Bodie didn’t seem to have any issue with me before, but I really hope it’s only his protective-friend instinct flaring up and that he’ll simmer down once Avery sets him straight. Because if he’s feeling some kind of way, a lifelong friendship will be hard to compete with if he decides to make a move.
The room goes silent when I step back in. But I still see the look she’s giving him, a nonverbal Chill out, reminding me of siblings who have a language all their own. That both makes me happy for the two of them, and jealous once again at the connection I’ll never have a chance of competing with. With my jeans on, I grab my T-shirt from the living room floor before moving to her. For a second, I fear she’ll pull away, but she doesn’t, instead wrapping her arms around my neck as she kisses me back. Bodie and Avery might have a brother-sister language, but there’s no way they have the gut-level passion between them that her and I do, reiterated by the way her hands move to my chest, her fingers gripping my T-shirt like she can’t hold on tight enough. And I know that feeling.
A loud, obvious throat clearing sounds. And while I want him to know she’s mine and I intend on sticking around, I don’t want to damage the friendship I hope I can have with her best friend. He’s important to her. So, he’s important to me. As I shift away, her grip tightens, her lips lingering for a few more seconds before she releases me. Yep. We’re more than okay.
“Here.” She passes me a travel mug. “So you don’t fall asleep at the field. It really puts some people’s jock straps in a twist when that happens.”
Shit. Her gorgeous smile reaches her eyes and takes ahold of any remaining sliver within me that wasn’t already hers. All I can do in response is place another quick kiss on her smiling lips.
I hold up the pink cup, donning yellow and blue llamas as I hear Bodie snicker. “Oh, it’s serious now. That’s her favorite one. She won’t let me take it without a lecture to not lose it.”
“Yep, ’cause you lose everything or forget to bring it back.” She gives him an annoyed look before turning to me. “It is my favorite though.”
“I’m sure the guys will love it.” I know I do even if it’s something as silly as a cup because that means she plans on keeping me around. “I’ll call you later.”
With that, I give her a lingering kiss, painfully pulling away before I walk out. My coffee-filled llama cup in hand, I’m unable to remove the goofy grin from my face.
23
AVERY
“What the hell was that about?” I ask Bodie as Carter shuts the door behind him.
“Nothing.” He casually shrugs, walks to the kitchen, and pours himself a cup of coffee. Like he’s done a million times. But this time is different. There’s a loaded silence, and I’m not so convinced it’s “nothing” as I stand, waiting for an explanation.
“I told you to be careful, then I find him naked in your damn kitchen.”
“You also told me to give him a chance. Or did you say that because you never thought he’d actually be interested in me?”
“Avery, really? I don’t want to see you get used. Why else would Carter agree to do a podcast that has a whole twenty listeners, including my mom?”
“Maybe because he’s a nice guy.”
“Sure.” His bitter laugh makes me feel like he thinks I’m a fool for actually believing Carter could be a good guy. What he doesn’t know is Carter has shown me a side of him he hasn’t shown anyone. But I’d never dare say that. Because unlike Bodie, Carter trusts me and my judgment. At least, that’s what it feels like right now.
“You go ahead. I’ll take my truck when I’m ready to go.”
“Avery, don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not trying to.” I take in a deep breath, exhaling as I look to the guy I’ve called my best friend my entire life. “I’m having a hard enough time adjusting to whatever this is going on between me and Carter, the last thing I need is my best friend insinuating I’m a fool.”
“You’re not a fool, Avery. He would be if he couldn’t see how great you are. And maybe I’m a little worried about him hurting you because it’s my fault for dragging you to the game in the first place. And maybe … I’m afraid of losing my best friend to Carter Barlowe.” He takes in a breath and says, “Go get dressed. I’ll drive us to your parents’ place, and you can tell me how wonderful Baby Cash is.”