by Kat T. Masen
Ava: Bitch. Regular will do just fine.
I laugh to myself before yanking a box of regulars and throwing it in my basket. As I lift my head, the familiar warm honey-colored eyes are smiling back at me.
“Austin?”
“Millie?”
My mouth falls open, and we both laugh before we find ourselves in our familiar embrace. Everything about him brings back memories—the scent of his cologne, the comfort of his arms around me. It may have been over two months, but when you’ve spent almost every day with this person in high school, it feels like a lifetime ago.
I give myself a moment to take him in, certain he has grown taller during our time apart. I wasn’t sure if that were possible at our age to continue growing, but nevertheless, where our faces once met lost in a passionate kiss now appears unaligned.
His physique, though hidden behind a baggy sweater, still looks formed. Yet surrounding the beautiful eyes I once dreamed of every night is the face of a boy who has matured into a man. His jawline, more prominent, is shadowed by a slight beard, making him seem a hell of a lot older.
“What are you doing here?”
“Errands for my sister.” He drops his gaze toward the basket. “It’s that time, apparently, tomorrow.”
My shoulders rise then fall, unable to hide my laughter. “Me, too. At least your sister gave you warning, mine just raided my cupboard hoping to hit the jackpot.”
We both slow down our breathing, caught in a stare that feels all too familiar.
“How have you been? I mean, the last time we spoke…”
Austin places his hand on my arm. “Hey, don’t get caught up on how it ended. We both were trying to adjust. It was for the best. But I shouldn’t have said the things I said. I’m sorry, Millie. It was completely uncalled for.
I nod my head, glad he feels that way. “So, how have you been?”
“Busy. The class load is insane. Even coming back here, I feel like I’ll falling behind or something.”
“Me, too.” I sigh, relieved someone else understands. “I was studying before Ava interrupted me. You know, if you need any guidance, my dad isn’t working right now. I’m sure he’d chat with you, maybe give you some pointers?”
“You know what? I may take you up on that.” He grins with relief, almost as if a burden has been lifted from his shoulders. “Is he free today?”
“Yes, why don’t you come over? I’m sure Mom would love to say hello, too.”
We agree to follow each other back to my place, paying for our purchasers, then chatting while walking back to our cars. It’s so good to be able to catch up without the pressure of labeling our relationship because, at the end of the day, we were friends before lovers.
“Millie, I want to be honest and tell you I’m seeing someone.”
I still my movements, unsure what to say. It doesn’t hurt, not one bit, but then I wonder if I need to be just as honest? There’s too much at stake, so I opt to keep my personal life to myself.
“I’m happy for you, Austin. You deserve only the best.”
“Thank you.” He beams, letting out a huge breath. “I’ll tell Summer you said that.”
“Summer.” I chuckle knowingly. “The name rings a bell.”
“I know what you’re thinking. There wasn’t anything going on until we broke up, I promise.”
“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.”
The second he walks outside, my sister’s eyes widen with shock. She covers her mouth with her palm, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Ava, not now,” I beg of her. “I promise I’ll tell you everything, but for now, can you cover for me while I talk to Will?”
She nods, her mouth still open. “Yeah, go. But Millie, you know if the parentals find o
ut, you’re both dead meat?”
I let out a sigh. “Yes, Ava. That’s the gray cloud forever hovering over us.”
Twenty-Four
Amelia
“You leave for like two minutes to do what exactly?”
“It’s not what you think.” I lower my voice, scanning the area to make sure no one can hear. There’s a large oak tree in the middle of our circled driveway, so tall that we’re able to stand behind it without anyone in the house seeing us. “I told you, I ran into him.”
“And who invited him over?”
“Me, but again, it’s nothing. Austin is just an old friend.”
“From memory, and please correct me if I’m wrong, wasn’t it only two months ago that he was in your bed?” His artic tone is anything but inviting. “And isn’t this the same boyfriend who broke your heart?”
