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“There’s one more very real problem,” I interrupt these two, trying to get the thoughts of Logan and my baby sister together out of my head. The two of them stay silent but look at me urging me to continue. “Bill wants us to go up to his cabin in the mountains the first weekend in August. Todd and his fiancé included. I don’t think Avery is going to go for it.”
“Oh, I’m sure she will. If she hasn’t run for the hills after your kiss, or ended shit, then I’m sure you’re fine,” Thomas says.
“Well… today didn’t necessarily go very…smooth.”
The understatement of the century.
“Her ex called the office today trying to get in touch with her.”
“Dean is such a douche bag.” Thomas shakes his head. “I always got creep vibes from him.”
“You know him?” I ask.
“Not well. I met him briefly once, but mostly just from what Peyton has said. They met before she went to Vermont. He got really clingy while she was gone and texted her like every day. When she came back, they started this casual thing. Avery was never in a relationship with him.” Thomas shakes his head. “I think he just assumed. Or wanted it despite her being very forward with him. Who the fuck knows.”
“Interesting.”
“Why? What did he say?”
“He was making my receptionist cry, so I took the phone. He said he was looking for his…girlfriend.” The last word lodged in my throat. Anger rising again recalling the entire ordeal.
“Fuck, dude.” Logan shakes his head.
“Marc,” Thomas starts, as if he can sense the emotions I’m working so hard to hold back. “Listen to me. As your brother, I know where your head is at. I know exactly what you’re thinking because of Becky. It’s anger and pain. Am I right?”
I nod as my hand grips the glass beneath my hand because brothers know best right?
“That’s because you feel something for Avery. Despite not knowing exactly what the hell you’re feeling, there’s something there between you two. The jealousy stems from that too. You have always been possessive—”
“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes.
“Not in a bad way, Marc.” His tone remains serious. “You fight for what’s yours and those you love. You always have. With me, with Oliver, with Emiline and with mom. It’s just who you are. The pain you’re feeling is because you’ve been fucked over greatly in the past that you put up these walls, and you’re slowly starting to let them down. Day by day they’ve been crumbling as you let Avery in, letting yourself feel something for someone else again.”
Logan pretends to wipe a tear from his eye. “Fuck, bro. Peyton made you soft as shit. This is the stuff Marc is supposed to be saying to us. Not the other way around.”
“He’s got a point.” I offer a light laugh.
“I’m serious, though,” he continues. “Avery is off her rocker a lot of the time. She’s louder than a teeny bop concert some days when you get her going on stories. There’re times when I want to just tell her to shut up.” He laughs. “But for some strange reason… I trust her. I don’t think she’s going to hurt you. I don’t think she’s spoken to the guy since they ended it.”
“I think I fucked up.”
“We know,” both of them say in unison.
“I raged pretty hard this afternoon and took it out on her. I couldn’t even look at her after that phone call. Hell, I still feel it just talking about it. I know it was wrong, but I needed some time to cool down.”
“Take the time you need.” Thomas tips his head. “But then fix it.”
He’s right. About everything.
I decide to send Avery a quick text on my way to use the restroom.
Are you free Saturday night?
AVERY
Who’s this?
Real cute.
