“I don’t know about that.” Mason’s self-doubt lingers. I can’t expect all wounds to heal overnight . . . but like we suspected— Mason fucking Adler fell first, fast . . . and forever.
I untangle myself from Avery so Brecklynn doesn’t find us and sneak home. If I’m correct, this will all be over. All the sneaking, lying . . . Mason is healing and that’s our last hurdle.
“No. That’s so stupid.” I gripe.
“Mature.” Her eyes roll. “If you’re there you won’t be wondering. It’s for a good cause.” She lies.
“What cause?” I challenge.
“The keep me from catching a charge challenge. If they don’t get off my ass about David and why we don’t do anything . . . I’m liable to cut a bitch. It does me no good to pretend I’m dating him when we don’t actually date. It’s a frat party . . . nothing intimate.” Those words set my temper alight.
“Avery.” I warn her and she giggles. I stalk towards her and she stops— or my lips assault quiets her. Whatever. Semantics.
I still hear her deep moan— which is the green light to talk her outta this hair brained scheme. I’m over her fake dates. Working my hands under her shirt I find her pebbled nipples and roll them with my fingers. “Yes.” She exclaims.
Discarding the garment, I make quick work of her shorts and she’s naked so I dip my head and capture her nipple with my teeth, soothing it with my tongue. I back us up to the bed and let her fall and follow her down. I strip my shirt and capture her wrists, tying them together above her head. It doesn’t render her immovable but close enough. “Caden.” She sounds like a vixen with a rough growl to her tone and I ignore her pleas. This is gonna happen on my terms . . . my way.
I slide my tongue over her body and watch her skin pebble. She’s lifting her hips trying to find friction so I give her a little rub and her legs fall open. “You gonna continue this relationship with David?”
“Hmmmm?” Her head thrashes side to side.
“Avery?” I still my fingers and her head pops up.
“Caden, I have to.” She needs additional persuasion. And that’s my specialty. Licking the inside of each thigh, I watch her head fall back and her back arch. Taking her clit with my lips I suck and bite, feeling her pulse in my mouth.
“That party still happening?” I ask.
“Yes.” She has the audacity to say. I stand and adjust myself.
“I have to go.” I smirk at her irritated glance.
“Caden Monroe— finish this.” She can’t sit up without her hands and I’d love to see her explain her predicament if I leave her. And I will if she doesn’t give me what I want.
“I need the words.” I taunt. She flops a few more times and submits.
“Fine. But I reserve the right to revisit this conversation.” She says with a huff.
“Six months. You can’t bring it up for six months.” I’m pushing my boundaries.
“Fine.” She agrees.
“And you tell the girls it’s over so I don’t have to hear that asshole’s name.” Another limit I push.
“He isn’t an asshole.” She defends.
“Aves.” My tone firm.
“Fine. Now finish.” Who am I to argue— I shuck my jeans and boxers, stretch atop her and get to business.
“Did you hear?” I sneak up while she’s prepping her canvas. Brecklynn went to work so we’re alone.
“That you weakened my heart by thirty years? Yep, got that memo.” Her hand is over her heart and she’s panting. “You scared the fuck outta me.”
“Lock your doors.” I tell her.
“A lot of good that does . . . seems every Tom, Dick, and Harry has a key.” I know that’s her subtle hint regarding her smart lock she wants.
“Am I Tom, Dick, or Harry?” I tease.
She guffaws. “Please, my man manscapes.” She winks and leans up for a kiss. “What did you give me heart failure for?”
“Seems Mason and his parents aren’t available for a summer trip.” She nods— we all knew they were traveling with him for camps. “And the others have babies . . . so the grandparents are staying here. Breck is working full time and won’t tag along— but our parents still planned a trip.” I can’t help my shit-eating grin.
“How long?” She’s giddy.
“Two weeks.”
“No pretending for two weeks? No sneaking. No lying.” She’s dancing a jig.
“The best part . . .”
She cuts me off. “Spill.”
“We happen to be going to Nashville. Touring Vanderbilt. Looking for places to live. And I have it on good authority our parents will join us after ten days.”
