“Well, I’m sorry you can’t?—”
Suddenly there’s the sound of another car pulling in. Maybe it’s a delivery truck?
Only when I look up from the embrace with Stefani, it’s the worst-case scenario.
It’s Avery.She brings her car to a halt, eyes laser-focused as she takes us in.
Stef turns to look at who’s arrived, and now both ladies are staring at each other. I watch Avery’s eyes go wide like saucers as she realizes who I’m hugging.
Shit, no, no, no.
I pull out of the embrace and take a step toward her car—but it’s too late.
She hits reverse, and faster than I can get to her, she’s gone.
My shoulders droop.
“Ooops,” Stefani says.
Fuckis more like it.
37
AVERY
SEVEN MINUTES EARLIER
RAWLEY: Just got back to the house. Wild little excursion with Connor.
AVERY: Excited to hear about it.
RAWLEY: Can’t wait to hang out, I’ll fill you in. It’s a secret from Landon though.
AVERY: Ooo, now I’m intrigued.
Iset my phone down, biting my lip. I’m at a red light after running post–road trip errands.
Only three minutes from Landon’s house, I realize.
I don’t know where this is coming from, but a well of uncertainty is filling up inside me as I think about our dinner tonight.
We just agreed to a reprieve with Taylor on ending things, but September isn’t that far away. Six weeks. And we’re about tobothbe busy, with the start of his training camp.
Will I even see him that much before Taylor says it’s time to start the breakup?
It doesn’t feel like this should end in six weeks. I want to keep going.
I know it’s not the plan, but why are we stuck following the plan?
We’ve made it this far, and have such a great time together—why blow it up?
And our reps shouldn’t complain if we keep going with the lie, because it will only keep growing the media attention.
How much of it is a lie though, Avery?
I dare not press into that question.
The compulsion to talk to Rawley about it is strong. Would he want us to stay together for longer? Whatever that means?
