Page 118 of Forever Entwined
"I'll make some snacks to go," Bella offers as she heads back into the house.
I rush upstairs, hoping to find some sweatpants or shorts to put on, and am just finishing changing when I hear a knock on the door. "Come on in," I call out. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help but hope it's Gabe standing on the other side of my door.
"Hey man, I thought you might want to borrow this," Tucker suggests, handing me a backpack.
"Is Bella here?" he whispers as he starts pacing, looking around the room nervously.
"No, why?"
"Because…" he whispers as he puts his hand in his pocket. "I grabbed this out of your drawer when I was helping Bella pack earlier. I don't know whether you want it or not, but I didn't want her to find it," he explains as he hands me the small box containing my mother's engagement ring.
"Thanks, bro." I grin, grabbing it and quickly putting it in the side pocket of the bag so I don't lose it.
"Anytime. Have you given any thought to when you're going to ask her?"
"I don't know. I’ve had a few ideas, but nothing's felt right yet. I want it to be perfect," I admit.
"You'll find the right time soon; I'm sure of it."
We hear loud footsteps, so we quickly change our conversation just in time because shortly after, the door swings open and Bella walks in.
"Oh, hey, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Bella blurts out when she spots Tucker.
"Yeah, I just wanted to borrow Tucker's bag. I can't really go hiking if I've nowhere to put anything," I try to joke, but it comes off as awkward.
"Okaay," Bella replies as Tucker walks out the door.
"What's wrong with him today?" she asks.
"I don't know," I lie. "Are you ready to go?" I ask, changing the subject.
***
GABE
I wake up at five, having barely slept through the night. I know I should be there for Nate, but the idea of spending the whole weekend with Izzy and seeing Nate with all his new family is just too much. I go for a jog and fight with my own mind, trying to decide whether to pull myself together and go or selfishly stay behind and try to make it up to him when he gets back. I arrive home just before eight and decide to text him to let him know I haven't forgotten.
Me:Happy birthday, little brother. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your friends. You deserve it. Love always, Gabriel.
Seconds later, I receive his reply.
Nate:It would mean more to me if you were here too, bro. You're the only real family I have, so I wish you were here to celebrate with me.
I stare at my phone, not knowing what to say, before deciding not to. Instead, I get ready and head straight to work, all day being bombarded with texts from Izzy.
Izzy,8:30: Are you still coming tonight?
Izzy, 9:00:Nate seems to be missing you.
Izzy, 9:45:I know you hate crowds, and you get frustrated with me, but this isn't about me, you, or anyone else. This is about your brother and who he wants to celebrate his birthday with.
Izzy, 10:30:Please tell me you're coming tonight. I can't stand the way his face falls every time he thinks he's sneaking a peek to see if you've messaged yet and realizes you haven’t.
Seriously, who the fuck does Izzy think she is, trying to tell me what my own brother wants and needs? I turn off my cell phone because I'm tired of the constant beeping and get back to work.
***
NATHANIEL