Macie tried to diffuse the situation. Looping her arm through mine, she guided me toward the kitchen. “We’re so excited to have you living with us. Becca told me you like to cook.”
Becca could tell I was thrown off by Ava’s reaction to me and took over the conversation with Macie, answering her questions about how I’d started teaching myself to cook over the past six months. While they talked, I found myself continuously glancing at the occupied couch in the living room, wondering what the hell I’d done to receive the lackluster welcome she’d given me.
Lanie, Becca, and I spoke at length over Christmas break about me coming to live here with the three girls. They assured me that both Macie and Ava were more than on board with the situation. That’s why this whole scene didn’t make any sense.
Unless she was just that, a total bitch. Which was fine. I could live with that. Steering clear of her wouldn’t be a problem. The place was big enough for us to live our lives in harmony together and not have to worry about getting in each other’s way.
At least I hoped so.
“What the hellis wrong with her?” As I flipped burgers on the grill, Ty kept me company. We huddled close to the small flames in an attempt to stay warm as the temperature continued to drop outside. The girls were inside putting together some sides to go with the burgers. Squinting, I tried to look through the sliding doors to see if all three of them were still in the kitchen, but the glare on the glass prevented it. I could only hope the tiny, short-haired bitch decided to go upstairs instead of eating a meal I’d be providing her.
Ty’s downturned eyes as he glanced inside the kitchen told me he understood who I was talking about.
“I don’t know, man, I have no idea what’s gotten into her. I’ve never seen her like that.” Turning toward me, he shrugged. “She’s always been kinda cool, especially when me and Becca were going through our shit last semester.” He came to stand next to me at the grill, putting his hands up to gain some heat from the flames. “I mean, yeah, she can have a sharp tongue, I always said her and Becca were like sisters that way but try not to read too much into it. Maybe she had a bad day just getting back to school or some shit like that. Who knows, girls can be temperamental, we know that.”
Unsure if that was all it was, I piled the burgers on the plate and turned for the door. He slid it open for me and we both entered the lion’s den.
Once inside, I immediately saw three girls in the kitchen.
She stuck around.
And I noticed some were drinking.
I stared at the can in Macie’s hand. My therapist and I had many talks about how I’d feel being around alcohol, but moreimportantly, around people actively drinking. As a recovering alcoholic, you feel as though you have your demons conquered on your good days. That nothing will ever get in the way of you accomplishing your goals. On the bad days, well, that’s when the doubt creeps back in. When you consider picking up that bottle again. Today wasn’t necessarily a bad day, but it wasn’t a good one either.
It was what my mom referred to as “meh.”
Thankfully, seeing the beer did nothing to me. I had no desire to pick it up at all.
And that made me feel good. Really good.
“Burgers are ready!” I announced to everyone.
Becca and Macie joined us as I placed the meat down. They brought a large bowl of pasta salad to the table as well as buns and condiments. But Ava remained in the kitchen, making herself look busy with some dishes. As we started making our plates, I made my way over to her.
“What’s the matter, Tink, you too good to eat my food?”
She froze. Her hand literally stopped midway while putting a glass in the cupboard. Her back was to me and remained that way for long moments as I stood there waiting for a response from her. When it seemed as though I wouldn’t get one, I turned to walk away.
“Don’t call me that,” she said, with venom in her words.
Turning back toward her, her eyes pierced mine with a look ready to kill.
“Why not? I think you’ve earned it.”
Her lips thinned as her eyes glared at me with a ferocity I didn’t expect. She said nothing else.
“Whatever, Tink. Food’s ready if you want it.” Then I spun around and walked away.
CHAPTER 4
Ava
Who the fuck did he think he was calling me that? He had no right, especially on the first day of us meeting. He was cocky. He was arrogant. And he was egocentric. Did he not realize how mean it was to ridicule someone based on their height? Were we literally living with a guy who was a “mean girl”?
“Hey.”
A voice came up behind me as I gripped the counter with white knuckles. As I let go, I turned around to see eyes like mine looking at me with concern.
