Page 29 of Substitute for Love

Something Marshall never did. How was it possible to know someone for so long but not feel like you really “knew” them? No matter how much she did for him, he never opened up. As their relationship progressed, he quit talking about school. And forget about talking about emotions. Which was why she finally ended things. She needed more vulnerability, but hadn’t realized it until she had wasted a lot of years on him, hoping they would grow closer, hoping he’d ask her to marry him.

A ding sounded on her phone. A text.

CLAIRE: How did the interview go? Are you a librarian yet?

AVERY: It went really well. They’ll let me know.

CLAIRE: Want to come over tonight and pick out a dress for that dance thing?

AVERY: Hmm. I’m not sure. Are you free Saturday?

CLAIRE: You know Saturdays are crazy here at the gym. What about Friday night?

AVERY: Maybe. It’ll depend on how Mom is feeling.

CLAIRE: Give her my best.

AVERY: I will.

She headed back toward home, where Mom was thankfully still napping in the recliner. Every time Avery left the house now, she worried her mom was going to get hurt. The ER stitched her up and gave pain meds, and she was to check in with her regular doctor next week.

But Avery couldn’t always be home. The ambulance ride and the ER bills would be coming in, and she needed to work as much as possible. Her mom had some insurance, but it wasn’t great and wouldn’t cover everything. They were working on getting her covered now that she wasn’t working, but until then they had to figure something out.

She really needed this library job. Or anything that was steady. As much as subbing had grown on her, she wasn’t sure it was going to cut it much longer.

Friday, August 29, 7:30 AM

The library at Desert Scorpion High School was probably the best spot in the whole school. Second was the choir room with the piano. Avery’s mind wandered back to Tuesday in choir/band where she practically spent the whole day with Gabe. Fun. Playful. Safe.

Wednesday should have been like that. But it wasn’t so great. Gabe had not been careful, and a student had gotten hurt. Then seeing how fragile Mom was petrified her. Hopefully once her mom could recover, she could get back to work and more independence. But Avery would stay with her as long as she needed.

To be honest, Avery needed her just as much.

In the sub binder, the librarian left instructions for Avery to shelve books, go through a box of donations, tidy up the room as needed, and assist with students. It looked like there would be a history class coming in for part of each period.

A certain history class being taught by none other than Mr. Manwaring.

Avery shook her head. Did he set this up? Or had the teacher he was subbing for set it up? Surely, it was in the lesson plans already.

The bell rang. She pushed the cart of books and started re-shelving them, straightening books on the shelves as she went. This had nothing to do with her, of course. Gabe was merely doing his job. The students needed books, and she would be lying to herself if she said she hadn’t enjoyed seeing him every class period.

He had asked her out on a “semi-date” a few days ago but hadn’t brought it up since. If he brought it up today, she’d know he was still interested. Avery smiled at the thought of going out with Gabe, but she quickly shook her head. Was it wise for her to let someone become close with her so soon after breaking off a long-term relationship?

She finished shelving the books and pushed the empty cart back into place. It was almost time for Gabe’s class to come in. She grabbed her phone and wondered if she should text Claire and tell her about Gabe, the hot substitute teacher. The superhero. The sweet, goofy guy. Avery wanted to tell Claire about him, but she alsodidn’twant to. Because that would prove she had real feelings for Gabe. At least while they were secret, she could pretend they weren’t there.

Or maybe Claire would tell her to forget about Gabe and give Marshall another chance? Avery definitely didn’t want that. She had expected Claire to say something about Marshall by now, but she hadn’t. So either brother and sister hadn’t talked aboutthe details of what happened in Flagstaff, or Claire decided to stay out of it.

Avery put her phone down as the students started trailing in and directed them toward the large tables in the middle of the library. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the door.

There he was. He looked different. Ahh, his hair was shorter. She walked over to him. Still as cute as before.

“Did you get a haircut?” she asked.

He mussed his hair with his hand. “Yeah. Do you like it?”

She nodded and smiled. “I bet you can see better without the mop in your eyes.”

His mouth dropped open. “What you meant to say was, you like my haircut because you can stare into my eyes.”

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