Come Back To Me

Chapter 13

The next morning, Gavin is waiting for me in the driveway when I leave to go to school. He’s leaning against the hood of a brand new, black Chevy Camaro. I skip down my porch steps towards him.

“Wow Gavin, nice car. Is it yours?” I ask a little breathlessly, admiring it.

He smiles broadly and pats the hood lovingly.

“All mine. All those long hours finally paid off.”

“She’s a beauty,” I compliment.

“Yeah. All the style of an old muscle car, with all the modern safety features.”

He glances sideways at me. I catch the hidden meaning, but decide not to acknowledge it.

“So, you’re here early,” I say instead.

“Thought I’d see if you wanted a ride to school today. I know you usually take your moms truck, but I wanted to show off my new ride.”

“What happened to your old car?” I ask.

“Gave it to Maddie, she get’s her license next week. So, ride?”

“Sure Gavin, that’d be great. Thanks.”

I smile at him and head towards the passenger side of the car and slide in. I throw my backpack in the back seat and gaze at the sleek black interior. Gavin starts her up and backs onto the road.

“Sorry I haven’t been around much, but as you can see, it’s been for a good cause,” Gavin says after a few minutes of driving.

“It’s no problem Gavin. I know you’re a busy guy. How’s it going at the plant anyway?”

“Same old stuff. Lot’s of hours, more money,” he shrugs, “but that’s boring. What’s up with you lately?”

“Not a whole lot,” I sigh.

Just that I had a fight with your ghost brother last night over the fact that he’s not going to visit me unless I start dating or open myself up to it at least. But I can’t say this to Gavin. So I decide to get his opinion on something I can tell him.

“Cole asked me out yesterday.”

I look at Gavin to see his reaction. He doesn’t look at me, but his jaw tightens slightly.

“He did?” is all he says.

“Yeah, but I turned him down. I mean…it hasn’t even been a year since Reid died. I’m not ready to date yet.”

“If you were ready to date, would you be interested in Cole at all?” Gavin asks, still not looking at me.

I fiddle with the radio a little, looking for a good radio station, settling on a country music station.

“I haven’t really thought about it. Reid was the only boy I’ve ever been with, and I’ve never even considered anyone else. Cole’s nice and all, but I don’t think I could date him.”

“Why not? Pretend for one second that Reid wasn’t a factor in all this, and you were interested in dating someone, what qualities would you be looking for?”

“I don’t know.”

I shake my head. I wish I hadn’t brought it up.

“Humor me,” Gavin says under his breath.

“Um…” I pause, twisting my fingers together nervously, “Okay I guess he’d have to be a good person, not a bully.”

“That’s a start, what else?”

“Kind of smart, focused, gentle, caring, romantic…” I trail off.

“Don’t stop now,” Gavin encourages me, “but the person you’re describing sounds familiar.”

“Yeah well, they are traits that I love.”

I sigh loudly.

“Anyway, I don’t think I’d want to date someone who was into partying all the time, and I think that’s another reason I wouldn’t want to date Cole. I like hanging out and watching movies, not going out and getting drunk every weekend.”

“He is kind of a partier isn’t he?” Gavin agrees.

“I think he has a party or is at a party every weekend,” I add.

“There’s nothing wrong with a little partying sometimes though,” Gavin says, “In fact, I think you could use a little more social activity.”

I just nod in agreement. Part of my deal with Reid was that I’d try and get out more.

“In fact, my friend Brad is having a party tonight. Why don’t you go with me?”

“Oh, I don’t know…” I shake my head.

“Come on, it’ll be fun.”

“Gavin, everybody there will be older than me. Besides, you don’t need some high school chick hanging out with you all night.”

“Nah, I’m sure there will be people you know there, this is a small town. Also, I happen to enjoy your company. You’re my friend, and if anyone has a problem with it, they can just shove it. What, do you have other plans?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll pick you up at eight. We’ll go grab burgers first.”

“Okay,” I say, just as we pull into the school parking lot.

A few heads turn towards the sleek black car that pulls right up in front of the main doors.

“All right Hadley, it’s a date, see you tonight,” Gavin says as I open the door to get out.

“A date?” I repeat with raised brows.

“Don’t over think it Hadley. It’s just a figure of speech. I’ll see you tonight okay?”

“Okay,” I respond quickly and grab my bag before hopping out.

“Thanks again for the ride Gavin,” I say, then shut the car door.

I watch as he drives away.

A date, with Gavin? The thought of it doesn’t exactly freak me out, not like the thought of a date with Cole. It’s probably just the fact that I’m a closer friend of Gavin’s. I’m used to hanging out with him, so it doesn’t seem so awkward. He’s my friend. It’s nothing really; it’s not like a real date. A real date with Gavin, that would be crazy talk. He’s Reid’s brother for goodness sakes. I shake off my ridiculous thoughts and head inside towards my locker.

