8. Valentina
Chapter 8
Valentina
Spending time with Avery is different than anything I’ve ever experienced. While I grew up with an older brother, Ale spent so much time at the soccer pitch that when he was around, even with friends in tow, our paths didn’t cross for more than a handful of hours. I never actively hung out with his friends or adopted them as my friends too. There was a distinct line separating our lives.
Other than the months I spent with Dane—a collection of encounters that kept me dancing on a delicate edge of giddy excitement and desperate fear—I’ve never spent so much alone time with a man. Until now.
I thought sharing a bed with Avery would be awkward. Instead, it felt normal. He was respectful, almost disinterested, as he turned on his side and flipped off the light that first night. Since then, our breakfasts have been filled with easy conversation, our afternoons with a fun, tourist activity like kayaking on Lady Bird Lake or rating briskets, and our evenings with a glass of wine and a good night’s rest.
Twice, we went bird-watching and I pointed out ruby-throated hummingbirds, red-tailed hawks, and purple martins, among other birds.
Avery watched with interest, asked pertinent questions, and held my hand.
The entire trip has been therapeutic. A time out of reality that feels restorative and energizing.
“Want to hike today?” Avery offers.
“Sure,” I agree, digging into my suitcase to double-check I packed Hokas.
“Cool. We can take one of the trails through McKinney Falls.”
“Great.” I rummage around in my belongings for a pair of leggings and a long-sleeve tee.
The buzz of my phone causes my head to pop up.
Avery gives me an apologetic look and holds my phone out for me. “It’s your sister.”
I sigh. “There’s no way Raia hasn’t told her.”
“Raia one-hundred percent told her.”
“Carla must be covering for me with Mom and Dad. It’s the only way they haven’t blown up my phone yet,” I sigh as the missed call is sent to voicemail.
A moment later, a text pops up.
Carla
Stop avoiding me. I know you’re with Avery.
Avery Callaway! What are you thinking, Vale?
You never date, and this is the guy you choose to disappear with? He’s a nice guy and has always been awesome to chill with…but not your type.
I told Mom and Dad that you’re on an extra field research trip.
I told Abuela the same—she doesn’t believe me.
You can’t avoid me forever.
BTW, I SEE that you’re reading these messages.
“Damn,” I whisper. A pang cuts through my chest at the thought of Abuela. She must think I’m avoiding her since I haven’t responded to her last two video calls. We usually chat several times a week.
“What is it?” Avery asks, his brows pulling together.
“Nothing.” The last thing I want is for him to read how even my sister knows Avery isn’t my type. I mean, I know that, but I hate that it’s obvious to everyone else. “Just my sister. She told Mom and Dad that I’m on a field research trip. My abuela too.”
“Buying you time. That was cool of Carla.”
“She’s worried,” I admit. “And I hate not speaking to my abuelita.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, his grin lopsided. “If you were my sister, I’d be worried too.”
I sigh heavily and avert my gaze.
“You gotta sell it, Lena,” he reminds me, using this abbreviated form of my name that no one else does. I like that he has a nickname for me, even if it isn’t a term of endearment. It makes it feel like there’s something special between us. At the very least, it helps cultivate the perception we’re trying to create.
I tap out a reply.
Valentina
Thanks, Carla! I owe you one.
Things with Avery are amazing.
You know me, Car. I don’t do things like this.
Can’t you just be happy for me? I’ve finally met a man who literally swept me off my feet and I’m happy.
Can’t that be enough for now?
I’ll call Abuelita soon.
I hold my breath as my texts appear on the screen. I can see that my sister has read my messages, and her lack of a reply is both a relief and a disappointment.
I confide in Carla in ways I’ve never been able to with Ale, Mom, or Dad. Or any friend or classmate. My sister is the only person, save for Abuela, who is privy to my true thoughts and feelings, and even then, I hold back.
I never told her about Dane. Not the good or the bad. There are things I’ve never confessed to anyone, so I continue to let them eat away at me.
But Carla would run to Ale. She would want to defend me, to have my back. She’s the best sister in the world and I don’t deserve her. Mostly because I can’t be as honest with her as I think she is with me. This is the first time in my life I’ve truly pushed back on something. Me sticking up for my “romantic entanglement” with a man is new territory for me and for us. And Carla knows it, which is why she keeps me on read.
Sighing, I toss my phone in a cross-body pouch. I shift my weight to tug on my socks and sneakers.
“You okay?” Avery asks quietly and I know he can read the change in my mood.
“Yeah. I just hate lying to my sister.”
“I do too.”
I glance up.
“The first day here, when I got out of the shower… I talked to Raia and everyone knows we’re together.”
