Chapter 21 Gabe
Chapter 21: Gabe
Tuesday September 2, 7:00 PM
Avery rushed out the front door like she was running away from a boulder threatening to crush her—the boulder being Gabe.
Way to go, Indiana Jones . Hadn’t he seen a text to Avery from a guy named Marshall? Clearly her mind was on someone else. So why had he gone ahead and kissed her?
Because he wanted to. He touched his lips with his fingertips as he remembered the moment. Their connection was undeniable. He glanced at Avery's car, where she was sitting, looking down at her phone, probably texting that guy Marshall.
That was super dumb, kissing her like that, when she clearly wanted to be friends.
But she had been so great to encourage him, to help him do something he hadn’t done in ages. His parents were actually excited to help him. They said they’d fully fund whatever he wanted. Just like that. He had wanted to talk with them more, but they were busy—as usual. Still, he promised to call them again, even if they didn’t.
So why had he told Avery his parents had said “maybe”? Part of him was hoping he still had a chance with her. That she wasn’t trying to get rid of him. But he wanted to go on this expedition more than anything, so why was he letting a girl distract him?
Finally he shut the front door and removed Emmett’s harness, going through the motions of filling the dog food dish and water dish. Had he imagined their connection? Avery’s invitation to kiss her?
When he had blabbered to her about his self-doubt, and she had put her hands on his shoulders, then said, “I’m proud of you,” he melted. It made sense to kiss her right then.
He was falling in love with Avery. Or did he simply like how he felt around her? How she took care of him? He craved her outright acceptance and her willingness to be there for him at a moment’s notice. But was it love?
Maybe he needed therapy. Or a guy friend or two. He sat at the kitchen table in front of his laptop, sending the email to his parents. As soon as they read his email and sent the money, it would be official. He’d be Egypt-bound.
He picked up his phone, avoiding the latest text from Claire, and opened a new window to text his old professor. “Talked to sponsor. Money coming soon.” But he couldn’t make himself push send.
Was he excited to go? Of course. But did he also want to stay? Yes. Well, he wasn’t sure about that. He didn’t want to stay if he and Avery weren’t going to work out. And her mind was on someone else. That was clear enough.
An alert popped up from the Substitute App. Science class job available for the next day. Sure, why not? He clicked “accept.” He already knew Avery would be subbing tomorrow, too. Normally he’d look forward to seeing her. But now things were… awkward. He wondered if they could even just be friends after the kiss—make that four kisses, not that he was counting—they had shared.
The first kiss had been mutual, as far as he remembered. The second kiss was all Avery. The third kiss was Avery at the school. And the fourth kiss… This last kiss was all Gabe. He sighed. Thinking about her was driving him crazy.
He wandered to the living room, plopped on the couch and turned on the TV, clicking through to the streaming service for Raiders of the Lost Ark . The opening credits started and he nestled into the couch further, Emmett laying his nose next to Gabe’s hand.
“If only life turned out like it did in the movies,” Gabe said, petting Emmett.
Wednesday September 3, 7:35 AM
Gabe pulled into the parking lot of Desert Scorpion High School, trying not to search for Avery’s car. It was nowhere in sight. He parked and entered the school, trying to act like his normal happy self. Except he wasn’t very happy. He should be happy. His dream of becoming a real-life Indiana Jones was coming true.
“Hello Mr. Gabe,” Doreen said as he walked through the door. “How are you this morning?”
He leaned against the counter, smiling. “Better now that I’ve seen you.”
She giggled. “Always the charmer.” She turned, grabbed a sub binder, then picked up a muffin from her desk and placed it on top. “Here you go. One muffin and one sub binder, coming up.”
Gabe sniffed. “Mmm, you’re the best!” He licked his lips and his stomach growled as anticipated another Doreen muffin. Instinctively, he searched the remaining pile of sub binders still sitting behind her while he stuffed the poppy seed muffin into his mouth.
“ She’s not on the sub schedule for today, Mr. Gabe,” Doreen said as she went through some paperwork on her desk.
“What?” Gabe let out a muffled response, a few crumbs falling from his mouth. He quickly wiped his face.
Doreen looked up. “My dear.” She shook her head and sighed. “Not to worry. She’s subbing Thursday and Friday in freshman drama. And I have it on good authority her class will be combining with the Literature class.”
Gabe furrowed his brow. “Really? Wait, why?”
She waved her hand as the phone rang. “Something about Shakespeare. Anyway. Literature is gonna need a sub, too. It should hit the app this morning. In case you’re interested.” Doreen picked up the ringing phone. “Good morning, Desert Scorpion High School….”
A smile formed at the edge of Gabe’s mouth. She was always looking out for him in one way or another. He’d have to tell her about the funding going through for the expedition, and the fact he was leaving soon. Probably. Most likely. More like ninety-nine percent the trip was happening. He’d need to think of a goodbye gift for Doreen.
Gabe dodged students as he made his way to his classroom for the day. He unlocked the door and students started coming in.
“Yo! Manwaring! You subbing today?” a senior student named Kit yelled as he headed to the back row.
