7. Ava
Ava
The four of us settled into a booth at Primrose Slice after spending the morning riding horses. It had been at least a decade since all of us had been together on horseback.
Patty Leroy, the owner of Primrose Slice, greeted us with menus and water. “The James sisters and the King sisters. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Addison grinned. “Ava’s in town for the day to finally ride some horses for me.”
Patty smiled. “Good to see you, Ava.” She turned to Farrah. “Since you finally came to your senses and married that fine-as-hell baseball husband of yours, when are you going to hook up your sister with some of his former teammates?” She nodded toward Aria.
I smirked behind my menu at the same time Aria choked on her water, Addison snickered, and Farrah’s face turned a pretty shade of pink as she slumped down in the booth.
Patty’s eyes landed on me. “Speaking of baseball husbands… are you at least playing house with that sexy baby daddy of yours?”
“Not at the moment, Patty. I’ve got my hands full with my daughter. I don’t need a man to complicate my life,” I countered.
Patty narrowed her eyes. “We all have needs, honey.”
I snorted. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, Patty.”
“What about Dean’s friends? Why does it need to be Walker’s old teammates?” Addison asked, feigning offense. She loved to rile Patty up.
“Dean’s friends are all animals. He’s hot—but he’s a vet,” Patty replied, matter-of-fact. “Anyway, you girls want the usual?”
Addison and Farrah nodded, sending Patty on her way.
“Jesus, that woman is too much. And why does she always pick on me?” Farrah complained.
Addison chuckled. “Because you always give her a reaction.”
When Patty returned with our wine and a large pizza, we dug in and fell into comfortable conversation.
“So, I just got off a FaceTime call with Cohen, and he said Walker totally leaked whatever it is you planned on telling us today.” I took a quick sip of wine.
Farrah groaned. “Of course he leaked it. But dammit, Ava, now he knows I’m telling y’all. He’s gonna be pissed at me.”
“Okay, Farrah. Like that boy ever really gets mad at you,” Addison teased with an eye roll.
“Okay, whatever. Who cares? Now tell us what the hell the news is,” Aria chimed in, impatient.
Farrah looked at each of us with a smile that nearly split her face in half. “I’m pregnant.”
Addison jumped up, squealing, rounding the table to pull Farrah into a hug. A tear slipped down Aria’s cheek as she quickly swiped it away, and I couldn’t wipe the massive smile off my face.
“I was wondering why you weren’t touching your wine,” I smirked. “Congratulations, Farrah! That’s amazing. How do you feel?”
“I feel great,” she beamed. “We just found out we’re having a boy.”
“I have two nieces, and now I get a nephew!” Addison clapped her hands together happily.
Aria pulled her sister into a hug. “I’m so excited for another baby in our family. How excited is Hadley?”
Farrah took a bite of pizza as we all settled back down. “She’s over the moon. She’s been dying for a sibling. I can’t wait to see her with her baby brother.”
Was this a glimpse of my future? Another baby. A sibling for Ellie. But with a man who wasn’t Cohen?
The pizza suddenly sat heavy in my stomach. I pushed my plate away.
We talked a little while longer about her pregnancy and Walker’s ridiculous antics.
And as if she could see straight through me, Farrah glanced over. “So, how’s everything going with Cohen? You guys seem to be settling into a good routine.”
I nodded around a sip of wine, setting the glass back on the table. My eyes stayed down, watching the dark ruby liquid slide along the sides as I swirled it. “Yeah, he’s definitely surprised me this last year.”
Aria nudged me with her elbow. “Doesn’t help that you think he’s stupidly hot,” she teased. “I think being a dad has only upped his hotness level.”
Addison laughed. “Totally true.” She propped her chin in her hand and let out this dreamy sigh. “I can’t wait to see Dean as a daddy.”
"Yeah, you two won't have to worry about being creative in finding ways to fit in sex.
You have zero issues doing it in public places.
" I snickered behind my wine glass, unable to help myself.
Addison and Dean had a habit of being found in compromising positions.
In a bathroom at the local bar, in a horse stall, and, most recently, in his office at his veterinary clinic.
"Cohen is attractive, funny, and very single. Oh, and the father of your child. How do you not have sex with him?" Farrah tilted her head curiously.
I took that moment to take another very large sip of wine. I may have drunk half the glass in one pull.
I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I noticed the way Aria narrowed her eyes at me.
As if she knew. No way I was telling any of them about the recent slip-up with Cohen.
Not only was it slightly embarrassing that the poor guy had helped me out with an…
er… uncomfortable situation, but then I’d proceeded to mount him like a tiger in heat.
As Cohen and I had agreed, we would just pretend that had never happened.
Because pretending was easier than admitting the truth. That it wasn't a mistake. That I wanted it to happen again.
"I don't know. He isn't into me that way, and it would only complicate everything. We have a really good friendship, so I'd like to keep it that way. He's a great dad to Ellie," I said instead.
Aria remained quiet, but I could tell she wasn't remotely buying what I was selling.
Farrah and Addison were easier to sway. They both smiled and moved on to other topics.
Thank God.
Because if Aria pushed any harder, I wasn’t sure I could keep lying—with a straight face or otherwise.
After lunch with the girls, I was itching to get back to Ellie, but I’d promised Addison I’d help with a few things around her farm since her barn manager, Levi, wasn’t feeling well.
I knew Cohen had everything under control—he’d assured me of that after each of my twenty-five text messages.
Addison glanced over at me from the driver’s seat. “Mom’s going to come hang out with us for a bit before you head back home.” We’d left my car at her farm and driven to lunch together.
I smiled and nodded. “Awesome. I was planning to swing by their place anyway, so this saves me the trip.”
