Ava’s head snapped to me when I said that, obviously reading into my words.
“So, they’re actually having a party this weekend, invited you guys too, if you’re interested.”
Macie jumped in place while clapping her hands. “That sounds so fun!”
“I thought you were with Jace now?” Ava stood from the table, glaring at Macie, then me. Her words had a nasty bite to them.
Macie’s smile fell from her face. “I am. Just because I’m excited about a party doesn’t mean I plan on hooking up. Jesus, Ava, what’s wrong with you tonight? You’re welcome for dinner, by the way.”
Macie tossed her dish into the sink and stormed away.
Ava wouldn’t look at me. Her eyes were trained on where Macie had just stood. I went to her side and reached for her hand.
“I’m fine,” she said as she pulled her hand, and her entire body, away from me. She stormed upstairs as well.
“Sounds good, Tink.”
And for the first time in a while, I felt the pangs of my anxiety hit me hard.
CHAPTER 21
Logan
There was no way I was letting either of us go to bed without addressing everything that had happened at dinner. She was either really upset about something or being a bratty bitch again. Either way, we needed to talk. Considering both Macie and Becca were home, it couldn’t happen here.
Me: text Macie and Becca and tell them we’re heading to the library to work on our next project for marketing
There wasno response right away, but I heard movement upstairs. In the meantime, I got dressed and cleaned up a bit. Then I heard my phone vibrate with a text.
Ava: we don’t have a project in marketing
Me: They don’t know that
Again,no response. But when I heard footsteps in the hall, I opened my door.
“Where’s your backpack?” I asked. “Go get it and meet me in my truck.”
She was despondent with her slumped shoulders and sullen, downturned eyes. No spark in her at all as she turned and went back to her room.
I hustled out to my truck to warm it up and threw the bag I’d packed into the back seat. It was late already, after nine. Ice had started forming on the windshield. The light in her room went dark, and I anxiously waited for her to join me.
As she approached my truck, a slight smile formed when she saw me holding the passenger door for her. I held out one hand for her bag, the other for her hand. She obliged with both, and I helped lift her into her seat.
“Thank you,” she said, with a slight eye roll.
“No problem, Tink.” My smile and wink made her giggle. And my breathing calmed at the hope this would go well now that she seemed in a better mood.
There wasn’t any conversation at first, only the country music on the radio. She turned it to my favorite station before I got to my side of the truck. But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. As we passed the entrance to the school, though, Ava spun in her seat.
“You missed the turn.”
“No I didn’t. Like you said, we don’t have a project to work on. We’re not going to the library.”
“So then why did I need my backpack?” she asked.
“Well, in case anyone is downstairs when we get home, silly.”
I drove as she intently watched our surroundings, no doubt trying to determine our destination. When I started leaving town and got on the highway, she looked even more confused.
