Chapter 24 Avery
Thursday September 4, 7:08 PM
Marshall pulled out Avery’s chair at the Mexican restaurant, something he had never done before, causing her to pause. Had he really learned chivalry in the short time since she had been gone? What was it, like three weeks ago she had driven away from him?
He sat across from her, and she had to admit, he was more handsome than she remembered. His dark eyes and smolder had made her heart skip a beat since the moment they met in high school. But then toward the end of their relationship, his face had lost its luster in her eyes.
But now, he looked different. More grown up or something. Handsome, but in a different way. How?
Maybe because she had forgiven him. As he had bear hugged her in front of the gym earlier, Marshall had told her over and over again how sorry he was. How there was no excuse for the way he took her for granted. How he regretted not treating her like a queen.
“You deserve to be happy, Avery. And I can make you happy,” Marshall had told her. Funny that Gabe had told her the same thing earlier, only he hadn’t insinuated he had to be part of her happiness.
Gabe had let her go. She’d realized that as he had left the classroom earlier. It deflated her, but Avery knew it was for the best. From that moment, and the few hours she spent working at the library up until meeting up with Marshall, she had to force herself not to text Gabe. She knew it would lead him on and make her more confused. No, she couldn’t do that to either of them. No matter how sad it made her.
“Can’t believe I used to live here. It’s so hot,” Marshall commented, taking a drink of ice water the server had left. “Do you miss Flagstaff? The town, I mean.” He opened his menu and browsed the selections.
Avery wasn’t hungry. Looking at Marshall made her lose her appetite. She wasn’t even reaching for the chips and salsa at the table, and Marshall hadn’t noticed. Gabe would have noticed or shoved them all in his face like a goofball. She smiled. No, stop it, Avery. Probably shouldn’t have agreed to come to this restaurant. And sit only a few tables away from where Avery and Gabe had sat not that long ago.
Oh yeah. Marshall. “Uh, yeah, I miss the weather in Flagstaff, sure. But the winter in Phoenix will be way better.”
Marshall let his menu drop a little and he peered over the top of it, his dark eyes boring into her. “So, your mind is made up? You’re staying for reals?”
Avery sighed. Here it was. And they hadn’t even ordered yet. “We broke up, remember? I left on purpose. You knew that, right? Plus, my mom needs me.” She looked away, taking a sip of water to keep herself from saying anything else. She wondered what Gabe was doing. Walking Emmett, probably. Wait a minute. If Gabe was leaving soon, what would happen to his dog?
Marshall placed his menu on the table and reached his hand across the table. “You had every right to leave me. But I’m here to convince you to come back. I miss you, Avery.” She looked back toward him and set her glass down. His hand lay open, willing her to put her hand in his. Should she?
If Gabe had been sitting across from her, he wouldn't have made her do anything. He’d playfully let her be herself and go with it. Heck, he’d encourage her to be whatever she wanted to be. From a hot mess of a first day substitute to a headstrong know-it-all.
Gabe would let her be herself and love her anyway.
Marshall put on his mysterious eye routine, peering at her seriously, like he owned her. “I talked to your old boss. They’d have you back in an instant. And our apartment? I’ve prepaid the next few months. Sold off a few of my electronics, but it was worth it. See? I’m totally growing up. And I have you to thank for it.”
Avery had grown up, too, but it had had nothing to do with Marshall. It was in spite of him. She took a leap of faith to move back to Phoenix, start subbing, and became good at it. She got a job at the library, which she loved. Even though they were both part-time gigs, she was happy.
The question was, would she be happy when Gabe left?
“Avery? You’re leaving me hanging here.”
She finally looked in Marshall’s direction. There he was, right in front of her, and she still wasn’t even thinking about him or any possibility of a future of the two of them together. Actually, she was thinking about how annoying and fun it would be subbing with Gabe again tomorrow.
“I’m leaving you hanging? Really, Marshall? How about the time you didn’t even acknowledge my birthday?” Avery snapped, and a satisfaction filled her.
“But, I got you flowers, didn’t I?” He played dumb.
She rolled her eyes. “Please, I bought those myself. Don’t pretend you ever did anything for me.” She turned from him, bile rising. Being around him made her feel sick.
