CHAPTER TWO
brYCE
The black drum case crashes into my shoulder as my phone chimes a message alert and I stumble back.
For a moment, I rest the drum against the tall wooden instrument shelving that stretches the length of the band room.
Hoisting the drum again, I stretch up and shove the hard-sided case into its allotted slot.
It would have been easier with a stepstool, except then I might have fallen and risked damaging more than just my ego. Once again, my stubbornness paid off.
I dig my phone out of my pocket the moment the case is safely stored and roll my tense shoulders. I’m half afraid my hopes are soon to be dashed.
It’s Tuesday, so we were going to be talking later anyway, still something in me simply couldn’t wait and I had to message her the thought that’s been buzzing around inside me for days now.
I’m impatient as hell, so I’m shocked I waited as long as I did.
The minute the text was sent, relief coursed through me, and I thought I was good to get on with my day.
Except the minutes stretched into hours with no response from Avery. And I began to seriously question whether I misread the situation.
Sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time that I had made that error in judgement. Still, optimism pulls at me, and I open the message.
AVERY: Can’t wait!!!
I don’t even try to muffle my whoop of delight or my fist pump.
It’s late and only a handful of other teachers remain in the school.
Plus, the band room is situated in a corner of the building, isolating it from the other classrooms. Besides, if anyone heard me, one look at my face would tell them that I’m happy, not in any danger.
I type out a fast reply and start packing up my bag, periodically glancing at my phone as nervous excitement pulses through me.
Walking across the parking lot to my black SUV, several track and field middle school students jog by and call out greetings that I happily return. My ready grin fades when Avery still hasn’t responded by the time I pull out of the school.
Maybe I was too pushy? Too eager? A sigh eases out of me, and I crank the music louder and head home.
Usually, music relaxes me. Not now. It’s hard to shake this funk. It’s been a long time since I was this interested in a woman. Especially one I haven’t even met yet.
My laugh overpowers the music and I shake my head.
Sure, we haven’t met in person, but all the texts and the phone calls make me feel like I do know Avery.
And that picture of her. I shift in the seat, my mind going to her shy smile, and heat blazes through me.
I could happily wake up to that smile for the rest of my life.
To hell with texting, I’ll call her. I should have done that in the first place with such an important question. My fingers hover over the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel. But not while I’m in traffic, I think, shifting my hand to grip the wheel. At home, free of distractions, I’ll call.
That thought firmly in mind makes the almost thirty minute drive almost enjoyable. When an old song that played such a huge part of my life comes on, I don’t even change it. Instead, I sing the backup vocals and can’t help chuckling as I flub a few of the lyrics.
The gate to my driveway is open and the red brick two-story house looms ahead, far larger than I need and more costly than what a band teacher could afford, but the moment I laid eyes on the online listing nine years ago I knew I would buy it.
A rueful smile pulls stiffly at my face, an old trace of bitterness tainting my mood and erasing some of my humor.
Of course, back then, I also had dreams of filling the house with a family.
As the garage door rumbles down behind me while I turn off my truck, I try to shake off the sour memories.
So life didn’t work out exactly how I envisioned.
That doesn’t make life bad, far from it.
I got the best job in the world as far as I’m concerned and if things work out with Avery like I’m hoping, then the reward will be just as satisfying at thirty-seven as it would have been when I was younger.
Some things just take longer than others.
With that firmly in mind, I grab my work bag and head into the house, the fragrant smell of beef filling my nose the moment I open the door.
Bless Mrs. Davis!
Going into the kitchen, I walk over to the cheery white and green crock pot on the long granite counter facing the backyard and spy the note she left.
I asked Avery about meeting tonight and at the time I thought of a popular Italian place that was roughly midway between us.
Inhaling the mouth-watering smells in the kitchen, the urge to bring her here is strong.
My housekeeper makes a savory beef stew and according to her note, she left sourdough rolls as well.
My eyes sweep over the counter, and I discover a bowl draped with a blue tea towel.
A peek inside shows big and hearty rolls.
My stomach gives a low growl, and I can’t resist grabbing one and taking a bite, my eyes rolling in bliss as I chew.
All the wishful thinking in the world won’t help me if I’ve scared Avery off, though. A glance at the microwave shows that it’s fast approaching five thirty. I dig into my bag and see a message alert.
AVERY: Tomorrow?
My lips turn down at her reply. Tempering my impatience, I remind myself that another day isn’t going to kill me and besides, she wants to meet.
brYCE: Italian? Six?
AVERY: I like Italian. Six works. Bella Mia’s?
It wouldn’t have been my first choice, but she wouldn’t have mentioned it if she didn’t like it. There will be plenty of time to introduce her to real Italian food in the future.
brYCE: See you then. I’ll be the guy with the biggest grin on my face.
A few minutes go by before she replies, and I’m reminded again that Avery is more reserved at times, so I try not to take her simple reply of ‘See you’ personally.
She was the same the first several times we spoke on the phone, her soft voice tense and radiating nervousness. Thankfully, soon enough, she relaxed, and her responses came faster and gave me more insight into her. Though, I must admit, someone as lovely as her being shy still takes me by surprise.
One day very soon, I hope to tease her about all this. For now, I’ll eat my dinner alone and count down the hours until we chat again.
My grin is wry as my gaze flashes to the time on my phone. Less than three hours until our online bingo group meets, and I can’t wait.