Page 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

The booth traffic picks up in the afternoon, which helps the time to pass quicker than the morning. Ines and Gayle stick around until Bek, Ava, and Dylan arrive. Ava and Bek have helped me with online comments enough, that they know what to do if someone opens up about their own experience, but Dylan is new to it, so we take a little time to explain what he can expect and how he can actively listen and how he should respond.

“We aren’t experts or trained counselors, so we don’t want to give any advice,” I say. “The most important thing is to make them feel comfortable and heard.”

Though he looks nervous, Dylan gives a thumbs up. “Will do.”

We spend as much time visiting with kids we know, who stop to say hi, as we do selling swag or talking about the organization. Even the times when no one visits the booth go by more quickly because I’m hanging out with my friends. Finally, there is only half an hour until the fair ends. I’m rubbing my back and flexing my feet in my shoes.

“Hot tub is in order tonight,” I say. “Dylan, you’re welcome to join us if you want.”

Bek groans. “That sounds great, and we weren’t here nearly as long as you.

Dylan smiles. “Man, that sounds amazing.”

“We have extra trunks at home, so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have any with you.”

“I’ll give you a shoulder massage now, hon,” Ava says. She steps behind him and places her hands on his shoulders, making a funny face. “Oh, maybe I can’t do this when you’re standing.”

Bek and I laugh at Ava’s attempts at giving Dylan an effective massage. She keeps dancing around on her tiptoes and jumping, hoping to get a better angle. But her boyfriend is too tall.

Someone quietly hisses my name behind me. I turn and find Brent standing awkwardly at the side of the booth. He’s clutching a book in his hand. His upper body is pitched forward like he wants to tell me a secret, but it’s also angled away from the booth as if he’s going to bolt. Something about his uncertainty tugs at my heart.

“Oh, hey.” I walk over to him.

His stance is conspiratorial. And when he speaks, it’s in a whisper. “I forgot to get that book you asked for.”

Glancing over my shoulder, he hands me the book, with the cover face down. My heart stutters when I realize he’s trying to make sure Ava doesn’t see it. I step forward to further block our exchange, and I know my grin is ridiculously large, but I’m so touched by his effort. “Thanks for remembering and bringing one over here. What do I owe you?”

He shakes his head. “I got it. Like last time, let her know she can exchange it if she’s not interested in reading it. But I think she’ll like it. ”

“Brent, you can’t keep buying my stuff. Let me pay you back.”

“Not right now. Let’s worry about it later.” He shrugs. “She might not even like it.”

His shifting from foot to foot, and his eyes nervously darting behind me is confusing me. Is it because he doesn’t want to spoil a present for Ava? Is he nervous to be talking to me? Staying away from him sure hasn’t helped me to figure him out.

“Oh hey, Brent!” Ava says. “Babe, have you officially met Brent?”

When his eyes go wide, and he looks down at the book, I smile and slip it under my arm. When Ava steps up beside me to introduce Dylan, I turn away from her and walk over to my bag, sliding the book inside. As I sidle up next to Bek, who has joined the conversation, Brent looks more relaxed. Dylan and Brent are talking about their mutual dislike of the science class they share this year. It’s nice that he seems so comfortable around Dylan. Most of the kids at school are nervous around him.

“What brings you to our end of the street fair?” Ava asks.

Brent looks at me and I raise my brows.

“I just wanted to check out your booth. It’s so cool how the #NoMoreShame project has taken off like it has.”

“Today was great,” Dylan says. “I’m glad I came. Ava’s been telling me, but I still didn’t realize how many people relate to this. And for so many different reasons. It really makes you think twice before you judge someone for their differences.”

Brent stares down at the table, though there is nothing to stare at except a navy-blue tablecloth. “Yeah, some of us have to be hit upside the head with the info before we realize what idiots we are. ”

I steal a quick glance at Ava and Bek before squinting at Brent, but he doesn’t say anything else.

“How long will it take you guys to pack up?” I ask.

“It won’t be as bad as it was to set up. We can throw the books into boxes and don’t have to worry about unpacking them until regular business hours.”

“How did you guys do?” Dylan asks. “Was it worth coming out here?”

“Totally!” Brent's eyes are bright with excitement. “I can’t believe how many people didn’t know there was a bookstore downtown. I think the exposure alone will be worth the hard work, but our sales were good as well.”

“That’s great!” I say, remembering my own surprise when I discovered the store. “What made the owners decide to do it this year?”

“It was my idea,” Brent says. “I thought we needed more community outreach.”

“Good for you.” I grin. “It’s cool that they take your suggestions so seriously. You suggested they carry Global Lit, too, huh?”

Brent nods, toeing the ground. “They are good about considering suggestions. The whole staff brings ideas to the table. This one was just a really labor-intensive idea.”

Finally, Brent looks at me directly. “So, have you thought any more about writing a book for my dad’s publishing company?”

“I’ve thought about it a lot. And I’ve talked to several people about it. I think my next step is to talk to your dad. I don’t think I have enough of a story for a book. But if I can get others to agree to me sharing their stories, then that might be interesting. But I need to hear what your dad thinks, first. My sister’s fiancé, who actually runs the #NoMoreShame project, will want to be there too.”

Brent nods. “Okay. I’ll have Dad reach out to him at the project and set up a meeting with you guys.”

Suddenly, I feel shy about it. I don’t know why. It’s like Brent is watching me learn to walk or something. “Thanks.”

“I should get back.” He walks backward a few steps, waves, and then finally turns and leaves.

Bek steps next to me, grabs my hand, and rests her head on my shoulder, which her head barely even reaches. “Bookstore Boy likes you.”

I sigh. “I don’t know. If he does, he doesn’t like me enough to go out with me, so it doesn’t matter in the end.”

“Can we just talk about the elephant in the room?” Ava says.

“There’s no elephant,” Bek replies, looking around. “There is no room, for that matter.”

Ava gives her a look before turning her attention to me. “You just got a book deal, Sam.”

My eyes grow round. “Oh my gosh, I did just get a book deal. We have to celebrate!”

“How about we start by breaking down this booth,” Dylan suggests. “The street fair has officially ended.”

“Thank goodness.” I start pulling boxes out from under the tables so that we can pack up the remaining swag and brochures, but I’m thinking about Brent and wondering if Bek is right. Does Bookstore Boy finally like me?