Norah and The Nerd: Best Friends Romance (Love in Ocean Grove Book 4)

by Anna Catherine Field

  The fact they’ve identified him surprises me. It’s not like he’s hugely recognizable but it’s further proof that he, the artist, is gaining popularity. The other proof is the fact a few have found out about his best friend being a girl and they either want to become my BFF or stab my eyes out with a fork. There’s never any in between.

  There’s a lot of speculations on why he’s in L.A. The most obvious being that he’s there to promote the books. Or get a movie deal. (This has long been wanted by fans.) Or maybe he’s meeting a secret girlfriend. (There are always secret girlfriends.) Or perhaps a boyfriend. There’s fighting in the comments, lewd remarks, a few that offer to marry him and have his babies.

  Then the pictures start rolling in—each time, the account is tagged and a notification pops up in the right-hand corner of the screen.

  Gabe getting into a car. Gabe getting out. Gabe sitting at a table holding chopsticks.

  Gabe with a beautiful blonde.

  Gabe with an identified girl.

  Reese Weatherly, of course.

  Each one makes my stomach hurt. I knew he was going to dinner with Reese, but to see them together is hard to take.

  Things have been weird since the breakup. It doesn’t help that I can’t talk to anyone. I feel like I have so many emotions boiling under the surface and if I don’t watch out I’ll explode. Actually, I have taken it out on some people. Ben, probably worst of all. Then maybe Olivia.

  Adding jealousy to my brewing emotional breakdown doesn’t seem like a good idea.

  Knowing that, I still look.

  The first pictures are blurry—obviously taken by a phone camera, but then they show up clearer. More professional. Gabe and Reese leaving the restaurant. Getting into the same car. He definitely looks overwhelmed, but also? Happy. Smiling just a little against the glare of the flash. Sharing a look with Reese in the backseat.

  My phone explodes. Hundreds of notifications popping up by the second.

  Then the texts.

  Delaney: Do you see this?

  Tyler: What’s going on?

  Olivia: Why didn’t you tell me this was happening?!

  Trevor: Is that your boy all over ChattySnap?

  I take a minute to respond to the last one.

  Norah: How did you get my number?

  My heart pounds in my chest as all of this comes across my screen and I force myself to turn it off and look away. It’s exciting and I’m happy for Gabe. This is what he wanted, to turn Photobooth Society into something big. But just like I’d always feared, there was no way Gabe could have the success he deserved and for things to stay the same between us. Especially after last week. As great as it was, as much as I enjoyed it, I wish I could take it back. No matter what I do I can’t make things go back to the way they were before.

  I pull the cord on my light and curl against my pillow, resolved to make a few changes in my own life.

  Even if it’s just to make the pain a little less.

  The buzz of excitement hits me before I leave the parking lot. Everyone knows about Gabe and Reese Weatherly and they all want to talk to me about it.

  My phone was bursting with notifications this morning but there was only one message I was looking for and I found it tucked in the middle of the rest.

  G: Meeting went great. Reese is amazing. Talk soon.

  The pride and joy I want to have for this situation is lost in the feeling of heartbreak and jealousy. Not for Reese—not exactly—but because I want to be there with him. I always thought I would be. He told me I would be, right? That he wouldn’t make any decisions without my input?

  I’d lost that entitlement when I broke up with him in a playground.

  If I thought school would bring me solace, I was sadly mistaken. The questions start before I leave the parking lot.

  “Norah—what’s Gabe really doing in L.A.?"

  “Is it about his graphic novel?”

  “Can I have a part in the movie?”

  “Reese Weatherly is a babe. Can he get me her number?”

  “You’re so lucky your best friend is so talented.”

  “Girl. What. Is. Going. On?” I look around the edge of my locker and see Delaney, wide-eyed. “I tried to text you a million times last night.”

  “I went to bed early.”

  Her expression tells me that she’s not buying that excuse at all.

  “Fine,” I sigh, struggling with my math book. It’s trapped beneath three other books and a thick graphic novel, “I got slammed with notifications on the main accounts. It was too much. I had to just shut it off and go to bed.”

