“Yes.” She was proud of it, and together we headed for coffee. “Were you okay last night, you know, after the bar?”
“Hmm?”
“The guy,” Ava clarified.
“Him? Yeah, I forgot about him, to be honest, until Gray saw the bruise and gave me shit.”
“He saw you with your sweater off?”
I didn’t miss her curious look that she thought I didn’t see. I had spoken without thought, but then, what was I hiding? He used my bathroom; it was late, and I was getting ready for bed. “Yeah, he used the bathroom.”
“You don’t seem to be close to him. Do you get along well?”
I choked back my hysteria and contemplated my answer. “We get by.”
“Is it because of Ash?”
Yes, but not why you think it is. “Something like that,” I admitted.
“Ugh, I’m prying again!” Ava scolded herself. “I’m so sorry, I seriously am not this gossip girl, but you and them, it just fascinates me.”
“Why?” Now I was curious.
“Well, you’re Ash’s ex, you’re Jett’s BFF, and I can’t help wonder what your history is with Gray.” Ava didn’t meet my stare, but she carried on. “He intimidates me, to be honest. He and Jett pulled a shit move on me when they thought I was complicit to the water spiking, and he just, he’s . . .”
“Unnerving.”
Ava flashed me a grateful smile. “Yes! I mean, he’s the other half of Jett, so I should know what he’s like.”
“They’re fraternal twins, not identical,” I reminded her as we got to the coffee shop. “He’s nothing like Jett, and then sometimes, he’s a carbon copy.”
“Do you have a favorite?” She asked it innocently enough, and from what I had learned about her, there was no maliciousness in her question. But very few people in my life had asked me which Santo was my favorite.
“They’re not ice cream flavors,” Ichided softly.
Ava laughed. “Oh my gosh, that would be amazing if they were.” She quickly ordered a caramel latte and then asked me what I wanted. Giving the barista my order, we waited before she suggested we sit inside, and looking around, I found an empty table.
As she collected the drinks, she came over and grinned at me. “I have it, I couldn’t help it. Tell me what you think? Ash, I’m thinking raspberry ripple; Gray, I’m not sure, maybe mint chocolate chip; and Jett would be . . . chocolate.”
“We’re still on ice cream then?” I mocked as I took a sip of my coffee.
“Yeah.” Ava flushed red as she continued. “Although maybe I think I just want Jett and chocolate ice cream.”
“I actually like chocolate ice cream, so could we not ruin my favorite flavor please?” Ava sat back in her seat as she looked out the window, and I feared I had lost her to her thoughts. “Raspberry ripple?”
“Yeah, Ash is all about fun, I think,” she added hastily.
“You don’t need to worry all the time, Ava. Ash and I were a long time ago.” I sipped my coffee as I watched her and decided just to put her out of her misery. “I cheated on him. He didn’t take it well. Who would? I’ve never had sex, nor do I want to ever have sex, with Jett; he’s my best friend.”
I watched as her eyes widened at my harsh honesty, and I braced myself for the question she had asked me before, and I knew she would ask. But she surprised me by taking it one further.
“Did you cheat on him with Gray?”
Well, what the hell was I supposed to say to that?
Chapter 7: Gray
I may never stand again. Lying on my back, staring up at the floodlights, I realized the turf was comfortable. Okay, it wasn’t, but my body was broken, I was sure of it.
