The guy’s face falls as his gears turn. “You’re Ox Man?”
“Yeah, you saved me the trouble of hunting you down. And now I know who you are, it’ll be real easy for me to find you if you ever comment on her videos again. And make no mistake, I will come for you,” I say, my teeth gritted and my finger pointing at him.
He sizes me up. The guy looks like he’s never played a sport or done any real work in his entire life. I could crush him.
“Get the fuck out of here and never contact Avery again.”
Without saying anything, he turns and gets in his truck and drives off.
My arm is still around Avery, and she’s shaking. I pull her tight against me and wrap both arms around her. Thank fuck I was here to protect her. But I still don’t like it. I can’t stand the thought of her alone in her house. What if the asshole comes back?
“Get your things. You’re staying at my place tonight.”
“I can’t. There’s no way I can be in the same house as you. That would be a bigger torture than Nathan coming back.”
“You know him?”
“He’s my ex.”
It’s always the fucking ex.
“It’s fine. You can sleep in the spare room.”
“But I can’t. Don’t you see how hard this is for me? How can I stay at your house and pretend that everything's a-okay when inside my heart is ripped to shreds? There’s no way. And what about Piper?”
She thinks my heart is any better? We just have to be strong, is all. I’m tough, I can do it.
“I don’t fucking care. There’s no way I’m letting you stay in your house alone tonight. Either you stay at mine, or Piper and I come stay at yours. Your choice.”
“Knox, I’m really thankful you came and scared Nathan away, but we’re not in a relationship, remember? Your words. I’m not your responsibility. This is my house, and I intend to live in it.”
My breath is heavy. Avery feels so right in my arms but I have to let my mind rule. I can’t let Piper down again.
“Only one night. Give him time to calm down. You don’t know what he might do all wound up like that. You’re coming to my house. End of discussion,” I say, my voice stern.
I squeeze her hard, to emphasis my point. And tell myself I will not be tempted by the swell of her tits pushing into me.
This might be a stupid idea, but I can’t let Avery down. She’s not safe in her house tonight.
Holding her tight, I walk her into my kitchen and sit her at the table. She still looks shell shocked. I make us each a cup of coffee, and set one in front of her.
“Coffee always helps,” I say, sitting at the table.
“There’s only one thing that will help make me feel better,” she says, her eyes lowered to her cup, her body still tense. Avery’s hand shakes as she lifts the mug.
I don’t respond because I feel the same way. We sit and drink our coffees in silence. When I finish mine, I take my mug to the sink and start dishing out my one-pot wonder, it’s goulash today.
“Supper,” I call and Piper comes bounding down the stairs and into the kitchen.
“Wow, Avery, I didn’t know you were coming for supper.”
“Her power's out, there’s a problem with her wiring so she has to stay here tonight,” I say.
“That’s so cool. I’ve missed you. We’re going to have so much fun.”
“Sweetie, you don’t have to miss me. You can come over whenever you want, all summer long.”
Her shoulders drop and her face softens. Finally Avery looks like she’s starting to relax.
“Really? Thanks! I miss talking to you sooooo much.”
“I missed talking to you, too. But I’m right next door, you know where to find me.”
“Okay, so would you rather burp bees or fart flashing lights?” Piper asks, giggling.
“Flashing lights,” Avery says and laughs.
I half listen to their conversation, and half wonder why the fuck I impose these rules on myself. But the graduation memory is still fresh. As much as I don’t like my baby growing up, I was looking forward to watching her go up and get her eighth grade certificate.
And that’s why I have rules. No matter how hard they are to follow.
They talk during the rest of our supper, and I listen. To Avery’s voice, to Piper’s laugh, and can’t help wanting more of this.
The three of us clean up the kitchen together, it kills me knowing how perfectly Avery fits into our little family, but I have to remember my fuck up.
“Can we watch Law & Order?” Piper asks.
“Of course,” Avery answers.
Piper races into the living room and sits on the armchair. Avery looks at me, her eyes wide.