Page 58 of The Backup Plan
“Thanks for the heads-up,” she said drily.
“So, then what happened? Did he sweep you off your feet?”
Avery scoffed. “Hardly. And I didn’t expect him to. That would be a little pushy.” She leaned closer. “But oh my God, I could tell he was really anxious to ask, and happy with the answer.”
“I like this for you. And for him. I like that you two bond over carving flowers and drawing football helmets.”
“Me too. I’m optimistic. And antsy.”
“Antsy?” Isaac laughed. “You look downright thirsty. Do I have to act all sad when I see you two together?” He pouted his lips in a dramatic puppy-dog face.
“Ugh, please don’t. I told him how happy I am to have gotten a good friend out of a failed setup, and that is also the truth.”
“Does Justin know?”
Avery sipped her water. “He doesn’t. I’m going to text him just so he knows the objective has been achieved without falsehood and all is well. But I’m not sure what to say besides that.”
“I think the truth is working out okay for you.” He nudged his basket of fries at her. “Eat these. I don’t know why I got them. But for Justin, if you hope he’s doing well?—”
“Of course I do.”
“Well, just say that.”
She slouched and pressed her hands to her cheeks. The condensation from the water glass chilled her flushed face. “Do you ever fight with your brothers? Like really, really fight? Justin and I have never gone this long without speaking.”
“We bicker all the time, but it’s usually dumb stuff,” Isaac said. “Nobody just stops speaking for a week.”
“Two weeks. Have you talked to your brothers since they told you about UM?”
“A little, but nothing about that. We’ve found it works all right to put some subjects aside until we’ve cleared our minds enough to have a rational conversation, but other than those things, we carry on.”
“You’ll have to teach me and Justin that trick.”
“Is it really just Mindy?”
She shrugged. “Do you have a better idea? This all blew up when I was trying to talk with him about her. I realize I need to chill about some things and be more respectful of his choices, and I want to tell him that, but not in a text. We’ve had misunderstandings before. I feel like there has to be something more going on in his head, because me objecting to a girlfriend doesn’t feel big enough for this.”
“Better ideas…” Isaac trailed off as he drummed his fingers on the table. “Obviously, he’s busy because it’s football season, and if he’s taking hard classes, he’s under extra stress with midterms. And he’s not living on campus, so it’s harder to get together. You and I live about fifty yards from each other, so dinner always works.”
“Those would be easy, rational excuses for not talking or hanging out,” Avery countered. “But why not say that, if it was the truth?”
“Point taken.” He shoved the apples on his tray into his jacket pockets. “I have to get to weights. You’re on the way. I’ll walk with you.”
Avery pouted as they dropped off their trays. “He would not just dump me for her.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. That cannot be what’s going on. Just give him some time.”
“I’m terrible at that.”
Isaac snorted. “Don’t I know it.”
Avery
I hope you’re doing okay. I miss you. And I want to let you know, Cam knows Isaac and I aren’t dating. He asked me flat-out, and I told the truth. Can we get lunch soon?
Justin
I’m okay. Maybe next week.