“Wait. Alone. Ten days? In the city we’re planning to live?”
“Yes.” I laugh.
Her smirk kills me. “This is the Pope’s compromise. It isn’t fair to give me an entire month when nobody gets that. So, I’ll be happy with the week of patron sainthood and the ten days with you.”
“You’re delusional.” I don’t know what her infatuation is with the Pope.
“You’ll see. And for that whole week I’m gonna make the most abhorrent rules you have to follow . . . just for you.”
“Baby, I’ve told you. I’m not Catholic. You aren’t Catholic. We don’t have to follow those rules.”
She mulls that. “We’ll convert.”
“Aves . . .”
“We will. Damn it. You’ll celebrate my sainthood.”
“Okay.”
“When do we leave?” She’s forgotten the canvas and is focused on this vacation.
“Three days.”
She’s configuring days. “I’ll still have a few days to prepare for classes and projects when we get home. Perfect.” She jumps in my arms and I have to agree . . . she is perfect.
I’m finishing loading my suitcase when Deacon stops by. “Did you hear Avery broke up with David?” I stop my grin and act surprised.
“Nope. But I’m sure she had her reasons.” I blow him off.
“Saylor is pretty peeved because Avery won’t say why. When you get back I think we need to go have a talk with him. If he did her wrong we can’t let it go.”
“Does she seem upset?” I question him— I know he’s being ridiculous but he needs to realize it.
“I don’t think so but she’s Aves.” He shrugs.
“What’s that mean?” I’d like to hear his take on my girl.
“She’s level headed. Steady. Perfectly Aves.” And that’s the problem. They all see her as ‘Just Aves’ and she plays into that role.
“She’s more than that. She’s an artist. She produces some amazing work. She’s passionate. She’s kind. She’s beautiful.” I slam my suitcase closed.
Shortstop comes in at the end of my tirade with Emberlee in tow. “Did you tell him?”
“Maybe you can feel her out while y’all are in Tennessee. I hope she isn’t upset. Aves doesn’t date.” Lee Lee is pondering her friend’s heartbreak.
“Caden was schooling me on all things Avery. Is there something you wanna tell us?” Deacon is studying me— goading me into an admission.
“God, no. I hope not. This crew can’t take another hit.” Saylor slaps his arm and Emberlee snorts.
“As if. Avery wouldn’t know how to handle Caden. Outside of Mason, he’s next in line for fuck and duck status.”
“Go.” I snap.
“Caden . . .” Deacon gives me a warning tone.
“Listen, I’ll talk to her. See where her head’s at. If she’s hurt we’ll beat his ass.” I level Deacon with a glare and hide my emotions. This is what we’re afraid of . . . their support can make us . . . them against us can break us.
“Cool. Have fun.” I nod and shoo them from my house.
Avery is riding with her parents to the airport and I’ll meet them and my parents there. The parental units are heading to Chicago for a mini-vacation while we explore Tennessee. I still need to break the news to everyone regarding med school but we figured I’d do it when we ca
me clean . . . that isn’t looking promising.
“If you think you can make it work we’ll buy it.” Her dad is telling her when I walk up.
“Dad, I want to see if I can do it myself.” She’s stubborn.
“What?” I ask.
“Of course I’ll want to look over things but I told her if she found a building that would house her art gallery, we’ll buy it. Space is premium in Nashville.” Her dad explains and goes back to talking to her. “If it’s that important, think of it as a loan. When you get settled in two years, we’ll sell the house here and instead of giving you the money like we planned we’ll take it for payment.”
Sounds solid. Except for one minor detail. “Uh, Mr. Michaels . . . we don’t know that I’ll get into Vanderbilt. It’s a dream at this moment.”
“I have faith in you, Son.” He claps my shoulder.
“So do we.” My parents join us. “They’d be dumb to turn you down.” I swell with the pride they have for me and Avery shoots me a wink.
“I’ve booked separate suites for you. The concierge will alert me when Avery is in the room alone and activate the room alarm I’ve requested.” He squints his eyes at me and I swallow and feel the heat course through my body.
