Zane raises one eyebrow. “Is he dating that assistant too? Maybe he was having a stroke tonight. That could explain the odd behavior. Older people have to worry about things like strokes.”
“That’s it.” I toss my club toward the hole behind Zane and make my way toward the parking lot. “Happy birthday, little brother. Call me when you decide to grow up.”
I hear him calling me, Abby too, but I don’t stop, and they don’t catch me. Instead, I make my way to my car through the blur of my tears.
Maybe it is the worst date ever. For sure, the worst birthday ever.
I remember as I pull out of the parking lot and head for home that Gavin said he had a present for me. I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed that he never gave it to me. Probably better I start getting over this now. Before I have to face him at work tomorrow morning.
No. There’s no way.
Unless … maybe Gavin really is sick? I’m not sure that explains him running away though.
A horn honks, reminding me to pay attention to the road. I wave to the driver behind me on instinct, the Texas driver’s apology. I probably should pull off the road. My phone keeps buzzing and my vision is blurry with tears I don’t want to admit exist.
I’m only a few miles from home, but I turn into a Mexican restaurant and park near the back, underneath a halogen light, flickering to life as the sun begins to lower. My phone won’t stop buzzing, maybe Zane calling or texting to apologize for being such a jerk. It starts up again, and I growl in frustration, snatching it out of the cupholder.
There are several texts and missed calls from Zane, plus a few from Abby. But the latest one is not Zane.
It’s Gavin, and the three-word text on the screen having me freezing where I sit: I need you.
One of my coworkers frequently talks about his sister and how amazing she is. She met me for lunch the other day and she’s gorgeous, but he left out the part about her using a wheelchair.
What do I do? Can she realistically date? I mean she did drive herself to the restaurant (how???) but could we have any kind of real relationship?
Can I start with a hearty NO, you shouldn’t date her?
Not because she is in a wheelchair, but because YOU have a mind handicap.
Wheelchair users can do a lot of things that able-bodied people can. Often even BETTER.
They drive cars. They compete in sports. They go to dinner. They fall in love. They also answer a lot of invasive questions ranging from stupid to naive.
They. Are. Human. Just the same as their able-bodied counterparts.
Should you date her?
Only if you can realize that you’re the one with the issue and that she probably deserves much better. If you can’t reconsider how you view her, she’s much better without you.
-Dr. Love
Chapter Nine
Zoey
I need you.
It takes me a good five minutes to regulate my breathing and heartrate enough to start thinking clearly again. Gavin needs me.
Gavin needs me?
Gavin needs me?!
With the way things ended at mini golf, this is the last text I would expect from him. Even if the night had gone well, this text would be unexpected. It could mean so many things. But most of those things still don’t really make sense. Taking a deep breath, I try to compose a text that leaves things open.
Zoey: Hey, did you mean to send this to me? Do you need my help with something?
I wait. Then I wait some more. When five minutes have passed, I start to worry. What if he is sick, and needs help? Would he have made it home? Could he have had a car accident? My brain does a nose-dive into the worst possibilities.
Zoey: Everything okay?
When five more minutes go by with no answer, I try calling. He doesn’t answer, and now I’m officially worried. Unsure what else to do, I dial Nancy’s number. She’s the only person I know who sees Gavin outside the office and might have some idea what to do.
I’m surprised when an unfamiliar voice answers. “Hello?”
“Hi, this is Zoey. I work at Morgan-Beckwith. I’m looking for Nancy?”
“Zoey! I’ve heard all about you from Nancy. This is her sister, Patty.”
Right. I remember Gavin saying that her sister came into town. I’m a little surprised Nancy talked