Page 64 of Reaching Avery
He played with his lip ring with his tongue. “Okay, what about the time I—”
“Excuse me?” a guy said from the front counter, getting our attention. He looked to be in his early twenties with long, brown hair pulled up into one of those man-buns. It looked good on him, though. “Not to interrupt whatever conversation you guys are having, but can I order now?”
I stifled another laugh at the expression on Garrett’s face.
“Sorry, man,” Garrett said as he neared the hot guy. I knew the flirty look he had on his face without even having to see it. “What can I get for you?”
I wiped down the back counter and checked the coffee pot, making sure there was enough for the moment. I must’ve been extremely oblivious in the past for not seeing the way Garrett flirted with not only cute girls but guys too.
It was funny now to think about.
After work, I drove home. Hardly any other cars were on the road, so it was a quiet drive. I debated on stopping by the tracks to see if Avery was there, but I was too tired.
When I made it home, it was nearly midnight. I yawned as I trudged up the stairs and to my room. Too sleepy to change out of my clothes, I collapsed on my bed fully-dressed and was asleep minutes later.
***
The next morning, I thought a lot about what Garrett had suggested as I got ready for school. And I actually fixed my hair before leaving the house, putting some mousse in my hand and running my fingers through the light brown strands, giving it that controlled bedhead look.
Right when I got to school, I searched for Avery. He was under his favorite tree in the courtyard, and I plopped down beside him.
Looking up from his book, he smiled. “Hey, big guy.”
My stomach fluttered every time he called me that. “What are you reading?”
Avery marked his place before closing the book and showing me the cover. A shirtless dude surrounded by smoke was on it, and a city scene was beneath him. “It’s calledSeeing Red: Scorchedby T.C. Orton.Ben let me borrow it. I think he meant it as a jab at me because it’s about vampires and a rock band, but I actually really like it. So, joke’s on him.”
I pressed my arm to his, and the contact made my skin tingle. I wanted to grab his hand, but I didn’t.
“I’m not much of a vampire guy. More into superheroes,” I said, looking from our touching forearms to his black-lined, pale blue eyes. “Maybe you can convert me, though. Are the vamps hot?”
“Oh yeah.” Avery smirked. “The lead singer is named Nicolai, and I’m pretty sure he’s my future husband.”
His words caused several feelings. One, he just admitted that he was for sure into guys, so it gave me hope. As for the second… I mean, it was crazy to be jealous of a fictional character, right?
“Not sure I like this Nicolai. Sounds like a douche.”
Avery fiddled with the pages of his book as a shy smile spread across his face. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he lowered his gaze. Unsure.
I lightly bumped his arm, trying to help ease his tension. When he peered back up at me, a strange look was in his eyes.
“Thanks, Mav.” His voice was soft. Vulnerable.
“For what?”
“For being you,” he answered in a more confidant tone. “For helping me discover myself. Before you, I was lost. I still am sort of. But you’ve helped me see clearer. Although the path is still hazy, you’ve helped guide me through the fog.”
I tried to figure out how I could’ve helped him. I’d been his friend, but I doubted that was what he meant.
“I’m glad I helped,” I said, still unsure of the meaning. “What are you doing tonight?”
The question had slipped out beyond my control. Maybe it was Avery’s closeness or the way his eyes focused on mine, but I was under some sort of spell. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to snap out of it.
“Nothing,” he answered, back to his somewhat awkward self. “Why?”
“Do you wanna go see a movie?” I blurted out. “There’s a good scary one that just released. If horror is your thing.”
“Are you sure it’syourthing?” he asked with a playful grin. “Wasn’t it you who screamed like a little girl a few weeks ago when I approached your car?”
