their eyes locking. He wanted to look away, but he refused to break the bond first. She held his stare, until Nolan laughed again.

Simon cracked his neck from side to side and stretched out his legs. A few months ago he couldn't have imagined that he would be sitting in his living room with Patricia, Gabriella and her boyfriend. The concept seemed so foreign, yet here they were. His eyes left the screen, and once more, he found Gabriella staring at him. His chest tightened. No more. She could stare all she wanted. He leaned into Patricia and returned his attention to watching the movie... with his wife, the woman who would be his priority from now on.

When the movie reached the scene where Bridget strutted into a party dressed as a Playboy bunny, Gabriella stood up and went to the kitchen. She returned carrying a can of Coke in one hand and a glass containing the same. It wasn't long before she started giggling mischievously as she and Nolan shared a private joke.

"They're so cute, aren't they?"

Patricia's question had startled him. How long had she been watching him? "What? Oh, well, I guess."

Simon turned his attention back to the movie. It was halfway through. He laughed at some random scene in the movie, and all three of them looked at him. He suddenly felt delirious. He kissed the top of Patricia's head. "I think I'm going to turn in."

"You okay?" she asked, her eyes searching his.

"Yeah, I'm just tired. You wore me out," he teased.

She grinned. "Okay, well, I'll be there in a little while. Love you."

"Love you too," he said, pecking her lips before he stood.

He didn't look in Gabriella's direction.

"Goodnight Professor Graham!" Nolan shouted after him.

"Yep. See you Tuesday Nolan." Thank God for the weekend.

"Oh, I think I'll be here for dinner on Sunday. Patricia invited me."

Mother fucker.

Simon didn't acknowledge that last comment as he made his way to the bedroom. He fell back on the bed and rested his elbow over his eyes. One day at a time and he'd get through this. His relationship with Patricia was improving and he would continue to work at it, proving to her that he could be the husband she thought he was. The husband he wanted to be.

As the movie played on in the living room, he imagined Patricia mouthing the lines under her breath. "Wait a minute. Nice boys don't kiss like that," he mimicked. It was ridiculous that he knew the lines as well.

Moments later, he heard their voices through the door, muffled, but definitely elevated. He sat straight up in bed and strained to listen. He sat a second longer before he heard Nolan's deep booming voice.

What the hell?

Simon rushed out of the bedroom and found Patricia and Gabriella in a standoff position.

"What's going on?" he asked looking back and forth between the two, as he approached Patricia's side.

Gabriella rolled her eyes. "Nothing."

"Simon, she's been drinking. She had whiskey in her Coke!" Patricia explained with her arms folded.

"So?" Gabriella announced, all nonchalant. "It's none of your business what I do. I don't tell you what to do, so you can't tell me what to do."

"It doesn't work that way, Ella. I'm your mother."

Simon was ready to cut in, but for the first time in memory, Patricia didn't throw her hands in the air and step back, ready for him to do battle on her behalf. So instead, he kept quiet.

"Nolan, you ever notice how people throw that term around so loosely? I'm your mother. I'm your father," Gabriella mocked, before snorting. "Like it actually means something."

"Ella, don't." Nolan touched her shoulder, but she pushed him away. His eyes seemed unsure as he looked to Simon for help.

"Don't, what?"

Simon folded his arms across his chest and squared off with Gabriella. He could quickly diffuse the situation. Gabriella would listen to him. Well, maybe. Inebriation made it hard to listen to anyone. "He means don't make a scene, which is exactly what you're doing now."

She turned her gaze to him. "Simon, with all due respect, go to hell."

"Nolan, I think you should go home."

"I'm sorry, Nolan but it's for the best," Patricia added, sounding embarrassed and upset.

Nolan hesitated then looked to Gabriella. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay? Hope you feel better."

Once he left, Gabriella became increasingly belligerent, hurling spiteful words at Simon.

"Clever girl, I'm sure you have more of those. You need to go to your room or go outside and get some fresh air. Your pick."

"You gonna make me?" she asked, stepping so close the scent of alcohol took his breath. But Simon refused to back up or be intimated by her. Her eyes taunted him. "Or maybe you'd rather spank me?"

"Ella!" Patricia yelled. "Don't you dare talk to him like that!"

Gabriella rolled her head in Patricia's direction. "Well, he was definitely spanking someone other than you."

Simon's mouth dropped, but before any words tumbled out, Patricia's palm smashed across Gabriella's face. The slap was loud even in the open space.

Simon stared at Gabriella's face in disbelief. Her hair blocked her eyes until she twisted her head to face Patricia and him again. Her caramel cheek was now tinted scarlet.

What just happened? His brain could not process any of this. Perhaps Gabriella's couldn't either, because it took her a minute to react. But Simon read the expression in her face, before her body caught up. He rushed in front of Patricia.

