Gabriel

Owen cleared his throat, "Nate, Gabe, I'd like to introduce you to someone very special to us. This is Ms. Avery Dorman."

We both turned around and I choked, "Chaton?"

Her eyes widened as she made a small gasping sound, "Gabriel?"

"Wait, you two know each other?" Luke asked as she stood and came closer to her.

She nodded as I did, then Victor's voice filled my ears, "Holy shit...it was you. You were in Ireland that weekend...and she...and you." I looked around as they all seemed to share some inside knowledge as her cheeks flushed red.

My eyes met Victor's. I could see the shadow of pain that filled them, and I'm sure mine reflected it as well. "How do you know about that?" I asked.

North snorted, "Well, ironically, that's your fault. We all started playing a game of never have I ever on New Year's Eve in your honor and she may have divulged your weekend of fun."

Her cheeks were flaming red now as she tried to bury her face in Luke's chest. He chuckled and lifted her chin, "Seems you really are finding all of us, aren't you, beautiful girl?"

"I...I didn't know," she stammered, "He said he was looking for a friend. I didn't even know his last name. You all always called him Gabe, but I only knew Gabriel. Stars..."

Silas pushed Kota's shoulder, "This might even beat your story, Kota."

He groaned and facepalmed, laughing, "You had to remind me."

Nate was looking back and forth at all of them, "Wait, are you all...really?"

I noticed her bristle at his comment, fear filling her eyes, but Victor quickly answered. "Yes, we are, and damn proud of it." Owen and Luke both slid their arms around her protectively.

I held my hand out, "May we join your table, Chaton, or would you prefer we leave?"

She shook her head, "No, stay. I mean, you're the reason we are here. Owen got us tickets to the showing and well we all hoped to meet up with you, I just didn't, well, you already know." Her rambling was adorable.

I kissed the back of the hand she had placed in my hand and smiled, "As you wish."

"Ahem," the creature grunted.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Isabelle," Nate said. Hmm...when did he stop calling her fiance?

She gave a sort of snort, "Don't you mean fiance, sweetheart?" She flopped her hand out, showing the gaudy ring she'd demanded he buy. Granted, it was large and expensive, but ugly as fuck. They all greeted her as we took our seats. I noticed she seated herself between Victor and Sean, but spoke to all of them, giving them each her attention.

We talked about what we'd done over the years, but Victor and I avoided each other's gaze. Finally, he rose and asked, "May I speak to you alone, Gabe?" I noticed the way Chaton looked at him and then squeezed his hand.

"Of course," I said and stood from the table, following him to an alcove away from the group. "Good to see you moved on so easily," I snapped, feeling guilty the moment the words left my mouth. I noticed him visibly shrink from my vitriol. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for," I admitted.

"No, it wasn't. I deserve your anger, Gabe, I know that, but I need to explain why I had to leave. If you never want to speak to me again, I'll understand, but you deserve the truth." He motioned for me to sit, then began recounting the blackmail his parents had presented to him, including very real court documents to put me in foster care and have Pam imprisoned for neglect due to her string of alcohol addiction and poor boyfriend choices. I was shaking with anger by the time he finished. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, and by the time I could, well, you were so successful. I didn't want to cause you any more hurt than I already had."

"Did...did they know about us?" I asked in a low voice, my eyes trained on the floor.

"Yes. I have no idea how they found out, but they did. You were so worried about anyone knowing, and I couldn't let them out you." He let out a sigh, "I never wanted to leave any of you, but especially not you."

"It was you I was searching for when I came to Dublin," I said, my eyes rising to meet his. "I had no idea where, but I remembered your grandma had land over there, and I was desperate to find you. I had already spent a few years in Paris for art school and finally came to terms with my bisexuality. I thought you left because of us, because of me," I admitted. "I wanted to apologize, to tell you it was okay if you didn't love me like that."

He sucked in a harsh breath. "But I did. I think I loved you more than I loved Sang and it terrified me. Then...well then my parents came at me with their threats."

I felt my tears dampen my cheeks, "You loved me?"

Sliding out of the chair, Victor knelt on the floor before me. "I still love you, Gabe," he said softly. I gave him a confused look and he gave a soft laugh, "She knows. I haven't said anything to the others, but I didn't feel right hiding it from Avery."

I chuckled, "Yeah, I swear I spilled my guts to her that weekend. At first, it was because we drank too much, but then it was because I just felt so connected to her."

He stood and held his hand out to me, "Apparently, you were her, um first. Did you know she was only seventeen then?"

My eyes bulged, "What? Holy fuck..." Victor gave a loud laugh and hugged me, then we rejoined the others. Before I sat down, I leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Thank you, Chaton...not only for helping him but for that weekend. I'm flattered to know I was your first and just so you know, you were my last."

She spun around, her hazel eyes meeting mine, her soft pink lips parted. No words were said, and none needed to be.

****

Despite the occasional barb from Isabelle, we all enjoyed our dinner and decided to travel to the art gallery together. "Gentlemen, may I borrow Chaton for a bit? I do believe she will put my art to shame and I'd love to have her on my arm for a while. This is if you don't object?"

