Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet #1) - Jay McLean Page 0,59

“Ava doesn’t know any of this. My dad told me, and I made the decision not to tell her. So this is between us. Man to man. Okay?”

“Of course.”

“Look,” he says, a sigh escaping him. “There are going to be times when you’ll hate her for the way she treats Ava, and for the way she acts and the way she feels, but you have to keep perspective, Connor. You have to. For Ava. Because you only know her now, but you didn’t know her as Ava’s mom, back when she was able to be Ava’s mom.”

“I got it,” I assure.

Two little kids approach the swings, toy trucks in their hands. They stop when they see us and run back to their parents. I can only imagine what we look like: two big-ass dudes on tiny swings, trying to hold back tears.

“I’m just letting you know,” Trevor informs, “because Ava’s flitting around the house with a stupid smile on her face that she can’t seem to wipe off, and I’m assuming maybe you’re the reason for it.”

I think about the strength Ava must possess, far greater than I had initially assumed, and I say, “I guess.”

“So, you guys are a thing now.”

“Yeah.”

“Good,” Trevor acknowledges, standing. “I mean, it’s good for her to have something in her life that brings her happiness.” Pride fills me, but there’s a nagging in my gut that tells me I’m not worthy. “But you can’t go beating people up every time Ava gets hurt, especially when there’s no source to that pain.”

“Yeah,” I say, because it’s all I can say.

“Okay,” he declares, eyes on mine, cheesy smile in place. Back to the old Trevor, he squeezes my shoulder, his thumb digging into the bruise on my collarbone. “You get her pregnant, and I’ll fucking kill you.”

Chapter 34

Connor

“I look like I’m going to a funeral,” I say, glaring at myself in the mirror. I’m wearing the school-issued suit that the team has to wear when we’re attending the games but are ineligible to play.

Dad sighs, watching me from my bedroom doorway. “I can’t believe you got suspended. And tonight, of all nights, Connor. What the hell—”

“Stop,” I tell him. “Just stop, okay? I know.”

“Well, you have to show up, right? Maybe you can catch the scout before he leaves.”

“Okay,” I say, my eyes drifting shut, shoulders tense, hands balled in frustration.

My phone dings with a text, and I pick it up off my desk.

Ava: BOYS!!

Connor: ?

Rhys: A little early in your relationship for a three-way, but I’m down.

Connor: Gross.

Ava: Hot.

Connor: What’s up?

Ava: Suit up, boys!

Rhys: Huh?

Connor: What?

Ava: Suit up! Or whatever the term is. Get in your uniforms. You guys are playing tonight.

Connor: No fucking way.

I rip off my tie and slip out of my shoes, my grin unconfined.

Rhys: Are you serious?

Connor: How?

Rhys: ^^ what he said.

“What’s going on?” Dad asks.

“Ava got me back in.”

“Good. It’s the least she could do,” he murmurs.

I ignore him. Read the next message.

Ava: I just had to show Brown my boobs. He was very appreciative.

Connor: Dammit, Ava!!!

Rhys: Noice!

Ava: Does it matter how? Just go!!! Get ready!!! You’ll be late.

Rhys: Thanks, A.

Another message shows up in a different box, just mine and Ava’s.

Ava: So… is this what they call coming in clutch?

Connor: It is! You’re amazing. I don’t know what you did, but thank you, Ava. THANK YOU.

Ava: You’re welcome, baby.

Ava: Now go!!

Connor: I’m going!

I change as quickly as I can and rush Dad out the door so I can make it for pregame and warm-ups. I practically sprint to Dad’s car, and with my fingers on the door handle, I stop when I hear Ava call my name. I turn to see her running toward me, barefoot and beautiful. Her hair’s wet and free of its usually messy knot. It’s the first time I’ve seen it like that. The curls flow behind her as she races toward me. She’s holding a bright orange balloon and the marker used to write her usual words. She stops when she gets to me, her breathing heavy. “Boo!” she jeers, handing me the balloon.

I take it from her grasp, my cheeks aching with the force of my smile. One hand on her waist, the other shifting her hair. “I like your hair down.”

“You do? I just got out of the shower to answer Brown’s call and messaged you as soon as I could.” She glances over my shoulder to my dad, who no doubt watches us. Her smile falls, and she takes a step