Page 40 of Substitute for Love

He pulled them from his pocket and placed them in her hand, holding it there. “I wanted to kiss you at least three times today.”

“I know.” She hid her surprise. He definitely had wanted to kiss her at her house when Avery was pinning the flower on him. Maybe on the dance floor, too. And definitely in the front office just now.

“But now I’m not sure I want to kiss you anymore.”

“Why?”

Again, he whispered. “I’m scared.”

Him? Scared? She didn’t think Gabe Manwaring was afraid of anything in the entire world. Hadn’t he put himself in danger in between the boys fighting? Why would he be scared of kissing her?

Gabe closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m so thirsty.”

She helped him into the passenger side. “We gotta get you checked out first. I’m sure they have water at the clinic down thestreet.” Avery hurried to the driver’s side and they drove the few miles to the clinic.

Gabe leaned against the passenger side window, sighing heavily and staring at the houses and businesses as they passed.

“You okay?” Avery asked.

“I don’t know…” Gabe trailed off. “What am I even doing with my life?”

Avery pulled his truck into the parking lot of the clinic. “What are any of us doing, Gabe?” She thought that often, but had no idea Gabe did, too. Maybe he wasn’t superhuman. Maybe he wasn’t as carefree as he appeared.

Gabe snickered slightly, as if he didn’t have the energy to do more than that. No, this was not good. “Keep talking to me, Gabe. Don’t fall asleep!” She parked and rushed around to the passenger side, carefully opening the door. His eyes were closed. “No, wake up!” She reached around to unbuckle his seatbelt, her face next to his, their cheeks touching. She swooned. Avery wanted to linger but knew she couldn’t. She unbuckled the belt, then grabbed his shoulders. “Gabe! Oh dang, you’re even more handsome close up. Superman? Indiana Jones? Hello?” Her heart dropped at his unresponsiveness.

Then, his once placid face started beaming. A smirk started to form on his face as he opened one eye, then the other. Avery searched his face in panic, slowly realizing what was happening.

“You jerk!” She slugged him on the shoulder. “I thought you were dying!”

Avery backed out of the passenger seat and stood straight, placing her hands on her hips.

“I’m fine,” Gabe said. “Especially now I know you think I’m handsome.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Let’s get this over with so I can take you home.” Avery tapped her foot, then grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the truck.

“Take me home, huh? You know if I can’t drive you home, you’ll have to stay at my place.”

“Gabe, knock it off.” She opened the front door of the clinic. After checking in and a short wait, a nurse called him back and took his vitals, Gabe sitting on the paper-lined exam bed and Avery sitting in a corner chair with her arms folded.

Avery tried to gauge the nurse’s concern but couldn’t read her. Was Gabe going to be okay? He had been acting funny—more so than usual—but him joking around while getting out of the truck could have been an indication that he was returning to his old self.

The nurse left, and a physician came in. “So, Gabe, looks like you were in a bit of a tumble?”

Gabe shifted in his seat and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, one drawback to working with teenagers.”

The doctor used a small light and checked Gabe’s eyes. “You a teacher?” The doctor grabbed a reflex hammer from a drawer.

“Just a substitute. But I’m really Indiana Jones.”

The doctor smiled as he pulled up his swivel seat and tapped Gabe’s knees. He looked up at Avery. “Does he always talk like this?”

Avery nodded. “I mean, he does think he’s Indiana Jones.”

The doctor set down the reflex hammer and picked up a clipboard and pen. “Gabe, I’m going to ask you a few questions to test your memory. When is your birthday?”

“March 2nd.”

“Who brought you here?” The doctor turned to Avery.

---