Page 83 of Absolutely Not in Love
I thought Felix was sexy when he talked to me about classical music. And he definitely is. But we usually agree about what we like. We tend to debate about books a little more, something that’s becoming one of my favorite things to do. He gets so impassioned, so animated, and more words come out of his mouth at one time than theyeverdo on any other subject.
It’s adorable.
He’s adorable.
Wrongabout Ernest Hemingway, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy watching him deliver his arguments. It’s hard to believe when he looks like he does, all hard muscle and chiseled jawline, but I actually like his brain even more than I do his body.
As soon as the bell rings, I pocket my phone and gather the rest of my belongings, taking everything with me to the faculty meeting so I can go straight to my car as soon as the meeting is over.
I love my job. I do. And I don’t even mind the occasional faculty meeting. I’m just on edge and anxious about my audition. It’s a big deal that I even got the spot, and I don’t want to blow it by showing up late.
When the meeting finally ends, the principal pulls me aside to chat for an extra minute about my budget request for a new bass. The school only has one, but I have two students who both want to play, and having them share is getting a little ridiculous.
Once I remind the principal—again—that the football team gets four times the money I do even though my program serves just as many kids, I finally make it to my car. Pretty much everyone else is gone by now, which is only a problem because…my car won’t start.
My. car. won’t. start.
I grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
“Come on, come on, come on,” I say as I try again.
Nothing.Not even a tiny sputter. My lights will turn on, so I don’t think it’s the battery. Either way, I don’t know how to fix it, there’s no one left in the school parking lot who can help me, and I’m supposed to be in Knoxville in less than three hours.
Sweat breaks out along my brow, despite the cold temperature inside my car, and my heart pounds in my chest. I just have to think. There has to be something I can do right now. Some way to fix this.
I force a deep breath, willing my mind to slow.
Think through your options, Gracie. Just think!
I drum my phone against my palm, mentally sorting through everyone I know who both has a car and has absolutely nothing to do right now.
Felix is obviously who I think of first, but he’s at a hockey thing—the youth skills clinic he committed to weeks ago—and he won’t finish until six.
I could try my teacher friend, Abby. I’ve given her rides before, and she probablyjustleft the school. She has tiny kids at home, so I wouldn’t ask her to take me all the way to Knoxville, but she could at least get me home and to my cello. And maybe I can find a ride on the way.
I quickly call her, and she immediately agrees to swing back and pick me up.
While I’m waiting, I call Josh, but he and Jadah are already on their way to Asheville for Maddox’s hockey game.
I knew that Maddox has a game because if not for my audition, I’d be going to watch him play, too. There’s no way my parents will miss Maddox’s first game as goalie, which means my entire family is unavailable to help me.
My shoulders sag. What on earth am I going to do?
Abby pulls into the parking lot, and I quickly jump from my car into hers, locking mine behind me. “Stupid thing has been making weird noises for weeks,” I say as I settle into her passenger seat. “But why did it have to picktodayto finally die?”
“You need the name of a good mechanic?” Abby says. “My friend Hazel is great.”
“Definitely,” I say. “But I’ve got bigger problems to solve right now.” I pull out my phone, staring at the screen like an answer might pop up on its own.
“You’ve got somewhere important to be?” Abby asks, concern filling her voice.
I nod. “An audition in Knoxville. Sorry. I’m so distracted right now, and I’m being so rude. Thank you for coming back for me.”
She waves away my concern. “Of course. I hadn’t even made it to the corner, so it’s not a big deal at all.”
I breathe out a sigh. “You don’t happen to have an extra car lying around, do you?”
Her eyebrows lift. “For real?”
