CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: TRUTH OR DRINK
June 28th, 2020
Despite being heavily intoxicated the night before, neither Gemma nor Marcie were hungover that next morning. From what Gemma could remember from the ride home, Olivia made the two drunk post-grads chug two bottles of water each before they got home. This helped, though Gemma's memories were still spotty from only twelve hours before.
She remembered drinking way too much in a short amount of time, almost kissing Wes, and fighting with Rowan. Everything else was a blur. Still not understanding why Rowan was acting so weird, Gemma decided not to dwell on it. She was drunk, and so was he. Alcohol made people do strange things, which Gemma convinced herself was the reason for Rowan's weird behavior.
So when Gemma clocked out of her shift at Target at 3:30 in the afternoon, she was surprised to see a text from Avery, reminding Gemma of plans to grab food that the two had made the night before.
Confused, Gemma immediately showed Marcie the text when she got home.
"I remember that," Marcie did not sound surprised by the message as she pulled her Dunkin' tee shirt over her head. "You said yes just so Avery would walk away."
Gemma groaned, falling backwards on her bed in frustration.
"Call off work and come with me?" Gemma begged.
"Not a chance," Marcie shook her head. "I'm working with my hot coworker tonight,"
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Gemma asked, eyeing Marcie who seemed to be too excited about her 4:30pm shift at Dunkin'. All Marcie could talk about lately was Emmett, her coworker at Dunkin' who she was heavily attracted to. Marcie was convinced to have a summer fling with him, since she was not staying in Michigan for long. But after weeks of working with Emmett, she had no luck.
"They're on and off," Marcie shrugged it off like it was nothing. "Right now, they're off."
"You sure you can't miss one shift?" Gemma asked again hopefully, but knew that Marcie's answer was likely to be no.
"I'm sure," Marcie laughed. "Invite Wes, I'm sure he'd tag along."
"Yeah, because I'm sure he'd love to hangout with just Avery and I," Gemma sarcastically responded to her best friend's idea. She did not want to go, but wasn't sure how to get out of it. Even though her body likely needed a break from alcohol, Gemma figured she could order one drink, to help deal with the nerves of being alone with Avery. Ever since this wedding stuff began, this would be Gemma's first time alone with her old best friend. Every other time, there had always been someone else around.
"You'll be fine," Marcie laughed as she finished getting ready. "I have to go. See you later!"
Marcie was out the door before Gemma had the chance to say goodbye. Just as she was changing out of her Target uniform, she received another text from the bride to be.
Avery: before we go to clementines, can you stop by my apartment? i want to go over some potential bridesmaid dress ideas with you :) xx
Gemma rolled her eyes. She was just a bridesmaid, so why was Avery tasking her with this job? This seemed like something for the maid of honor.
In the duration of Avery and Gemma's friendship, she never did learn how to tell Avery no. She was the type of person who always got her way. Gemma was too, in most cases, but the difference between Avery and Gems was that Avery was more stubborn, and almost always ended up getting her way. So when Gemma responded sure, she sighed. Avery responded within seconds with the address to her apartment complex. The address was unfamiliar. It was not the same address Avery used to live at, with her family. As soon as Gemma became involved with the wedding, she was not surprised to see that Avery's parents were not involved. They were awful parents, which was part of the reason that Avery spent most of her time at the Perry household. Despite not liking her old friend, Gemma did always feel sorry for Avery, considering she did not have a true family.
Be there in twenty, Gemma texted back.
-
When Gemma arrived to Avery's apartment complex, she wanted nothing more than to just get this over with.
She quickly buzzed herself into the lobby and found Avery's apartment easily, since it was on the first floor of the building. The door was unlocked, so she let herself in without knocking, since Avery knew she was coming over.
As soon as she walked into the clean apartment, she was shocked to see not just Avery sitting on the couch, but Rowan as well. With her car keys still in hand, she was tempted to run out of the apartment before they noticed she was standing there. But it was too late, as Rowan confusedly locked eyes with Gems.