“Brian.” Avery’s mom, Abigail, chastises him.
“Dad.” Avery groans.
“That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” He excuses himself and Avery giggles.
“He’s lying but he needs to tell himself that to sleep at night.” Abigail winks. “But I do have plans to wear him out.”
“Mom!” Avery spits.
“Ditto. Thomas is gonna think this is his second honeymoon.” My mom’s words make my stomach churn and my throat is filling with bile.
“Ready?” Avery comes to my rescue.
“Yes.” I choke.
“Have fun. We will.” My dad hollers and I practically drag her to the terminal.
That was vile.
Uncalled for.
Rude.
I’m scarred for life.
“You okay?” She asks me worried.
“No. I don’t think I’ll be okay ever again.” She doubles over in laughter.
“How do you think we got here? The stork?” She teases.
“Avery. Stop.” I plead and order at the same time.
“I wonder if they watch porn.” She keeps going.
“Aves. I’m gonna smack your ass.”
“Oh, that’s a deterrent. I hope it’s relevant porn and not the old dudes that have mustaches and the ladies still have full bush.” I stop in the middle of the terminal and toss her over my shoulder, smacking her ass to her giggles. Patrons are staring, some glowering, some smiling . . . fuck em’.
I wait until we’re settled and repeat the conversation I had with Deacon. “Shit. That was a close call.”
“I agree. What do you want me to tell them when we get back?” I’ll let her guide this.
“That we fucked the whole time and I’m over David.” She smiles.
“I’m serious.”
“Me, too. Maybe it’ll make em’ speechless and we can get some peace. I’m getting them shirts and key chains made . . . ‘worry about yourself’ in glitter. I may drug them and tattoo that shit on their ass AND foreheads.” I love when she gets sarcastic . . . and unrealistic.
“Fun is over. What do you want me to say?”
“That your big, hard cock got me over my tears and your dick is raw from all the riding.” I adjust myself . . . her talk of fucking is close to making us members of the mile high club.
“You’re killin’ me.” I shake my head.
“What a way to go.” She grins and grips my hand. “I’ll reassure them I’m not heartbroken and tell them he has a micro penis and my vibrator does a better job.” She winks. “Even if I get carpal tunnel.”
She’ll be the death of me.
“I love this city.” Her hair’s blowing and her cheeks flushed. “It has a vibe. I can’t explain it. I feel alive. Free. Creative. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling.”
“I see that.” I wink. Regardless of it being a great city and touring Vanderbilt tomorrow with my parents . . . I won’t think of it as home until I’m accepted.
“But I want to tour that town the realtor showed us that had a Main street with shops. Franklin?” She tilts her head.
“Yeah. Let’s go. She said it was thirty minutes or so.” She bounds to the rental car and I laugh. We haven’t hit the bars because neither of us wanted to fly with our fake I.D.’s . . . too risky. But the dinners, live music, freedom . . . it’s been a constant buzz.
As soon as we pass into Franklin she makes her decision. “Call the realtor. Have her meet us here.”
“You sure?”
“Look. Feel. This is heaven.” I try to take in the town with her eyes but it’s impossible. I’m surrounded by brick buildings, a quaint square with retail shops . . . it has an artsy vibe but she sees beauty— perfection— creativity. “Is it too far for school?”
“It’s fine.” I park the car and call the realtor. She assures me she will be here in twenty and has some condos to show us if we’re interested. I give Aves the gist of the conversation and she leaps.
“We’re interested.” I giggle at Avery’s dance in the street.
“We have to go to this cupcake place while we wait.” She drags me down the street, turns a corner and leads us into a tiny shop that smells like heaven. “Look.” I do. She orders the dainty one-bite cupcakes and I stock up with real size cupcakes. I take her bag and hand as we meander the street to look at other shops. She’s lost in her mind studying the scene amid us and I’m fine studying her. Breathing her in.
“Here she is.” The realtor is parked next to our rental. I think her name is Lisa. “What’s her name?” I ask Avery to make sure.
