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“Let’s get you to bed, Princess.”
Excitement bubbles up inside of me.
However, exhaustion wins the battle and the last thing I remember on the ride home is the darkness of the winding roads of the mountains before my eyes close for the night.
Everything on this trip with Avery has been easy since we hit a turning point and both admitted that we want this with each other.
Around Bill and Cathy, there’s no faking it anymore. The only lie we find we’re telling is the wedding planning. The two of us have that down perfectly, though. There’s a small inkling in my chest that hopes she’s full of smiles while talking about it because down the road she actually wants that too.
That’s just the inner me who looks far into a dream though. A wife and kids are a big part of the future for me. I’d be a lying bastard if I said I didn’t see Avery as my wife. Which is wild. It’s too soon, right? There’s just no denying the way sparks fly when she’s around, the way I lose my breath when she walks into a room, and how every kiss with her tastes like the last first kiss I’ll ever have with a woman.
Yesterday, after her admission, when we got to the cabin, I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep with her in my arms and head pressed against my chest. The sangria must have gotten to her first, because she was sound asleep in the car five minutes into the drive back to the cabin. I decided to sleep on the couch in the living room space in the basement after I carried her to bed. She didn’t confirm or deny that she wanted to share a bed, so I didn’t want to wake up to an angry Avery.
I could barely sleep though, thinking about the beautiful blonde girl laying in the bed one room over. Needless to say, I was up at five in the morning and I set out for a morning run. It was the most challenging thing I’ve done in a while. The hills, mixed with the difference in altitude was a good change up from the flat city sidewalks I’m used to running.
I didn’t want to wake the house, so after I cooled down on the back deck, I used the back door entrance that leads to where our room is. When I walked in, Avery was sitting on the couch with her legs under her and the same blanket I slept with covering her body.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” she mumbles, her tone laced with disappointment.
I move to sit next to her on the couch, placing a hand on her thigh. “Are you alright?”
“Yup,” she says, popping the P with her lie.
“Did you know that I have a sister, Ave?”
“Obviously.” She rolls her eyes. “Emiline is one of my best friends.Remember?”
“Great. So you also know that I can pick up on the fact that when someone answers in the tone you just used… that I know it’s a lie?”
“It’s not a lie,” she answers, shocked that I called her out.
“Mmm.” I lean in to press a kiss on the side of her head before I stand up from the couch. “You keep telling yourself that, Princess. But for now, when you’re ready to tell me what’s bothering you… I’ll be in the shower.” And I retreat to the shower without another word from her.
As I walk away, I find myself saying “I love you”under my breath because… I really fucking do.
* * *
“Whose idea was it to go on a mountain hike?” Avery asks, bent over with her hands on her legs trying to catch her breath.
“It’s not that bad.” I laugh. “We’re going up the bunny slope, for crying out loud.”
“It’s only called that when there's snow on the ground for the kids to glide down slowly. It should be called death mountain when you’re forced to hike up it.”
“Come on, Princess. If Bill and Cathy can do it, you can too.”
She groans as she pulls herself up and starts hiking until we’re caught up with the rest of the group. For someone who hates this type of outdoor activity, she is dressed perfectly for the part. She must have bought a brand new pair of hiking books that she paired with her signature black leggings that are… chef’s kiss, my friend. She went with a similar crop top that she wore the day we drove in, but this one is a hunter green color, and damn, it compliments her tanned skin tone beautifully. Her hair was done in a perfect side braid, but the wind has caused it to flow in every direction.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned… It's that messy Avery is probably my favorite Avery.
She’s just so beautiful when she’s her real self. No makeup with her hair wild and free, dressed in casual clothes.
“This is easy for you because you’re a track star.”
“Running flat city sidewalks and walking up a hill work two very different muscle groups.”
She groans, “I don’t have either muscle group for this activity.”