He reached his hand across the table. “Don’t say that. You don’t mean that. What about our hikes? Weekend movie marathons? Driving down to the valley to check on your mom?” Avery turned back and peered at him. The old Avery would have allowed all that to slide, but she was not the old Avery.
“Seriously, Marshall? You drove down to the valley to party. Without me. While I was helping my mom. And a few good memories don’t overrule the bad ones. I deserved better. I deserved the flowers, open doors, laughter, consideration.” Basically all the stuff Gabe did.
If only Avery had left earlier. Like a year or two earlier even. Moved in with Mom, started substitute teaching, she would have met Gabe. The timing would have been better. Sure, Gabe was leaving soon, but that didn’t mean she had to stop wanting to be with him in the little time they had left. Did they have a future? Avery had no clue. But if substitute teaching had taught her anything, it was to make the most of the moment, because that’s all you had.
Marshall cleared his throat, looking down at the table, but still keeping his hand outstretched.
“Are you sure you love me?” Avery asked.
Marshall pulled his hand back at the question. “ Duh, Avery . I’ve always loved you.”
There it was. She cringed from head to toe, every hurt he created, every missed opportunity their relationship caused coursing through her. The words she dreaded hearing when they were together were like a nail in a coffin on their relationship. And now, this was the last time she’d ever hear those words from him.
“Never again, Marshall. You’ll never say that to me ever again.” She stood suddenly. “I have to go.”
Marshall stood, too, his eyes wide. “We haven’t even ordered yet. At least stay for dinner.”
Avery looked around, thinking, realizing the difference between this dinner with Marshall and her lunch with Gabe a few days prior. “I don’t love you anymore. Actually, I don’t think I ever did. Claire pushed me to you, and she’s sorry she did. I only wanted you because I thought you were the only chance I had.”
The truth of the words stung. So many years wasted, and yet her confidence soared. She couldn’t change the past, but her future was clear. Bright.
He walked toward her. “You don’t mean that. Give me another chance. I know I can make you happy.”
She backed away. “I’m already happy, Marshall. In fact, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”
He tipped his head to one side, stunned, then his eyes showed a realization, like the times he accused her of cheating on him, which of course she never did. “Is there someone else?”
Finally she locked eyes with him. “No,” she responded. “Yes? I don’t know. None of your business, either way.”
Marshall stood there. For the first time, she didn’t feel sorry for him or want to run and help him. It was time for him to do that himself.
“Goodbye, Marshall.” She stepped forward, gave him a hug, kissed him on the cheek, and said, “No hard feelings.”
She walked away, smiling as she opened the door and headed to her car, feeling ten feet tall.
Friday, September 4, 7:35 AM
Avery whistled as she entered Desert Scorpion High School, the weight of the world off her shoulders. Marshall had texted last night on her way home, but she had blocked him. Avery had slept better last night than she had in a long time.
“Good morning, Doreen. I’m ready for more drama .” Avery held out her hand, and Doreen handed her the sub binder without saying a word. In fact, she didn’t even look her in the eye. That was odd. Doreen was always happy, all the time.
“Is everything okay?” Avery asked.
Doreen sighed. “Mr. Manwaring canceled today.”
Avery swallowed. “I see.” That was unexpected. They didn’t exactly have the best ending yesterday, but that had never stopped him from returning to sub before. “Do you know why he canceled?”
Doreen let out a big sigh. “Apparently his funding came through. He’s heading to Egypt— next week .”
“Oh.” That soon? A lump formed in her throat. Avery tried to hide her utter shock. She had been under the impression he had a few weeks at least.
She swallowed her disappointment. “Thanks for letting me know. I’d better get to class.” She shuffled around students, some who greeted her by name, as she headed to the drama room. Next week? Really? Why hadn’t he texted to tell her?
Avery unlocked the classroom door and turned on the lights, remembering more clearly what had transpired the day before. Gabe, standing over there, her telling him about her date with Marshall.
No wonder he had left. No wonder he canceled subbing today. Avery was no longer in his sights. Right? Had he really lost all hope? Last night at dinner with Marshall, Gabe was all she could think about, and she failed to think about what he was probably feeling. And if he was leaving that quickly, he’d soon forget about her.
Before long, students poured in, all of them asking if they were doing more Romeo and Juliet readings.
“Are you and Mr. Manwaring going to pick up where you left off yesterday?” Sarah said as she found her seat.
