GABRIEL

Jo and I spent a wonderful day at the beach creating music and just taking it easy. It goes without saying that it completely messed with my head. It's incredible how easy it is to be around her. I feel like I can't get enough of her presence. She's smart and funny and so creative. It's beautiful to watch her come up with ideas.

I ache to welcome her into my world and tell her all my secrets. I'm excited to hear her tell me about her life. I want to bask in her enthusiasm for storytelling. I long for more moments with her, where I can just witness her joyous laughter.

I want to kiss her. Bad.

But God, my life is such a chaotic whirlwind right now. There's so much I can't just tell her without risking scaring her away.

I don't know what to do. I just know that I don't want this day to end.

But unfortunately, when I see a couple of cars parked in front of the house as we and pull over, I know my blissful days are over.

"I guess they're all here." I hear her say when I open the door of the car for her.

"Yep." I sigh, helping her out of the car.

"Hey." She stops in front of me, her eyes shining with humor. "You're pouting."

"Am not." I frown, and she laughs as if just proving her point.

Grabbing my shoulders, she freaking shakes me a little. "I'm sure things will work out once you guys have a chance to sit down and talk."

If only that was the only problem plaguing my mind.

"I guess..." My hands find her waist as if having a mind of her own. Because damn, she's too close, too beautiful, too captivating. She thinks I'm upset because I'll have to deal with the guys, but the reality is I don't want them here. I want this time on the beach to be just ours.

"I really enjoyed today..." she whispers, her eye all soft and inviting.

Fuck! Don't do it, Gabe! My brain screams at me in vain.

I need to kiss her.

I need to feel how good her lips taste.

I need...

"Jo, I'm..." I start when a loud noise coming from the house startles us.

"What's going on?" She looks past me, and I close my eyes for a second, letting go of the hold on her waist.

"Only one way to find out." I sigh as we both walk inside.

The second I step through the door, I need to take a double look. Josh is doing a fucking strip-tease on the coffee table. Twisting and turning, his movements are punctuated by the guys' hoots and hollers from the couch. To my surprise, Maria is filming the whole thing.

"What the fuck?" I shout, and Maria jumps back in surprise as soon as she spots me.

"Hey! Where the hell have you two been?" She pulls her phone away before walking to me and throwing herself in my arms for a hug.

"I missed you too, Mimi." I hug her tight, sighing when she relaxes in my arms.

Pulling away, she looks at me. "Are you okay?" she whispers, and I nod before scanning the room. All of them seemed to be enjoying a game of cards and a few beers. My body immediately relaxes when I realize they didn't invite anyone. This house is already crowded as it is.

"Jo." Maria pulls her into a hug, too. "You look amazing. Can't wait to spend some time down the beach, too."

"I can't believe you're here." Jo smiles. "Let me grab a quick shower so we can hang out."

"Can we tone down the music a bit?" I ask. "The neighbor on the left is an elderly guy, and he hasn't been feeling well."

"Yes, dad." Aaron, our bass and keyboard player, rolls his eyes, turning off the music on his phone.

Silence immediately fills the room and the mood drops. Having the band here reminds me of all the issues I've left behind, so I need to hold the urge not to ask them all to leave. I'm the one who asked them to come, after all.

Maria clears her throat, bringing our attention to her. "I put my things in your room, Jo. There are only two empty rooms left, so we'll need to improvise a bit."

"Sure, uh." Jo looks at me for a second before turning to Maria. "Can you look at that contract clause I mentioned? There's something I'd like to check with you first before signing it."

"Of course." Maria nods, and they head down the hall.

"Did you guys eat?" Jo turns to us. "We could order some pizza?"

"Sounds good, Jo." Josh gives her a warm smile.

"Good. We'll be back soon."

As soon as it's just me and the guys in the room, I can't help but let out a deep sigh. It's very clear that none of them wanted to come, but what else could we do?

Josh's gaze meets mine, and he walks to me, holding his hand out. "We're all tired, man. Can we sleep it off tonight and talk tomorrow?"

An offer of a truce.

Shaking his hand, I see a trace of something in his eyes I can quite put my fingers on. Dread fills me with the possibility of him leaving us, and he easily reads it in my face.

Looking away, he turns to the guys. "No one is fucking dying, okay? We'll figure everything out tomorrow."

