Renewed: The Unexpected Series

by Roberts, S. E.

  She gives a small manic laugh, and it’s clear that she is not on board with this.

  “Just do it. You don’t give a fuck what I think or want anyway, so just do it.”

  Without letting me say another word, she lifts Zoey into her arms and leaves the room.

  Fuck.

  23

  Avery

  I didn’t sleep a freaking wink last night. Evan finally came to bed around midnight, and I pretended to be asleep. I feel like we are slowly drifting apart, and I don’t know how to fix it. I know I could just cave and tell him that I’m happy to go to Dallas, but I’d be lying. I don’t want to leave Phoenix. I guess I never thought about ever leaving, but now that he wants to, it scares the shit out of me. I know I upset him when I told him that everyone important to me was here. Of course, he’s important to me, but he’s not the only one.

  “Wow, what’s wrong with you?”

  Leave it to Carly to not beat around the bush. She never worries about sparing my feelings, which is what I’ve always loved about her. But right now, it would be nice if she could sugarcoat things just this once.

  I throw myself into my desk chair with a huff. Not wanting to be here this morning, but at least I’m not at home fighting with my husband. Although, the last twelve hours we were home together, we didn’t speak at all. I’ll admit that was my fault, but I’m just not ready to talk to him.

  “You going to tell me what’s going on, or are you going to make me guess? You look like someone pissed in your Cheerios this morning.”

  I chuckle. “I ate oatmeal.”

  I turn toward her as she’s rolling her eyes. “Whatever. What the hell is wrong? You have a sexy as hell husband and an adorable baby. What could possibly be wrong in your life?”

  When she says shit like that to me, I feel bad for acting like this. But this has put a damper on my perfect little life.

  “Evan got offered a job in Dallas, and he’s really considering taking it,” I say this as quietly as I can because I don’t need anyone in the office overhearing our conversation.

  “What? You’re leaving me?” She shakes her head. “No way. If I have to suffer in this hell, so do you.”

  “You’re not helping,” I mumble as I rub my temples with my fingers. I can feel a headache coming on.

  In the next instance, she’s up out of her chair.

  “Come here.” She pulls me to my feet. “You and that man are perfect together. Don’t let something so silly, like moving across the country, ruin that.”

  I wipe at the tear that is now falling down my face and then sniff as I hug her back.

  “I love him so much, but I can’t imagine being away from my family. And what about Claire and the kids? She’ll be crushed if we leave.”

  “You’ll figure it out.” She releases me so she can look at me. “I’ve never been in your shoes to give you advice on this, but I think you should hear Evan out. Maybe he’s got a good reason for wanting to go.”

  I return to my chair and start up my computer. “He wants me to stay home with Zoey.” I shake my head. “Car, I love being a mom, but I need to work.”

  “Why? Your man is telling you he wants you to say home with your child. Hell, I’d be all over that.”

  I snigger. “I love what I do.” She raises her eyebrows at me. “I know, it sucks here sometimes, but this is truly my dream job, minus the shitty people we work for.”

  We both laugh, which thankfully lightens this too-heavy conversation.

  “Your hot, sexy man loves you, but I think it drives him nuts with how freaking independent you are.” It doesn’t even phase me anymore when she refers to my husband as sexy. The girl has no filter, whatsoever.

  “I’m not that bad, am I?” God. What if I am? I’ve always wanted to be able to take care of myself, but I’m acting the exact same way that I got upset at him for.

  “Whatever you say, Momma.”

  * * *

  “Hi, baby girl,” I say to Zoey as I lift her from my dad’s arms. “Were you good for Grams and Pops today?” I kiss her little cheeks and immediately feel relaxed. I don’t know how she does it, but she always makes things better when I get the least bit stressed.

  “She was very good. She watched the news with me, and then we ate pizza for lunch,” my dad says as he stands from his recliner that has a nice indent in it because I’m sure that he spends most of his days in it, especially now that they watch Zo for us.