I’m rummaging through my locker when I sense somebody watching me. I shut my locker, and jump when I’m met with Cole’s smiling face.

“Hey Hadley,” he says cheerfully.

“Hi Cole.”

“So, have you thought about what I asked you yesterday? Do you want to catch a movie tonight?”

“Oh…”

Crap!

“What?”

“I can’t, I made plans.”

The wide grin that was on Cole’s face drops and I instantly feel guilty.

“What kind of plans?”

“I’m going to a party tonight,” I tell him.

“Whose party?”

“Gavin’s friend, Brad?”

“You’re going out with Gavin?” he asks, his voice raising an octave.

“Just as friends Cole. Like I said, I’m not ready to date, and I meant that.”

Cole nods and looks relieved.

“Okay good. For a second there, I thought you were actually dating Reid’s brother. If you thought dating me would be awkward, how would that not be worse?”

“Well, I’m not. This was just a last minute thing.”

“I was invited to that party. I guess I’ll have to make an appearance after all. I was going to take a weekend off from partying so I could hang out with you, but since you’re going to the party, we can just hang out there.”

So I guess he’s not going to give up easily then.

“Yeah, sure, I guess so,” I stammer, “Anyway Cole, I got to get to class. I have Mrs. Turner, and you know how she is.”

I’m not really close to being late, but anything to get me out of this conversation.

Before Cole even has a chance to respond I quickly walk away. I know it seems rude, but I don’t know what else to say to him to get my point across. I don’t want to be rude to Cole, but I wish he’d take a hint. I pull out my cell phone and quickly text Julia.

*Hey Julia, what are you and Trevor doing tonight?

She responds right away.

*Going to Brad’s. Why?

*Good, so am I.

*Awesome! Who are you going with?

*Gavin

*OK, I guess I’ll see you tonight then. TTYL!

*Bye!

Relief washes over me. Julia being there tonight will provide me with some extra support if I feel that I need it.

After school, I remember that I didn’t drive today, so I head towards the buses. I have to pass the student parking lot to get there, and I hear Cole’s voice calling my name. I look over at him and he waves me over. He’s standing with Aaiden, both of them leaning against the side of Cole’s massive truck.

“What’s up Jacobs?”

Aaiden greets me by my last name. He used to do this with Reid too, always calling him Thorne.

“I’m good Aaiden, how are you?” I smile at him.

“Oh you know, livin’, lovin’, the usual,” he chortles and winks at me.

“Where you headed?” Cole breaks in.

“Buses. Gavin drove me to school this morning so I don’t have the truck,” I explain.

“Well why didn’t you say so? I’ll drive you home. We’re headed into town anyway; we gotta grab beers for tonight. Come on, get in,” Cole instructs.

I shrug and accept. I’d rather get a ride than take the bus any day. I go to get in the back seat but Cole stops me.

“No, take shotgun,” he laughs, “Aaiden, get in the back buddy.”

“It’s okay, really,” I say.

“No, it’s cool,” Aaiden says with a shrug and opens the door for me.

I climb into the lifted truck and Aaiden hops in the back. Cole fires up the truck and spins his tires a little as we head out of the student parking lot. He has a habit of showing off like that sometimes. It’s a nice day out, so we roll down the windows and blast the music. I find that I’m actually having a good time, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I glance over at Cole and he’s smiling over at me.

“That’s a sight for sore eyes,” he says.

“Huh?” I ask, not quite understanding.

“I haven’t seen you smile that big in a very long time,” he elaborates.

“I guess I’m just having fun.”

“Well, you know I’m a fun guy.”

Cole reaches over and playfully bops me in the shoulder. I laugh at him, feeling lighter than I have in a while.

“Just what the doctor ordered,” I respond.

By the wolfish grin that Cole responds with, I realize my comment sounded kind of flirty. It wasn’t my intention, but oh well. A little fun can’t hurt. It’s what Reid told me to do.

Cole pulls up in front of my house and I clamber out.

“Thanks for the ride Cole,” I say.

“Anytime babe,” he replies.

Aaiden climbs into the front seat and he looks between Cole and me.

“Am I missing something? Is there something going on with you guys?” he asks, brows raised.

“No,” I shake my head.

“I’m working on it,” Cole confesses.

Aaiden looks at me, looking like he wants to say something, but he stops himself.

“Oh really now?” Aaiden says, “interesting.”

“Okay, well, thanks again. See you guys later,” I say, turning on my heel and quickly heading into my house.

I hear Cole’s truck roar away. I wonder what Aaiden is thinking right now, it didn’t exactly seem like approval. Damn it Cole!