She looked at me, then the others who just smiled and encouraged her. Only Isabelle scowled, no doubt jealous of the attention this beautiful creature was receiving. "Okay, just don't let me trip. These heels are dangerous," she giggled.

"I promise to catch you if you do," I told her with a smirk.

The limo pulled to the entrance, "Smiles everyone. You are all about to make the papers." Before they could answer, the door was opened and I stepped out as cameras flashed, then I held my hand out to help her up. Avery delicately put her hand in mine as if she were a Southern debutante and elegantly stepped out. Her leg parted the silver dress at the slit looking sexy as hell. When she stood next to me, I looped my arm around her, and placed a quick kiss on her cheek, making her gasp.

"You cad," she playfully growled.

"You have no idea, Chaton, but you will soon," I smirked, then led her to the open doors as the others followed.

"Mr. Coleman, we are so honored to have you with us this evening, please follow me," the docent said.

Glancing at her nametag, I answered, "Thank you, Krista. If I may, I'd like to take my guests to the Marigold room before the public is allowed."

"Of course, sir," she grinned and led all of us to a room that was sealed. She unlocked the door and I led Avery in. The docent raised the spotlights and Avery let out a gasp.

"What is all of this?" she uttered, her eyes scanning the array of paintings I'd done so long ago and just now decided to display. It was as if the universe wanted me to find her again.

"This is how I remember you and those nights I held you," I whispered in her ear. She took a tentative step forward, her hand reaching out and hovering just in front of the canvas that showed a simple sketch of her. Her face was obscured, as she lay on a bed, her body tastefully covered by a sheet only hinting at the passion her body had just experienced. Another painting showed her silhouette as her brown hair spilled down her back.

"He wins," Kota muttered under his breath, making the others chuckle. I think I needed to know the full story behind that, but right now I was too focused on the woman before me.

She turned, her eyes damp with tears, "Why, why paint all of these?"

I looked at Victor and Luke before responding, then pulled her closer, "I was in such a dark place when we found each other that night. I never told you, but I had considered ending my life that weekend. I thought I'd lost everything and everyone I'd ever loved." I heard the others make shocked sounds and Victor stifled a sob. "You were so kind, so attentive...it was like a light piercing my darkness and giving me hope for the first time in years. The day I left your flat I went to the cliffs, fully intending to jump. Then I sat and started sketching. You were all I could draw. Before I knew it, I had dozens of drawings and I didn't want to give up anymore." She was crying now as I lifted her chin and cupped her face. "You, Chaton, saved a complete stranger and never knew. You became my muse that day, and as you can see, you are still my muse to this day." She made a small hiccup sound and I smiled, "May I kiss you, Chaton?"

"Y...yes," she stammered. My lips pressed to hers softly and I swear it was like I was back in her flat. Pure calm flooded my senses as our kiss deepened. When it broke, I heard Sean snort.

"Make it eight." The others chuckled as I continued to look into her eyes.

"Technically I was number fucking one," I retorted as she blushed.

"Oh good grief, are you lot keeping score now?" she whined.

"Two," Victor snorted.

"Three," Luke chimed in.

"Four," Kota laughed.

"Five," Owen shouted.

"Six," Silas grinned.

"Pending," North and Sean said at the same time, making her groan and laugh at the same time.

"Is she a hooker?" Isabelle screeched.

I saw Avery stiffen at her comment. "What the fuck, Iz? She's their girlfriend. Why would you say something like that? I'm sorry, Avery," Nate said, trying to apologize for her.

"It's okay," Avery whispered, but clearly it wasn't.

"What? I just asked a simple question," Isabelled ranted. "I mean why the hell would seven guys want to sleep with or even date that? She's fat."

"Nate, man, you know we all love you, but maybe you need to take the ball and chain somewhere else. I'm not interested in hearing her say hateful things about our girl," North said bluntly.

Nate nodded, grabbing the creature's arm, "I agree. Sorry, Gabe. I'll stop by the party later. I think Isabelle will be having an early night." He started to walk her to the door as she protested the entire way.

I stepped back as Victor and Luke pulled her between them. "Hey, don't listen to her. She's a bitch and you are beautiful, Avery - every inch of you," Victor said, running his hands along her sides.

"This part is beautiful," Luke said as he kissed and nibbled at her neck, then kneading her breasts he continued, "and this part, but most of all, this part." He placed his hand over her heart. "You are ours, Avery, and we are yours - forever."

Victor kissed away her tears as the docent knocked at the door. "Sorry to interrupt, but the gallery director is requesting your presence, Mr. Coleman."

"Of course," I said, then turned to them. "Take all the time you need to collect yourselves and join me when you feel like it." I leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "Just look at my work, Chaton. Your beauty fills this room and is only outshone by the real person standing here now."

She gave me a soft smile, "Thank you, Gabriel."

I walked out into the crowds feeling like I'd just won the lottery.

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