AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTERSEVEN
Joey
Shopping in Sycamore Mountain is interesting, to say the least. Cute boutique shops with tourists fluttering in and out line each side of the brick street. Gavin is walking like an impenetrable wall beside me. I didn’t realize how quiet he was in real life. I guess I just assumed he’d be just as comfortable talking to me as he is writing, but it’s not been easy. All I’ve gotten are lots of one-word answers to the point I feel like I might be annoying him. The silence isn’t uncomfortable, so I take solace in that as I dip in and out of small shops. He takes a few steps before realizing I’m not beside him but watching that big flannel-wearing mountain man back step with wide eyes has me giggling.
Inside a dark tattoo shop, I’m greeted by the familiar sounds of Metallica and start singing the lyrics. It gains me a funny look from Gavin, who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“What’s wrong? You always said you wanted to get a tattoo.”
He just grunts and looks at his boots.
“Hey, sorry folks, we don’t have time for a walk-in at this time, but you’re welcome to get on the books.” A good-looking guy with colorful art up and down each arm says.
“Gavin? That you? What’s up, man? Come to match up the butterflies?” He laughs, but what the fuck does that mean?
“What butterflies?” I grin.
“Nothin’, let’s just go. We’ll call you, Nolan,” Gavin says, nodding his goodbye as he walks out of the shop.
Well, I sure as hell am not done with this conversation, he clearly doesn’t want to have. I take off after him after Nolan and I exchange matching looks of confusion.
“Hey!” I shout down the sidewalk, speed walking to catch up with him.
“Hey, what?”
“What the hell was that back there? Do you have a tattoo or something? It’s not a big deal. I mean, I’m butt hurt ‘cause that was supposed to be our thing, but I think I’ll survive it. What I won’t stand for anymore is you not talking to me. Grunts don’t count, Gavin.” I hold up a finger and stop in front of him, halting his escape.
“Yeah.”
I raise an eyebrow. He groans, kicking a rock, not looking at me. Standing my ground, I stay silent and stare expectantly.
“Yeah, I do alright, and yes, it was meant to be an us thing, and I fucked up.”
The way he says it is so defeated, like everything between us is just done in one action, which is stupid.
“So why is that a big enough deal you stomped out of there like a toddler?”
“It’s not. Drop it.” His tone is clipped and harsh.
I rear back in shock. “What’s that now?”
“Fuck. I’m making it worse.” He grabs his beanie, pulls it off, running his hands through his dark black hair. His frustration with himself is boyish and so adorable I almost forget I’m mad at him.
We’re both quiet for a moment. Just long enough to get spotted in a small town.
“Hey, guys!” Robin says, breaking into our awkward bubble.
Gavin huffs and puts his beanie in his pocket.
“Hi.”
“I just interrupted something, didn’t I?” She cringes, and I shrug.
“What’s up?”
“I just wanted to invite your bearded friend here to come to this year’s battle of the beards.”
“No.” He grunts.
