Chapter 25 - Speak To Me

(Jamie)

I reached my hand out, yanking Rylan back by his shirt before glaring at him profusely..I knew I shouldn't have given him that damn emergency key..

"You...go sit the fuck over there." I gritted through my teeth and pointed to the sofa.

Rylan was like a brother to me..in fact, when I was younger I spent most of my time at his house with his family in high school than I did with my own dad..of course, that was when I wasn't at my mom's house for the week.

Rylan and I are complete opposites, he is carefree and impulsive while I am clearly more organized and think things through thoroughly..well, until Gabriella..she was the first impulsive I have ever made my entire life.

But Rylan annoys the shit out of me and loves to see me riled up..and yet..I still love the guy.

By the look on his face right now, he clearly knows he is in deep shit.

"Sorry dude." He whispered sheepishly and went to the other room quickly, knowing I wasn't messing around.

I hastily walked to the hallway, realizing Gabriella was no longer standing there and my heart dropped..fuck..she must've heard everything..

What happened between me and Jolie isn't anything bad really..we just had a slight misunderstanding and I cleared it up that same day..I was aware that she did have a crush on me for years..and in Aspen a few months ago she tried to kiss me..I shut it down real quick and told her I didn't feel the same way about her.

Jolie was like a sister to me..and honestly, she and Rylan look way too much alike that it's creepy...just thinking about being with her made a chill shudder down my spine..that would be like hooking up with Rylan.

I walked to our bedroom door and knocked softly before pushing it open. That's when I saw Gabriella sitting on the bed glancing down at Butterscotch before she peered up at me worriedly.

Oh god..I didn't like that look..it broke my damn heart.

"Baby, let me explain..Jolie had a little crush on me but I swear I never saw her that way. Nothing happened between us and I cleared things up that same day." I rushed out before sitting next to her and placing my hand on her back.

Suddenly Gabriella looked down at her phone before sniffling.

"Are you embarrassed for your friend to meet me?" She suddenly typed out, making my eyes widen.

"What? No..of course not!" I whispered hastily, feeling my heart drop as I pulled Gabriella into my lap before hugging her tight. Is that what she thought?

I felt her bury her face in the crook of my neck as I rubbed her back gently.

"Rylan..he is just a lot..and honestly, I kind of wanted this time with just you..that's why I have been avoiding his calls. Because I'm not ready to share you yet..Rylan will insert himself into everything.." I grumbled the last part, making Gabriella smile before pulling back and looking up at me.

I lifted my arms, resting my palms against her cheeks as I gazed down at her beautiful face.

"I just love getting to know you and having this time together one on one..and eventually we will introduce all of our friends and family..but I'm selfish..I don't want to share." I admitted before pouting and making her laugh as she reached up and began kissing me on the lips and cheeks.

"I guess you can meet the jerk.." I grumbled before kissing her back and sighing.

Fucking Rylan..he better not try anything with Gabriella...

I stood up, lifting Gabriella with me before pressing my lips to hers once more and then setting her down. My eyes drifted up and down her gorgeous body as I felt anxious about this..am I becoming too possessive?

I don't want to hold Gabriella back from meeting new people...God knows her family had done that long enough..but a part of me just wants to put a damn bubble around her and keep her by my side at all times.

Then it hit me..I am already falling for her hard and that realization doesn't scare me as much as it should..

Gabriella took my hand as she began pulling me out into the hall, her eyes filled with excitement before we finally got to the living room where Rylan was still sitting.

The moment he saw Gabby, he shot up and smiled at her widely.

"Gabriella, it's nice to finally meet you." He said before stepping closer to her as I gave him a warning glare..but of course Gabriella being the amazing and kind person she is smiled just as brightly back to him, making me frown.

"Gabriella uses sign language to speak, but she also uses her phone sometimes.." I began to explain when Rylan started to move his hands smoothly, making Gabriella gasp as he started doing fucking sign language..I kid you not..

What the hell!! Of course he knew ASL...that prick.

I looked at him in shock as Gabriella began responding excitedly, making Rylan laugh as I suddenly felt left out and even more jealous.

"When did you learn sign language?" I hissed, making Rylan beam at me excitedly, obviously seeing I was pissed off.

"I took it as an elective in College." He shrugged, his eyes gleaming mischievously as he signed something else, making Gabriella blush before responding with "thank you." I fucking knew that one at least..

"What did you say?" I blurted, trying to figure out what the hell was happening right now.

"I just told her she is beautiful." He explained with a smug look on his face..letting me know that wasn't all.

Gabriella wrapped her small hands around my arm, prompting me to look down at her. She watched me carefully before lifting and kissing me on the cheek, making me melt beneath her touch.

"So, when is it? When is the wedding?" Rylan sighed as he glanced between us carefully, I could see it in his eyes..he was obviously taken with Gabriella, and I can't blame him but he better not try anything though. Rylan is a fucking flirt to the highest level and I won't put up with it...not with Gabriella..

"A little under two weeks." I stated, making both Rylan and Gabriella do a double take as they stared at me. I didn't tell Gabriella exactly how soon it would be..but yeah..I have started the process already. I told her it would be soon..

"Oh, that's fast. Is there a reason for that?" Rylan asked, glancing down at Gabriella's stomach as I pulled her closer to me, wrapping my arms around her protectively. Of course he thought she was pregnant..that pervert.

"No, I just don't want to wait." I snapped, knowing Rylan was probably wondering what the hell happened to me.

"Okay, damn, no need to get all territorial...jeez. So..what are we doing today?" Rylan asked before plopping back onto the couch and looking between us.

Gabriella glanced up at me as I was about to open my mouth to tell Rylan to fuck off when she started signing.

"Shopping? Oh great! I needed to get some new swim trunks for the party this weekend..oh shit Gabby..you totally have to come." He added with the douchiest grin ever as the way he called her Gabby pissed me off.

"Sorry, we have a lot going on, and then we are heading to the office later so.." I trailed off, hoping Rylan got the fucking hint as he began to pout before signing something to Gabby.

She quickly looked up at me and shook her head no before saying something else.

That's when Rylan jumped to his feet and quickly slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Deal..sounds good. Very nice to meet you Gabriella..see you later dude!" He stated and swiftly left the apartment, leaving me completely dumbfounded as I looked at the now closed door..that was too easy..

"W..what did you say to him?" I asked in shock as Gabriella pulled out her phone and began typing.

"Don't be mad..but..I told him if he left us alone, we would go to his party." She wrote out before smiling up at me sheepishly..making me sigh.

I turned more towards her as I looped my arms around Gabriella's waist while bowing my back and inching closer to her face.

"Do you want to go to the party?" I asked, and then she nodded her head while biting her lip nervously.

I could see the excitement that filled her eyes and I then realized...damn I'm in trouble..there is no way I can say no to this girl.

"Okay..we can go." I sighed and that's when Gabriella threw herself into my arms before kissing me until I was left gasping for air...

Damn...if this is what she is like when she gets her way..I wonder what she is like when she begs..