“No,” Avery said. “I don’t think so.” Her shoulders slumped as disappointment filled her.
She read through the lesson plans, which had changed from yesterday. The drama class was no longer combining with the lit class, which of course had a different sub anyway.
It was just as well the lesson plans were different. She could work with her classroom of students, talking Shakespeare and practicing some stage work. If only Gabe was here for that. If only she had treated him better the day before. She had been so determined to protect her own heart.
But her heart was different now. After the bell rang and the announcements began, Avery sat at the teacher’s desk and pulled out her phone.
AVERY: I hear you’re leaving soon. The janitor is going to be crushed.
She pressed send. There wasn’t much time for back and forth before he was gone halfway across the world, in a place more desert than here. But what was Avery really hoping would happen in the last week he was in Phoenix?
Her phone pinged. Avery nearly fell over in her chair.
GABE: Not half as crushed as Emmett. Poor boy already knows something is up.
Her heart skipped a beat at his quick reply. Then an idea popped into her head, excitement growing.
AVERY: Where will Emmett go while you’re gone?
GABE: Don’t know yet.
AVERY: My mom has been asking about getting a dog. She gets pretty lonely during the day. I bet she’d love to watch him.
GABE: That’s a lot to ask. You don’t have to do that.
AVERY: She wants to. We’re going to adopt one anyway. Maybe you could bring him by and they could meet?
School announcements were over. Avery put her phone away and switched into teaching mode. All the while, in the back of her mind was a bit of hope and happiness.
If he brought Emmett by for a visit, she’d have a chance to say goodbye to Gabe. And his dog was sweet. Mom would love to have a companion if it worked out for them to watch him. Of course, Avery would have to take him on walks until her mom’s foot fully healed, but that would be a good thing.
Calm down, Avery. Maybe Gabe wants something else.
Friday September 5, 5:45 PM
Avery’s feet ached as she pulled books out of the return bin in the back office and set them on a library cart. Despite wearing her purple tennis shoes subbing all week and at the library in the evenings, the time on her feet was catching up with her. On the plus side, she was getting lots of steps in.
She had kept checking her phone, watching her steps increase. At the same time, she noticed Gabe hadn’t texted her back. As much as she tried to put him out of her head, it was impossible. Clearly he was busy and didn’t want to see her.
It was over, Avery. The end. Move on. He clearly didn’t want to leave his dog with her.
Then, her co-worker opened the door behind the front desk and poked her head in. “Hey, Avery, there’s a really cute guy asking for you.”
Gabe? Was it really him? Avery fiddled with her hair, then stepped through the door.
“Marshall. What are you doing here?” Her smile turned down.
His hands were in his pockets and he sheepishly looked at her. “Can I talk to you real quick? I’m headed back to Flagstaff in a few minutes.”
She sighed and nodded, leading him outside to stand under a tree. The sun was low in the sky, the colors already turning into another iconic Arizona sunset. She’d rather be sharing it with Gabe than Marshall.
“What?” She folded her arms. Inside she was annoyed that he clearly didn’t take no for an answer, but she tried to be patient.
Marshall kicked a pebble from the sidewalk back into the landscaping. “Whoever this other guy is, I wanted to say he’s really lucky.” He looked up, his eyes sincere. “Because you do seem happy. As much as I wish I was the one making you happy, I guess I missed my chance.”
Avery nodded, wishing this awkward conversation could be over so she could move on with her life once and for all.
“Avery?” A familiar voice came from behind her. She quickly pulled away from Marshall and turned to see Gabe.
“Uh. Hi. What… what are you doing here?” Avery said awkwardly.
He held up a stack of books, the same ones she had helped him find and check out when he was subbing for history. “Returning these. Before I leave town.”
Marshall glanced at Gabe curiously, and Gabe returned the same look. “Hi, I’m Marshall.”
Gabe nodded. “Hi. Claire’s brother, right?”
Marshall narrowed his eyes. “Yeah. Do you know her?”
Avery panicked. “Long story. No, short story. Gabe dated Claire over the summer, but they broke up. Then Gabe and I met while substitute teaching and became…” What exactly? “Friends… and stuff.” She cringed. Classy, Avery . But they hadn’t exactly “dated” or been boyfriend-girlfriend. And she wasn’t about to say “kissing buddies” or whatever.
