Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

I ran into Gabe again. I didn’t think I could handle it if he ignored me or treated me like a stranger. I wasn’t used to being this invested in a man. Usually, my sole focus was Caleb. And maybe that was the real issue. For the first time, I only had myself to worry about and I was overanalyzing this thing with Gabe. It was one kiss.

Chapter Thirteen

GABE

I’d never been so frustrated. Worrying about Zach had occupied every thought since I found out he was involved with gang members. I walked to Omar’s store, intent on asking him to hire Zach a few nights a week. Even if he agreed, I’d need to keep him occupied the other two nights. I could take off those two nights at the bar and do something with Zach, but Isaac wanted to work less hours not more.

My end goal was to either take over Isaac’s bar so he could retire or start a business of my own. I didn’t have enough money yet to feel comfortable throwing it into a business that might not succeed. The only thing I knew was tending bar. I’d never officially managed the bar, ordering supplies, and hiring and firing employees. I liked to think I could handle it based on my observations of what Isaac did but I wasn’t sure. Running a business was huge and I’d never been responsible for anything more than paying rent and showing up to work.

Isaac was the only employer who would hire me with a criminal record. Most employers didn’t want someone convicted of theft working for them. In high school, the teachers were quick to blame me if something happened at school—like blaming me for the fight whether I started it or not. After awhile it became easier to meet my teachers’ expectations—to not study, to skip school, to take what I wanted. My mom received food stamps, but I think she traded them for cigarettes or cash because we never had enough food. Gang members in the neighborhood saw me run out of the store with my pockets stuffed with food. I was an easy target. I had no one to watch out for me—to warn me. All I knew was that I needed money for food and clothes and these people wanted to be my friends—wanted to give me money.

It was only when I was arrested that I realized that those guys weren’t my friends—they weren’t looking out for me. No one was. Inside, I worked hard for my GED and when I was released, I worked and saved my money. But I still lived in the same cheap apartment I’d gotten when I started working for Isaac. I hadn’t really moved forward or done anything. I wanted more but wasn’t sure I was capable of anything else.

Even if I wanted more with Taylor there was no way she’d be attracted to a guy like me with no higher education. I hadn’t taken any steps to reach my goals. She could have anyone. Not for the first time in the last several days, my fingers hovered over our last few texts. I don’t think anyone had ever expressed care and concern for me, except for possibly Isaac. But I hadn’t reached out to her in a week. She hadn’t worked at the bar either.

I stepped inside Omar’s store to find him stocking shelves while a few shoppers looked around. “Hey man, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” He wiped his hands on his pants and stood, taking the empty box and setting it behind the counter. “What’s up?”

“I’ve been helping out my neighbor. He’s fifteen. Dad’s not around and mom’s always working. He doesn’t have a lot of food and he’s caught up with some bad kids from the neighborhood.”

“You want to keep him out of trouble?” His lips were drawn into a straight line. “I don’t want some kid from a gang bringing more problems to my store.”

“I’m taking responsibility for him. I’m trying to get him away from these guys and keep him busy.”

His brows drew together. “I can respect that, but I want you to know I’m only considering this because it’s you asking. I want to meet him and we’ll take it from there.”

I sighed, thankful he was willing to meet him. “I understand. I appreciate the chance for him to prove himself.”

I turned when the door opened, revealing Taylor in a tight black suit. The skirt clung to her hips, stopping a few inches above her knees, her legs sexy in the red heels I’d seen her wear the first day we’d met.

“Gabe?” she asked, her face scrunched in surprise. “What are you doing here?” She looked from me to Omar.

“I was asking Omar for a favor.” I didn’t elaborate since I hadn’t told her about Zach yet. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to get Omar’s notes and the videotapes of any thefts this week. I’m going to the police station to talk to the officers about it.”

“Let me get those for you.” Omar went to the back of the store.

“Really?” I liked that she’d followed through with what she’d told Omar.

“Yeah, I’m going to the station after this.”

Every muscle in my body was wound tight. I wanted to pull her to me, crush my lips to hers, I’d never wanted anyone more, but my mouth hadn’t caught up to the rest of my body. “And you really think they’ll listen to you?”

She let out a breath. “I don’t know but I have to try.”

“Why?” My voice sounded strained and as tightly strung as my body.

“I offered to help Omar and that’s what I’m doing.” She gave me an understanding look. She knew how hard it was for me to understand someone’s motives. That kindness and care were so foreign to me.

“I’ll go with you.” I wanted to see for myself her following through on her promises. I wanted to protect her from those asshole cops. But