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“You and your cats were handling it fine.”
She nods and sniffs. Chet/Norman is in custody, although he was being a whiny baby about the scratches. He said he wanted to press charges against Avery. Seriously. He’s also allergic to cats, so his entire face is swollen.
I take Avery’s hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t take your worries about him seriously.”
“I was wrong.”
“No. You were right. You were wrong about who he was stalking.”
She nods again but still won’t meet my eyes.
“Avery?”
“Hmm?”
“Look at me.”
A sigh. It is the saddest sound I have ever heard.
When she finally makes eye contact, I feel my entire world settle. The misery I see there gives me pause.
“Why are you upset?”
“I was attacked, Jon. I have a right to be upset.”
This is very un-Avery-like behavior. “You should be pissed and ready to fight.”
“I…”
Tears fill her eyes.
I move to sit on her bed. “Tell me.”
Before she can respond, there is a ruckus outside of the room.
“Well, I don’t give a fuck what they say. I want to see my sister.”
“Oh, damn,” Avery mutters.
“Fritz, do not cuss like that with your niece and nephew here.”
“That’s okay. He talks like that a lot with me around,” someone who sounds like Sammy says.
“Oh, God. What are they all doing here?” The look of sheer horror shouldn’t make me feel better, but for some reason, it does.
I smile. “From what the JSE says, half the town is out there.”
Her eyes widen at my pronouncement. “Get out of here!”
I chuckle. “Nope. Never. I think you’re stuck with me, Avery.”
“You’re saying that because I was hurt.”
“No. I realized that no matter what, I should have backed you up. I love you, and I will always have your back.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I do.” I lean down and kiss her. It’s gentle because her lip is split.
