Lust or Love? (Geoff and Gavin a.u.)

Chapter 18

*Marley POV*

The last two days with Geoff and Gavin were amazing, we went sight seeing and shopping on Friday, which was horrible. I bought some beads and made each one a key chain, making sure to put a heart on Geoff's. Geoff bought a disposable camera and we took pictures while we were sightseeing. I keep them in an envelope in my bag, just so when I'm upset I can look at him.

I leave my car and head inside the school building, I make my usual round to my locker then to my first class before the bell rings. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out seeing a message from Geoff.

Geoff: I miss you even more today, I don't want to get out of bed.

Me: It's like 8, you're gonna be late for work.

I put my phone back in my jacket pocket and place my laptop on the desk, plugging in my headphones. The teacher walks in, I can feel him looking at me. No one has come to class and I am completely alone with him. He walks over to my desk and I catch a breath in my throat when he touches my shoulder. He starts to lean down when a student walks in a requests his help, other students start filing into the room and he walks to his desk. I exhale and pull out my phone.

Geoff: How is school?

Me: Well since it hasn't even technically started, I'd say okay. Haha.

I put my phone in my pocket and open up the work we started in October.

***

"Marley, can you come here right quick, I'll write you a note so you won't be late," Mr. Osborne calls to me as the class bell rings. My heart speeds and I try to even out my breath. I tuck my hair behind my ear and put the strap of my bag on my shoulder.

"I know I have only been your teacher for a little while now, and of course," he looks to make sure no one is around, "we have some history." He winks at me and my stomach turns. He stands and reaches out to touch my arm, and I reflexively pull back.

"I completely wiped that from my memory, Garret." I mumble harshly. He looks at me sympathetically.

"Your dad," he starts, "how is he? You know since your mom-"

"He's fine, I'm fine. I have to go now, you've wasted five minutes of hall time." I start to head for the door.

"If you need anything you know where to find me." He says as I leave the classroom.

I walk to my next class and I try to keep my heart from beating out of my chest. I pull out my phone seeing a five new messages from Geoff.

Geoff: I'm at the office.

Geoff: LLLLLLEEEEETTTTSSS PLAY

Geoff: Party pooper

Geoff: I gotta poo

Geoff: I miss you even when I am sitting on the toilet

Me: Two more classes to go ugh

Geoff: You can do it, I believe in youuuuuu

Me: How many drinks have you had?

Geoff: 1...maybe 4.

Me: Get Gavin to drive you home tonight, I know you carpooled.

Geoff: Okay babe

Me: I miss you

I put my phone in my pocket as the bell rings.

***

I get into my car and pull out the envelope from my bag. I flip through photos of Austin sights, and find my favorite picture. Geoff and I asleep on the couch, we had woken up early that day just to see all the sights and go on an actual date. Geoff lays with one arm under his head and the other wrapped around me. My body warms and a smile finds its way onto my cheeks. I quickly text Geoff that I am out of school and that I am about to be on my way home.

My dads car is here and I groan. "You're supposed to be at work," I say to myself in the silence of my car. I grab my bag and head inside, dad sits at the table. I notice that no bottles have been opened and he gestures for me to sit with him.

"Marley," he smiles at me. I feel nervous, my palms become clammy. "If you noticed when you came home last night, there were no beers in the fridge. No alcohol at all actually." I nod my head. "When you were gone, someone had reached out to me. I now consider him a good friend, he found an AA meeting near by and he came with me." He reaches out and grabs my hand, "I am trying to become better, for you. I want to be the same old dad I was before," he chokes, "before your mom's passing."

"I'm so happy you're getting better dad," I smile at him.

"I have got such great news. He's coming over for dinner tonight since I know you only work until six, we are having dinner at six-thirty. Also, don't worry about bringing home groceries or anything, I have already done that." He smiles even bigger, it's an accomplishment. I smile back and excuse myself from the table, I have to finish up some homework and get ready for my four hour shift.

***

After, work I stopped at the gas station to fill up my car and started back on my way home. I'm nervous, I feel as if it's a prank. He was right about no alcohol being in the house, I just figured he had finished it all.

Dad set the table and he had ordered pizza. Why would you set the table for pizza? I go into the dining room and I feel like I am actually going to barf.

"Hi, Marley," Mr. Osborne, Byron, stands up to shake my hand.