  I smile at him as I roll my eyes.

  “Pops is crazy, Zo,” I say to her in a baby voice. “Hey, where’s Mom?” I ask as I start packing up the diaper bag.

  “I think she’s on the phone with your sister in the kitchen, but she may be off now.”

  I nod. “Okay, I’m gonna go find her.”

  “Here, I’ll watch her while you do that.” I smile at him. I love how much he adores my daughter. He was and is an amazing dad to me and my sister. Somehow, he put up with three hormonal women while I was growing up. I know that was no small feat.

  “Love you, Ains. Call me this week.” My mom sets her phone down on the counter and then looks up at me. “Hey, Av. How was work?” My mom can read me almost as well as Evan can. As much as this woman makes me crazy at times, I need her right now. I know that she may not tell me what I want to hear, but maybe that’s a good thing.

  “It was okay.” I smile at her. “Dad said Zo was good for you?” I lean on the counter, facing her.

  “Of course, she was. Our granddaughter is perfect.” She tilts her head to the side. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know what to do,” I try to speak quietly so my dad can’t hear me. I don’t know how he’ll feel about us moving. I’m not ready to tell him.

  “Come sit down.” She walks to the kitchen table, so I follow.

  “I feel like the worst wife.” I put my head in my hands.

  “For one, that’s the furthest thing from the truth so get that out of your mind right now.”

  I nod, knowing that I can’t argue with her.

  “Evan was offered a partnership at a firm in Dallas, and he really wants to take it.” When I look up at her, I see the pain on her face.

  “Oh?” She pauses, waiting for my response. When I nod, she goes on, “That’s great, isn’t it?”

  I rub my face with my hands. “I don’t want to leave, and it caused us to have a huge fight last night.”

  She sighs. “Baby girl, that man loves you more than anything in the world.”

  “I know, but I just had a baby, and I need you guys.” I sob, and at this point, I’d be surprised if my dad hasn’t heard me from the other room.

  “Av?” I look up at the sound of Evan’s voice. I had no idea he was here.

  I jump out of my seat and then into his arms.

  “I’m going to give you two some alone time.” My mom quickly leaves the room.

  “I didn’t know you were coming,” I say into his shoulder as he rubs my back.

  “I got done early today, so I thought I’d meet you here and say hi to your parents. Now I’m glad I did.” He pulls away from me. “You okay?”

  I nod against his chest. “I’m sorry,” I say almost inaudibly. “I said some terrible things that I didn’t mean.”

  “No.” He shakes his head. “I’m sorry I even considered moving you away from here. I know your family is important to you. I called Gerald this morning and turned him down.”

  I gasp. “You did? I didn’t know you were giving him an answer so soon.”

  “Well, I figured it was silly to leave him hanging if I knew we weren’t going.”

  I put my head on his shoulder. “Call him back,” I mumble into his ear. I’m not completely on board with this, but it’s important to him, and I don’t want to keep him from this.

  “What did you say?” he asks, and I can tell he’s unsure if he heard me correctly.

  I smile up at him, and for the first time in the last day, it feels genuine.

&nb
sp; “I want you to call him back, and if it’s not too late, I think you should accept the job.”

  He shakes his head. “You don’t want to move.”

  “I’ll admit, I don’t want to be that far from everyone, but I’m being completely selfish if I hold you back.”

  He grabs my face into his hands. “Av, I want you to be happy, too. If you’re not, then there’s no way in hell I will be.”

  I grab him tighter around the waist. “I’ll be happy. I promise.”

  “You’re positive?” He eyes me skeptically. I hope he can tell how sincere I am.

  “Yes.” I step back and rub the scruff on the side of his face. “Please, call him back, and let’s do this.”

  “I fucking love you.”

  “I love you, too.” I stand on my toes so I can kiss him, and he reciprocates. When I pull back from our kiss, I look up at him.

  “What is it?”

  “I hope Mallory didn’t quit.” I can’t look him in the eye because I’m now embarrassed about my little outburst yesterday.

