Chapter 37: Chapter 37

AVERY

I find the apartment empty when I get home the next morning. There’s a note on the fridge from Olive, saying she’s out playing mini golf with Casey. I can’t help but smile.

~Olive on an actual date?~

My closet is a disaster, even more so after my frantic search for an outfit the other night, so I figure now’s as good a time as any to sort it out. As I pull out my phone to play some music, I notice a message from Olive.

Olive

After I’m done here, I’m hitting the store for ice cream. You’re gonna SPILL, girlfriend.

I tap out a quick reply.

Avery

Maybe I don’t feel like talking about it. Kind of like you with Casey.

~Of course she wants all the juicy details~.

I sigh, lying back on my bed.

The past few days have been surreal. Not only did my wildest dreams come true, but they came true several times, each time better than the last. I’ve explored every inch of Reed Everett, just as he’s explored every inch of me.

I smile, stretching as I bite my lip. My body aches in the most delicious way.

~Sex with Reed is a marathon. His stamina and libido are off the charts. I thought we’d never leave the shower. I’m not even sure my legs have fully recovered yet. I don’t know if they ever will. His dream girl better be in shape~.

And suddenly, I’m filled with guilt. I sit up, staring at the wall as my thoughts war inside my head.

~What are we doing? Am I just a distraction? Is he just settling for me till she comes around? What happens when she does? I don’t think we can be friends after this.~

I’m tapping on his number before I can stop myself.

He answers on the second ring. “Hey, Avery. What’s up?”

“What are we doing, Reed?”

“Like tonight? I have some ideas.” He chuckles.

“No. Why did you kiss me? Why did you sleep with me?” I snap. “Why would you—”

“Avery, calm down.”

“No! Why would you fuck me if you’re after this dream girl? Am I just a little something on the side while you wait for her?”

“What?! No. Avery, listen—”

“No, Reed,” I interrupt. “What can this girl mean to you if you’re sleeping with someone else?”

There’s a long silence. Then he finally speaks.

“She’s everything, Avery. I’d risk it all just to have her. To finally make her mine and not have to hide it from anyone. I’d scoop her up into my arms and burn the whole world to ash if anyone tried to keep us apart.”

My heart flutters, yearning for the kind of love Reed is talking about. The kind of love that makes you feel wanted. I let out a sigh, my heart aching at what I have to do next.

“We need to stop, Reed.”

“Avery, don’t—”

“No, Reed,” I retort, feeling a piece of me slip away. “We messed up. This whole thing was a mistake. If she means that much to you, then you shouldn’t put it at risk by being with someone else.”

“You don’t understand—”

“I think we should stop seeing each other. Our deal is off. You never needed me to teach you anything in the first place. She’s going to be the luckiest girl in the world. Goodbye, Reed.”

“Avery, wait! There’s—”

I hang up, letting my phone drop to the floor before I completely break down.

***

Olive walks into the kitchen a few hours later, a wide smile on her face as she places her purse and shopping bag on the counter. She takes one look at me, and her expression crumbles.

“Oh no, Avery. What happened?”

I sniffle, managing a weak smile. “I told Reed we shouldn’t see each other anymore.”

She wraps her arms around me. “Why would you do that, sweetie?”

“Olive, this whole thing started because he wanted my help to get someone else. His dream girl. The one from the gala. It was a bad idea from the start.”

“It wasn’t. You like him, Avery. I think you always have.”

“I enjoyed spending time with him. He made me laugh. He made me feel beautiful and good about myself.”

Shaking her head, she says, “No. It’s more than that. You like him, Avery.” She holds my face, forcing me to look into her eyes and ensuring I hear her next words clearly. “You ~like~ him.”

A jolt of realization shoots through me, stinging like a fresh wound.

~That’s why it hurts so much. I finally got the guy I always wanted, but it’s not me he wants back.~

“Oh, Oli,” I sob, hugging her as fresh tears well up in my eyes.

REED

The phone call with Avery leaves me fucking gutted.

~I should have just been honest with her from the start. I only proved I’m the kind of man Josh still thinks I am. Fuck.~

Champ nudges my hand, and I scratch behind his ears.

“I really fucked-up, buddy,” I mumble as he lays his head on my knee.

~How did I let things go to shit like that? There were so many chances to tell her the truth, but I did the one thing I never wanted to do. I hurt Avery.~

My phone vibrates on the couch beside me. As if it couldn’t get any worse, Josh’s picture lights up the screen.

~Fuck.~

“Yeah?” I answer, holding back a sigh.

“Madison is driving me up the wall with this wedding shit. I need a breather. Wanna meet downtown for a beer?”

~I guess that’s better than stewing in my own misery.~

“Yeah. Our usual place in ten?”

***

Josh is waiting for me at the bar when I come through the door. He slides a cold beer my way as I sit down. He pegs my sour mood instantly.

“What’s up with you, man? Why do you look so miserable?”

I shrug.

“There’s this girl…”

He smacks the countertop, causing several heads to turn our way.

“I knew it! I knew there had to be someone with how you’ve been all smiley and shit.” He pauses, taking a sip of his drink. “So, what’s she like? Where’d you meet her? Are you bringing her to the wedding?”

I sigh heavily.

“She’s amazing, man. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. Gorgeous but doesn’t seem to realize it. Kind and funny. Not afraid to put me in my place when I need it.”

“Which is often.”

I roll my eyes.

“She sounds perfect, man. So, why the frown?”

“I think I fucked it up.”

Josh takes a swig of beer and shrugs. “And? Just go apologize and tell her everything you told me. Maybe embellish it a little bit more. Women always want that romantic confession shit.”

“It’s not that easy,” I groan, resting my chin in my hand as I lean my elbow against the bar.

Josh scoffs. “Do you know how many times I fucked things up with Madison? Too many to count. But an apology, I’m talking real words from the heart, always managed to patch us back up. And now look at me. I’m getting married in a week.”

“Yeah, you’re also hiding from your bride in a sports bar,” I snicker.

He smacks me in the arm.

“What I’m saying is, you’re Reed Everett. You don’t just give up after you get knocked to your ass. Show her you’re willing to fight for her. Get back in the ring, man.”

~Josh is right. I don’t fucking go down after one hit. I always fight to win. And I’m going to win Avery over. I’ll tell her the truth. I’ll confess everything. I’ll crack my chest open and hand her my heart if I have to.~

I raise my beer to him. “Thanks, man.”