First and Forever (Heartache Duet #2) - Jay McLean Page 0,6
her feet as we stroll toward Peter’s car. He’s leaning against the hood, his arms crossed, eyes on us.
“It was possibly the most embarrassing moment of my life.”
Her laugh is short. Sharp. “It’s kind of a big deal, though, so I get why he wanted to announce it to the world.”
I shrug.
“Anyway,” she says, stopping halfway to Peter’s car. “I um…” She blows out a heavy breath, then shakes her head. “It’s so stupid now that I’m here…”
“What’s going on?”
Her throat bobs, and she reaches into her pocket. “I got you something.” She reveals a handful of bright orange balloons. With her voice low, she says, “You said once that it was your lucky charm.” Her eyes meet mine, anguish pooling in their depths. “And I thought you might be nervous, so they’re there if you want them or need them—if they mean anything still.” She holds them up between us, but I can’t move.
Can’t speak.
Can’t look away.
“I knew it was stupid,” she mumbles, turning to leave.
“No. I want them!” I quickly grab her arm. “Please?” I hold my hand out, palm up, and she places them there. I can see the black marker mixed with orange, and the weight in my chest doubles.
“I should go,” she says quietly. “Peter’s waiting.”
I nod. “So, what’s with that? Are you guys…?”
“No,” she laughs out. “God, no. He’s staying with me over the break.”
“Oh.” Jealousy is a bitch. “He doesn’t have his own home?”
She’s quiet a beat as she chews her bottom lip, and I push away the memories of me doing the same to that lip, in my bed, with her half-naked and on top of me while she looked down at me as if our love knew no boundaries. “Trevor’s going away with Amy—”
“His ex?” I interrupt.
Her eyes widen, just a tad. “You remember?”
I nod again. “I remember a lot.” I remember everything. And a part of me hates that I do.
“They’re back together now, so that’s kind of cool,” she tells me, looking over my shoulder where Peter is waiting for her.
When her eyes meet mine again, I say, “So, what you’re telling me is that people can break up, but there’s hope they can find their way back to each other again?”
Ava stares. Right into me. “Good luck at the invitational, okay?”
My heart sinks, and I suck in a breath to lessen the ache. “Yeah, okay.”
I look down at the balloons in my hand while she steps around me. And just when I think I can move again, she calls out from behind, “Hey, Connor?”
I spin on my heels. “Yeah?”
She’s only two steps away, and with the smallest of smiles pulling on her lips, she says, “I know that things are different between us now, but I’m always going to be proud of you, of how hard you’ve worked for this, and that’s never going to change.”
“Thanks, Ava,” I tell her, my voice clear. “It means a lot.”
It means everything.
Chapter 4
Connor
Connor: Ur da only 1 I no whod b up 4:40 a m, n I jst needed 2 tell u dat my roommate is snoring. & not da ok, I can get thru dis type of snoring. I mean, chainsaw 2 a redwood. My ears hurt.
Ava: Why are you typing like you’re 12?
Connor: Bc old fone had fight wid a wall & Dad gave me n old flip fone wid only numbers. I sick of pressing buttons.
Ava: Is this the same wall that came at your fist?
Connor: Maybe
Ava: Idiot
Connor: Thx
Ava: Go 2 sleep. Big day 2day.
Connor: It’s hot pink
Ava: What is?
Connor: Da fone
Ava: LOL
Connor: He juz sed TITTIES
Ava: ?
Connor: Snorin roommate
Ava: Connor, you need to get some rest. Throw something at him.
Connor: Shoe?
Ava: Not yours. His.
Connor: K
Connor: He up now. He go for run. I go sleep.
Ava: Goodnight.
Connor: Thx
Connor: its mixed.
Ava: ?
Connor: There r grls.
Ava: At the invitational?
Connor: yes
Ava: Oh, I bet they love you.
Connor: 10
Ava: 10 girls?
Connor: Yes
Ava: Showed any of them your weenus?
Connor: lol no. grls hv cooties
Connor: Guess who splurged and got a cheap but much better phone?
Ava: I’m assuming the person who’s currently texting me using full words (thank God).
Connor: I feel like a new man.
Ava: Shouldn’t you be running up and down a court?
Connor: We’re having a break.
Ava: And you’re messaging me?
Connor: I needed to tell someone about my new phone.
Connor: What are you doing?
Ava: Trying to show Peter how to use a washing machine.
Connor: How does he not know how to use one already?