We arrived at Mountain Laurel Farm after a short ten-minute drive from the restaurant. The long driveway stretched ahead of us, and white fencing lined the pastures as we approached the barn. Horses grazed peacefully against the rolling hills.
Addison’s barn was picturesque—white walls accented with pale stone, topped with a black metal roof that caught the light like polished steel.
Each stall had its own window with crisp black shutters, a few horses with their heads popped out, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Flower beds bloomed along the base of the barn, adding a vibrant splash of color.
Once Addison parked, I ducked into her office to pump before getting started on chores. By the time I finished, our mom had arrived.
She and Addison were cleaning stalls when I made my way down the long aisle. I leaned against the open stall door where Addison was working. “You really need to get more help around here,” I said with a laugh. “You’ve got Mom cleaning stalls.”
“It’s good exercise!” my mom called from the stall over.
“I’m working on it,” Addison said defensively, shoveling dirty shavings into a wheelbarrow. “It’s hard to find reliable guys, okay?”
“I’m just giving you a hard time.” I smiled. “What can I do to help?”
Addison stopped and leaned on her pitchfork, brushing a few loose strands from her face. “Can you pull Bentley’s mane? I haven’t had the chance since I got him, and it’s a mess.”
Bentley was Addison’s new young gelding—the one she’d let me ride earlier.
He was only five, with endless scope and the kind of raw potential that made you pay attention.
He was her new jumper prospect. The jumper ring wasn’t really my thing.
I preferred hunters. But I’d make an exception for him.
Bentley was a gorgeous dapple gray with a thick black mane and tail.
I nodded. “Sure thing.”
Once I had him settled in the cross-ties, I grabbed a pulling comb and got to work. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps and glanced over my shoulder to find my mom watching me.
“How’s our Ellie girl doing?” she asked, holding out a cookie that Bentley accepted eagerly. “You doing okay leaving her for the day?”
My mom was a horse person through and through—the reason our entire family rode. We’d always had horses growing up. She and my dad didn’t own any anymore, but she came out to Addison’s farm often, just to be around them, and sometimes to ride.
“I’m okay,” I said with a small shrug. “It’s hard to leave her, but Cohen’s got it handled.” I pulled my attention away from Bentley’s mane and onto my mom. “I’m sure he’s completely over me today, though. I’ve been blowing up his phone nonstop.” I laughed.
My mom smiled softly. “I’m sure he expected it.” She paused, then added gently, “You’re a really good mom, Ava. It shows. I’m proud of you.”
Something in me eased. Funny how, even now, I still wanted to make my parents proud.
“Cohen’s a good guy,” she continued. “How are things between the two of you?”
I knew she was fishing. She’d love for Cohen and me to end up together; she adored him. It sometimes felt like I was disappointing her by not trying to make it work.
But he didn’t want me. Not like that. Cohen didn’t do serious, he did hookups.
Plus, I was the girl before the girl—the one you dated before you settled down. Always had been.
And Cohen? He was the male version of that.
We’d never work. I was never anyone’s first choice. And he never chose anyone at all.
I flashed her a smile before turning my focus back to Bentley’s mane. “Things are fine,” I said, unconvincingly. “We’re friends.”
My mom went quiet. She stepped closer, stroking Bentley’s neck. “You always trusted animals more than people,” she said softly. “They never picked someone else over you.”
She gave Bentley one last pat and disappeared down the aisle toward Addison.
Leaving me alone with the painful truth she’d just exposed so effortlessly.
Once I finished Bentley’s mane, I helped Addison out with a few other chores around the farm before calling it a day. I was ready to be home.
As I was walking to my car, my phone started blowing up.
Walker: I should totally get a mesh batting cage for my backyard, right? Little man is going to need it. Farrah says I’m being ridiculous, but this feels like an essential purchase.
Weston: Lord. Help us.
Walker: I don’t know what that means.
Me: Did you seriously tell Cohen…and NOW Weston too?
Walker: Okay but in my defense…
Addison: Walker James.
Walker: Farrah said we were telling people soon!
Addison: That is not the same thing.
Walker: Semantics. AND she told all of you girls might I add.
Addison: Mom, Dad, Liz, and Jackson are going to be PISSED.
Walker: Or all of you can just act surprised. Farrah already has some big dramatic reveal planned. It’ll be fine.
Weston: You are so dead.
Addison: Back to the baseball thing. Walk, I love you, but you need to rein it in a little. What if your son doesn’t even like baseball?
Walker: I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.
Weston: Your son not liking baseball would bring me so much joy.
Walker: Fuck you, West.
I let out a laugh, shaking my head as I climbed into my car. I decided to send a quick text to Cohen to let him know I was on my way.
Me: Hey, leaving now. Should be back in about an hour. How's she doing?
CoJo: Since you asked me ten minutes ago? Still sleeping. She should be awake by the time you get home for another bottle.
Cohen being on top of Ellie's schedule did weird things to me. The type of things I was definitely not going to unpack.
God, I'm pathetic.
Me: Ok great! Thanks for today, I needed it.
CoJo: Anytime, Trouble. Drive safe.
My fingers hovered over my keyboard. I wanted to keep talking, but I didn't know what else to say. I placed my phone on the passenger seat and turned on my car.
Why did I want his attention so badly? Anytime I saw his name appear on my phone, butterflies brushed against my ribs, a little thrill ran through my body.
It was only natural to be attracted to your child's father, right?
Especially when said man was six-foot-three, with a body that made me weep and piercing hazel eyes.
Oh, and throw in the fact that he was an incredible dad who loved our daughter fiercely.
That he showed up. Every time. Even when he didn't have to.
Friends, Ava. Friends.
I needed to get my shit together.