9
Ava picked Ruby up from school and brought her back to her and Cole’s place. She hadn’t heard from her mom or stepdad yet, so she was going to pretend they didn’t exist. When Ava had brought Ruby by her parents’ house before school to get her backpack, neither of them was there. Ava wasn’t surprised, but was also thankful to avoid any altercations.
After she and Cole finished the movie, Ava sat down to work on the paperwork to gain guardianship. She researched it and saw that it was recommended she get a lawyer just to make sure everything was filled out properly.
She hadn’t looked beyond that as it had been time to get Ruby, and she didn’t want to discuss it in front of her.
“Do you have homework tonight?” Ava asked.
Ruby nodded and sighed. “Yes. I need to do spelling words.”
“Let’s get your homework taken care of and then you can watch a little TV before bed.”
“Okay,” Ruby said.
“Hey, Ruby,” Cole said, coming out of his bedroom.
“Hi, Cole. Are you feeling better?”
“Much better,” he said.
Ava watched as he sat down across from Ruby and carried on a conversation with her as if it were a part of their everyday life. While it didn’t happen often, she still always marveled at it. Her phone pinged, so she picked it up off the table.
Kelly: I’ve been patient, but I am no longer.
Ava: About…?
Kelly: You and Cole. What happened? It’s been far too long.
Ava: Nothing.
Kelly: You’re as bad a liar as he is. Even through text, I can tell when you’re lying.
Ava’s heart picked up its pace. Kelly had already talked to Cole about it. She looked up at Cole, who was busy helping Ruby with something on her homework.
Ava: What did he tell you?
Kelly: Nope. I want to hear what you have to say.
Ava rolled her eyes.
Ava: You forget that I also know you well enough to know when you’re lying through text. He didn’t say shit.
Kelly: You guys are no fun. Fill me in, please.
Ava: We drunkenly tried to hook up one night and then he rejected me.
Kelly: ???!!!???!!! WHAT?!
Ava: Exactly. Who could reject me? That’s what I want to know.
Kelly: Stop deflecting and tell me what happened!
Ava: I already did.
Kelly: Details!
Kelly: On second thought, no details. He’s my brother, and that’s gross. But how did he reject you?
