Chapter 26
twenty-six
LOS ANGELES, CA
Pathetic. Avery’s limbs felt so heavy she could barely drag herself back to sit at her desk. Guess I’ll just wait here like a useless idiot until my parents have solved my venue problem.
Her whole plan had been to avoid Teddy at all costs, she’d blocked his number and deleted all social media apps from her phone as soon as she’d landed back in LA.
How was she supposed to put him out of her mind and focus on work when her Dad orchestrated a photo shoot for them at the gala? Just my luck.
She had no idea how she was going to pull off any of it: find a new venue, find a different star to wear the watch, find a date. She was going to let the kids at the sports center down. Let everyone down.
She had made such a mess of things, she wasn’t sure where to start.
She looked at the cinnamon latte and blueberry muffin she’d left on her desk and her stomach roiled.
She hadn’t taken a single bite before she’d talked to Sofia and confirmed the bad news, before she realized how deep a hole she’d dug herself.
She needed someone to help her step back from underneath the waterfall of emotions cascading over her at the moment.
There was only one person she could confide in who would understand the family dynamics and pressure—why she’d gone ahead with the fake dating scheme in the first place—her brother, Ben.
When they were little, Avery and Ben had been inseparable, but as they had gotten older they’d drifted apart, seeing each other only at holidays and other Silver family events.
Ben would descend on the West Coast for a day or two, get dressed up and smile for the photos for an evening only when absolutely necessary, then head back to his more exciting life, leaving Avery to dutifully fulfill the day-to-day Silver family obligations.
She didn’t resent him for it, not really, but she was envious of his separate life. And I really missed him.
But when Ben and Adam became parents, they’d decided to move back to the LA area to raise their daughter.
Avery adored her niece, and she and Ben found a way back to the closeness they had once shared, building an adult friendship based on their shared history.
They began using the term ‘sibling summit' to describe their one-on-one time spent venting about their parents and counseling each other. They could complain to each other in a way they couldn’t to anyone outside their family.
No one wanted to hear the child of a billionaire complain.
She sent him a text.
I came back early. I need to talk. Any chance you are free tonight?
Ben—Hang on. Let me check in with Adam and make sure he can be home in time to do bedtime. Welcome Home!
Great, more waiting around for members of her family to get back to her. She’d wait with her phone in hand until everyone was ready to solve her problems. A fresh wave of shame rolled over her, heating her face.
Fortunately, Ben got back to her right away.
I’m in. Any chance you can come out our way? I don’t think Adam can get home in time for me to come to you before traffic.
No problem. She could use the drive out to the valley to figure out how much she wanted to tell Ben.
No one knew about the breakup, except Stacey, granted it had only been twenty-four hours.
Stacey knew, of course, but they hadn’t talked about it.
It was too painful. Her heart still felt raw.
But she’d probably, well definitely, feel better if she came clean to Ben. About everything.
* * *
Avery walked into the dark and old-fashioned bar at her family’s country club.
The heavy drapery and mahogany furniture was borderline stuffy, but the fire crackling in the fireplace on the opposite side of the room gave it a cozy feel.
The best part of the club was that it tended to clear out early.
By seven p.m. on a Wednesday night the golfers had finished their socializing and gone home to their families.
Ben was already there, seated at the long bar, his cashmere sweater draped over the back of his leather barstool.
They pretty much had the place to themselves.
The only other patrons were two older gentlemen chatting quietly and sipping bourbon in front of the fireplace.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she approached Ben, trying to calm her nerves.
The weight of all she’d been carrying alone inside for the last day lay heavy in her chest, and she wanted, scratch that, needed to unload it.
What if Ben thinks of less of me as a result? She didn’t want to lose his respect and trust. She couldn’t risk creating emotional distance between them again—he was one of a few people she could confide in.
Ben looked up from his seat at the bar and waved her over, grinning. She returned his enthusiasm with a half-smile, the most happiness she could muster at the moment. She gathered her hair at the back of her neck and twirled it into a big chunk over one of her shoulders.