Dressed in a pair of my favorite tight jeans, a white t-shirt, and a navy zip up hoodie, I’m ready to go. At precisely eight, I hear Gavin’s car outside. I start putting my shoes on, and before I get the second one on, Gavin is knocking on the door. I pull on my other shoe and open it up. He’s looking cute in a pair of dark jeans and a fitted long sleeve t-shirt.

“Ready for our uh…date?” he chuckles, obviously teasing.

“Not a date,” I say.

Before he can respond, my mom comes into the kitchen. She smiles at Gavin and reaches out for him.

“Hi Gavin, how are you sweetheart?”

She hugs him, and he hugs her back.

“I’m good Cathy, how are you?”

“I’m good,” she says.

“You look really good, are you going out?” he asks her.

It’s then that I notice she’s wearing a dress and has her hair and make up done.

“In fact I am. Kevin is taking me into the city tonight,” she explains.

“Dinner and a show, maybe drinks afterwards.”

“Sounds like a nice night out,” Gavin nods in approval.

“Kevin spoils me sometimes,” she giggles.

My mom has been dating Kevin the Mechanic for the past six months. She had eventually brought the truck to the shop for a service, and as I suspected, her and Kevin had hit it off…even though it took a few months to get her to go in the first place. I’ve never seen her so happy. He’s been really good to her, and I like him a lot. She turns to look at me.

“So where are you kids headed tonight?” she inquires.

“Party,” I say.

“In town?”

“Yeah,” Gavin replies before me, “we’re going to grab some food first, and then we’ll drop my car off and walk to the party. I don’t want to leave my new car on the road at a party, it’s safer this way.”

“Will you be drinking?”

“I might have a couple,” he replies honestly.

“Hadley?” she turns to me.

“Um…no?” I say nervously and she rolls her eyes at me.

“Hadley, you’re eighteen now, if you want to, there’s not much I can do to stop you, but just be reasonable okay?”

“Okay mom, thanks.”

I smile at her.

“Well then, you guys have fun tonight. Hadley, I won’t be home tonight.”

“Ooh, an over-nighter?” Gavin teases.

“Kevin booked a suite at one of the nicest hotels in the city,” she gushes.

“Ew, okay, I’m out of here,” I groan.

I wrinkle my nose at the thought. I’m glad my mom’s happy and all, but I don’t need to picture what her and Kevin will be up to at said hotel. It’s bad enough when he stays over at our house, but luckily most of the time she stays at his house when they have their sleepovers. Mom grabs me and gives me a hug before I can duck out the door.

“Be safe honey,” she whispers in my ear and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

Gavin and I head into our usual spot, Burger Barn, and grab a booth in the back.

“After I dropped you off at school today, I realized you didn’t have a ride home,” Gavin says.

“It’s okay, Cole dropped me off.”

“Cole?”

“Yup.”

“Did he ask you out again?”

“No, but he will be at the party tonight now because I’ll be there. Although, even if I weren’t going, I have a feeling he’d be there anyway.”

“Probably. So he’s still hoping you’ll change your mind then?”

“Looks like it,” I nod.

“Well, he’s out of luck tonight. You gotta dance with the one that brought ya,” Gavin chuckles.

“What does that mean?” I giggle.

“It means, you’ll be at the party with me, so don’t ditch your date to hang out with him.”

“What makes you think I’d do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, I won’t,” I assure him.

The waitress comes over and takes our orders then hurries away.

“Why do you keep calling it a date?” I ask Gavin after a minute of silence.

“Isn’t it?”

“No.”

“We’re having dinner together, then we’re going to a party together. Sounds like a date to me.”

“Sounds like two friends hanging out to me,” I counter.

“Would it be so horrible to be on a date with me Hadley?”

“Well…no, not exactly. It’s just like I said though, I’m not ready to date yet,” I explain for what feels like the millionth time, “but that’s not all. Gavin, you’re Reid’s brother. Isn’t that…weird, or wrong, or something?”

Gavin’s eyes bore into mine. Neither of us looks away.

“Hadley…I uh…” he trails off, thinking about what he wants to say.

“You know what? You’re not ready to date, so let’s just leave it at that for now. This isn’t a date, I was just teasing you.”

“Gavin…”

I can tell that he’s not telling me the truth. Gavin likes me? He didn’t say it, but I realize this is the case. We spend so much time together; I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed. Sure, Gavin makes me feel safe and happy when he’s around, and I really cherish him as a friend. He’s done more for me through everything that’s happened, he’s basically become my best friend.

“No seriously, let’s drop it okay?”

He gives me a tight smile and runs his hand through his silky black hair. I examine his face, and I’m still struck sometimes by his resemblance to Reid. Even if I were ready to date, could I consider Gavin? It’d be like dating a Reid stand in. Would that be fair to Gavin? What would Reid say? That’s the other thing…Reid is still around. He could literally give me his opinion about it. No, I couldn’t do that to either of them, not that I was ever really considering it anyway.