“Okay.”
I lay in the dark, my eyes open, my body sluggish and heavy from all the bumps and bruises I could feel, and all I could think about was the amazing guy beside me. Who picked me up when I was a mess and didn’t judge me, well, not too harshly anyway.
“Ash?”
“Yeah, Red.” His voice was heavy with sleep. “What’s wrong?”
“I watched your game. You played well. Congratulations.”
I didn’t think he would say anything, and he didn’t surprise me when he proved me right. He reached over and took my hand, interlacing our fingers. Closing my eyes, I settled myself to sleep. I had so much to do in the morning, and I fell asleep beside him, holding his hand.
* * *
The strong smell of coffee roused me from my sleep. Slowly, opening my eyes, I stared up at Ava.
“Hi, sleepy.”
“I’m so sorry,” I burst out and started to cry.
Ava hastily put the coffee down and climbed onto the bed properly. “Have you and Ash had sex in this bed?” she asked me cautiously, studying the sheets like they would bite.
I laughed even though I was crying. “Not recently.”
She climbed under the covers with me, and I rolled on my back as Ava scooted down and rested her head on my shoulder. “You feel okay?”
“I think I’m a mess,” I admitted.
“Yeah, that was a major meltdown for you last night.” Ava linked our fingers together, much like Ash had done the night before. “I’m sorry it’s all been so shitty, Mee.”
I let out a sigh. “It’s been horrible for everyone. I’ve been selfish, I made it all about me.” I struggled to form the words. “I’m just so used to it being just you and me, you know?”
“Yeah, I do. And I know, it’s been a lot.”
“At least this time I didn’t verbally abuse Quinn. I really wasn’t that drunk, I was so careful, because of the last time with Quinn, and she and I agreed, tequila is not my friend. I was drinking water between every drink, and I switched to beer.”
Ava squeezed my fingers. “Hey, it’s okay. Quinn’s fine. She went out with the others to give us space.”
“I chased them out of their own home?”
“Meh, it’s not just their home, there are other people here.” Ava wiggled slightly and then cuddled into me. “I think we’re past a heart-to-heart, don’t you? Last night, seeing you like that, I think it’s time to let it all out.”
“I’m still annoyed they won’t find out who my dad is.” It annoyed me that this was the first thing I said, but I couldn’t take it back.
“It’s not for them to do that, Mia. If anyone is going to tell you, it’s either your mom or your actual dad.” Ava was quiet for a moment.
“I asked Gloria,” I told her quietly. “Yesterday. She says she isn’t telling me. She told me he knows about me, but that he isn’t interested.”
Ava let out a low whistle. “That sucks.” She was quiet for a moment. “But . . . why are you chasing someone who doesn’t want to know you?”
Trust Ava to justsayit. I closed my eyes against the ache in my chest. “I know you’re right.”
“You don’t agree though.” Ava tugged at my hand. “Mee, you’ve always felt like this, what changed?”
“I think it was knowing that Onyx knows. I don’t want him knowing something about me that is somethingIshould know.”
“Onyx is a dick. He is,” Ava spoke slowly as if she were weighing her words first. “But I’ve seen that man quite happily sit back and watch an eight-year-old drop a bombshell, and helaughed. Like it was amusing for him. He gets a kick out of awkward.” She rubbed at her forehead. “For him not to tell you, I don’t know, Mee, I think you’re better off not knowing.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s just poopypants.”
