Broba's POV
"Where the heck were you, girl?" Hope asked as I walked into our room, locking the door behind me.
"I was playing catch with Gabriel," I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
Hope gasped. "WHAT?! Details, details, details!" she shrieked, grabbing my arm and pulling me onto her bed.
I gave her the full rundown.
"Yasss girl, secure your man!"
I rolled my eyes. "You're weird, Hope."
"And you're not?" Fair point.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at it. "Alec's inviting us to a get-together to celebrate their first win. You down?"
I knew Gabriel would be there, so I nodded. "Yeah, sure."
Hope quickly changed out of her pajamas into leggings and a long-sleeved blue shirt. I didn't bother changing out of my sweats. We headed out.
The party was on the fourth floor's common room—most of the football team stayed up there anyway. It wasn't too late, which helped convince me to go.
When we arrived, the room was buzzing with laughter and chatter. Alec spotted us first.
"Hopey! Broba! Over here!" he called out.
Hope grinned at the goofy nickname and pulled me toward the group. Gabriel caught my eye and smiled.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," I replied, smiling back as Hope plopped herself onto Alec's lap. He whispered something to her that made her giggle.
"Don't you ever wish you had something like that?" I asked Gabriel, nodding toward the laughing couple.
He looked at me. "Yeah... yeah, I do."
He stared at me, and I couldn't help but get lost in his green eyes.
"Broba!" Ellie called out, breaking our little moment. She wrapped me in a big hug before sitting beside me, dragging Thomas with her. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her neck, making her giggle.
Naomi joined us—well, technically Matt carried her bridal style, and she blushed like crazy. They were adorable.
We were just getting comfortable when some random guy approached us.
"Hey, Cecilia, right?" he asked, eyeing me. I tensed and nodded cautiously.
"Well, you single?"
I blinked. Was this guy for real?
"What's it to you?" I said, tilting my head.
"You and me would make a hot couple," he replied, stepping closer. I felt Gabriel stiffen beside me.
"Are you asking or telling?"
He looked caught off guard, then smirked. "Both."
I crossed my arms. "Well, I'm telling you to fuck off. Who the hell do you think you are?"
"I'm Sawyer," he said with a grin, as if the name should mean something.
"I don't give a fuck what your name is, jackass. You don't get to ask a girl you don't know if she's single and then act like she owes you something."
Gabriel let out a short laugh. Sawyer glared at him.
Then he turned back to me.
"Look, bitch. I'm hot, you're hot. Let's fuck and make hot babies. I know you want to."
I nearly choked. Before I could even respond, Gabriel grabbed my hand protectively.
"Dude, get the hell out of here. You can't just call a girl a bitch because she doesn't want you—especially not when she's fucking amazing," Gabriel snapped.
I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Our friends around us all let out a collective "awwww."
Sawyer looked like he was going to explode. "You're crazy if you think I—"
"Look, if you don't leave now, I will kick you in the fucking balls," I said flatly.
"You may be hot, but you're a fucking slu—"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Because he got punched.
And not by Gabriel.
Hope had leapt up and socked him square in the face.
She glared at him as he staggered back. "Get the fuck out of here before I make you wish you were never born, you giraffe-looking piece of shit!"
Sawyer backed off, holding his jaw.
"Thanks, Hope," I said, genuinely touched.
She shrugged. "Please, I've been waiting for an excuse to punch that guy."
Alec grinned. "I love you."
I turned to Gabriel. "Thank you for defending me."
He gave a half-shrug. "Just call me your knight in shining armor."
I laughed—then realized we were still holding hands. Neither of us let go. He smiled at me, and I leaned on his shoulder.
"Okay, everyone!" a girl named Lacey squealed. "I made a cake to celebrate our team's first win!"
Lacey was dating one of the players and was the niece of the college chef, which explained how she had kitchen access. She passed out slices to everyone with a proud smile.
"Enjoy!"
I took a bite. It was actually pretty good—until my lips tingled.
"Um, Lacey?" I called, my voice already tight.
She came over, still smiling. "What's up?"
"Did you put anything extra in this cake?" I asked, trying not to panic.
She thought for a second. "Oh yeah, I sprinkled in some peanut crumbs for texture. Why?"
Oh fuck.
Gabriel's POV
"Oh yeah, I sprinkled in some peanut crumbs for texture. Why?"
I froze.
Broba was holding her throat. Her face had turned a weird orangey color.
"You added what?!" Naomi gasped.
"She's allergic to peanuts!" Hope shouted as Broba struggled to breathe.
I held her in my arms, rubbing her back. "Shhh, it's okay. I've got you. Just breathe."
"Call an ambulance!" Naomi yelled. Ellie was already dialing 911. Broba's breathing was shallow, her skin breaking out in hives.
"Ch… cha… Gabriel… I… can't… breathe," she rasped.
"I know, I know. Just try to relax, okay? Help's coming," I whispered, brushing her hair back.
People had crowded around us.
"She's not some kind of zoo exhibit! Give her space!" Ellie snapped at them.
The paramedics arrived fast. I scooped Broba into my arms and carried her to the stretcher. She had passed out—but thank god, she was still breathing.
As they started to wheel her out, I stopped them. "Please… please let me come with you. I can't—I won't leave her."
They looked at me, then nodded.
I climbed in beside her, holding her hand the entire ride.