Page 6 of A Different Form of Oxygen
Three
Gavin
Something is off about Ben today and I can’t quite put my finger on it. His flirty and usual full of life personality is nowhere to be found. He is quieter than usual and keeps fidgeting with his shirt and cup. Is he nervous? He keeps asking about last night, and I have no idea what he’s talking about. Before I can ask, we are interrupted by Drake. I want to continue our conversation once the excitement dies down a little, but he runs out of the bakery after whispering something into Casey’s ear leaving him frowning. That is short lived when Maverick snatches him in a hug, covering him in dozens of kisses. Seeing how everyone else is distracted, I run after Ben. Searching the parking lot for what feels like hours. He is nowhere in sight and neither is his car.
I run my hand over my hair, my eyes continuously coming up empty handed as they scan the parking lot. Was it something I said? Or did he genuinely have to go?
Laughter surrounds the bakery when I tug open the door and Jennie is reaching over for Casey's pastry, shoving it in her mouth. Staring at my uneaten food sitting at the table behind theirs, I no longer have the appetite I had before. The brown bag with a half-eaten kolache catches my attention. Ben must have left his food behind. I turn toward a distracted Casey. “Where did Ben run off to?”
Casey's caught off guard by my interest in Ben, his eyes widen and his eyebrows furrowed together. I know I’ve always been a bit standoffish from Ben in the past. It has nothing to do with him, in particular, and more to do with me not being able to separate him from Kyle and everyone before him. Leaning his head on Maverick, his blue eyes peer up at me. “He said he had to run into work or something. He said they were short staffed.”
I reach for Ben’s left-over food on the table. “Well, he forgot his food. He barely ate any of it.”
Casey eyes me as I slide the kolache back in the brown sack. “I’m sure he will pick something up on the way. Trust me, Ben will never go without eating.”
Our last conversation still leaves me with an uneasy gnawing in my stomach. Would it be weird if I show up to his house to bring him his food? The directions to the house are still buried in my memories from when he had his last party. I lift the paper bag, uncovering a brown worn out leather wallet. Looks like I have a reason to go to his house after all. I’m sure he wouldn’t be able to go long without his wallet. I slide it in my back pocket, sending Ben a message.
Me:Guess what I have in my pocket.
Ben:Who is this and is that some kind of sexual innuendo because I’m not falling for it.
I pull out his wallet to snap a picture, hitting send shortly after.
Ben:Hey that’s my wallet. Wait, is this Gavin? How did you get my number and why do you have my wallet?
Me:Well, let me explain to you how group text works…
Ben:Whatever, why do you have my wallet?
Me:You left it behind with your food. If you’re nice I may take it to you. You’re on my way home anyway and based on how Maverick is all over Casey, I have a feeling this celebration is about to be cut short.
Ben:What if I wasn’t home?
Me:Are you not home? We can always meet up or you can come back to the bakery.
Ben:Yeah, I’m home. Do you even remember where I live?
Me:I happen to have an excellent memory.
Ben:Apparently, you don’t.
I Ignore his last statement, not even sure what he’s referring to.
Me:See you in fifteen then. Get ready to thank me.
I’m not even sure what I meant by that and I know it’s too late to take it back. Exactly how did I want him to thank me? Oh, I’m sure there were many ways, but nothing I should be thinking about with him. He is already standing in the doorway, hair astray in a baggy band t-shirt and grey sweatpants I imagine are hanging low on his slender hips. I’ve never seen this side of Ben before.
He is never this dressed down, but something about seeing him this way has me nearly breathless, leaving my thoughts astray. Making me forget why I came here to begin with. He rests his hand against the door frame. “Took you long enough.”
My lips curve into a smile. “Is that what you say to the guy who drove out of his way to bring you your wallet? I thought you had to work today. Is that your usual dance attire?”
His thick long eyelashes flutter against his skin. “I got canceled last minute and considered going back to the bakery, but I’m exhausted from studying all night. Also, I thought you said you were coming this way anyway. Which is it?” His right hand rests on his hip, his teeth tugging at his lower lip.
My eyes sear into his, getting lost in the deep pools of green. “It’s however you want to take it. I didn’t only bring you your wallet. I also brought you your food you left behind. Someone was in quite the hurry. Must have been quite the emergency to leave behind a perfectly good kolache.”
Suddenly that same cheeky brat is back. “Such a hero. How would I ever survive without the big strong Gavin coming to my rescue?” His lashes flutter with an imitated dreamy look on his face.
“You know me, saving the world one kolache at a time.”
