Page 13 of A Different Form of Oxygen
Eight
Ben
It’s been a few days since I’ve seen Gavin. Running into him in the library really threw my week off. I stay home and study after class. At least I can’t run into anyone here. The soil is soft and dry when my fingers sink into the potted plants on the windowsill. I rub my hand over my jeans, to remove the remaining dirt as a spritz of water leaves the spray bottle from my other hand. Seeing my plants happy and healthy always makes me happy. Looking down at the dirt stains on my jeans has me groaning in annoyance at myself. As I tear a sheet of paper towel from the roll, my phone vibrates in my pocket. My fingers become unsteady around the phone once I see who it's from. Gavin.
Gavin: Hey, I'm outside your house.
Me: you're what?
When I never heard anything from him, I assumed today's plans were canceled. I didn't think he was going to show up randomly ready to take me away like some damn chariot.
Gavin: Did you forget about us hanging out today?
Oh, so that's what this is, a hang out. Luckily, I’m already dressed for the day or he’d be waiting out there a whole lot longer. My gaze falls down to my faded blue jeans and my teal form fitting V-neck. Doing one last sweep, checking for any missed traces of dirt.
Me: No, give me ten minutes and I'll be outside.
Gavin: You got five.
I roll my eyes. If he keeps that up, I just may leave him waiting out there forever. It's a good thing words in a message didn't have the same effect as his deep silky demanding voice did. The warm air hits me the moment I open the door, making my body miss the indoor air conditioning. My heart is beating fast as I approach Gavin’s black Nissan. It’s different from Alex and David’s fancy cars that cost more than my mortgage. It made me like him more.
His smile warms me the moment my eyes land on it through the tinted car window. "Took you long enough." His hands grip tightly around the steering wheel. My arm lightly brushes against his as I slide into the passenger side.
"I didn't realize we were on a time schedule."
His laughter fills the car. "I'm glad to see snarky Ben is around today. I was getting worried for a minute."
I thought he hated snarky Ben. The way he always turned away—or even walked away from our past encounters made it seem that way. My hands dig into the leather seats, nails scratching against it, trying to get my nerves under control. We are silent the rest of the drive and my eyes focus on the moving trees outside the window instead of Gavin. As soon as the car stops moving, I release my seatbelt with a click, practically jumping from the car. I'm surprised I was able to stand straight when my feet hit the ground with the slight rush going to my head. He manages to still beat me to the entrance. Maybe because I took so long catching my balance. Now I’m standing here trying to convince myself that Gavin doesn’t look hot today in his form fitting blue jeans and skintight black shirt. His short hair is slicked back, almost as if he made an effort to look nice for me today.
He smiles, holding the door open. "You coming, or should I carry you inside?"
I roll my eyes, moving his way. "I'm pretty sure carrying people inside a bakery is frowned upon.”
I walk past him, purposely hitting his shoulder on the way in. My stomach grumbles at the smell of lemon bars and fruit tarts from the door. The baker is already smiling from the counter as if she has been waiting on my order before I even walked in. "Hi there, what can I get you today?"
My hands slide against the glass as if I'm making a huge life changing decision. Gavin is snickering from behind me, as if he can read my mind.
"It's food, not some life altering decision."
I purse my lips, facing him. "Food is always a life altering decision. And you know what they say, eat as if it's your last meal on earth, which it might be yours if you keep rushing me."
His hands raise up in surrender, before his fingers move in a zipping motion against his tightened lips. I turn back to the amused baker to place my order. "Can I get one egg and sausage kolache and one lemon blueberry bar. Oh, and a large lemonade, please."
"Sure thing, hun," she says getting a paper bag ready. "What about your friend there? Is this order together?”
Before I can answer no, Gavin moves beside me. "Yes, it's all together and I'll be paying with a card today.” He smiles my way. "You know it's hard to make a decision when you're standing in front of the glass. You aren't see through."
Rolling my eyes, I take a step back after grabbing my food. His hands fall to his hips. “I’ll take two lemon bars please, and one egg and cheese kolache.”
“I’m glad you ordered lemon bars for yourself so you didn’t try and steal mine again,” I huff out while sitting at the first table I come across. His body falls into the chair across from mine.
“Who said I still won't try? It always tastes better when it’s yours.”
I roll my eyes, straightening out the paper sack with my hands. “Remind me why I agreed to hang out with you again?”
He chuckles around the lemon bar; powdered sugar now dusted on his lips, tempting me to move my face toward his to lick it off. “Because I’m cool and we are going to be really good friends. Just wait and see.”
Still confused as to why he suddenly wants to be my friend, I almost question it. Instead I sink my teeth into my own pastry, moaning around it. “Man, I’m not even paying attention to you anymore. This is so good; I think I much rather be its friend instead. Thanks for the food by the way. You didn’t have to get mine.”
White speckles fall from his lips when he runs the back of his hand over them. “I told you I’d make it up to you for eating yours.”
“And here I thought you were trying to buy my friendship.”
His smile widens as he leans into the table, hands pressing far enough to lightly graze the tips of my fingers. “That too.”
What the hell was this guy doing to me and why do I keep allowing it?
Because it feels good, Ben.
Everything about being around him is satisfying.