Her brother stood from his chair and gave her a warm embrace before pulling out the seat next to hers and motioning for her to join him. She took her time hanging her purse on the hook underneath the bar, buying herself one last moment before she had to start spilling her guts.
“What’s wrong?” Ben’s welcoming smile faded into a thin line of concern. “I thought you wouldn’t be able to wipe a smile off your face. You were practically glowing after the race in Austin. And now you look like you ate something sour.”
“Ben, my entire life is what’s wrong,” Avery smoothed her skirt underneath her as she sat.
He had already ordered her an Aperol Spritz.
Ever since a family trip to the Amalfi coast a few years ago, it had been her drink of choice, no matter the season.
She took a gulp of her drink. The bright orange flavor tasted familiar and sunny, and brought Avery right back to the four original Silvers sitting on a porch playing cards before dinners of pizza and gelato.
If only she could recapture that closeness with her parents too. At least I have Ben.
“Your whole life?” he questioned.
“Well, I managed to screw up the gala and my relationship with Teddy all in one day.”
“Sorry. Sounds rough,” he said. “Let’s start with Teddy. What happened?”
Where to start? She’d have to go back to the beginning for her anguish to make sense.
She took a deep breath and let it all come tumbling out…
the crush, the stupid fake-dating plan, falling for him for real, Mexico (she left the sex parts out; it was her big brother she was talking to after all), and then being utterly rejected by Teddy.
Her brother let her talk, not saying a word, just nodding and murmuring “hmm” and “I see” as she unburdened herself, trying to shake the weight in her chest loose.
She finally came up for air when she got to the part where she fled Mexico.
Ben cleared his throat. “Wow, that is a mess. I never thought you’d get involved with a driver in the first place,” he paused, his brow furrowed. “They don’t exactly make ideal boyfriends. I guess we both had to learn that lesson the hard way.”
The bartender appeared on the other side of the bar, across the polished wood. “I see you are both low on drinks there. Another round?” he offered.
“Yes, definitely,” Ben replied. “But I think my sister here is going to need something stronger than an Aperol Spritz,” he looked over at Avery and pointed at her glass.
“Yes, I certainly do. Could I please have a vodka tonic with a splash of cranberry? And I just realized I’m starving.
I’d also like a burger and fries.” She might as well allow herself to indulge in a juicy cheeseburger and a plate full of steaming, salty fries.
So what if she felt bloated and gross tomorrow?
It would match her mood. It’s not like Teddy, or anyone else, is going to see me naked again anytime soon.
“Coming right up,” the bartender nodded and scooted away discreetly, giving the pair privacy to restart their conversation.
“Wait a second,” Avery narrowed her eyes. “How do you know that drivers make terrible boyfriends?” No way she was letting him skate by that admission.
“Let’s just say a certain Italian stallion and I may have had our moment a few seasons back,” Ben covered his face with his hand.
No way! Avery brought her hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle. “You and Matteo? That guy, seriously?”
Ben shrugged, “What can I say, I like ‘em tall, dark, and handsome. But, you called the summit and tonight is about you and Teddy. I’m not surprised, unfortunately, to hear that he assumed you’d follow him around like a stray dog, taking whatever scraps he gave you.”
Avery winced.
Ben continued, “Drivers have to put their needs first and not give a fuck about anyone else to succeed. That spills over into their personal lives.” Ben looked around to make sure the bartender wasn’t in earshot. “I mean, I’m not sure Matteo knew my first name.”
“I know, I know. They are the worst, Teddy included,” Avery admitted, her chest aching.
“But he actually let me see this whole other side to him: this sensitive, silly, vulnerable side. And I let him make me feel special, different. I feel so stupid for falling for it, ya know? I’m embarrassed, Ben. ”
“Well, I get why you’re blaming yourself, but as your older brother, I don’t see it that way,” Ben replied earnestly, his protective side coming out.
He swiveled his bar stool so he was facing Avery.
“To me, he seems like a complete ass. He took advantage of your proximity to get what he wanted, a fling with no strings attached, without any regard for your feelings and completely forgot that you were an actual human, not simply a convenient opportunity.”