“You know it,” Gabe said, a spark of excitement igniting in his chest. Something about interacting with the students gave him a different type of joy than he got from literally anything else in his life. A pang of sadness hit him. He would miss this. Teaching.
He flipped through the sub binder and got the gist of what was expected for the day, his mind already running with ways to make it more fun and interactive. Forensics lesson on true crime—shouldn’t be too hard to jazz it up. If he enjoyed that aspect of teaching so much, Gabe wondered if he’d be any good at being a real life teacher instead of only a sub? Like making the lesson plans himself and grading and all that stuff.
“Hey Kit,” Gabe yelled back. “What are you doing after graduation?”
“You know I’m gonna be a YouTuber,” he said, the other students laughing and shaking their heads.
“No, but seriously, what are all of you seniors planning on doing after you’re done with high school?” Gabe was genuinely interested in their responses, but he also wanted to reflect on what he should do with his own life. Had he made the right choices so far? Was it too late to make a course correction?
“Air Force.”
“Join the circus.”
“Play basketball in college.”
“Start my own business.”
“Backpack through Europe.”
“Community college.
“Work at my dad’s company.”
“Go to Mars.”
As more students filed in, he asked them, too. Many of the students offered silly answers, but others had obviously put a lot of thought into their future endeavors.
“So what are you going to do when you grow up, Manwaring?” Kit asked after the bell rang.
“I’m still not sure,” Gabe answered. The morning announcements began, so he sat at the teacher’s desk. His phone buzzed in his pocket, his heart skipping a beat at the thought of the possibility of the Sub App giving him the chance to work with Avery the rest of the week.
Nope. A text from Claire.
Gabe leaned back in the teacher’s chair and looked up at the ceiling. When was she going to leave him alone? What had he even done to encourage her? He tossed his phone onto the desk and started class.
“So, who wants to talk about CSI: Phoenix?”
Wednesday September 3, 11:45 AM
Gabe’s stomach rumbled as the students filed out for lunch. He had a prep period right after lunch, so he had plenty of time to leave campus to grab a bite. He picked up his phone only to see he had about ten missed notifications.
Texts from Claire. Oh! A text from his professor.
PROFESSOR: Great news about potential funding. No funds showing up on my end yet. Will keep tabs on it.
Huh. His mom had promised she’d initiate the deposit right away, but maybe it was taking a bit to go through. He shrugged. Probably nothing to worry about.
He clicked through his texts. Might as well read through the latest from Claire.
CLAIRE (yesterday): So, meet for lunch Wednesday?
CLAIRE (yesterday): It’s a date. See ya then!
CLAIRE (last night): Just had a very interesting convo with Avery.
CLAIRE (this morning): You’ve got a lot of explaining to do. By the way, Avery’s getting back together with her ex. Did she tell you it’s my brother?
CLAIRE (just now): Meet me at that taco truck during your lunch. Text me when you’re on your way.
Gahh. Claire. He let his head fall back and rolled his eyes. Had she really made a lunch date for them without him giving her a yes or no? That was so like her.
Of course, it was lunchtime, and he was hungry, and he did love that taco truck. But more than that, he wanted to know everything Claire had talked to Avery about. The question was: how much of it was going to be the truth? Claire wasn’t exactly known for NOT exaggerating.
Either way. Tacos. And talk of Avery. Apparently Claire had a brother? How did Gabe not know this before? Must have been that guy who texted Avery the other day. Marshall?
GABE: On my way.
The final notification on his phone was the Sub App. The job Doreen had mentioned had recently opened up. He went to click on it, but then didn’t. Gabe wasn’t sure if he should. Maybe he should wait until after he talked to Claire. He grabbed his keys, turned off the light, and locked the door behind him.
The taco truck was easy to find. It was usually parked near Claire’s gym a few days of the week, one reason he’d gotten hooked on it. Come to think of it, the taco truck was the reason he had been around the gym when he had noticed a banner for a free week trial, which lured him in. Then he had met Claire.
Dang tacos betrayed me. He pulled into the parking lot and found a spot semi-close to the taco truck. Claire immediately came strutting out of the front door of the gym, her long blonde hair in a high ponytail and wearing her uniform of workout clothes. She approached his truck and he opened the driver’s side window. It was an unusually cool day, the fall Phoenix weather a pleasant 80 degrees.
“Well, well, well,” she said, leaning against the truck. “Look who it is. Mr. Kiss-a-Lot.”
Gabe froze. Had Avery seriously told Claire about yesterday? A lump formed in his throat.
“And?” he choked out.
“Surprised, that’s all,” Claire responded, folding her arms. “Especially considering she’s totally not available. She’s supposed to be my sister-in-law, you know.”
He rolled his eyes and got out of his truck. “Does she know you’re planning her life for her?” he asked, walking toward the taco truck. Claire followed.
“Avery and Marshall are made for each other. See?” She held up her phone and put it in front of his face. Gabe stopped to see a photo of another guy with his arm around Avery. They did look good together. She was smiling big, and he was pressing his cheek next to hers. A pang of jealousy sliced through him.