Gabe looked very amused and annoyed at the same time. This was a disaster. “But he’s headed off to Egypt next week. For a long time.” As she said it, sadness crept in.
Seeing her ex across from Gabe made the differences in them all the more obvious, not to mention her opposing feelings for each of them: annoyance and resentment for Marshall, and admiration and respect for Gabe.
“What are you going to do in Egypt?” Marshall asked.
“Archeology. Fulfill my dream of being Indiana Jones.”
This was too weird, the two of them talking to each other.
Marshall nodded judgingly. “Oh. Interesting. Good luck.”
The three of them stood in silence until Avery couldn’t handle it any longer. “I’ve gotta get back to work.” She held up the envelope. “Thanks again, Marshall.” They hugged awkwardly and Marshall stole a kiss on her cheek. She watched as he headed to his car and drove away.
“I’d better, uh, get these books inside before the library closes,” Gabe said, shifting the books in his arms. “Don’t want to make any librarians mad.”
She turned toward him, hoping for some sort of sign he had any interest in her left. “You could have dropped them into the drive-thru return on the side of the building,” Avery said quietly.
“I know,” he said.
She followed him inside, her co-worker sneaking a wide-eyed glance.
“Have you given any more thought to what you’ll do with Emmett?” she asked, Gabe’s back to her as he deposited each book into the return slot by the front desk.
Finally, he turned. “Yeah.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I mean, it’s a lot to ask. But could I come by tomorrow, so Emmett can meet your mom?”
Avery nodded enthusiastically, knowing how happy it would make her mom. Emmett was a good dog. Plus, it could give her a small link to Gabe while he was gone. “Yeah. Definitely. Let me know what time is good.” She wanted to say more, but the clock was ticking, and she had closing duties to complete. “See you later?”
He folded his arms, his body stiff, his face placid. Gabe didn’t look like his regular jovial self. If he had been here to see Avery, seeing her with Marshall probably made him rethink his visit. What a mess.
“Yeah.”
Behind Gabe, her co-worker mouthed, “Another guy?” Avery knew she’d have to explain herself later. Heck, Avery had a hard time keeping it straight in her own mind, her relief seeing Marshall leave mixing with the confusion of how Gabe felt about her.
“Well, I’d better go.” Gabe turned to leave.
“We’re over,” Avery blurted, Gabe’s eyes widening. “Marshall and me. He’s leaving for good. I told him that it was over.” Avery let out a big sigh. There was so much more she wanted to say, but felt she owed him that much.
“Oh.” He nodded, offered a small wave, then disappeared out the door.
Saturday September 6, NOON
The only time Gabe could come by with Emmett was around lunchtime, but of course Avery was working at the library. How was she going to explain to him that she felt nothing whatsoever for Marshall?
She wondered if Gabe even cared at this point. He was so busy finalizing his life here so he could head to Egypt, he probably hadn’t given her another thought. He had visited her at the library, though. But that sort of blew up in her face. Still, she couldn’t let him leave without explaining.
AVERY: Sorry to miss you bringing Emmett over. Hope it went well. Can I at least say goodbye?
There. If he wanted to see her one last time, it was all in his hands now.
GABE: Emmett really loves your mom. I’m stopping by the school next week. Are you subbing?
AVERY: You know it.
When Avery got home, Mom was all smiles. Giddy.
“Check out this video of him!” Avery watched the recoding of Emmett following Mom’s commands, especially if she had a treat in her hand. Her laughter was infectious, but in between giggles, Avery was distracted but the guy standing behind Emmett in the videos. Gabe.
She’d have to get Mom to send her the video. Gabe squatted at Emmett’s level, rubbing his ears, then holding his face up to his dog’s. Avery’s heart fell for Gabe. He was leaving his best friend! And here she was worried about herself. At the very least, she could help keep Emmett safe while he was gone.
“How’s your foot, Patricia?” Gabe had asked in the video.
“Oh, it’s healing better this time around. Doctors say I should go for short walks.” Emmett’s ears perked up at the last word. “Oh, you like walks, Emmett?”
The dog wagged his tail and came up to Mom, who pet him and giggled. Behind Emmett, Gabe stood and put his hands on his hips.
