Chapter 19 Avalon
nineteen
Avalon
Ithink deciding to get a fuck buddy was the greatest decision I’ve ever made. Granted, finding a time to get together when neither of us lives alone is difficult, especially after Jeremy almost caught us, but it’s nice.
Not that there’s anything wrong with sleeping around; obviously, I did it for years, but knowing I’m not wasting my time when it comes to sleeping with someone is a huge plus.
And even though we both agreed that this isn’t exclusive and that we can sleep with whoever we want, I haven’t had the desire to sleep with anyone else.
I don’t even know when I’d sleep with someone else. Aside from the fact that I see Zeke most afternoons, with my mom being sober and home by six, casual hookups just aren’t possible. The last thing I need to think about is my mom hearing her daughter get laid.
If I didn’t care about her hearing what goes on in my room, there’s no way I would’ve had sex in the back of his truck.
It was kind of hot, though. I don’t know what it was about fucking in Zeke’s car, but it was a fun experience. I don’t know how often I’d be down to repeat that experience, but it was a good time.
But we might have to do it more often because I told Zeke I’d no longer go to his place to hook up after we almost got caught.
At least if my mom came home early, I wouldn’t have to worry about her telling anyone.
She wouldn’t even care. If someone in Zeke’s house found out, the rest would know before I even got out the front door.
And when you have a class with one of the bozos who lives with your fuck buddy, you try to avoid getting caught at all costs.
“Mija!” The front door shuts, and I hear a gentle knock on my door. “You home?”
I hop off my bed and open my door.
“Hi,” I say. “I didn’t expect you to be home this early.”
“No AA tonight. But Jay and I were thinking we could all get dinner.”
“Us and Jay?”
She smiles. “It’ll be fun, mija. Como en los viejos tiempos.”
“I have a lab at eight-thirty.”
“We’ll be done before then. Promise.”
I don’t know if I can say no to this. I haven’t seen my mom this excited about something in a while, and I don’t want to get too hopeful, but she looks good.
“Sure. It’ll be fun.”
“Ah! Perfecto! Jay está en el coche.”
“You knew I’d say yes?”
“We were hopeful. Vámonos.” She lifts her hand, spinning it in the air as she turns around.
I grab my coat off the back of my door and follow her out.
Out of all the places we could’ve gone, we ended up at the one we used to go to with my dad. I don’t know if she even remembers that we used to come here, especially since the name and interior are completely different.
“Everything on the menu sounds delicious,” my mom says, flipping through the pages. “What’re you thinking, mija?”
“I’m not sure. They have great onion rings here. So, maybe onion rings and a burger.”
“Ooo, I haven’t had onion rings in ages,” Jay adds. “Good thing my favorite person is getting some and will share them with me.”
“Ha. Or you could get your own.”
Before Jay has time to respond, a waitress approaches our table. The same waitress that was here last time. Maia, I think.
“Hey guys, welcome into Greystone.” She smiles.
She flashed me the same bright smile the last time I was here.
I don’t know if it’s just her customer service smile or if she’s genuinely this happy to be here.
“I’m Maia; I’m gonna take care of you tonight.
Could I get you started with something to drink? ”
“I’ll have a root beer, please,” Jay responds.
“Just a water for me, please.” My mom sits her menu down.
“Chocolate shake?” Maia looks at me, and I raise an eyebrow. “Sorry, you got that last time you were here.”
“You remember me coming here?”
“Of course I do,” she responds. “Hard to forget a friendly face. Especially one that leaves a twenty on a five-dollar check.”
“A chocolate shake sounds perfect,” I continue. “Thank you.”
“Alright. Are you ready to order? Or do you need more time?”
“I think we need another minute,” my mom says.
“No problem. When you’re ready, just—”
“Holler?” I finish.
“Exactly.” She laughs. “I’ll put in your drinks and return in a few to see if you’re ready. If you haven’t yelled for me yet, that is.”
As we look over the menu, the bell above the door dings, and before I see anyone, I hear voices.
A group of girls sit in a booth a couple down from us. Two of those girls I know… not personally, but I’ve seen them before. They were the girls with Jaxon and Fletcher at the party and—
Shit. That’s why they looked familiar the night of the party. It wasn’t because I saw her running with Jaxon, but because the last time I was here, I saw her here. I don’t think the dark-haired girl was with her then, but the other girl was.
Maia slides into the booth with the girls. Now I know for sure they’re the same people.
“Aves?”
“Hmm?” I look at my mom and Jay, realizing they must’ve been talking to me.
“I asked you how school was.” Jay grins. “Are your grades good?”
“It’s Avalon,” my mom says before I have the chance to. “Of course they’re good. They’re probably excellent.”
“She’s in some pretty hard classes,” he responds.
“I have all As,” I say. “For now, anyway. That could change next month with midterms.”
“But it’s good?”
“Yeah, it’s good.”
“Any special guy in your life?” My mom asks, and I choke on my own saliva.
“Not really.” I don’t give them much more than that. I don’t need to talk about a guy I’m casually sleeping with, with my mom and Jay.
“What about that guy from the other night?” Jay sits back against the booth. “You still seeing him?”
“For starters, I wasn’t seeing him. We—”
“Were hooking up?” Jay finishes, and my eyes go wide.
“I’m not talking about this with you guys. I’m not in a relationship; that’s all you need to know.”
“Alright, alright,” Jay laughs, waving his hands in front of him. “Just promise me you’re using protection, okay? You can never be—”
“Jay!” I gasp. “We’re not talking about this. How’s everything going in your life, Jay. Do you have any special lady friends?”
This gets my mom’s attention, and she turns toward him.
“Not at the moment, no.”
“Well, you promise me you’re using protection, right,” I mock. “Because it’s really important—”
“I get it. It’s not a fun topic of conversation.” He rolls his eyes. “I’m not seeing anyone. I don’t really have the time. Between work and—” his eyes land on my mom for just a moment, “life. I’m just occupied right now.”
I always thought he had feelings for my mom.
It was the only logical explanation for him sticking around when my dad didn’t.
Even before my dad left, I remember Jay always being around, not my dad.
Jay even came to my school to discuss his career after my mom got hurt.
She was supposed to do it; it was supposed to be a parent, but Jay stepped up, even though my dad was still around then.
And he’s still here, all these years later.
“Are you guys ready to order?” Maia drops our drinks off at the table.
Jay looks at me and then at my mom, “Yes, I think we are.”