Well, maybe at the beginning would be good.
Here goes.“I kissed Dallas at the New Year’s Eve party.”
Avery’s mouth dropped. Her brows shot up. “Youwhat?”
“We kissed.” God, I felt nauseous. “We kissed and then I told him it meant nothing and we’ve spent the last few months pretending like it didn’t happen. Well, I pretended. But then Madi showed up, and now everything is upside down, and I slept with both of them last week.”
Avery let out a soft scream, her eyes wide. “You slept with my brother?!”
“I did,” I burst out, my voice high pitched. “I did and it was really great?—”
“Ahhhhhh.”
“It's really good. It was really really fucking good. And I’m pretty sure I’ve fucked up my whole life now.”
“Ahhhh.”
“We made an agreement that we’re just having hot and kinky sex until Madi leaves and I don’t know what’ll happen then and I actually don’t want her to leaveever.”
Avery wrinkled her nose and gagged. We both fell silent, still staring at each other like two slightly feral cats. An ugly snort bubbled up and Avery cracked a grin, immediately pulling me into a giant hug.
I breathed out in relief, wrapping my arms around her. My eyes watered as she squeezed me.
“Did you think I’d be mad?” she asked.
“Yeah. Maybe. I don’t know.”
She leaned back, her hands still planted on my shoulders. Her expression turned thoughtful. “I’m not mad. Also, Mateo tattled on Dallas so I had an inkling. He did claim ‘bro code,’ so he didn’t tell meeverything. But neither him or Levi are very good at being discreet. The only reason I didn’t come see you is because this weekend was just too busy.”
“Yeah, with you getting tied up and your ass spanked.”
Avery laughed, but didn’t disagree. “I mean, you may have been doing the same for all I know.”
“Well . . .”
She immediately made a face. “Oh god. I have to forget for a second that we’re talking aboutDallas.”She shivered. “Okay. I have so many questions for you. Try not to tell me anything about my brother though, or I think I’ll start screaming again.”
“Let’s work and talk?” I asked. “I’m kind of drowning right now. And then I keep getting distracted by texts . . .”
Avery’s cheeks dimpled. “Oh yeah. Texts are the best distractions. Well, I’m all yours. You know what, though? We should have a work party and help you get caught up.”
Even the idea of asking for that much help made me want to shrink, but Avery knew that, and barreled ahead.
“I’ll text everyone. It’s a rainy day. We can invite them over for later this afternoon. You can pay us with pizza.”
“If you insist . . .”
“I do, actually.” She opened her mouth to say something else, but then her eyes darted to the door. “Ah, fuck. Incoming.”
I didn’t like that tone. My shoulders stiffened as I turned right as the bell jingled. My stomach dropped as my mother stepped inside.
I never failed to feel small around her. It didn’t matter that I was a couple inches taller and a hell of a lot stronger, her presence leached the power from me. She sucked the air out of the room with her vulture eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin line and I knew she was displeased she hadn’t caught me alone.
She was looking old, at least. It’d been a couple months since I’d seen her in person, and I sincerely hoped the extra grays I spotted in her hair were because of me.
“Hi, Ms. Moore,” Avery said flatly. Her arm slowly linked in mine, her grip steadying me as my heart pounded. “It’s raining an awful lot out there, huh?”
“Clearly,” she sniffed. “June, I was hoping to chat with you.”
