“Yeah, I don’t get it, either.” I sighed. “This has me really messed up.”
“Is she playing games with you?” Marcus wondered.
“I don’t know. If she is, this is one cruel fucking game to play.”
“She’s not.” Kallie’s voice nearly made me jump out of my skin. I froze, and felt Marcus’ shoulder stiffen against mine.
Shit. I hadn’t meant for her to overhear. I was planning on her ripping me limb from limb for what I’d just said, but she came closer and said, “Explain.”
“You mean Ava didn’t tell you?” I was shocked. Ava had always been open with our friends about what happened in the bedroom, and usually, I didn’t mind her sharing. The fact that she kept this secret meant something, though I didn’t know what.
“Why would she tell me?” Kallie questioned. “She handed you divorce papers, and now she’s sleeping with you. She’s clearly embarrassed to admit that it happened.”
I didn’t want to violate any trust that might still be between Ava and I, but Kallie had me cornered. If I didn’t give her something, I might not live to see the next five minutes.
I kept the details as vague as possible. “Ava came to my room, and we talked. The conversation got pretty serious.”
“Did she…uh.” Marcus didn’t say more, and I knew what he was hinting at.
So he’d known about Ava’s attempt at infidelity, and he hadn’t told me. That should’ve stung, but it didn’t. He was trying to be loyal to both of us without hurting either. I was glad that he’d taken care of her in the moment, because I bet she’d been torn up after what she’d nearly done. I would’ve been, too.
“Yeah, she did.” I managed to nod. “She admitted she tried to cheat.”
“Ava tried… never mind.” Kallie cut herself off. I was stunned that Marcus had known and Kallie didn’t. Ava must’ve been really ashamed of her actions if she didn’t tell her best friend. “So you talked. Then what?”
“I don’t know. She was in a lot of pain from her spinal injury, I could tell. She needed to take a bath, so I helped her, and then she asked me to… you know.” I shrugged. “Things escalated from there.”
Both of them were silent, and I added, “I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have, I know that.”
“No,” Kallie mumbled. “You might’ve made the right call.”
I was dumbfounded. “What? I figured you’d be the last person who’d approve of this.”
“I hate you, Charlie. Like, legitimately, I really do,” Kallie confessed. “I can’t forgive you for what you did, but I also care about you, too. I love you like my sibling. Not as much as Ava, of course, but I think this might be what you guys need.”
“How? It seems like we’re going backwards.”
Kallie’s tone was introspective. “At first, I was certain it would be a good idea if you two went your separate ways. But the more I think about it, the more I realize neither of you thrive without the other. I want Ava to do what’s best for her. If that’s dumping you, I’ll take the opportunity to throw you out on your ass as soon as she says the word go.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“But—” she added. “I also know she loves you. Even now. You both did things that were wrong. If anyone can come back from this, it’s you two.”
“Yeah. Me and Kallie worked our shit out, and now look at us!” Marcus agreed. “We’re perfect for each other!”
“We’d be more perfect if you didn’t keep leaving potion bottles all over the bathroom counter for Rishi to knock over,” Kallie replied flatly. “I nearly fell flat on my ass this morning on a pile of vials.”
“You’re right. Sorry, babe,” Marcus apologized.
Kallie’s voice grew closer as she leaned in. “Charlie, I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe you shouldn’t give up. You and Ava heal through sex. You always have. It’s your way of communicating when you don’t know what words to say. Maybe this is your guys’ method of repairing what was broken.”
The conversation ended there, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what Kallie had said. Ava and I did connect in one way, at least. Sex was something we were very good at. It had been the strongest part of our relationship, so it wasn’t surprising that part of us had survived the cataclysmic disaster that had been breaking our bond. I didn’t think it was enough to bring us back together, but maybe Kallie was right and it would be enough to take the first step.
Footsteps came from behind me, and I heard the soft sound of Ava’s wheels on the carpet. My pulse immediately spiked.
Takahashi cleared his throat as the two of them entered the room. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice?—”
“What the fuck?” Ava snapped, cutting him off. Nobody responded, giving me no context.
