Chapter 10 #2
The silence slunk back in and we stood there like a couple of potted plants. The awkwardness between us was near unbearable, almost to the point of suffocating.
I fucking hated it.
We never suffered with not knowing what to say. It was one of the reasons our friendship had lasted this long.
This weirdness was hell on earth personified, and it was all Oliver’s fault.
If he was here I might’ve punched him again.
“Anyway,” I said, thumbing behind me. “I’ll grab my bag. Two minutes and we’ll be out of your hair, promise.”
Avery nodded, curling her arms around herself. “You hoped I wouldn’t be here, didn’t you?”
It was pointless denying it so I didn’t even try. “Pretty much.”
A fire lit her eyes. “Pretty cowardly, don’t you think?”
“Probably, depending on how you look at it. For me, I don’t know what to say to you, Avery.”
Her face dropped. “You haven’t called me Avery in years. You’re never gonna forgive me, are you?”
“It’s not that. I don’t know if there’s anything to forgive exactly. You and Oliver are both free agents and can do whatever and whoever you please. But I feel weird now. Maybe it’s something I have to move past than forgive? I don’t know.”
She nodded slowly. “Do you think you’ll be able to move past it?”
“Well, if you’re shacking up with my brother, I’ll have to. But I need time, I know that much.”
“We’re not shacking up. You don’t need any time. It’s not a thing. You heard him.”
“I did. But I also saw how disappointed you were hearing that. Whatever’s going on between you is clearly not over, not by a long shot. I’m giving you both time to figure your shit out, while I figure out mine, okay?”
“Okay. That’s fair.” She picked at the blue paint staining her fingers. “Have you spoken to Oliver?”
“No. Aside from one text the day after the wedding, he hasn’t contacted me either.”
Avery frowned at that, and I didn’t want to linger to find out why.
“Anyway, I’m sorry for ignoring you this week. It wasn’t intentional. I—”
“Didn’t know what to say to me. I get it, Jake.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry for threatening to throw your stuff out. I wouldn’t have done it.”
“I know you wouldn’t have.”
The slip into silence brought back the noise and awareness of the room, and we both glanced at Noah perched on the sofa, riveted to the screen.
“I still can’t believe you’re looking after a kid,” Avery said. “How’s that working out for you?”
“I’m more tired than I’ve ever been in my entire life, but I only misplaced him once so far, so pretty good.”
She snorted, and for a split-second it was like nothing had changed, and we were the Jake and Avery of old, best buds since 2013.
“Anyway, this is for you.”
I held out her door key and Avery let out a heavy sigh, hesitating to accept it.
There was something so final about things now. I couldn’t waltz into her space anymore. There was boundaries and barriers, and it was possible our friendship would never be the same again.
“Thanks,” she said, curling the key into her palm.
“No, thank you. I mean it, Avery. Thank you for letting me stay here.”
She managed a smile. “Any time.”
“We saw Avery today,” I announced as Ellie half-pulled a tray of roast chicken and potatoes from the oven, the steam hitting her full-blast.
When she’d asked me about my favourite meal, I hadn’t once considered she’d make it.
Sometimes, I really was a lucky son of a bitch.
“Noah did too?” she asked, flipping each potato while I swatted the air with a tea towel.
Steam had a tendency to set off the fire alarm, so I’d learned twice this week. My eardrums weren’t in the mood for a third lesson.
“I needed him for moral support of course.”
“Oh, of course. Four-year-olds are great for that.” Ellie grinned. “How did it go?”
“Better than expected.” I gave her a quick rundown of everything that happened, surprised by the relief that followed. “I’m glad we cleared the air a bit. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than it was.”
“I’m happy for you. Will you talk to your brother next?”
“Let’s not get too crazy.”
Ellie laughed and reached around me to snag the tea towel from the counter. The lack of space in the galley kitchen meant our bodies brushed more than once, and our gazes met for one brief moment before hers scurried away.
“This is almost ready now,” she said, shifting between the vegetables cooking on the hob and setting out three plates on the countertop ready to serve—a practiced dance I’d never had the patience to learn.
I shifted closer to the door, suddenly aware of being in the way, and watched her.
Fluffy tendrils of hair escaped her ponytail, some curling at the base of her neck.
Her cheeks were tinged red thanks to the stifling kitchen heat, and her ass filled out those faded jeans in a perfect curve.
It was the kind of ass made for a slap and squeeze, and a prime hand resting spot inside one of those snug back pockets.
I blinked once, twice, three times, and forgot what we were talking about.
Her ass is shaped like a goddamn heart.
How had I never noticed that before?
“Jake?”
“Huh?” I shook away the daze, hoping I hadn’t been caught staring at Ellie’s perfect, heart-shaped ass.
I want to bite it.
“I asked if you wouldn’t mind setting the table?” she said, brow furrowed. At least it’s not with disgust. “Maybe get Noah to help.”
“Oh. Yeah. Of course. It’s the least I could do for making my favourite meal.”
“It’s not just your favourite. It’s Noah’s too. He loves a roast potato more than anything.”
“See.” I grabbed the cutlery and placemats, grateful for something to do. “I knew I liked that kid.”
Ellie’s laugh followed me out of the room, and if I wasn’t careful it might end up one of my favourite sounds.