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“I believe you,” I reassure him, patting his shoulder.
“And you? Are you seeing anyone?”
I put on my best fake smile. “No one at all. I’m not good at balancing studying and the relationship thing.”
Austin nods his head, keeping his mouth pursed. It’s better to lie than to be honest about Will. Even I don’t know what we are, so how am I supposed to define our relationship to other people? We never use the word boyfriend or girlfriend. Partner sounds like we’re in some lesbian relationship. Lovers would be more appropriate, but even then, it isn’t the right fit.
“So, I’ll follow you home?”
“Yep, see you there.”
Austin bumps my shoulder as the two of us laugh over the time in class when our teacher split his pants. The timing was uncanny, he was on the verge of sending us all to detention because of a silly prank a kid pulled yet didn’t confess to. Our walk down memory lane is exactly what I need, easing my tension from the last few days.
Our laughter carries through the hallway until Ava skips down the stairs, dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and my khaki GAP sweater. The nerve of her to borrow without asking. With an incredulous stare, she continues to the bottom, playfully swatting Austin on the arm.
“Is this who I think it is?”
“Hey, Ava.”
“We ran into each other in the drug store. Awkward, considering I was fetching your tampons, and Austin was for his sister.”
Ava blushes. “That’s awkward, but I guess since you’re going to be a doctor, you’ve got to get used to this, right?”
Austin chuckles, cocking his head to the side. “I never looked at it that way, but you have a point.”
“I invited him over for coffee, plus thought he could chat with Dad. Is he around?”
“Actually…” she says, pointing in the opposite direction. “Dad is in the kitchen with Will.”
My body freezes at the name, tongue-tied and unable to compute what she just said. “Will?”
“Yeah, apparently Mom begged him to come for two days when she found out that Uncle Rocky and Aunt Nikki decided to make a last-minute road trip to Boca.”
I swallow multiple times, trying to ignore the flutter inside my stomach. With Austin standing beside me, it won’t look good to Will. It didn’t even occur to me that it was a bad idea to bring Austin back here because we’re just friends. That is until the thought of Will and Austin inside the same room sends my body into complete panic mode.
Fuck. What the hell do I do?
Before I even have a chance to tell Austin to go, Dad and Will appear in the foyer. Dad appears surprised yet extends his hand, wishing Austin a Merry Christmas.
But then my eyes wander to the those of a man less impressed, dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a gray hoodie. With a sullen look, Will is staring at me without a single welcoming smile. His lips are pressed flat, the muscles on his face tight. Yet despite his obvious jealous expression, he still looks incredibly handsome, making me realize just how much I miss him.
This could all blow over in this very minute if Austin even breathes to Dad about his suspicions. Austin is quick to glance at Will, then back to me. With a smile, I turn my focus to Ava, begging her to do something—anything—to bring attention to her.
Ava stares at me oddly, then almost as if it clicks, she laces her arm in Will’s, distracting him momentarily.
“Dad, Austin wanted to chat to you about medical school, but if you’re working with Will…”
“We can take a break.” Dad offers with a heartfelt smile. “Let’s go into my office, son.”
They disappear, leaving Will, Ava, and me still standing in the foyer. I can practically see the steam boiling from his ears, but we both have to pretend nothing is going on with Ava present.
“Is Austin your boyfriend?” Will questions, though keeping his tone neutral.
“Ex. This is the first time I’ve spoken to him in months. We ran into each other in the drugstore, and we got to talking about school. He wanted to talk to Dad, and I didn’t see any harm since we’ve known each other for a while.”
“Yes,” Ava adds, trying to keep it casual. “He’s like family, kind of like you too.”
“I need to make a business call. Excuse me.”