  “Did you hear from him?” Delaney and Tyler are the only ones that have a clue of what’s going on and even then, not much. Only that Gabe is in L.A. meeting his agent.

  “I got a text that things went well.”

  “So what does that mean? Are they working together or,” she frowns, “like, is this something else?”

  I grimace. Half at my stupid, messy locker and half at the question. “I don’t know and what I do know, I can’t answer.”

  I try to slip my hand beneath the heavy book and the weight squeezes tight, trapping my fingers in a tight pinch. I yelp. “Ouch!” and kick the locker below mine in pain and frustration.

  “Move!” a deep male voice says, and in the next heartbeat, Trevor’s big hands are in the locker lifting up the book and releasing my fingers. I shake my hand to get rid of the pain and he picks it up, holding it between his own. His touch is surprisingly gentle. “Are you okay?”

  Stupid, idiotic, traitorous tears prick at my eyes. Some from the pain. Some from everything else. “Yes,” I pull away from him, embarrassed. “Thank you.”

  Trevor’s expression is concerned—different from the smug mocking he normally piles on me first thing in the morning. “You look like you’re having a bad day.”

  I glance up at his face, something I normally avoid. Trevor is handsome. Cute. Dimples and perfectly disheveled blonde hair. He’s tall and strong. And as much as I want to say he’s not my type, he’s everyone’s type. He’s the kind of guy you want to notice you. Except I don’t. He makes me uncomfortable. I think it’s because he always seems to be able to see through me. Like now. He knows about Gabe and instead of asking me a million questions or wanting something like everyone else, he wants to know if I’m okay.

  “I’m fine.” I turn away, ignoring the incredulous look on Delaney’s face, who is watching the whole exchange.

  “What book are you trying to get out, Saddler?”

  “That one.” I point to the thick math book.

  He easily lifts up the other books and pulls out the right one. “You really should clean that up,” he says, handing it to me.

  “I’ll get right on that.”

  I slam the locker door and sling my backpack over my shoulder.

  “What?” he says, that familiar tone slipping back into his voice. “No 'thank you' hug?”

  I roll my eyes at him but our eyes connect and honestly? I kind of do want a hug. What’s going on with Gabe hurts. “In your dreams, Salvatore.”

  His eyes sweep over me, his grin firmly back in place. “You got that right, Saddler.”

  He turns and walks away before I can come up with a retort. Delaney steps next to me. “I’m telling you—”

  I spin on my heel and head the opposite direction before she can finish that thought.

  It’s going to be a really long day.

  18

  Norah

  Hollywood is abuzz today with news that cult graphic novel creator Gabe Foster and Avondale star Reese Weatherly were spotted twice in L.A. over the past few days. The Photobooth Society is a popular graphic novel, illustrated and written by the eighteen-year-old high school senior. Fans have long wanted the books to be adapted for the big screen and if our sources are correct, their wishes could be coming true very soon.

  From her own social media accounts, Reese has made it clear she’s in love with the book concept a
nd finds Gabe to be a “genius.” But fans noticed something other than just mutual professional respect between these two as they left the chic sushi place in West Hollywood last night: chemistry.

  Gabe is from the small beachfront town of Ocean Grove and attends the prestigious arts program. The same school Avondale’s Dean Turner attended. Is that how these two connected? What we do know is Reese’s hit show, Avondale, films nearby, making it possible for these two to pursue whatever kind of relationship they're developing, personal or professional, to continue.

  As fans of the graphic novel await further details on the deal brewing between these two young talents, we’ll be over here with our box of popcorn watching for signs of a romance that definitely looks like it could be blooming.—ChattyNews

  “Can you believe this garbage?” I ask, picking a piece of feta off my pizza and popping it in my mouth.

  Ben sits across from me, willingly taking Gabe’s spot while he’s been in L.A. As long as I buy him a slice of pizza.

  Ben studies the picture for a minute before handing me back the phone. “Do you think if Gabe starts dating this chick, he can introduce me to that other girl on the show? Lilliana what’s her face? She’s super-hot.”

