Me:Seems so
He didn’t reply, and I didn’t expect him to. I thought things would be easier now, but who was I kidding? It would never beeasier. I broke any chance of easy we had when I was eighteen, and then whatever salvation may have been there for us was taken from me.
Pushing the ugly memories back into the box I kept them in, I did allow myself a small smile. Our bridges may be rubble between us, but he still cared. The simple two-word text message was Gray’s way of knowing where I was and who I would be with, and I knew that when I went home tonight after being out, I would have a text message ensuring I was home.
Now, I just need to know what to wear. What did you even wear to a country rock gig? Were they country or were they rock? I remembered the night that Jett and the others went to check out the band to see if Wade was shady, and then I saw them at the party later.
Ava had on a skirt, and her friend was in jeans. Scowling at my wardrobe, I decided that jeans were an “all occasion” item. Nights were cool now, so I opted for a long sweater and dark blue jeans. Knee-high boots and a loose silk scarf were casual but gave me enough of an “evening” vibe. They sometimes found a party later, and even if it was a Monday, I needed to be armed and ready for anything.
Ava was nothing if not punctual, and at seven, I got a text saying that she was outside. Why did I feel nervous? I was almost twenty-one years old for fuck’s sake. Squaring my shoulders, I headed down to meet them and was delighted that Ava was in skinny jeans, a loose sweater, and a light jacket. A battered pair of Chucks were on her feet, but then I noticed that with Ava, she usually had them on.
As I got into the cab, I nodded at Mia in recognition. She smiled. We weren’t friends, and I didn’t think we ever would be. She looked at Ash with more interest than I liked, which was completely fucking hypocritical, but I had made enquiries and discovered Mia was a frequent flier in the datingpool of Cardinal Saints. Although I didn’t think she was loose sexually, she was well-known for moving from one guy to another with not much time between them. There were girls like that, afraid to be alone, and she had that look.
Her long auburn hair and pale skin tone made her stand out. She was gorgeous, and I had seen Ash spend too long looking at her, too, but he had taken in the dynamic of the friendship of the girls, and knowing Ava was with Jett, he hadn’t done anything more.
I guess one really fucking awkward ex relationship in the “group” was enough.
“I haven’t seen you much since the football game.” Mia smiled at me, and I realized she was trying to break the uncomfortable silence.
“I didn’t realize that so much time had passed,” I lied with a smile.
“Time flies when your bestie has abandoned you for hot abs and a killer throwing arm.” Mia tried to make her tone light, but I saw the flash of guilt on Ava’s face and the sadness on her best friend’s face.
“Young love,” I murmured with a pitying smile. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Well, now I just looked like I was propositioning her.
“No, I was but I, eh, broke it off.” Mia rubbed her hands over her jeans. “I mean, it wasn’t much, just a few hookups, nothing serious.”
“Why’d you break it off?” I asked.
“We all want to know that,” Ava spoke up. “And just as a heads-up, did I tell you that he’s the lead singer of the band?”
She had, plus I already knew, but I played dumb anyway. “Oh. Alex?”
Mia blushed, and Ava grinned at her but answered me, “Ohyeah, the night you were evil to me at the party, he said you were nice.”
“Evil?” Mia questioned.
Awkward. “I think evil may be a stretch,” I said quietly.
“You told me Jett was going to ruin me and you would enjoy watching.” Ava laughed good-naturedly, and I realized she wasn’t being a bitch, she was genuinely laughing at the memory.
“He has ruined you though, hasn’t he?” I teased her slightly. “And I’m pretty sure he’s ruined you for any other.”
Ava lost her smile and looked serious for a moment. “Yeah, probably.” She sighed loudly before she grinned again. “Dick.”
“So, things are good?” I asked her. It probably was uber personal and in some form of overstepping, but he was my best friend, and she was his first proper girlfriend. I had the right to be protective.
“Yes.” Ava’s beam would have lit the darkest corner of the night. “He’s . . . wonderful.”
I caught Mia’s eye roll, but I also saw her genuine happiness for her friend. “You know she hated him all through high school, and now she’s all Lil’ Miss Saint.”
“He is a colossal dickhead,” Ava protested with a playful swipe at her friend. “But he’s my dickhead,” she said proudly as she looked at me shyly. “Sorry, is this weird for you?”
I blinked. “Um, no, why?”
“Well, you said he’s like your brother, doesn’t it freak you out?” Ava asked me as the cab reached Cardinal.