  He grins and raises his eyebrows at me. “Why would she quit?” Shit, he’s going to think I’m psychotic.

  “I may have gone off on her for touching you yesterday.”

  He pulls back so he can better look at me. “Av, she’s harmless, I swear.”

  “Well, that doesn’t mean I have to like her.”

  He pecks me on the mouth. “Let’s go get our girl and go home.”

  I smile at him and grab his hand.

  Do I want to move? Hell no. But for this man, I’ll do anything.

  24

  Evan

  The next week, I’m on a plane headed to Dallas with Flynn and Mallory. I had no idea that she was planning on joining us, but Flynn wanted her to get a feel for the new firm too. I can understand that, but I’m still pissed off after the shit she pulled with Avery.

  After making up at her parents’ house, we went home that night, put Zoey to bed, and then had hot as hell make-up sex. It almost made our fight worth it. Almost. Part of me feels like a dick for taking this job at all because I know that she doesn’t want to leave, but I hope that I can make it up to her. She’s been quiet over the last few days, and I’m pretty sure it has something to do with leaving. She doesn’t seem upset with me, but her behavior has been unusual.

  We had her family and Claire and Ryke over the other night to tell them all we’d be moving soon. Her parents were supportive, but it nearly crushed my sister. I feel bad leaving her after she moved out here to be with us, but I have to do this for my family. I’m just glad she has Ryke and his family now. She told me it’s unfair that I’m taking another friend away from her, but then gave me a hug and told me she’d miss us.

  The flight attendant announces overhead that we’ll soon be landing in Dallas-Fort Worth. The purpose of this quick trip is to visit the office out here and to also hopefully find us a house. I told Avery that I’d send her pictures if I find anything promising that I think she might like. Her only request was that I find her another house with a pool.

  An hour later, the three of us are finally checking into the hotel. I don’t know why Flynn insisted we stay here, but I won’t complain. It’s fancy as shit, and I wish Avery were here with me to enjoy it.

  He hands Mallory and me our keycards, and then the three of us go our separate ways, after agreeing to meet up at the hotel bar for dinner.

  “Hey, did you make it?” Avery asks when I answer her call.

  “Hey. Yeah, we got into Dallas about an hour ago. We just got checked into the hotel. I think I’m going to shower. I feel gross after traveling.”

  I hear her chuckle. “You sound like such a woman.”

  I throw my head back. Damn, I miss her, and I just left her this morning.

  “What room are you in?”

  “Five-eleven.”

  She pauses, most likely writing my room number down.

  “What are you guys doing tonight?”

  “I’m meeting Flynn and Mallory at the bar at nine. They’re supposed to have some kick-ass cheese curds.” She doesn’t respond. “Av, you there?”

  I hear her groan. “Yeah. Why did that bitch have to go with you?”

  I love her jealous side, although she has no reason to ever be jealous. Mallory can’t hold a candle to my wife.

  “She’s not that bad.” I laugh.

  “She is though. She’s fucking gorgeous and skinny as hell, and she knows it.”

  I hate when she does that. She doesn’t realize how beautiful she is, and it makes me feel shitty for not reminding her more often.

  “Don’t do that.” My voice is stern because I want her to know how serious I am.

  She chuckles. “Do what?”

  “Don’t talk like you’re not a hot ass babe.” The humor is back in my voice. “Avery Porter, you are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.” And she really is.

  “Then you’re either blinded by love, or you haven’t seen many women in your lifetime.” She has such a smart mouth. But I love it.

  “I’m not blind.”

  I hear Zoey wailing in the background.

  “She need to eat?” I ask her. I love that sweet little cry. I never thought I’d say that, but after struggling to conceive, there’s no greater sound in the world.

  She sighs heavily. “Yeah, call me when you get back tonight?”

  I smile. “Of course. It may be late though.”

  “That’s okay.” I hear the sadness in her voice.