  I glare at Ben, pretending I have the power to burst him into flames with my mind.

  “They’re not dating,” I reply, opening my phone to do the work I’ve been avoiding all day. “It’s business. I mean, I met with Reese a few weeks ago and no one thought we were dating.”

  “Duh,” he says, guzzling his drink, “Who would date you?”

  Again, I glare. This time he gives me a smile. “I’m kidding, Nor. Trevor seems into you. I think the real question here is who would you date?”

  I pick up my pizza and shove it in my mouth, not wanting to answer that question. Ben gets out his phone and starts playing a game, and I open up the Photobooth Society accounts and start checking the notifications. They’ve taken a strange turn—more about Gabe and his personal life—but it’s my job to control this. Turn gossip into gold, and that’s what I do. It’s hard because information is limited on whatever deal he’s actually making, but that doesn’t mean I can't capitalize on it anyway. I do my best to pull my emotions out of the situation and get to work. That’s how I built up this brand in the first place. Now is not the time to get petty.

  I look at the clock, realizing time has slipped by. I’ve got five minutes to finish up. I take the final bite of my crust, a little sad I don’t have Gabe’s extra to eat. I pull up one of the photos of Reese and Gabe, save it and draw a little goofy picture on it, then text it to Gabe with the caption:

  N: You’re breaking fangirl hearts all over the world.

  I’m walking over to Bazinga! when he replies.

  G: I keep telling you, I don’t have fangirls

  My heart seizes because it’s not an admission or denial.

  “Is that him?” Ben asks as we walk out of Pie Whole.

  “Yeah.”

  “Tell him to bring me a souvenir.”

  I roll my eyes. “I’ve got to get in there. See you later, okay?”

  Ben looks behind me at the front of the shop. I turn and I stop in my tracks. There’s a line of people headed into the shop. Way more than normal for a weekday afternoon. And yeah, more than half of them are girls.

  “Our boy has game,” Ben says, heading down the street. “And is going to be a gazmillionaire. Maybe you should reconsider and date him.”

  “What?” I laugh. “That’s crazy.”

  “I know. I’m just kidding.”

  I want to talk to him about this—about me and Gabe—but he’s already gone and the chime of the door brings me back to the present.

  When I walk in, Wade’s standing behind the counter and has a panicked expression on his face. “We’ve been slammed. Get back here.”

  I squeeze past the customers. “Photobooth?”

  “Yep. It’s crazy. I’ve contacted Blue Star, they’re sending more copies but at this rate we’ll run out soon. I can’t imagine what the other shops are doing.”

  Since Gabe is a local artist, we’ve always sold more copies and have more inventory in stock. If other shops are having the same kind of interest, they’re going to have a crunch.

  Wade wasn’t exaggerating. Business that afternoon is five times what we normally have. While he keeps everything in stock, pulling out all the promotional materials I’ve had stored in the storage room; bookmarks, postcards, stickers…I run the register, answering question after question about Gabe, the deal, and unfortunately, Reese.

  “He comes here a lot, right?” a girl asks. I vaguely recognize her from school.

  “Sometimes,” I say, knowing that as long as this fervor continues he won’t be able to, and that makes me sad, too.

  “I’ve seen you with him at school. Aren’t you his girlfriend?”

  I pause, wondering if someone saw us. If someone knew.

  “No,” someone answers for me. I look up. It’s Monica, the girl Gabe talks to sometimes. “She’s his best friend. That’s all.”

  That’s all? I want to shout and then pull out photos of us at twelve playing laser tag. I don’t, instead holding back a massive eye roll, and ring up the book. “Sixteen forty-eight.”

  I keep it cool through my shift and as Wade and I close up, we both exhale. Him, because he’s never been so busy, and it was a major day for the store. Me because it’s finally over and I’m tired of answering questions about Gabe. I need him to get back here and answer for himself.

  “That was bananas,” Wade says, rubbing his head. “I don’t know if we’ve ever been that busy.”

