Page 40 of Next to Everything We Wanted

How did I even get here?

After a night of tossing and turning, I decided that I couldn’t stay here anymore. It didn’t matter that it was the middle of the week, at least not to my sleep-deprived brain.

I went into the kitchen, grabbed a few snacks for the road, and left a note for Phoenix and Forrest.

I’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t rip each other’s heads off while I’m gone. If you’re eating anything good, save some from me.

Despite being exhausted, I stayed alert for the entire four-hour drive to Oasis Shores. The only thing my brain was focused on was escaping.

Asher swung the front door open before I could ring the doorbell. I swore he was a few inches taller than a week and a half ago. It was so unfair thathehad Dad’s tall genes. “You’re here again!”

“Oh, really?” I examined myself, feigning surprise. “You’re right, I am!”

He giggled as he wrapped me into a hug. “I thought you weren’t coming until Saturday.”

“I know,” I said, rubbing his back. “Since it’s your first week of summer, I thought I’d visit for a day. I’ve been a little homesick.”

“Oh.” Asher pulled out of the hug. “Is something wrong?”

“What?” My chest tightened. “Of course not. Everything’s been swell.”

He let out a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, busted. I’ve never heard anyone under the age of forty use the word swell unless they’re lying. Except for Robbie fromVictorious. He wasdefinitelybeing honest.”

I gave him a small smile, though the pain in my chest hadn’t subsided. “Some days are more stressful than others.”

“Asher, why is the door still open? You’re going to let bugs in!” Mom scurried over to the door before a smile broke out on her face. “Oh, Gavin, I thought you weren’t coming back until this weekend.”

“I can come back then, too. I don’t mind the driving.” Especially when it took my mind off what was collapsing back at home.

“Gavin’s homesick,” Asher said. “I think something happened.”

I groaned, shooting a glare at him.

Mom’s smile fell. “Oh no, what happened? Is everything okay with your band?” She sat on the long sectional on the couch, where Dapper snored in his deep sleep. I guess hearing me come from the door wasn’t enough to wake him.

“Just anxiety.” I rubbed where my cloud tattoo rested on my neck. “I needed a day away from everyone.” I offered a smile. “When is Dad coming home from work? Maybe we can do something.”

“He’s making buffalo wings when he gets home, and then we’re going to watch a movie.”

I licked my lips. “Sounds delicious.”

“Yeah, the movie will taste so good,” Asher said.

I rolled my eyes and nudged his side.

After chatting with Mom and Asher, I went into my room for a well-desired nap. I was surprised that I was able to keep my eyes open for so long after getting no more than four hours of quality sleep. Thankfully, Asher had learned his lesson from trying on my clothes. My room was clean and tidy, not a thing out of place.

Why does it feel wrong?

As I closed the curtains, Dapper ran into my room. He sniffed me before jumping on my bed, sticking his tongue out in excitement.

“There you are, sleepy boy,” I said, rubbing behind his ears as I joined him.

He beat his tail against the blue comforter. His big brown eyes were full of energy now as he sniffed my hand.

“It’s my turn to sleep,” I told him, tucking myself into the sheets. Dapper was a big dog, taking up most of the space on the queen-sized bed, and he loved to sit right in the middle of it. I managed to get under a small part before closing my eyes and drifting to sleep.

My eyes fluttered open a while later, and I searched for my phone on the nightstand to check the time. Six-eleven in the evening? That couldn’t be right. My gaze went to the curtains, where the sun still peeked out.