“Do you think your family is going to be disappointed?” Do you think they’re going to resent that your choice is me?
It’s the follow-up question I want to voice, but I don’t have the guts to say it. Instead, I hope Avery is skilled at reading between the lines.
He frowns. “I’m more worried they’re going to feel like I upstaged my sister and Cohen. The timing couldn’t be shittier.”
I gasp at the realization that he’s right. “That’s awful. The last thing I want is Raia to feel slighted. Or betrayed.”
Avery shrugs. “She’ll get over it. My whole family will. And once they get to know you, I think they’ll think you got the short end of the stick.” He smirks and I can’t tell if it’s to take the truthful sting out of his words or because he’s truly joking.
“I don’t know about that.”
“What about your family?”
I stand up from the floor and dust my hands off. “They’re going to have heart attacks.”
Avery snorts and then his laughter dies off. “You’re serious?”
“My papá is going to fly off the handle. Ale is most likely going to assume that you got me pregnant. Mom will cry.”
“Damn, Lena. Why didn’t we talk about this more?”
I shrug. “They’ll get over it. Eventually. I don’t have another choice and honestly, if Papá hadn’t meddled in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.” If my family was more supportive from the beginning and I didn’t always have to jump through hoops to follow my passion, this ordeal with Avery might have been avoided. “I’m not going to pretend it’s not weighing on me. I hate lying. I despise the fact that we’re doing something illegal. I know it’s wrong. And yet… I don’t have cold feet.” I smirk back. “At least, not yet.”
Avery grins. Shakes his head slowly. “Me neither.”
“Good.”
He holds out his hand and I take it. Then, we leave the hotel, hop in the rental car he secured, and drive out to McKinney Falls.
The drive is easy. A comfortable silence stretches between us as we’re both lost in our thoughts. I enjoy the passing countryside.
When Avery parks near the start of the trail, I climb out of the car and pull in a deep breath. “I love this,” I admit.
“Hiking?” He steps beside me.
“Just being out in nature. The scent of the trees, the brightness of the sky, the breeze. It feels so big and powerful, and I feel insignificant in comparison. Nature is always where I come if I’m overwhelmed. It gives me perspective.”
Avery takes in our surroundings. The leaves on the trees are changing colors, the sky is bright blue and infinite. It’s a beautiful day.
“Ready?” I gesture toward our starting point. “This is an easy hike so we can take our time and enjoy the surroundings. We’ll be near Onion Creek too.”
“Okay.” Avery falls into step beside me. “Lead the way.”
As we enter the wooded area, tension I didn’t realize I was holding begins to seep from my limbs. I close my eyes, turn my face up toward the sun, and open my ears to the sounds of rushing water, crunching leaves, and soft bird calls.
Avery’s breathing is even. Steady. A rhythm that centers me.
When I open my eyes, he’s staring at me curiously. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Valentina.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I think so,” he murmurs sincerely.
I smile. “Thanks for taking me here, Avery. I’ve always wanted to come.”
“I’m glad I could come with you.”
We walk toward a waterfall and when we reach it, we stop to drink in the view. The sun is shining, the trees are full and inviting, the colors are fulfilling and bursting with the possibilities I feel deep in my chest. Today is a good day.
My fingers stretch toward Avery’s of their own volition. To his credit, he doesn’t miss a beat. He takes my hand in his, laces our fingers together, and stands beside me.
For the first time since I accepted his fake marriage proposal, I feel like this isn’t a mistake. It isn’t just a means to an end. I know we’re not going to have some big love story but there’s a respect between Avery and me that is important. There’s a trust that’s significant. There’s the potential of a true friendship—something I haven’t experienced before.
As we’re enjoying the scene, a bald eagle flies overhead. He glides brilliantly, his wingspan impressive, his presence powerful.
“Look!” I gasp, pointing toward the eagle.
Avery’s eyes follow the line of my finger, and he draws in a sharp breath. “Wow.”
We stand stock-still, staring at the eagle as he swoops and dives. I memorize everything about this moment—the stunning backdrop, the regal magnificence of the eagle, the warmth of Avery’s palm pressed against mine, and the lightness that fills my chest.
When the eagle flies off and dips behind a different hill of treetops, I let out a little laugh. Glancing at Avery, I see he’s grinning broadly at me.
“That was amazing,” he says.
“Incredible,” I agree.
He squeezes my hand tightly and we continue our hike.
But something significant transpires between us. It’s as if we both know that this is the start of something important. Not just a sham, not just a solution to a problem.
But the start of something meaningful. Special. At the very least, something honest.