The last few days really had been a whirlwind, but she was right. I’d cat sit for Nick in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
I went through the form, filling everything out that I could. His phone number, his last name, his address. That was almost everything I knew about him aside from the fact that he was extremely sexy, too sweet, and really fucking good in bed. And very good at picking out wine and making Matthew blush.
The doors to the emergency room slid open and Avery rushed inside, Levi right behind her. Her brows pulled together the moment she spotted us, and she lookedpissed.
She stopped right in front of us. “There’s no way he did it on purpose,” she immediately said. “That fucker at the hotel islying. Austin would never push someone off a god damned roof, and I will defend him on that.”
“Okay, whoa,” June said. “Why are you coming in so hot?”
“Because I heard that Evie thinks he did.” She looked directly at me and my mouth dropped.
“You’re mad atme?” I asked.
“If you think Austin didthat,then yes, I am.”
Levi grimaced behind her, clearly unsure what to do with himself.
“Everyone is already talking,” Avery said. “It’s all bullshit. But you should know better.”
“I don’t know what to think right now,” I said. “I had a conversation with Austin before this where we agreed to just be friends and then I heard shouting and ran out to see Nick on the ground.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “Evie, I love you so much, but he’s my brother. And god, I know that man is rough around the edges sometimes, but he’d never do this. Youknowhim.”
My chest ached as I looked away.
Avery crossed her arms. “Think about all the times he’s caused an accident and the way he carries guilt around. He still apologizes to us about what happened when Levi, Mateo, and I started dating and it’s been years at this point. No one carries the world on their shoulders like he does.”
“I know,” I breathed out. “Fuck. I don’t think he did it, I just heard that guy talking, and?—”
“Austin thinks you think he did it,” Levi butted in, his tone serious. “Mateo has never seen him like this. He’s a complete wreck. I don’t think he’s okay.”
Well, fuck.Fuck.I blinked back tears.
“People talk fast in this town,” June said. “So, I think we need to do some damage control, since everyone and their mother knows him. Angel, the nurse here, already asked us if Nick andAustin wereduelingover Evie. And there’s some folks here who hate you guys, Avery.”
Her expression hardened. “I’mthis fucking closeto burning down the whole town.”
“Okay,” Levi said, putting his hands on her shoulders. “All right, let’s take a deep breath.”
“Don’tdeep breath me,Levi Rayburn,” she growled. “I’m losing my mind right now. I feel like everything is falling apart. Why are people so mean?”
Tears immediately sprang to her eyes, causing June and I to exchange glances. This wasn’t like Avery. She was passionate, yes, but she never jumped to conclusions.Somethingwas up.
I stood up and went to her, pulling her into a big hug.
Avery sniffled and slid her arms around me. “Oh god. What is wrong with me?”
I glanced up at Levi, who looked like he was about to melt into the tiles with panic.Is she pregnant?I mouthed.
His eyes went wide and he turned three shades paler. Oh god, was he going to faint? I wasn’t sure I could handle another emergency right now.
I drew back from Avery and looked her in the eyes. “I will talk to Austin and I’ll apologize to him. There’s so much happening right now, and I just didn’t expectthis.”
She wiped away hot tears, her cheeks splotchy and red. “I don’t know why I’m a mess. It’s not like I’m the one that fell.”
“It’s okay,” I said gently.
“It is,” June agreed. “How about you go check on Austin? Evie and I will stay here. We’ll have a meeting later all together.”