“Liza.” That’s why I keep her around. Avery pushes in front of me and approaches Liza. “This is it. If we move here this is the town for us.”
“Want to start with retail space or homes?” Avery looks to me and I nod.
“Homes.” Neither of us can believe this could be our reality.
“Any specifications?” Liza asks.
I nod to Avery— my only specifications are a place to sleep and study. I’ll let her decide. “I want at least two bedrooms. I want Caden to have a private place to study so I can convert the other bedroom. A deck of some sort so if I get light and time I can paint. Hardwood floors. That’s all I can think of.” She bites her lip. “Oh, a fireplace.”
“That’s easy to work with. You wanna ride with me or follow?”
“Follow.” I answer so Aves doesn’t trap us with her. She hides her giggle and climbs into the passenger side.
We look at several condos and all meet the specifications Avery gave. She hasn’t hated any of them but I know as I pull up to the last one. The blue door, next door is a red door . . . and so forth. Nothing is cookie cutter and it’s an end unit . . . with nothing blocking the side. “This is a very private lot.” Liza rattles as she opens the door. I don’t hear much— three bedrooms, loft area, private deck.
“I love it.” Avery whispers. “But we have two years.”
“I know.” I sigh.
“These units don’t come available often. And never at this price.” Liza’s heels clack against the floors grating my already frayed nerves. If we do this I want her comfortable. I want her happy. She’s uprooting her life for me and it isn’t a guarantee.
“Take some pictures and send them to me.” I step outside and wait. I save the photos she sends and send everything to my dad. I grin with his response. Walking in I join those two on the deck. “Write the offer. Call the sellers and tell them we’ll pay ten over asking . . . when my parents arrive tomorrow they’ll sign everything and we can finalize this.” Avery’s mouth is agape and the twinkle in her eyes makes me feel like a million bucks.
“But . . .” she can’t form a word.
“He said it’s a great investm
ent. Nashville is picking up in tourism. Even if I don’t get into Vanderbilt we’re getting this property at a steal. He said he’d rent it until we move and after that we’ll redecorate it how we want prior to moving in.” I sigh. “Fingers crossed.” This whole dream is dependent on me getting into med school at Vanderbilt.
“I have faith. In you. Your dreams. Us.” She snuggles to my side and Liza beams at both of us.
Chapter Nineteen
As we walk into the hotel, Caden reminds me, “I’ve gotta hit the gym. You gonna hang in the room?”
“Yeah. I wanna look at the warehouse building Liza told me to check.” The realtor had mentioned in passing that there is an artsy type warehouse and it may be worth a look. “No rush for me. I don’t have to have anything set up when we move. I’m just happy we got a place to live.”
“If I get accepted.” He winks. It’s a burdening weight he’s carrying.
“When you get accepted Dr. Monroe.” I squeeze his hand.
“Up for playing doctor and nurse when I get back?” Dirty bastard.
“If you’re lucky.” I’m a dirty whore. He walks me to the room and grabs his workout gear . . . and I watch his fine ass disappear.
Grabbing my laptop I pull up The Factory at Franklin and glance at their website and shops. I can feel my excitement . . . an array of vendors, shops, local and organic. They host bands and events but keeping a classical feel. It’s full of culture and seems to be the destination for the arts. It’s host to a few galleries but the tastes are eclectic and I can see a place for myself. I bookmark the images I’ll want to show my dad and Caden— reminding myself I don’t have to rush. This doesn’t have to happen today. Or this year. We’re halfway with school, so while preparing I can have patience.
Jumping on the bed I grab the remote and find Bad Girls Club . . . trashy and I love it. I’m engrossed in a fight scene— which is ninety percent of the show— as Caden walks in. He’s sweaty, delicious and I fight the urge to jump him. It’s our last night of frolicking without the parental units . . . gotta make it count. Most of our time is so hurried and there isn’t much anticipation so while we are alone with no time constraints . . . I’m gonna play.
Fighting Fate (Endgame #4) Page 20