"What are you doing here?" Both Gemma and Rowan said at the same time. Avery laughed, though it wasn't a genuine laugh. Gemma was too focused on Rowan in the moment, to wonder why Avery's laugh sounded fake.
"Babe, Gemma's here to help me pick out some colors for bridesmaid dresses. She's going out to eat with us, too." Avery explained to Rowan, though the confusion did not leave from his face.
"Why?" his tone was thick with attitude. "I thought it was just going to be the two of us."
Avery shrugged, completely disregarding Rowan's confusion. "I haven't gotten to spend much time with Gemma, I hope you understand."
Before Rowan had the chance to respond, Avery got up from the couch. "Come, Gemma! I have a few colors I want you to look at."
As Gemma sifted through a bridal magazine, eyeing different shades of pink, she could not focus on the task at hand. The only thought coursing through her mind was why Rowan was here, and why Avery did not mention that he would be joining the two of them.
"I'll be right back," Avery interrupted Gemma from her thoughts of Rowan. "There's one more magazine I want you to look through."
Gemma just nodded in response, acting as if she was very invested in the magazine in her hands, even though in reality, she could not care less about the color of bridesmaids dresses. Once Avery was completely out of the room, Gemma quickly pulled out her phone and texted Wes. She sent Avery's address, with the message saying get here asap. I'll explain later.
Though when Wesley did arrive ten minutes later, he did not need to know why he was asked to come to Avery's apartment. As soon as he walked in and saw his brother sitting on the couch, and Avery and Gemma in the bedroom looking through a magazine, he already knew.
"Now what are you doing here?" Rowan rolled his eyes.
Wesley responded with the same attitude. "Nice to see you too, man."
"Wes?" Avery walked out of the room with a pile of magazines in her hand. Locking eyes with Gemma, Wes almost wanted to laugh. "What are you doing here?"
Before Wes could respond, Gemma walked out of the bedroom, chiming in.
"I forgot, Wes and I had plans today. I figured I might as well invite him." she lied. Wes nodded, again, wanting to laugh. This whole situation was a mess, but Wesley was not mad about it.
"Oh," Avery smiled, but again, it was not genuine. Both Wes and Gemma saw right through Avery's fake smile.
"So," Gemma chimed in again. "Should we get going?"
Looking around the room, Avery shook her head. "No,"
"Why not?" Gemma asked.
"I made a reservation at Clementine's for only three," the bride to be dramatically sighed. "With Wes here, we probably shouldn't go."
Once again, Gemma was confused. Clementine's did not take reservations from what she could remember, and she doubted they would be slammed at 5:30 on a Thursday. They would likely be busy, though it would not be difficult to get a table for four people.
"Avery, Clementine's doesn't - " Rowan started to say, but was quickly cut off by his fiancée.
"It's best if we just stay here," Avery's tone was sharp. From the sound of her voice, nobody could convince her otherwise. Gemma did not bother saying anything, because she knew Avery was just going to end up getting her way, anyways, just like she always did.
Now that it was clear that they weren't going to Clementine's, both Gemma and Wes realized that they had no reason to be at Avery's apartment. Gemma finished looking through the magazines that Avery forced into her lap, randomly choosing a light shade of pink for the bridesmaids dresses.
"Well, if we aren't going out - " Gemma began, but once again, Avery of the hour interrupted.
"How about we play a game?" she suggested with a smirk on her face.
"What - " Wes spoke, but did not get to finish his thought.
"Truth or drink," the bride to be excitedly said, earning yet another confused look from Rowan.
"Avery," he started. "You can't - "
Both Gemma and Wesley knew what Rowan was going to say, despite him not being able to finish. Avery interrupted, again: "Sure I can!"
Before anyone could protest Avery's random decision to play truth or drink, she disappeared into the kitchen where she prepared a large plate full of shot glasses. "Everyone go sit down!" she instructed. Both Rowan and Wes listened, but Gemma was not so sure about this.
