Holding On & Letting Go [✓] (Boyxboy)

Chapter Nine

    "Anyway, the real moral of the story is, don't ever try paint upside down on a ladder." Gabriel says.

    My laugh filters through the phone as I lay on my bed. "I can't believe you did that. Even as a six-year old."

    "What can I say?" Gabriel laughs along with me. "I was a curious kid."

    "That's insane." I chuckle.

    Our laughter dies out before Gabriel says, "By the way, I found the cutest little sushi joint in the city yesterday. You have to try it when you come to New York!"

    "Oh uh, I don't really like sushi."

     "What!" Gabriel exclaims through the phone. "How can anyone not like sushi?"

     "I'm just not big on seafood."

    "That," Gabriel states. "Is a crime. You should serve time for such an act."

    I chuckle, rolling over on my bed. "My roommate thinks I'm crazy too. He loves sushi."

    "I like your roommate better than you right now."

    Smiling, I say. "Yeah. He's awesome."

    Gabriel asks, "What's your roommate like?"

    "He's sweet, caring, understanding, doesn't push boundaries. He just knows me by heart, he's my best friend." I smile.

    "Sounds like you've known him for a long time."

    "We met in high school. He was a senior when I was a freshman."

    "And this roommate of yours, does he have a name?"

    "His name is Jack."

    "Is he coming to New York with you?"

    "Yeah," I say. "He works as a talent scout at the company."

    "A talent scout? That's pretty cool. Think he'll recruit me?"

    I grin at Gabriel's teasing tone. "I think he might."

    Gabriel's laugh as warm and melodic and sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. He speaks lowly in a golden tone. "Hm, I may just have to go for Jack instead of you. It sounds like he's got his life sorted out pretty well."

    "You can," I laugh jokingly. "He's gay too."

    "He is?"

    "I mean, he had girlfriends in school before he really figured it out. But he's also had crap luck with finding a guy that deserves him."

    "Why's that?"

    "No guy is good enough for him." I growl.

    Gabriel chuckles. "You sound really protective of him. It's nice."

    "He's my best friend," I shrug, even though Gabriel can't see it. "He was there for me when I needed him most, I'm just returning the favour and being a good friend."

    "So he's never been in a healthy relationship?"

    "Healthy, yes. Were they nice guys though? No."

    "When was the last time he was in a relationship? Maybe I can set him up with a friend." Gabriel jokes, eliciting a laugh from me.

    "He went on a date a few nights ago but it didn't end well. When I asked him, he said there was someone he already likes."

    "Did he say who?"

    I stare at my ceiling in sadness, thinking about my best friend. "No, he never gave me a name. I think he believes that he'll be rejected if he ever tells them."