“It’s shitty, but you’re still you.” Ava chuckled. “What else is bothering you?”
“You like Quinn more than me.” I clamped my jaw shut as I blurted it out.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You spend all your time with her.”
“Because I’mhere, and Quinn went through something awful and had no one to talk to about it, and she needs friends. People she trusts.”
I felt a cold wash of horror crash over me. “They don’t think I would tell anyone?”
“No, God no.” Ava moved her head to look up at me. “Even though it’s a bit tense between you all, they know you are one hundred percent loyal.”
“Well, that’s something,” I scoffed, but I realized it reallywas. The Devilstrustedme.
Ava nudged me. “What else?”
“I told my mom I was singing in a band, and she told me not to sleep with the drummer.”
Ava burst out laughing and then stopped abruptly. “Sticks? Oh my God, are you sleeping with Sticks?”
I laughed softly, but I didn’t feel cheery. “No. I told my mom that I am on stage, singing in bars, in a band, and she told me not to sleep with the drummer, because babies ruin careers.” I heard the bitterness and knew that Ava would too.
“Oh, MeeMoo,” Ava sympathized and turned on her side to hug me. “I love your mom for her flair, her ability to turn anything into a drama, but she’s the most selfish woman I have ever met.”
“She does her best,” I said as I hugged her back.
“She really doesn’t.” Ava and I lay curled up together. “So, what’s the new show?”
I ran through the scarce details that Gloria had shared with me, and when I was done, Ava was quiet. “There you have it.”
“You’re not alone,” Ava said. “You’ll never lose me. Quinn actually really likes you and wants to be your friend.” Ava pinched me lightly. “You just need to let her in.”
“I’m scared Gray might kill me in my sleep.”
Ava laughed so loudly that I jumped. She ended up having to sit up as she started to wheeze. “Oh my Lord,” she gasped, “funniest thing ever.”
“I’m glad my impending doom is amusing to you.”
“Maybe you should be an actress?” Ava asked as she sat up properly. “Seriously, can you stop with all the silliness? And Iknow silliness is the wrong word, but I am never, ever, leaving you.Ever. You’re my MeeMoo and I love you. I know I’ve been wrapped up in Jett, and spending time with Quinn, but that never means I wasreplacingyou.”
“I know. I . . . I really do know.” I was going to cry again. “I love you too.” I sat up. “I need the bathroom.”
“Okay.”
“And I need food. Please tell me there’s food to go with my cold coffee?”
“I can make you something,” Ava promised. “We’re going to be okay,” she said, but I saw the hint of worry in her eyes.
“Yeah, I’ve just been . . .” I looked at her and shrugged. “I’ve just been overwhelmed, and I’m really bad at change, and it all got out of my control.”
“It’s been a lot for everyone,” Ava admitted quietly. “Weallcould have been a lot better. I’m really sorry you thought you were losing me.” She pulled me to her and we hugged, and I felt better just having her here and listening to me.
I pulled away and got out of bed. She gasped, and I turned around to see if she was okay, but she was looking at me in horror.
“What is it?” I looked down, seeing Ash’s shirt. “It’s okay, he knows I have it on,” I told her hastily. I wasn’t ready for the “what are me and Ash doing” conversation yet, because I didn’t know either.
“Mia!” Ava scrambled out of bed, lifting my arm. “What happened to you?”
