29. Ava
AVA
Zero days until OA Con
This morning, as Mom and I were making early morning badge pickups and scrambling to get ready, I really believed I could do it. That I could face Dad here, at OA Con, and not spiral. Only now that the inevitable moment has arrived, I feel anything but ready.
It doesn’t help that he’s cosplaying as a character from the last anime we ever watched together. That once upon a time, I was drawing up plans for a Rukia Kuchiki costume—the same character standing next to him now.
It’s all just too much.
I thought I could do it, but I can’t.
I need to get out of here. I need to…
The fox-eared girl I just finished helping tugs at my sleeve, her voice a whispered hiss. “Is that Jenni Messenger?”
Wait, what? I blink, forcing my tunnel vision to expand from my father’s arrogant grin to the face of the woman beside him. “Holy…” My jaw drops. “I think you’re right. It is her.”
Of course it is. Declan spent almost the entire drive over going on about how she might stop by to check out his work.
Something about approving him for some kind of big project he wants to work on with Grady Wells this summer.
And now here she is. With my dad. Who’s clapping Declan on the shoulder like they’re old friends—I suppose, on some level, this isn’t entirely untrue.
But Declan does not look happy to see him.
In fact…
He looks livid.
“Get out.”
A hush falls over the room in the wake of these two growled words, and there’s a general look of shock on the attendees’ faces. I suspect there’s a similar one on my own.
Dad takes a step back, gobsmacked by the harshness of Declan’s greeting.
Jenni looks equally surprised, and lead fills my stomach.
This is not the first impression Declan had been dreaming of making.
And yet his jaw remains set. His back straight and arms crossed. Unyielding as he stands his ground.
For me.
He’s putting my well-being before his own hopes and dreams, and I honestly can’t remember the last time anyone has done that. Have they ever?
Dad spreads his hands wide. “Come on, now. Is that any way to talk to your former mentor?” He glances at Jenni, gives her a rueful smile. “He used to be so cute. Puberty, am I right?”
Ugh. He is such an oblivious tool.
Declan stretches his hand out, pointing toward the door. His steely gaze boring straight through my father. “You’re not welcome here, Archer. Now leave.”
Dad lets out an uneasy laugh and glances around the room.
I duck my head, hiding myself as best I can behind Fox Ears.
“Whatever. Just thought I’d stop by and help out an old friend of my daughter’s, but I can see now why she hasn’t mentioned you in years.
Acting like some big, tough guy, when you’re just a petulant child.
I hope you’re taking notes, Jenni, because I doubt this is the kind of kid you want working for you. ”
He turns, robes swishing across the floor. “Let’s go.”
Jenni hesitates, visibly torn, and I hold my breath. Praying she’ll tell Dad to go on without her. That she’ll give Declan the chance he deserves. But in the end, she sighs and says, “Maybe next time,” before turning to leave.
Declan’s shoulders slump, but he holds his ground.
Resolute in his protection of me.
And I love him for it.
“Wait.” The word comes out in a breathless whoosh, too soft to reach its intended target. I stand a little taller. Step out a little farther. Try again, louder this time. “Dad, wait.”
Murmured voices buzz throughout the room, and none of the attendees are even attempting to work on their props anymore. All eyes are bouncing between me and my dad—the famous Archer Aimes.
Sweat trickles down the back of my neck, and I fight the urge to run when Dad freezes, one hand on the door.
Then he’s whirling around, his face breaking into a smile that used to feel like the sun itself.
Like home. “Ava! I didn’t expect to see you here.
Your mom made it sound like you were tied up with prom plans all day. ”
I think I’m going to be sick.
Declan takes a step toward me, concern etched across his face. “Ava, you don’t have to do this. There’ll be other opportunities. I can wait.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay, Dec. I can do this.” I shift my gaze back to Dad, who’s looking more confused by the moment. “I’m not going to let him ruin even one more thing in my life.”
“Ava?” Dad’s smile falls away, and he glances nervously around the room, where twenty con-goers, plus Hiro and Jenni, are watching our exchange with rapt interest. Someone pulls out a phone as if to record us, but Hiro quickly steps in front of them, his usual cheery smile morphing into one that promises all manner of bad things should they proceed.
They tuck the phone away and slink down into their seat.
I mentally thank him before turning my attention back where it belongs: the interloper. Moving around the tables, I force myself to close the distance between us. It’s ridiculous how much my hands are shaking. Don’t I see him every summer? Shouldn’t I be better prepared for this exact thing?
Only he’s so much easier to ignore then, always busy with work or going out with Becky. I can almost pretend we’re part of some kind of sterilized science experiment, and if I follow the carefully planned procedures, it will come to a neat conclusion by the end of July.
Here, in this space, it’s different.
The air is charged with memories.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My chest constricts, and for a brief, terrifying moment, I feel the beginnings of a panic attack creeping in. No, please. Not now. I need to say my piece. I need to—
A hand wraps around my trembling one and squeezes gently.
The panic ebbs.
I glance up at Declan, whose narrowed eyes remain fixed on my father, and breathe. I can do this. My gaze shifts back to Dad, and the dam breaks open.
“It’s not Declan’s attitude that’s the problem.
It’s you.” I look at Jenni. “Declan is the most responsible young man you could ever have the pleasure of working with. He’s passionate about his crafting, and works tirelessly to meet his goals.
But unlike this man”—I gesture toward my father—“he has character. He knew how uncomfortable seeing my dad here would make me, so he placed himself between us. Even though it cast him in a bad light. But I promise you, he is exactly the person you want working for you. One hundred percent.”
Jenni tilts her head, and I can tell she’s contemplating my words, but I don’t wait for her to respond before turning back to Dad.
“You left us, Dad. You placed three thousand miles between us, and yet you still expect me to be sitting around waiting for you to remember I exist? I don’t think so. I hope for my soon-to-be sibling’s sake that you do better this time around. As for me, I don’t want you here. So go. Now.”
There’s a hush, then a smattering of applause from the voyeurs gathered behind me. Dad frowns, and for what might be the first time in his life, looks truly uncomfortable in his surroundings.
“Ava, come on. Don’t be so dramatic.” He glances around the room, tugs on the brim of his hat and lowers his voice. “Why don’t we go somewhere private and talk about this? I’ve got a VIP room set aside for me, we can work this out there.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of in the middle of something here.” I wave my hands around the room. “Not that something like that would matter to you. You never have cared about putting others’ needs first, have you?”
“Ava, please.” He gives me a pleading look, but I’m already shaking my head.
“If you really want to talk, we can do it this summer. If I decide to come. Until then, we’re done.” I start to turn my back on him, then pause. “That baby is going to need a father who puts their needs first. Try not to mess it up this time.”
Vaguely I hear Declan ushering my dad out of the room, but there’s too much rising chatter to hear what they say to each other. My nerves are too shot to care, either way. I make my way to an empty seat at the end of one of the tables and drop down into it.
Take a deep breath and look around.
The chatter dies down as everyone focuses their attention on me.
I muster a weak smile. “So. Who’s ready to add some paint to these suckers?”
Declan and Hiro move in to provide people with the necessary brushes and answer any questions they have, and I close my eyes, safe in the knowledge that I’m with people I can truly depend on.