One, she heavily drank the night before and was still slightly hungover. The last thing she needed was to drink again. Two, she drove to Avery's. If she was drunk, how was she going to get home? Gemma figured she could call Olivia or Jax, but then she would have to explain why the hell she got drunk at Avery's in the first place.
Also -- Avery was pregnant. It did not make sense for her to play truth or drink, and everyone standing in the apartment knew that. Gemma figured that Avery was filling specific shot glasses with water for herself, though at this point, she might as well have told everyone about her pregnancy. By the time the wedding came around, there was no way Avery would be able to hide her baby bump.
Gemma hesitantly sat on the loveseat adjacent to the couch. Wes joined her, while Rowan sat awkwardly by himself on the couch, that is, until Avery joined him with a tray of shots.
"Alright," Avery annoyingly giggled. "Everyone grab a shot,"
"Avery, are you sure - " Rowan sighed, though once again, was quickly cut off by his fiancée.
"Yes!" she snapped, but quickly remained her giddy persona as a fake smile spread across her face. "I'm sure."
Gemma and Wes hesitantly grabbed a shot. Rowan did the same, keeping his eyes fixed on Avery. He had no idea why she was doing this, though by the way she snapped, he knew there was some sort of motive.
"I'll go first," the bride to be took a deep breath before asking her first question. "Gemma,"
Gemma's eyes went wide. Why did Avery have to start with her? She figured the question could not be that bad -- this had to all be in good fun. Strange, but fun, Gemma hoped.
"What?" Gemma's voice was small. She did not know why she was suddenly feeling nervous.
"Did you ever miss our friendship?"
Gemma felt her shoulders relax. This was going to be easy.
"Yeah," she answered truthfully. Despite hating Avery for a long time, Gemma did miss the friendship they used to have. Avery was a big part of her life, and although Gemma resented her for ghosting her all those years ago, she still did miss it at times.
"Okay," Avery nodded as if she was satisfied with that answer. "Gemma, you ask a question."
Gemma thought for a moment before asking. She did not even know what, or who to ask. Again, this entire ordeal was strange.
"Uh, Avery?" her response sounded more like a question. But she was dying to know. "Why did you and Rowan decide to get engaged?"
Avery did not even hesitate before answering. "Because we're in love." She looked over at her fiancé, whose eyes were glued to the tray of shot glasses. Since the game started, Rowan had not looked up.
"My turn, again!" Avery laughed. "Rowan,"
His eyes finally lifted.
"How many serious girlfriends did you have before me?"
Rowan gulped, at the same time Gemma felt her heartbeat increase.
"One," he answered truthfully, trying not to lock eyes with that first girlfriend, who sat only a few feet away from him.
"That's what I thought," Avery, for some reason, did not sound amused. "Alright Row, it's your turn."
Rowan hoped his nervous breathing could not be heard throughout the room. "Wes."
He did not know what to ask his brother, because they already knew everything there was to know about each other. So, he went with something he definitely did not know the answer to.
"Ever sent nudes?"
Wes laughed at the childish question. "Obviously. Who hasn't?"
"I haven't," Avery interjected.
"Wow," Wes laughed. "That makes sense,"
"What?" Avery appeared to be offended, though Wes shrugged it off.
"My turn," Wesley spoke sternly, his eyes never leaving Avery's. "Avery, what's in your shot glasses?"
Instead of answering, she took a shot that was definitely filled with water. Everyone in the room already knew, though it was extra apparent to Gemma who watched as Avery's face did not scrunch up.
"My turn," Avery cleared her throat when she finished her shot of water. "Rowan,"
"Yes?" Now, Rowan's voice was small. Avery sent him a glare that told him he was going to be asked a question that he did not want to answer.
"What was your ex girlfriend's name?"
Gemma swore she could feel her breathing stop. Rowan did not hesitate before taking a shot of vodka. Avery's eyes never left Rowan as he quickly downed the liquid, giving her the answer she was looking for.
"Okay," she mumbled, but instead of keeping her eyes locked on Rowan, she looked towards Gemma with the same look on her face.
