AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After Janessa left, Aria took the disinfectant spray that Charli had been using since Janessa had gotten sick and sprayed down the spot where she’d been sitting. Aria understood Charli’s concern, since it seemed to be a particularly virulent bug. The last thing Charli wanted was for Layla to catch it.
After she’d wiped everything down, Aria checked the crock pot of soup that Charli had put on before going to school that day. She had hoped that Janessa might want some, but it seemed her appetite still hadn’t returned.
Charli and Layla had gone to a dance class after school and would be home later. Though there was usually a basketball game on Friday night, the team had travelled farther than normal for their game, so only Gareth and Jay had gone. Aria had considered going, but since the guys were staying overnight, and it had been likely that she’d need to cover for Janessa, she hadn’t been able to go.
Gareth had promised to call, and sure enough, just before ten that evening, her phone rang.
“Hello, sweetheart,” Gareth said when she answered.
“Hi.” Aria settled on her bed, crossing her legs. “How was the game?”
“It was great. They’re going to the championships next weekend.”
“Was there any doubt?” Aria asked.
Gareth chuckled. “Not really. They’ve had a great season. But you never know. Just need enough players to have an off-day, which they do sometimes, and they could have ended up with a loss.”
“It would be a shame for them to get all the way to the championships and then not win.”
“Yes, it would be.” Gareth’s voice was serious. “And since it’s Cole’s last year, he will be devastated if they don’t get the title.”
“Is everyone going to the game next week?”
“Yep. Nora has agreed to work at the clinic two weekends in a row.”
“Janessa asked me to cover for her tomorrow.”
“She’s still not feeling well?”
“No. She looked pretty bad earlier.”
“Are you okay with working tomorrow?” Gareth asked.
“I guess. I’m not thrilled to be working with Nora.”
“I wish we could get someone else, but the nurse that we usually get to help with the Saturday clinic isn’t available tomorrow.”
“It’ll be fine.” Aria wasn’t sure that it would be, but over the past week, Nora had been surprisingly professional.
Aria had no idea if Nora had heard from anyone that she and Gareth were dating. If she had, she was taking the news remarkably well. Working alone with her the next day could indicate how she really felt.
Best-case scenario, Nora kept things professional.
However, things had been going so well that Aria figured she was due a worst-case scenario moment, and that could definitely come from Nora.
“If you have any issues, let me know.”
“I will, but I think it’ll be okay. From what I’ve heard, it’s a pretty busy time, so it’s not like we’ll have opportunity for much interacting.”
“True.”
Aria didn’t feel as confident as she was trying to convince Gareth she was, but she wanted to prove that she could handle the situation with Nora. She couldn’t expect Gareth to constantly come to her rescue, even though that was appealing from a romantic viewpoint.
“I have worship team practice tomorrow afternoon,” Gareth said after they’d talked for a little while. “Do you want to come with me?”
“The other team members won’t mind?”
“Nope. Not at all,” he said. “And maybe afterwards we can go get supper somewhere.”
