Overlooked(1)(185)

“I do know her, she lives next door.”

“You know where she lives, that isn’t the same as knowing her.”

“Close enough.”

“Is it really? What if she’s an ax murderer and I’m too young and naive to see it?”

“Avery’s not an ax murderer.” Though she is a little weird. And is all over the internet talking about sex. And masturbates with her head against her window.

Maybe Piper is right. I should know Avery better before letting Piper go off with her on a shopping trip.

“Tell you what, go next door and tell Avery to come over here now for dessert.”

“Now?” she exclaims, jumping from her chair.

“Yes, now.”

“Dessert! Really?”

“Sure.”

“Do we have any? We never eat dessert.”

“I’ll find something. Go get her while I load the dishwasher.”

Piper runs out the front door, and I stack all the dishes into the dishwasher. I open the cupboard, looking for some sort of dessert, but there are only bags of chips and chocolate chip cookies.

Maybe there’s ice cream. I dig around in the freezer and find a tub of vanilla, but when I open the container it’s mostly empty and what’s left is covered in freezer burn.

Chocolate chip cookies will have to do.

While I wait for them, I crack open another beer and take a seat on the denim couch.

Piper’s been over there a while, and I start to wonder if Avery will come at all. Though I know how persuasive Piper is.

I finish off my beer and stand to get another when Piper comes bounding into the house, dragging Avery by the hand.

“Hey,” I say, nodding at Avery. I have to look away, to clear my mind of the image of her face pressed up against the window. If I don’t clear it now, I’ll have to leave the room and hide in my bedroom, because there’s no way I’ll be able to have a conversation with her.

“What’s for dessert?” Piper says, bouncing into the kitchen.

“Chocolate chip cookies.”

Her face falls, “That’s it?”

“For you, yes.” I turn to Avery, she’s stifling a laugh. “Beer?” I ask.

“Sounds nice,” she says, her voice somehow even sexier than before.

Piper takes the entire package of cookies and says “Come on, Avery. Let’s sit down.”

I follow the two of them down into the living room, trying to keep my eyes off the sway of Avery’s ass as she walks in front of me.

Piper sits on the couch, and Avery sits beside her. I sit on the armchair, near Piper’s end of the couch.

Piper sits on her knees sideways on the couch, facing Avery with her back to me. Avery twists in her seat, and I have a full frontal view of her.

She’s wearing khaki shorts and a loose-fitting pink top that seems to emphasis her tits. I take a sip of my beer to force my eyes from her. When I come up for air, I rest the can on my knee and stare at it.

They talk to each other while I listen, my eyes fixed on my beer. Once I get used to hearing so much of Avery’s voice, my dick settles down and I’m able to hear what they’re actually saying.

I can’t believe how Avery plays right along with all Piper’s would you rather questions, and always has another one ready to give to Piper. They seem to have some sort of connection.

The longer I sit here and listen to them, the more grateful I am for Avery taking Piper shopping. Maybe it’s time for me to acknowledge I can’t do the girly shit after all. And God knows it’s only going to get harder and more serious than buying bras.

It was a good piece of luck, Avery moving in next door. For Piper’s sake.

“What about you, Knox? You’re being awfully quiet,” Avery says.

“Huh?”

“Would you rather have x-ray vision or be able to read minds?” Piper asks.

I raise my eyes to them and exhale through my mouth.

“Easy, x-ray vision,” I say. If I had x-ray vision I could see straight through that pink top Avery’s wearing.

“Okay, your turn to ask a question,” Piper says.

“It is? Fine. Avery, you sure have some hardcore power tools over there. What are you doing with them?”

“I, uh, I…” she says, her face redder than a Ferrari.

“Unless you’re working on a small outboard engine. In which case, I can help you with it.”

“Yeah, my dad’s real good at fixing engines,” Piper says.

“Even if it doesn’t need fixing, engines can always use a service,” I say.

“It’s a drill, I was hanging pictures. Decorating the new house, you know.”

“Well if you ever need help with drilling, just come ask. I’d be more than happy to help you out. Though I don’t normally use power tools to hang a picture. I find a good old-fashioned hammering to nail them to the wall most satisfying.”