Dang, he was fine. His messy curls, his goofy grin, his big blue eyes.
Emmett was a perfect fit, Mom kept saying. Over dinner, she couldn’t stop talking about how great his dog was. But then Mom must have sensed Avery’s disappointment.
“It’s too bad Gabe is leaving. You two seemed like such good friends. What happened?”
Avery shoved the food on her plate around with her fork. She didn’t have a good answer. “Bad timing, I think.”
Gabe and Mom had exchanged phone numbers and the date of final drop off was set: Thursday night. Five days from now. Gabe’s flight was early Friday morning, only six days away.
Wednesday September 9, 3:00 PM
Avery signed up to sub on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, wondering each day if it was the day Gabe would come in to say goodbye. Doreen shook her head practically every time Avery passed the front office.
The bell rang at the end of the school day on Wednesday. Avery robotically tidied the room, turned out the lights and locked the door. The halls were mostly empty, only a few students in the halls. Avery was looking down at her phone while she walked, the sub binder in her other hand.
As she rounded the corner to the front office, Doreen’s laugh echoed. A tall figure was leaning on the front desk. Gabe’s dark brown mop of hair bounced as he said something to her.
Avery’s heart skipped a beat, like it had when she first met him and they exchanged sub binders, like the one in her hand now. She walked up next to Gabe, holding the binder out for Doreen to grab.
“Thanks, dear. Look who finally decided to stop by!”
Gabe turned toward her, his blue eyes and smile taking her breath away. She had missed him so much. If only she could tell him to stay, but without stopping him from following his dream.
“Avery. Hi.” His voice melted her. She fought the urge to hug him, kiss him, tousle his hair. If only she had realized sooner how much she loved him. Let herself feel it and express it. Was she too late? Should she tell him?
“I saved all these muffins for you since I wasn’t sure when you were coming in.” Doreen handed Gabe a plate with five muffins covered in plastic wrap. Avery noticed her eyes kept switching between the two of them.
Doreen cleared her throat. “So, you’re flying out what day again, dear?”
She sounded rehearsed. What was Doreen up to?
Gabe turned back to Doreen. “I texted you the flight information. Didn’t you get it?”
“Oh yeah. I suppose I didn’t look at it close enough.” Doreen pulled out her phone. “Wait a second, Friday? Why did I think it was Saturday?”
Avery knew what Doreen was doing. But she was okay with it. Grateful, actually.
“So sorry, dear, but I can’t take you Friday, even though it’s before school starts. I have to, uh, come in here earlier than normal.”
Doreen was lying through her teeth, but since it was for a good cause, she was sure Doreen would be forgiven. How long had she been trying to encourage their relationship? And how long had Avery resisted?
Before he could respond, Doreen said, “But I’m sure Avery here could drop you off. I don’t think she’s signed up for a sub job that day.” There was a twinkle in Doreen’s eye, and Avery made a mental note to thank her later.
Gabe turned toward Avery. “It’s okay, really. I’m sure I could find someone.”
Avery didn’t care he was trying to give her an out. Whether he wanted to avoid her, or not wanting to inconvenience her, or maybe because he was stepping aside because he thought she and Marshall were back together, she took the chance.
“I’d be happy to take you to the airport. What time?”
He offered a smile, not a big Gabe-style smile, but a small one. It was enough to give Avery a glimmer of hope. It wasn’t in his nature to hate anyone or even dislike anyone. But his little smile showed he didn’t exactly mind that Avery was going to be the one to see him off.
“I’ll send you the flight info. Thanks, Avery. I owe you one.”
“Could we talk? Outside?” she asked.
Gabe looked at his phone. “Oh dang, I’m late. I gotta go meet a guy who is thinking of buying my truck. He wants to take a look at it in like ten minutes. I’ll text you.” He ran out the door before Avery could say anything.
“We’ll sure miss him around here,” Doreen said.
Avery turned. “Yeah. We will.” Honestly, the school had a hard time keeping subs, and Gabe was about the best there was. But she’d missed him more than all of them put together.
Doreen smiled. “You have a good day now, Miss Williams.”
“I will. And thank you. For everything.”
Gabe’s truck whizzed by as Avery exited, the last time his truck would be in the school parking lot. Loneliness filled her heart. Hopefully, thought, it would not the last time Gabe would be in her life.