  “You alright, Av?” I hope it’s because she misses me and not because she’s upset about something.

  She hesitates before answering me. “Yeah, I’m just tired and hate being here without you.”

  Call me a selfish bastard, but that puts the smile back on my face.

  “I’m glad you miss me, Mrs. Porter. Means you love me.” I tease her.

  “Of course, I love you, ya big loon.” Zoey starts crying louder. “But I better go feed Miss Thang before she breaks my eardrums.”

  “She does have a set of lungs on her, just like her momma.”

  She gasps in mock offense. “I am not loud!”

  I’m glad that she seems to be herself again.

  “Okay, well, go feed our daughter. I’ll call you tonight. I fucking love you.”

  “I fucking love you, too.” I hear the smile in her voice.

  By the time I take a shower and watch TV for a bit, it’s time to meet Flynn and Mallory downstairs.

  When I step off the elevator, I immediately see the hotel bar, On the Rocks. The restaurant is fancy as hell, and I feel underdressed in my jeans and buttoned-up polo shirt. I only brought one suit, and I plan on wearing it to meet Gerald Bowman tomorrow, so I wasn’t wasting it on dinner tonight.

  I take a seat at the glass-top bar, when I don’t see Flynn or Mallory yet. I look around the room and notice that everything seems to be made of glass. The chandeliers that hang above the counter, have crystals that dangle low, and each has a different colored bulb. The place has an interesting vibe. Being an interior designer, Avery would love it.

  I feel like there’s been a huge wedge between us, but I’m going to try like hell to make it better. Maybe this move is exactly what we both need.

  “There you are.” I look up at the sound of Mallory’s voice.

  “Hey, Mallory. Have you seen Flynn?”

  She takes the stool beside me. “No, he sent us a group text and said he had to go into the office to meet up with Gerald. I have no idea what for this time of night.”

  Just my luck. Avery will be pissed when she finds out that I met with Mallory by myself. I know she trusts me, but she doesn’t trust her.

  I pull my phone out of my pocket, and sure enough, I have a missed text from him.

  “I didn’t see it.” I stick my phone back in my pocket. “Well, you wanna eat? I kind of want to call it an early night anyway after traveling.” I can’t be a dick, so I guess I’m stuck here with her. I’ll eat and t
hen go back to my room and call my wife.

  “Actually,” she bats her fake lashes at me, “I was thinking we could go up to my room and order room service.”

  Jesus Christ. This woman has no filter.

  “Um …” I dig in my pocket for my wallet and lay a twenty on the counter. “I’m actually going to call it an early night.”

  I go to stand, but she grabs my arm.

  “Come on, Evan. I could show you a real good time.”

  I yank my arm from her grasp. “I have to leave.” I grit out and then turn on my heels as fast as I can. I need to get away from her.

  25

  Evan

  When I make it back to my room, I take my phone out of my jeans before throwing myself down on the bed. I pull up Avery’s name, but my mind keeps racing after the stint Mallory just pulled. What the hell is she up to? There’s a knock at the door. I’m guessing it’s Flynn.

  I don’t bother looking through the hole in the door, which is a big mistake.

  “Is everything okay?” I ask, only because I have to be nice to her because she’s my boss’s niece.

  She hiccups a cry.

  “Can-can I come in?” I throw my head back in frustration. I’m sure I look like a dick, but nothing about this makes me comfortable. When I don’t answer her, she goes on. “Please?” She cries loudly, and I’m worried that someone is going to come out to the hallway because she’s disturbing them.

  She doesn’t let me respond, but instead pushes past me, into my room.

  “Mallory, this looks really inappropriate. I don’t mean to be an ass, but you really shouldn’t be here.”

  She plops down on my bed, and I’m about to pull my damn hair out.

  “He-he broke up with me.” Oh Jesus. Why couldn’t she have called a girlfriend about this? Why did she come running to me? And why the hell was she propositioning me downstairs when she had a boyfriend?

  I sit on the couch across from the bed.