Gemma let out a shaky breath.
"Rowan," Avery said again.
"What?" It's my turn,"
"I don't care," Avery rolled her eyes. "I know you and Gemma were friends in college," she put emphasis on friends from college: "Did you guys ever fuck?"
Both Gemma and Rowan's eyes widened. Wesley was getting annoyed -- he now knew why Avery was so persistent on playing this game.
"Avery - " Rowan tried to speak.
"No," Avery snapped. "Answer the fucking question."
"Avery - " Gemma spoke up for the first time in a few minutes, wanting to defend herself.
"Shut up, Gemma."
"Avery!" Rowan snapped. "What the hell has gotten into you?"
"Don't lie to me," Avery's eyes started tearing up. "I saw you two fighting last night."
"You did?" Gemma croaked. Her voice was diminishing with each word she spoke, because it was clear now that Avery knew. By seeing them arguing last night at the bar, Avery knew enough to start piecing it all together.
"People who were friends don't fight like that." A few tears fell from her eyes, and Gemma couldn't help but feel bad.
"Avery," Rowan sighed. "I can explain."
"Why would you lie to me?"
"I don't - "
"How long were you two together?"
Gemma sighed. There was no use in trying to hide it now.
"Two years,"
"But you're over each other?" Avery cried.
"Of course," Rowan answered immediately. And for a reason Gemma could not explain, she felt a a strange sinking feeling in her chest. "Avery, I love you." And again with the sinking feeling.
"I love you too," Avery wiped away her tears as a smile formed across her lips. She leaned over and kissed Rowan quickly, causing Wesley to roll his eyes. Gemma looked away, keeping her eyes glued to the floor.
"Ya know," Wes laughed a sarcastic laugh. "Since Avery thinks it's okay to just throw some wild questions out there, I have some of my own."
"What do you mean?" Rowan asked, keeping his arms around Avery who had moved closer to him on the small couch. Gemma still kept her eyes glued to the floor, because she did not want to see the PDA that Avery and Rowan were displaying.
"Avery," Wes ignored his brother. "When were you planning on telling the world that you're pregnant?"
Avery immediately freed herself from Rowan's grasp as a sigh escaped from her mouth. She pulled down her oversized tee shirt, as if that was going to do anything.
"What - " she spoke in a panic, but this time, it was her turn to be interrupted.
"Don't even try to deny it. Rowan told me."
"Rowan!" Avery's voice was thick with shock and betrayal. "How could you tell him that?"
Rowan gulped, knowing that Avery was going to be upset about this for awhile. "He asked. I didn't want to lie. It's getting harder for you to hide it, and you know that. It's time to start telling people, before they figure it out on their own like Wes did."
"Shit," Avery's eyes started to fill again. "You're probably right."
At this point, Avery was close to sobbing. Rowan rubbed his hands up and down her back as she cried and in that moment, Gemma took it as her cue to leave.
"I uh - " she cleared her throat as she watched a distressed Avery. "I think I should go,"
"Right behind you." Wes agreed. There was no reason for the two of them to be at Avery's apartment, anymore.
Neither Gemma nor Wes said goodbye as they walked out. Gemma quickly exited the building, with Wes following close behind.
"That was weird," Wes laughed once outside. "Avery definitely did that on purpose."
"I think you're right," Gemma nervously laughed. "It was intense."
The two of them stopped once they got to their cars, which conveniently, were right next to each other. Gemma was thankful that she did not drink.
"I should get home," she sighed. "See you later, Wes."
"Bye," he waved before getting in his own car.
Gemma took her time to drive home, purposely missing turns so she would have more time to think. As she slowly drove back to her childhood home, Gemma could not stop thinking about the regret she was feeling. Regret for ever getting involved with this wedding stuff in the first place. Gemma, for what felt like the hundredth time in only a span of weeks, wished she would have just told Avery no in the beginning. Gemma sighed once she pulled into the driveway to her childhood house.
In that moment, Gemma wished she was back in New York.
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a/n: lol this chapter was fun to write