"You bitch! Don't you ever fucking—" Gabriella got out before he lifted her in a bear hug and dragged her to the front door, hoping to avoid any more irrevocable damage. She kicked and screamed as he slammed it behind him.

The fall air was brutal. Wind whipped around them, making her hair flutter around his face.

"Have you lost your fucking mind?" he asked as he deposited her roughly against the banisters.

"She hit me!" she cried hoarsely.

Simon knew what that was like. He and his mom felt the brunt of his father's fist more than once. But Patricia hadn't gone that far. She simply did something that many would have done years ago. Wrong or not, Gabriella could get under your skin by finding the chink in the toughest armor.

"And you're going to say you didn't deserve that?"

"She hits me and I'm the one you throw out? How is that fair?"

"Calm down."

"No! Fuck her—and you!" she shouted, pushing her hair from her face.

"You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do. I hate her!" she screamed at the door.

Simon grabbed her arm and pulled her back in front of him. "You get wasted, insult us and expect pity?"

"I don't need anything from her. I don't want anything from her," she said, tremors in her voice. He couldn't move because of the hurt and despair in her darkened hazel eyes.

"That's not true. And that hurts the most, doesn't it?"

She choked back tears and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest. Her body shook as she sobbed.

Simon gently peeled her arms away and pushed her back a foot.

"You need to sleep it off, Gabriella. You'll feel better tomorrow."

She shook her head. "No, I won't. You don't understand," she sobbed and mumbled.

"What?" Simon asked, walking closer to her.

She shook her head and whispered, "Nothing." But he was sure he heard her mumble something about love.

He wished they were alone so he could console her. He wished he could erase the man she had built wild fantasies around and be the friend she trusted when he told her she would heal from this.

"Gabriella..."

"I was such a fool for thinking you loved me. That we could—" She straightened her shoulders and turned away from him. "So fucking tired of being stupid."

Simon swallowed hard. "I wish I could take back everything."

She sniffed. "Yeah, well it's too late."

He rubbed his hand across his forehead about to tell Gabriella how sorry he was for hurting her. But the reality was he had crossed the line that made comforting her inappropriate.

Gabriella walked down the steps and onto the driveway, her thin gray halter dress flapping in the wind.

"Gabriella," Simon called out to her, trying not to wake the neighbors. "Gabriella, get back here!"

She continued down the street.

"Fuck." Simon turned to find Patricia standing at the door.

"Where's she going?"

Simon shook his head. "Let me get my keys. I'll bring her back."

"I'll go with you."

When they pulled up beside her, Gabriella kept on taking long strides while her hand rubbed up and down over her arm. She refused to look at them. Her phone was attached to her ear...no doubt with Nolan on the other end. Icy air gushed into the car through the window Patricia had down.

"Ella, you're going to freeze if you don't get in the car," Patricia said.

"Like you care."

"We do care, that's why we're out here."

"Leave me alone!"

Simon had had enough. He leaned over Patricia. "You're drunk, barely dressed and walking down the—"

Patricia placed her hand on his arm. "Simon, please, let me handle this."

He let out a frustrated breath, leaned his head back and kept his eyes on the road. This charade could have ended minutes ago because he would have placed Gabriella in the car...with or without her consent.

"Ella, please, get in the car," Patricia said. "This is childish. Look, I'm sorry that I hurt you. But you hurt me too! And you did it on purpose."

Simon kept the car rolling down the street in sync with Gabriella's pace. The wind whipped around the windows, creating a shrill sound.

"Stop the car."

Patricia rushed to Gabriella's side and gripped her hand. Gabriella tried to pull away from her, but Patricia pulled her tighter and grabbed her arms.

He hated seeing them like this. His carelessness and lack in judgment was the reason the three of them were feuding in the middle of the street on the coldest night in months. Almost a year ago to the date, he had followed Gabriella to her room for the first time. And that night he destroyed both of their trust, even if neither realized it at the time. Now it was something he could never fully get back. Had he just kept it together, their lives would be different.

Simon studied their movements, trying to make out their words while Patricia had her back towards him and Gabriella spoke. She ripped her arms free and pulled several strands of hair from her face. She said something else and then walked away. But Patricia didn't follow her. Instead, she looked at him, her face full of questions.

An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. "What's wrong? What did she say?" he asked when she got in the car.

She faced the windshield, her expression blank the whole time. "I asked what was wrong with her and she said to ask you."

Simon's throat dried as his gut twisted.

Patricia turned to him. "What's going on?"

*

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed. I'll try like hell to get chapter 7 out much faster. A big 'thank you' to Kaia...my muse:-) Don't know what I would do w/o you. And another big 'thank you' to August, who polishes my words and keeps pushing me to be a stronger writer. You two ladies are amazing!