He took a few more steps forward, away from the photo, getting in line behind a few people waiting to make their order. “How long have they…?” he asked, trying to distract himself with the taco truck menu.
“Since high school,” Claire said, sidling up to him, causing Gabe to tense. “She followed him to NAU and they finally made it official. He was a jerk, though. Immature.”
Wait, Claire sounded truthful. Why else would she be insulting her own brother?
“So Avery broke up with him and moved back with her mom. But my brother, he’s changed a lot since she left. Like, a lot. So he’s hoping she’ll give him another chance. Don’t you see? He loves her. And I love my brother, and I love Avery. So of course I want her to be happy.”
Gabe turned and studied Claire for the first time, gauging her sincerity. Normally, she had a look of mischief, something that attracted Gabe to her—at first. Later it had become a problem. But right now she had none of that. Her eyes looked honest. If what she said was true, then the text from Marshall didn’t mean they were together at the moment. So there was a shred of hope for Gabe.
“So, what, you’re trying to get me to stay away from her?”
“Yes,” she responded.
He pursed his lips and nodded.
“I appreciate your honesty.”
They ordered their tacos. Gabe paid, then handed Claire hers. They walked to a nearby shady area with trees and benches, then sat and ate in silence for a bit.
“So wait. Were you trying to get back together with me, or not? That night you first ran into me and Avery,” Gabe realized her true motivations as he said it out loud.
“Ha, no. Sorry, I mean, you’re a great guy and all. But honestly I’m kinda—”
“With someone else?” His jaw tightened. Claire had purposely tried to drive them apart, but not for the reason he originally thought. Still a jerk move.
“Usually, yeah, with another guy.” She flipped her hair like it was no big deal. Like her actions didn’t hurt anyone.
He wanted to yell at her, to berate her for being a jerk friend to Avery, and flat out pushing Gabe away from her. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“You are such a player,” Gabe said, through gritted teeth, then took another bite of taco. Would it do any good to tell her off? He doubted it. It was easier to eat his feelings.
“Guilty.” She giggled. “But Avery isn’t a player. Not one bit. Which is why you and her is so crazy.”
Gabe sighed, balling up his empty wrappers and throwing them in a nearby trash can. “Claire.” He put on his authoritative teacher voice. “That’s not your choice to make.”
She only shrugged. “You’re right. But if it’s not meant to be with her first love, we’ll find out, won’t we?”
Gosh, she was impossible. “So this guy—your brother. What does he have that I don’t?” He wasn’t sure he wanted a straight answer. But as long as Claire was being honest, he figured he should gather as much intel as possible.
She looked up in thought. “A beard, a Subaru, and a pair of hiking boots.”
What an odd response. There were plenty of guys like that. His eyebrows furrowed. “A typical granola Flagstaff dude?”
Claire laughed. “He smolders. He’s mysterious. Like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice . You know a literary fan can’t resist that. You’re the opposite, you know. You’re… you’re….”
“I’m Indiana Jones.” And proud of it. Still, a dagger went through his heart.
“That you are,” she agreed. “A guy always running off to the next adventure, chasing the artifact and leaving the girl behind. Hey, what ever happened with the old professor guy of yours? Weren’t you going to go on a dig or something?”
Gabe nodded. “Actually, yeah. Avery helped me get the paperwork together. If everything goes through, I’ll be leaving in like two weeks.”
“For how long?” she asked.
“Four months. Maybe longer.”
“Long time,” Claire added. “Too long for my Avery to be wondering if you’ll ever come back. You know you’ll love it too much, they’ll love you too much, and you’ll move on to the next thing. You’re a military brat. You don’t stay in any place for long.”
She had a point. He had given it a lot of thought already but hearing it from Avery’s friend gave it more weight.
“It’s just that every time I’m with her, I can’t help myself.” Can’t help looking at her. Kissing her. Falling for her. Gabe was surprised at his honesty with Claire. But maybe he needed to talk to another person about it, and she seemed like a willing listening ear.
“She is pretty cute,” Claire said, throwing away her wrapper. They walked back toward his truck.
“It’s more than that, though,” he said. “I’ve never been around anyone who makes me feel so… so…”
“Loved? Accepted?”
Gabe nodded. That’s why Claire was Avery’s friend. Why Marshall had been her boyfriend. Avery was a special woman, and he realized he also wanted what was best for her.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I think you’re right, Claire,” he said. “I’m leaving and Avery deserves to have someone who can be there for her.” He wished it could be him.
Gabe got into his truck and Claire leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re a good guy, Gabe Manwaring. Go, be Indiana Jones. Maybe you’ll find a Marion or a Willie or an Elsa, or whoever.”
He laughed as he started the engine. “You are something else, Claire.”
“I know.” She waved as he drove away.
He arrived back at campus, only to be stopped by Doreen at the front office. “You gonna sign up for that Lit class opening, dear?”
He stopped, replaying the conversation he had with Claire. About what was best for Avery, not him.
“Not sure. I might be busy,” he said as he headed back toward science class.