The malice rolls off his tongue so effortlessly as he bares his teeth, fuming with anger. I cross my arms beneath my breasts, annoyed he’d even suggest I’d do something. If I recall, Austin was no better, so perhaps this is a man thing.
“You’re a dick,” I blurt out, unapologetic. “You don’t even tell me you’re coming, blindside me in front of my dad, of all people. Now, you’re accusing me of doing what?”
Will shakes his head, distracted by his phone buzzing in his pocket.
“I have to take this call,” he grits, unable to look at me. “As for surprising you, I’m sorry for thinking you’d want to see me.”
He takes the call, walking away from me to create distance. I don’t stand around, worried we were seen, and head back inside to find Ava pacing the foyer. The second she sees me, her eyes bulge as she grabs my arm, dragging me up the staircase toward her bedroom. Closing the door behind us, she continues to yank me into her bathroom, locking the door behind us.
“You need to talk… like now.”
“Ava…”
“From the beginning,” she demands.
My body slides against the tiled wall until I’m sitting on the cold floor. I began with the moment I stepped into his office to my drunken mishap at the club. There’s the part about Austin and his encounter with Will, and then our tandem hang gliding. When it comes time to tell her about when we first slept with each other, I hesitate, unsure how she’ll react.
“You can’t stop here,” she complains with extremely bright eyes. “How many times have you had sex?”
I bow my head, tugging at the bottom of my sweater. “I’ve lost count.”
“Oh my God!”
Grabbing her arm, I warn her to be quiet.
“Ava, I need you to listen to me.” I squeeze her hands tight, allowing my eyes to plead with hers. “You can’t tell anyone. You need to promise me this. Not Andy, not any of your friends, and especially not Mom.”
Ava nods her head in agreement.
“Millie, I promise not to tell anyone. But how can you continue to lie to Mom?”
The reality of her words hit me like a ton of bricks—the deception, the secret life I’ve been living. I have never willingly lied to Mom and for this long. Though the more I do, the more it almost becomes second nature. And I hate myself for lying to her like she means nothing to me.
“I don’t know where this is going,” I stammer, my eyes falling on the floor. “This might just be a fling, so what’s the point if it’s over soon?”
“And what if it’s love?”
“C’mon, Ava,” I argue back, shaking my head. “He’s a player, right? You’ve heard Mom and Aunt Nikki. I’m young, and men like young women.”
“Yeah, I have, Millie. But I also just saw the way he turned into some jealous beast when he saw you walk in the door with Austin. If he were a player, why would he care?”
“Ego… that’s it.”
Ava closes the lid on the toilet, taking a seat before releasing a long-winded sigh. “Do you love him?”
“Love?” I question, raising my brows. “We sleep together, that’s it. How can I love someone I’ve known for like two seconds?”
“But you haven’t known him for two seconds,” Ava points out. “You’ve known him your entire life. There’s a photo on the wall by the staircase of him holding you the day you were born.”
I hear what she’s saying but refuse to entertain being in love with him. What do I know about love, anyway? I thought I loved Austin and look how that turned out. Infatuation, lust, and desire are three very accurate words to use when asked how I feel about Will.
Mom’s voice echoes outside the bathroom, calling my name.
“Listen,” I tell Ava softly. “I need you to help me, you know, talk to Will at the table, so it doesn’t look so awkward.”
“Of course, Millie,” she assures me with a nod. “I’ve got you covered.”
I unlock the door as Mom stands behind it, surprised to see the two of us inside. Her expression quickly shifts to curiosity. “There you are. Austin is looking for you, and I hope you don’t mind that I asked him to stay for dinner.”
Unsure of what to say, I try to keep my opinion to myself but fail miserably.
“I guess so.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Well, Mom, he’s her ex,” Ava concedes. “How would you like it if you had dinner with your ex in front of your whole family?”
Mom’s wide-eyed expression looks somewhat amused by Ava’s question, yet she keeps her thoughts private. I wonder again if it has something to do with the Uncle Julian rumor.