  “You deserve it,” I tell him, grabbing my bag. “You had faith in Gabe and his books long before anyone else. I know he appreciates it.”

  “Gabe’s an awesome kid. I’m excited for his success.” He looks me in the eye. “You too, Norah. You’re a big part of this.”

  I was. Am I still?

  Wade tells me to leave and I don’t argue. I’m exhausted and I still have homework to do and a million little things for the accounts. Now is not the time to let that slip. Even so, I’ve got a lot of pent-up energy and I decide to walk down the main strip to get some fresh air before heading home. After a few blocks I see the lights of the Ocean Grove Creamery and realize ice cream would make everything better. Or at least, a little bit better.

  Outside the shop, sitting on a bench, I see a familiar face. Maybe the only person I really want to see right now.

  “Norah!” Bea says when she spots me walking over. “I’ve been thinking about you. What. Is. Going. On?”

  “So, you’ve seen the gossip?” I sit next to her, realizing how tired my legs are from standing behind the counter all afternoon.

  “Yes! Katherine and I were going to come down to find out what’s really going on, but she had a group project to work on tonight. Then I told Carter I’d meet him here after swim.” Her eyes are bright. “But now that we’re together, you need to tell me everything.”

  Bea goes to the private school over in the gated part of Ocean Grove, but has long been a fan of Gabe’s work. She may be one of the first people to really get into his books and although she doesn’t know him well, she and I have become pretty good friends either from her stopping in the shop or on social media. She’s awesome about sharing my posts and liking everything. She spread the word. She’s the perfect fangirl but one I don’t have to stress about. She’s not into Gabe, she has her own ridiculously hot boyfriend. Like, majorly hot.

  “I really wish I could,” I say, tucking a piece of wayward hair behind my ear, “I don’t know much and Gabe isn’t telling me anything.”

  “Is he down there to work out a deal for the books?” she asks eagerly. I know she wants this badly.

  “He’s been in meetings,” I reply vaguely. “Fingers crossed.”

  “And this Reese thing?” Her tone turns cautious—concerned.

  “I know Reese is a supporter of the project.
I’ve met her and even encouraged her and Gabe to talk. I follow enough celebrities to know that online information can be dubious—if not outright lies—but I don’t know what’s really going on.” My stomach hurts just thinking about it. I feel selfish. Jealous. Lame. Stupid. All of it, and it’s turning my emotions into a mess.

  “That stinks, and I totally know what it feels like to let your imagination run wild. Carter travels a lot for swim and he’s walking around in those tiny bathing suits with that Olympian body that could make a nun break her oath. I’ve had to just trust that he loves me and is being faithful.”

  I glance at her from the side. “You know Gabe and I aren’t dating, right?”

  She gives me a curious look. “Yeah, I know. But from an outsider’s perspective, you guys seem really close. I mean, he created a character about you in his comic. I feel like that’s a declaration of some kind.”

  “Thea is not me.” My cheeks flush when I say it. Gabe and I have never talked about it, but there are similarities.

  “Whatever. Gabe created two characters—the only ones to really have a flirty little nerdtastic BFF thing going on, and they just so happen to look like the two of you?”

  What had Gabe said the other night? I’ve wanted you for a long time?

  Did that mean all the way back to when he created those characters? That had been years.

  “Any kind of relationship, beyond friendship, would be really complicated for us. We’re best friends. We work together. Other people may get hurt and I’m not sure how our families would take it.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “So you have thought about it?”

  I frown and stare at the ground. I’ve been wanting to talk to someone about this. Why not Bea?

  Why? Because I’m the one that broke up with him. I made this decision and I’d also made another decision to move on. Telling someone about it would only weaken my resolve and now, when I’m feeling petty and jealous, is not when I need to second guess my choices.

  “When does he get home?” Bea asks, realizing I’m not talking about it anymore.

  “Tomorrow, I think.”

  “I’m sure you two can clear everything up then.” She gives me a smile. “You guys are a great team and I know this is going to be huge for both of you.”