Dave and Aaron snort and I shake my head as Josh tries to sound responsible. This is a role he has never done well, but I'm curious to see how he'll play this out.

*****

The rest of the evening went on with no hiccups. The girls ordered some pizza and asked us to play a couple of songs for them. Playing is something that comes naturally to us, so I guess we were grateful for the distraction.

It's been a while since we just jammed with no obligations in mind. I had forgotten how good it is just to improvise and hang out with the guys. Being in a band and touring like crazy has brought its toll on us, so this change of scenery was definitely welcome.

Maria, being the early riser that she is, always goes to bed early no matter what, so she excused herself at midnight and went to bed. Aaron and Dave followed suit, saying they were jet-legged.

So now it's just me, Josh, and Joanna hanging out.

"I can definitely see why the girls fall over your feet, Josh," she says, making him chuckle.

"Oh, why is that?" He looks at me, and I roll my eyes.

"Your voice is amazing." She smiles, and he raises his eyebrows.

"I thought it was all about my looks." He winks at her, making her laugh.

"Of course, there's always that." She sips her beer. "But it's like you bring a whole new meaning to the songs you sing."

"Or maybe it's you who feel them differently every time you hear them and consequently bring a whole new meaning to them." He smiles at her, and she nods as if truly contemplating what he's saying.

"Yeah..." She looks at me. "It's only been a minute since we all got together, but you guys are really pulling me out of my writer's block."

"Told you that you should've come on tour with us," he says.

She chuckles. "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer next time."

"If there's a next time," I murmur and Josh snorts.

"And that's my cue to go to bed, too." He stands up, but not before giving me a pointed look.

"Fuck." I drop my elbows to my knees, looking down.

"Hey..." Jo sits by my side, her hand squeezing my shoulder. "Give him some time."

"I know I can't force him to stay, I just..." I shake my head.

She pokes her fingers on the tight knots on my shoulder and neck. "You're a ball of tension right now, Gabe"

Turning to her, I wait until she meets my gaze. "I'm just tired, you know?"

With a smile, she stands up and holds her hand to me. "Come on, I have an idea."

Holding her hand, I let her guide me inside the living room. The lights are dim and the house is silent now that everybody went to sleep, so I wonder what she's up to.

"Sit." She motions to the couch, and I look at her curiously as I do what she says.

"Okay..." I say, and she sits by my side.

"Turn around so your back is facing me." She taps my shoulder and once again I do as she says without questioning it.

I feel her moving from behind me. "Now..." she lowers her voice, a little hesitant. "Uh... Take off your shirt."

"What?" I turn to her, finding her on her knees on the couch.

"Get your mind out of the gutter," she smirks. "I've been known for giving great massages. Just ask your sister."

"I've never had a massage before..." I frown playfully.

"Are you scared?" She raises her eyes as if daring me.

Rather than answering her, I tug my T-shirt up and over my head. "There."

"Now turn around, close your eyes, and enjoy the ride," she says, her voice filled with humor.

"Like this?" I sink into the cushions of the couch, and soon I feel her warm hands on my shoulders.

"This would be better if we had some massage oil, but I think I can make it do," she says and my skin breaks into goosebumps when she slowly massages my shoulder and neck.

I love the delicate trace of her hands on me. The tension in my muscles begins to dissolve as she gently uses her thumb to apply some pressure on a ball of knots around my neck.

My eyes close and my lips part when her palms slide up and down my back in a fluid motion. "Wow, that feels good," I whisper.

She lets out a soft chuckle. "Take deep breaths. It helps with relaxing your body."

Doing as she says, I realize I was holding my breath, so I focus on inhaling and exhaling right. Jo's hands increase the pressure on my lower back, and I can't hold the soft moan that leaves my lips. "Fuck..." I mumble, my body awakening to her touch.

"Is it too much?" I can feel her breath on my skin as she whispers, and I'm suddenly aware of how close we are.

I hear my heart pounding in my ears as I slowly turn to face her. Without hesitation, my eyes instantly fall to her mouth. "No... That's perfect."

"Gabe..." She bites her lower lip.

"Yeah?" I lean a little closer and her eyes widen.

"It's late." She stands up quickly. "We should go to bed."

_____

A/N: I know! I know! I promise you're gonna love the next chapters! ;)

XOXO

Celeste