your vagina and teach you how to fuck his fingers like a porn star. He's literally teaching you how to fuck and getting you off to encourage more. I feel like there's a motive to everything he does. It's a choice he makes, and you dangling yourself in front of him to play with doesn't help the cause. It's just weird, especially given his age."
I reeled back at her disgusted tone, momentarily speechless. A headache formed at the center of my forehead.
"Pot calling the kettle black?" I became defensive. "What about your older mystery boyfriend? The one I've never met, or even know his name. I have never given you crap about him like you are to me. I gave you my shoulder and supported your decisions. Shelve that attitude for another time. It's not warranted."
"Mine is just under five years older," she retorted, raising her voice. "Not sixteen years or whatever it is. I can't do math. It's completely different."
"It's not."
"Oh, but it is. It was all fun and games at first. I figured since Hayden found out it'd knocked some sense into you. Or when the bastard took you out of a competition, or when he fucks you bare then throws some Tic Tacs your way. How the hell do you know he doesn't have an STD? You don't. Nothing has gotten through your thick skull and it's only a matter of time until you're really screwed. You're lucky Hayden won't speak a word of it…yet. Mark my words, the next time you're caught will be worse. That's how it always happens, Aid. All the lies will catch up to you one day. The thorns will grow longer, and the vines will get so twisted you won't be able to walk out unscathed."
"What if you get caught," I countered.
"No one would care," she scoffed.
"Oh, really? Then why is it such a secret? Who is he?" Avery was silent. I smiled and repeated my earlier words. "See, pot calling the kettle black."
She sighed deeply. "I don't want to argue with someone who believes white lies, and I never want to fight with my best friend. It hurts too much to, but I can't talk to you right now." Her voice sounded as tight as my chest felt. "I have too much going on to add this to my growing pile of shit. Too many people upset with me for the things I've said out of emotion, and I don’t want you to be one of them now. I'm trying to fix things before I jump off a fucking cliff. Just trust me that your secret affair is a million times worse than mine. I'm only trying to look out for you, but I can't deal with this level of stupidity anymore."
Avery hung up, shocking me to the core.
I stared down at my phone, dazed and confused, staggered into silence. I wasn't mad. I didn't have it in me to be upset. Not when I could tell deep down Avery was dealing with something on a grander scale. Something I had no real clue about. She was hurting inside, and that in turn hurt me because she didn't confide in me the way I had her.
A tear slid down my cheek. I relied on her too much. It was selfish of me, and I didn't realize she needed me the way I did her. I was too consumed with my life to recognize anyone else's.
A light tap sounded on my door. I quickly wiped away my tears as Kova stepped inside. Our eyes locked and his face crumbled when he took in the site of me. He wasn't angry with my antics anymore—his face showed nothing but sympathy for me.
Everything came roaring back. How conniving I'd been toward him, how self-centered I was toward Avery, how I forced Hayden to carry a burden of lies for me. Tears fell like a waterfall and Kova rushed over and gathered me into his arms.
"Come, malysh. Come here," he said, pulling me close to him. "I take it that was your mother?"
I shook my head. "Avery," I said through the tears.
"I imagine that is worse for you."
More tears fell and I nodded. My heart hurt so bad. Kova climbed into my bed and got under the covers with me. He aligned his body with mine and I cried silently into his chest. He kept me warm and comforted.
"I'm sorry for ruining your life," I said, my voice muffled. It felt like I left