“I understand it can be rather uncomfortable, but I gathered that everything between you guys is great because you brought him back here. I’m sorry if I misinterpreted that.”
Not wanting to make Mom feel bad, I quickly jump in.
“No, Mom, it’s fine,” I offer with a smile. “And things between Austin and me are great. We’re just friends, and whatever happened in the past is in the past. I swear I don’t have any romantic feelings toward him. In fact, Ava and I were just discussing it.”
“I figured you were having a conversation you didn’t want your father overhearing.” She smirks.
We both grin on cue, guilty as charged.
“Well, dinner will be ready soon, so why don’t you go down and keep him entertained,” Mom suggests, stopping just shy of the door before glancing my way. “Your father is in his office with Will. Something urgent came up. I’ll be surprised if they make it to dinner.”
If only luck is on my side.
I follow Mom out of the room, stopping momentarily to motion for Ava to follow us.
Downstairs, Austin is sitting in the kitchen with his phone in hand, looking just as handsome as I remember him. There’s a small smile playing on his lips, and I’m wondering if he’s texting his new girlfriend. It only dawns on me now that I should’ve mentioned that to Will, but what difference would it make? He made up his mind the moment he saw us together.
“Hey, sorry about that. Ava needed something, and I didn’t want to interrupt you and Dad.”
He places his phone down, turning to face me. “It’s fine. Your father was very helpful until Will came in.”
“To his office?”
“Yes, your father made it very clear that Will is destined to be the next billionaire.”
“Dad says that about everyone.”
“So…” Austin drags, tapping his fingers on the counter. “Why is Will here? Because your Dad never mentioned why?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Not sure. I only found out when you did.”
“Millie…” he trails off as Mom walks into the kitchen and tells us to go sit at the table.
We both offer to help, which she kindly refuses. With Addison and Alexandra already seated, I take a seat as Austin sits beside me. The girls are bombarding Austin with questions about being a doctor, a lot of it rather gross for dinner conversation.
Dad walks into the dining room, stopping to kiss the girls on their heads before taking a seat at the table. I glance over to him, yet he doesn’t appear to be bothered by Aust
in sitting at the table with us, nor does it look like he suspects anything about Will and me.
I breathe a sigh of relief until Will walks in, avoiding my stare with his head down. Ava bounces behind him, pushing him along, which appears to annoy him. They take a seat across from me, and I have to give it to Ava—she’s doing her best to act like she didn’t just hear the biggest news of her life.
For most of the dinner, Dad is asking Austin questions, and occasionally, Mom pipes up. I shove my food around my plate, doing my best to avoid any eye contact with Will. But paranoid that my parents will notice my behavior, I throw in a few comments here or there.
“What’s everyone’s plans for New Years’?” Mom asks, changing the topic of conversation.
“You know mine, Mom.” Ava grins.
Dad places his fork down, glancing over with a stern expression. “That’s yet to be determined, Ava,”
“Aw, c’mon, Dad. It’s senior year.”
Mom is quick to divert attention to Austin. “How about you, Austin?”
“There are a few parties back on campus, but a few friends are thinking about staying in Manhattan.”
“Oh, that would be lovely, nothing like bringing in the new year in Time’s Square,” Mom responds with a smile, then turns to face me. “What about you, honey?”
“Me? Maybe the city or campus. Liesel will probably drag me to something.”
“You can join us,” Austin suggests, a smirk playing on his lips. “Can’t guarantee what will happen. Med students are a wild bunch.”
Dad laughs as if it’s some private joke. I try my damn hardest not to look up at Will, but like a magnetic force, my eyes move on their own accord until our gaze locks. My pulse begins to race. All my senses ignite like a fire roaring to life. The heat starts to rise in my cheeks, forcing me to drop my gaze to steady my breath.
Terrified that someone has noticed the flush in my cheeks, I drink the entire glass of water, willing myself to cool down.
“And how about you, Will?” Mom asks, glancing at him with amusement. “Rocky always likes to enjoy himself on New Year’s Eve. No doubt, your mother is already planning his bail money.”