Ava slowly unwrapped it, and her grin widened. “Did you know these are my favorite?”
He chuckled but didn’t answer as he put the truck in Drive and pulled down the driveway back to the dirt road. He did know those were her favorite because she’d mentioned it during one of their conversations. He also knew she loved strawberry soda. When she’d revealed that tidbit, he’d told her she was probably the only person in the world who did.
Trey had listened when Ava spoke because he’d wanted to know more about the woman who meant so much to Magnus. And part of the reason he knew he had to end things was that, during those conversations, he realized that Magnus’s love for Ava wasn’t one-sided. She loved Magnus, too. Trey was pretty sure she always had.
“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to save it until after the session. I figure I’ll either need it for comfort or celebration. But thank you. That was very sweet.”
Like she had the other day, Ava rested her hand on his arm. He cut his gaze to the console where her fingers rested, and he swallowed hard, turning his attention back to the road.
“Am I supposed to be nervous about this?” Ava asked once they’d reached the main highway leading back to Coyote Ridge.
“About therapy?”
“Yeah. Have you ever been?”
“A few times,” he admitted.
“For a traumatic incident?”
Trey glanced her way briefly. “For couple’s counseling. Before my divorce.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you’d been married.”
“Long time ago.”
When she didn’t say anything, he offered some advice. “If you’re puttin’ in the effort to go, give it everything while you’re there. Believe it or not, talkin’ helps.”
“Does it?” She sounded skeptical. “Is that the route you and Magnus plan to take?”
Trey’s jaw clamped shut, a surge of anger darkening his mood. She had no right to confront him about his history with Magnus.
“I’m sorry,” she said, although she didn’t sound sincere. “It’s just I know he’s suffering right now.”
“Is he?” Trey snapped. “He’s got you to confide in, after all. It’s what he’s wanted all along.”
Ava shifted in her seat, turning to face him, her voice softening when she asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Magnus loves you, Ava. Only a fool couldn’t see it.”
“Well, I guess I’m a fool then,” she bit out. “I thought he was my friend.”
Trey started to snap back at her but stopped himself. The last person he wanted to talk to about Magnus was the woman who’d stolen him away.
His thoughts came to a screeching halt. He hadn’t even realized he’d laid any blame at her feet. After all, it was his decision to end things. He knew Magnus would’ve continued on like they were right up until Trey found himself in a threesome somehow.
“Trey, I’m sorry,” she said sincerely, gently touching his arm. “It’s not my place to talk about your personal business. It’s just … I care about both of you, and Magnus isn’t happy, and I don’t think you are either. Back when I first came to Magnus’s, y’all were … doing things all the time. But as I got better, it’s like y’all drifted apart.”
“Doin’ things?” He had no idea what that even meant.
“Sexual stuff … you know, like … blow jobs and shit,” she stammered.
Trey’s jaw tensed again, and he swore his temperature skyrocketed.
“I didn’t mean to invade your privacy, but y’all did a lot ofthingsin the kitchen. I could only pretend to be asleep for so long. I promise, I never saw anything.” She turned to look out the window. “Well, that’s mostly true. There was the one time when Magnus was sucking your…” She waved it off. “And I did see Magnus in the shower the other day. He was … you know. I didn’t mean to watch, but I couldn’t look away. Then when he said your name…”
What? For fuck’s sake, don’t stop now!
“Anyway, thatwasan invasion of privacy. I ran out of his room so fast … and then you showed up a little while later, and I heard y’all through the walls.”
