Page 43 of Substitute for Love

Gabe half opened the door. “Where are we?”

“We’re right next to my friend’s gym.”

“Gym?” Gabe got out and shut the door. He looked around and scratched his head.

“Gabe? Is that you?” a girl’s voice echoed outside and Avery froze. She could barely hear from inside the truck but she immediately knew Claire’s voice. And somehow she knew Gabe’s name. A pit formed in her stomach.

Claire walked toward Gabe. “Hey. Did you get my texts?”

Avery shook her head. Her head was still replaying the kiss but now what was happening? Wait a second. Claire said texts.She was texting Gabe? How in the world did they know each other?

In high school Claire knew pretty much every guy. Before Marshall, there had been a guy Avery liked. But he went for Claire instead.

So they joked Avery should date Marshall since Claire couldn’t date her brother. It had been funny at the time. Except it also really did hurt to always feel overshadowed by cute, bubbly Claire. Always feeling second best.

Now, there was her high school best friend who apparently knew the guy she kissed literally a minute ago.

Duh, Avery. You never had a real chance with him.

Claire didn’t seem to notice Avery mere feet away still in the front seat of the truck. When it was only the two of them, Avery and Claire, they had the best time. She was fun and made Avery feel seen. But when there was a guy around, it was like Avery disappeared. Like right now. Avery closed her eyes and shook her head, swallowing down sadness and regret.

Avery opened her eyes, watching through the truck wink as Claire hugged Gabe. The pit in Avery’s stomach got rock hard. It was like high school all over again. Should she get out and talk to them?

Gabe pulled away from the hug and folded his arms, then Claire stood next to him with her hand on his back, rubbing it. Like she had ownership over him somehow.

Avery’s blood started to boil, swirling heat encompassing her body. She and Gabe weren’t officially together or anything. Part of her wanted to go wrap her arms around him and claim him as her own, but that was too bold for her. Fear crept in at the thought of him not being hers to claim. Maybe whatever his relationship with Claire was… no. She didn’t want to think about her high school best friend with her current crush.

Avery’s lips trembled. She froze in her seat, not sure what to do next.

She tried to listen in on their conversation, but they were turned away and talking low. Memories of Claire trying to get Avery to go out with Marshall surfaced. Claire had denied steering her that way, and Avery had believed her, instead thinking her relationship with Marshall was totally organic and natural. Except now, looking back, was that really true?

Avery’s emotions tumbled inside. She loved her friend, but she had serious feelings for Gabe. And her friend was apparently texting him? And now was being flirty with him, rubbing his back and now leaning on him, playfully hitting him on the shoulder, her hand lingering on his arm.

Her beating heart raged and she popped out of the truck. Claire turned at the noise.

“Avery?” Claire said, her hand returning to Gabe’s back. “Wait, were you in Gabe’s truck?” Gabe stepped away from Claire, his eyes stark, but she followed him.

“Uh, yeah,” Avery said. “We have been subbing at the same school this week.”

“And spending Saturday together?” Claire asked. She made it sound like that was the lamest thing either of them could do.

Gabe answered in a harsh tone, “We chaperoned a dance.” He was still crossing his arms, acting and sounding very closed off and un-Gabe-like.

“I’m sorry, how do you two know each other?” Avery finally asked.

Claire turned to Gabe. “Oh, you know. We’ve been dating.”

Gabe narrowed his eyes and shook his head. He cleared his throat though he remained tense. “Weweredating. Over the summer. A bit.”

And there it was, what Avery feared the most. They haddated. Super recently. Because any guy Avery wanted, Clairegot. If Gabe was her target, then Avery should move out of the way right now.

Claire laughed. “More than a bit. You practically lived at the gym. Anyway, haven’t seen you in a while.” She paused, then looked up at him, her lashes fluttering. “Wait a second. Are you two…” she trailed off. “Nah, you definitely aren’t each other’s types.”

Avery’s heart sank. What was she supposed to say in response? If Clairehad beenher best friend, then she should have told her about Gabe. But then, nothing had really happened until minutes before. She ran circles in her head, trying to figure out what to say that would make sense to herself, let alone to Claire.

“Really? What’s my type, Claire?” Gabe asked.

“Duh, Gabe. Totally me. Remember when you used to help me close the gym? You were like a puppy, following me around.”

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