betsy: Day Nine

“But isn’t he used to sharing?” Gavin asked

Jeff exhaled. “It’s not exactly like that,” he replied. “We’re essentially a couple, but with an extra person. Alan’s not, well, Alan’s not sexually driven and not exactly into men. So he didn’t like that I was sleeping with other men and, you know, using things that he touched.”

Gavin raised a brow. “So he’s a spaz.”

Jeff chuckled. “Essentially.”

“So wait,” Gavin said, suddenly tense. “Are you breaking up with me?”

Jeff nodded. “I mean, if you were under the impression that we were in something that needs us to say, it’s over, then yes I’m saying it’s over.”

“But I came here to break up with you.”

“Sure,” Jeff said.

“No, I really was,” Gavin said.

“Listen,” Jeff said. “It’s two people that are going to be pleasing me versus one so it’s no contest. Besides you were just rebounding on me so it’s not like you formed any attachment.”

“You’re right,” Gavin said, standing. “I formed no attachment. And I definitely came here to tell you that.”

And Gavin strutted out of the bakery, feeling as if he did it more elegantly than Alan. Through the window, he saw Jeff taking a drink of coffee, reading the paper. He didn’t look like he was on the edge of a nervous breakdown, but Gavin wasn’t mad. He just moved on.

Gavin stayed with Tulip for a while, but as he began hearing his clients talk about love and the nice things their partners were doing for them, Gavin found himself feeling lonely. Jeff, at least, was someone to curl up with, but his clients began talking about their children and how rewarding the experience was and Gavin found himself thinking about Cabe more often.

He hadn’t made a mistake.

Cabe made the mistake by fighting with him and pushing him away.

So one particularly dreary afternoon, Gavin wandered into the library to see if there were any books to keep him company. He made sure to pursue the religion section, close in proximity to the children’s section. He browsed and rubbed his chin, tilting his head to read the titles and authors names.

Sliding on his jacket, Cabe did a double-take as he saw Gavin in the religion section. He hesitated before he approached him. “Hey,” Cabe said, offering a friendly smile.

“Oh,” Gavin said, putting a book back. “Hello. Are you still working here? I had no idea.”

Cabe chuckled and leaned against a bookshelf. “I sure am,” he replied. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Nope,” Gavin said.

Cabe watched Gavin carefully. He could see Gavin was no longer looking at the titles, only pretending to. “Can I get you a drink at least?”

“I don’t know,” Gavin said.

“May I get you a drink?” Cabe said, rolling his eyes.

“No, no,” Gavin said, turning around and leaning on the bookcase. He repositioned himself when he realized he was in the same pose as Cabe. “I mean, I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

Cabe went on his tiptoes to see who was around, but found the children’s section completely vacated. He stepped closer to Gavin. “I want to give us another try,” he said, his voice low, “but I’d understand if you don’t want to. I mean, I still want kids, Gavin.”

“And I still don’t want to get old,” Gavin said.

Cabe laughed, but he covered his mouth quickly. He was, in fact, in a library. “I don’t blame you,” Cabe replied.

Gavin nodded and said, “Take me out for that drink.”