Worth It

Chapter Thirteen

Gabriel

I pressed the incline button on the treadmill and pushed myself to jog the last ten minutes up a fucking mountain. My legs were burning, my shirt was soaked through with sweat, and every bone in my body was aching from the intensive workout I'd been implementing.

I used to be able to go for a run, lift some weights, and head home. Now? Now, I had too much fucking steam to blow off and too many sexual frustrations blinding and clouding my brain.

My headphones were blasting in my ears, yet I could still hear my heavy breathing combined with my feet hitting the treadmill. Sweat dripped down my face, and I rubbed my eyes aggressively when they began to sting.

Suddenly the machine stopped, and I saw Xavier leaning against it. I paused my music and grabbed the towel to wipe my face.

"What?"

"Breathe." He chuckled. "Jesus, man."

"I am breathing."

I was panting as I reached for my water bottle. I downed whatever was left and got off the treadmill with a painful groan.

"Did you finish your workout?"

"I did. Thirty minutes ago. I've been waiting for you." He said as we walked toward the locker room.

"Sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. With Opal officially moved out, I'm contemplating if I should put an ad out for a new roommate."

"Do you need someone to help with bills?" He asked.

"No. I do pretty well for myself. I might just have it as a guest bedroom or turn it into an office. I don't know." I rambled. "Work has been fucking hectic lately, and I feel like a robot. Like I do the same shit every single day."

He gave me a weird look. "I swear to God I'm experiencing déjà vu. Kat literally told me that last night. The robot thing." 

"How is she? I haven't seen her in a while." God, I missed her.

"Good. Ever since Megan promoted her, she's been working non-stop. Megan has her glued to her hip for lunch meetings, zoom conference meetings and is trying to convince her to go to Paris with her for some Fashion Gala."

My brows furrowed in confusion, or was it anger? "Paris? She didn't say anything about that in the group chat."

"She hasn't told anyone about it yet. I know because I was there when Megan asked her." He clarified, and I nodded slowly.

"So? Is she going to go?"

"I don't know." His phone dinged. "Speak of the Angel." He chuckled as he read through the message.

His fingers typed away at Sonic speed, and I waited stoically, impatiently for him to finish.

"I told her to meet us for lunch, but she says she's having lunch with Opal."

"Tell them both to meet us," I demanded.

"I did. She says they're not in the area."

I hadn't seen her since that night at her apartment. It was almost two weeks ago. We messaged sometimes, but it wasn't like before. I don't know if she was avoiding me or if maybe we were both just busy.

I don't know if she knew I was going to kiss her before Xavier interrupted or if it was because of that reason that she was staying away. I didn't want it to be awkward between us.

It didn't have to be. Nothing happened. We were drunk and talking about stupid things and got too caught up in the moment.

Her conjuring up this much distance and being so aloof with me had me feeling like she didn't want to be more than friends. It made me feel defeated and disappointed.