Chapter 23: Choking on a Nutella Sandwich

ADDY

Five days ago, my date got canceled at the last minute. No bowling for me.

Kaylee was pretty ticked off. All her hard work picking out my outfit for nothing. So, I ended up doing a mini fashion show for her while she snapped a ton of pictures.

Xander didn’t even bother to call me after that. It was kind of a relief, to be honest. I wasn’t sure what to make of the whole situation.

He’d sounded rushed when he kept apologizing. I told him it was no big deal and we could go another day.

Now, I kind of wish I hadn’t.

Now I ~have~ to go another day, which means I have to tell him I just want to be friends.

I can only hope Kaylee’s been wrong this whole time and he doesn’t see this as a date, just a friendly bowling trip.

~God, how embarrassing would that be?~

I cringe at the thought as I head into the kitchen, praying that’s not the case.

~If it is, I’ll start planning Kaylee’s funeral.~

My thoughts are all over the place as I plop down on a kitchen stool.

“What’s got you thinking so hard?”

Mom’s voice breaks into my thoughts. I shake my head at her, saying it’s nothing.

The lunch box I absolutely hate comes into view and I groan.

“Mom, I’m not taking this to school.” I push the box away, but she pushes it back.

“Addy, don’t be difficult. You need to eat your greens.”

Dad walks into the kitchen and I roll my eyes.

~Here we go again.~

“Honey, tell her to take her lunch box to school.”

Dad gives me a look and I grin back at him.

~Every single time.~

“Chipmunk, take your lunch box,” he tells me, motioning for me to grab the box. Dad’s nicknames for me are always changing and always weird.

There was a time he actually called me tomato because I’d been drinking tomato soup for a week straight.

I laugh and Mom whines as we exchange knowing looks.

“Enough, you two. Get going! You’re both going to be late.”

I smile as Mom shoos us away.

Dad kisses her cheek before subtly pointing toward the door. I give him a thumbs up, stand up, and walk over to Mom to give her a kiss on the cheek too.

“See you later, Mom.” I start to leave.

“Hey! Don’t forget your lunch box.” She shoves it into my hands and I roll my eyes.

“Bye, mushroom. Get going, now.”

I hurry out after Dad, closing the door behind me. Dad chuckles as he pulls out his lunch box.

“One day she’s going to catch us red-handed, chipmunk.”

I hand him my lunch box and take his.

“Nah, she won’t. Nutella sandwich, right?” My smile widens as he nods.

“She will, I’m telling you.” I roll my eyes and give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Bye!” He waves at me before rushing to his car. I wave back.

This is our routine. Mom worries I’ll get too round, so whenever she’s home she makes sure I eat all kinds of greens, while feeding Dad all the junk food.

It’s ridiculous.

But Dad always rescues me from Mom’s green nightmare. The things I make him do for me.

I head to the garage and pull out my keys. The garage door opens painfully slow, revealing an empty spot where my car should be.

~Where the hell is my car?~

I sprint back inside, flinging the door open.

“Mom, where’s my car?”

Mom appears, giving me a sheepish look.

“At the repair shop.”

“What? How? Why?” I groan.

“It broke down yesterday,” she says like it’s no big deal.

~You’ve got to be kidding me.~

“How am I supposed to get to school?”

“Walk. Why do you think I told you you were going to be late?” She winks at me before disappearing again.

“I’m so going to get you back for this!” I yell after her before running out again. I hate being late.

Twenty minutes later, I get to school, just two minutes before class starts.

I let out a breath before heading to math class.

What a great way to start the day.

***

“Your mom gave you a lunch box today too?” Kay smirks at me and I nod.

“Dad saved me again,” I say as we head to Asher’s table.

Ever since the day I went to Asher’s house, he’s invited me and Kaylee to sit at their table. Xander’s been sitting with Trevor and his friends lately, so we don’t mind.

“He’s the best.” Kaylee grins as she sits next to Blake.

“Who?” Gabe asks, looking at us.

“Addy’s dad,” she says, explaining the lunch box situation.

We’ve gotten to know Gabe since we started sitting at their table. He’s a total goofball and I liked him right away.

“Oh, hahaha. I wish my dad would do that, but he always sides with Mom.”

“No shit. Your mom is scary,” Blake chimes in and we all start laughing.

“Hey, only sometimes,” Gabe protests before taking a sip of his apple juice. His phone pings and he picks it up to reply.

I look around. “Where’s Asher?”

He’s nowhere to be seen in the cafeteria.

~Did he decide to disappear for days again?~

I frown at the thought.

“He’s on his way—there.” Blake points behind me and I turn to see Asher walking toward us. I smile when I see him.

“Guys, I have to go.”

I look at Gabe to see him standing up quickly.

“Where are you off to?” Kay inquires, swiping a fry from Blake’s plate. He doesn’t seem to mind.

“Library.”

“Liar.”

I glance sideways to find Asher sliding into the seat next to me.

“He’s off to stalk his new crush,” Blake teases.

“Knock it off, guys. I’m just grabbing a book,” he retorts, dashing away.

I can’t help but grin, knowing exactly who he’s rushing off to see.

“Who would’ve thought he’d fall for his tutor?” Asher chuckles, and I join in. His phone buzzes, and he rolls his eyes after reading the message.

“GABE WINTERS DOESN’T FALL FOR PEOPLE,” he announces, showing us Gabe’s text in bold letters.

“How did he find out?”

Blake chuckles at Kay’s question.

“We’ve been teasing him about it for a week, and that’s his response every time.”

“You guys are mean. Leave him alone,” I chide, but Blake just shakes his head.

“No way. If he’s into her, he should tell her.”

Kay’s phone rings, and she shoots me a look before hurrying off.

“Perfect timing. You were saying?” Asher raises his eyebrows at Blake.

“I’m not in love with her!” he snaps, and I can’t help but laugh before turning to Asher for a high five.

“Busted. Just admit it. You both like each other.”

Blake rolls his eyes. “Look who’s talking.”

I give him a puzzled look.

Suddenly, Blake grimaces. “Why the hell did you kick me?” He glares at Asher, who glares right back.

“But you do like Asher, right, Addy?”

The moment Blake asks the question, I choke on the bite of Nutella sandwich I was just about to swallow.

One look at Asher’s face tells me everything I need to know.

~Oh my God, he fucking knows.~