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

My legs clenched together and I bit my lip. Thoughts of sex in his office or the bar stock room came to mind. I’d never done anything crazy like that before, but I knew being with Gabe would be exciting and different from what I was used to. I didn’t hesitate to type: yes.

Gabe: Great. See you tonight.

Taylor: Can’t wait.

I wanted Gabe with an intensity that was scary, especially when I had no idea where his head was at. I needed to protect myself because Gabe had a pattern of pulling back when things got too deep or real. And things between us were both.

I focused on yet another file in front of me where the defendant was arrested after soliciting children online. I sorted through the evidence consisting of videos and pictures of the children he’d acquired. The more I read, the sicker I felt. I didn’t know how I had thought I could do this job. The only bright spot was the community outreach focus and Gabe. I needed experience in this department and then maybe I could transfer to another one with less disturbing evidence and crimes.

I headed home after work to change into my bar uniform of black skinny jeans and a tank top. Butterflies exploded in my stomach the closer I got. How would he act now that we were together?

I opened the door to the bar to find Gabe behind the counter. I walked up to him and smiled. “Hey.”

I sensed Isaac watching us from the other end of the bar.

He leaned over to kiss me on the lips. It was quick and chaste but he’d kissed me in front of everyone.

“That’s a nice greeting.”

“I missed you.”

My heart sped up. “I missed you too.” Was this it? We were going to be together without him pulling back? I wanted that more than anything.

“Are you ready to work?”

“Yes.” Waitressing wasn’t my favorite job but the tips were great and I loved meeting new people. Working near Gabe didn’t hurt either.

Gabe’s gaze traveled down to my cleavage and he leaned in to whisper into my ear, “I can’t wait to peel those clothes off of you later.”

His softly spoken words shot straight to my core and I swallowed. Then he was behind the bar saying something to Isaac before turning and winking at me. My face was so hot. If I thought Gabe was intense before—it was nothing like now. I grabbed my black apron, tied it, and spoke to Anna about the tables I’d be working tonight.

I was busy for a couple of hours before I noticed Zach rush in and say something to Gabe before Gabe guided him to the back.

“Anna, watch my tables for a minute?” I asked her as I walked by.

“Sure,” she said.

The door to Gabe’s office was slightly ajar and I heard murmuring. I hesitated for a second before I knocked. Was I overstepping? No, Gabe introduced me to Zach this weekend and seemed to want me to be involved. I could ask if they were okay and go back to work. I knocked softly. “It’s Taylor.”

The door opened and Gabe pulled me inside, closing the door behind me. Zach sat slumped on the black leather couch in the room staring at his feet and Gabe was tense. “Is everything okay?”

The room was silent for a minute before Gabe said, “Do you mind if we tell Taylor what’s going on?” When Zach was quiet, he continued, “I trust her.”

I knew that was a huge statement for Gabe, and Zach must have too because he looked up in surprise at us before nodding.

“Thanks, buddy. Zach’s mom was home today when he came home from Omar’s. She wanted to know where he was.”

I didn’t know his situation but my impression was his mom worked a lot and wasn’t involved. Judging by the mood of the room, it didn’t go well.

Zach cleared his throat. “Yeah, she’s happy I found a job. She wants me to ask Omar for more money and full-time hours.” He shifted his attention to Gabe. “I’m sorry, man. I know you didn’t want her to find out.”

“I didn’t but you didn’t do anything wrong. She’s your mother. You should be able to talk to her about this stuff.” Gabe paced the small space in front of the couch.

“I offered her my paycheck,” Zach said.

“You haven’t even been hired yet—not officially,” Gabe said. “And if you do get it, she’s going to take whatever money you earn.”

“She said I owe her.” Everything about Zach’s demeanor—his slumped shoulders, his tone, was resigned.

“What?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I knew I was out of my depth in this conversation. “Why do you owe her?”

“Because she pays for the apartment, food, and clothes.”

I looked at his scuffed shoes from wear and the holes with his toes sticking out, his too-short pants, and his T-shirt, which had seen better days. “But she doesn’t.” I wasn’t sure if I was overstepping.

“You’re right. She doesn’t take care of him. She provides a roof over his head and that’s it. Zach’s mom is physically and emotionally absent. She does nothing for him. She doesn’t provide him with security, basic necessities, love. I’m sorry, Zach. I just want something different for you.”

“But you have our love and our attention. We’d like to help you,” I said, dropping Gabe’s hand to sit next to Zach.

Zach’s face filled with relief. He had two adults in his corner and hopefully he’d have more soon. “I wish we could talk to his teachers. See if they’re aware of what’s going on.”

“When I went to school, no one cared. They dared me to fuck up and I did. I did what they expected,” Gabe said bitterly.

“I hope things are different now. That teachers are trained to look out for situations like this,” I said.

“I don’t want social services snooping around.” Then softer and more anguished, “I don’t want them to take him.”

“I don’t think they would.” He shot me