“Do you want to work it out with Ava?” Hayden asks.
I swing my attention in her direction, wondering if I have an ally in her or not. I like Hayden. I like all of my friends’ girlfriends for the most part, but they’ll take Ava’s side every time and I know it. Just like I’d take one of my friends’ sides every single time. That’s how it works when you have your friends’ backs.
Unless one of them did something extremely shady or, I don’t know—illegal? Then I’d have an issue.
“I do,” I finally admit. “But maybe—it should be her turn.”
Hayden’s face hardens, her mouth turning into a frown. “What do you mean?”
“She has to come to me,” I say. “I approached her last night at the party, and it didn’t—quite work out. Now the ball is in her court.”
Yeah. I like the basketball analogy.
“Really, Eli? You’re just going to wait for Ava to approach first?” I turn to Gracie, just in time to see her roll her eyes. “You’re so stubborn. All of you are.”
“Hey, I tried. Now she needs to make an attempt,” I say indignantly.
“You might be waiting for her to come to you forever,” Hayden points out.
“That’s the chance I’m willing to take,” I say, my voice easy. Full of confidence.
But deep inside, I can’t deny it.
I’m freaking the fuck out.
Eight
Ava
“It’s been so nice having you around,” Mom says as she approaches the table where I’m sitting. “We’ve missed you.”
It’s Monday afternoon and I’m outside in the back yard by the pool, enjoying the cooler weather. A storm is brewing. I can see the dark clouds clinging to the mountains in the near distance, and there’s a distinct nip in the air that tells me fall is most definitely upon us.
“Yeah, it’s been weird, not having to work on homework or go to class,” I say, watching my mother settle into the chair across from me.
I really take her in, noting our similar features, our matching green eyes. My mother is still beautiful, even though she’s a mom. But I’ve always thought Mom was beautiful, and I know Dad does too. He still gets hearts in his eyes when he stares at her too long, and I remember how Eli used to do that with me, too.
Ugh. Eli. Just thinking about him hurts my brain and my heart, yet my body lights up like it wants another chance with him. I still can’t forget the kiss we shared Saturday night. It had been months since we’d seen each other, let alone touched. The moment he put his hand on me, my entire body reacted and immediately wanted more. And then when his mouth settled on mine, and the words he said?
Whew. Hot.
The chemistry between us is still there, but is it enough?
“Do you miss school? And your friends?” Mom asks, her soft voice breaking into my thoughts.
We’re currently the only two at home. Beck’s at school and Dad left a while ago to go join him at football practice. Gracie reached out to me late last night, asking if I wanted to get together for dinner tonight and I said yes. She’s the only one of our friends who lives here, since she’s teaching at the local elementary school and everyone else is down in Fresno.
“No, not really. The break is nice,” I answer. “I do miss Ellie though.”
I miss my best friend something fierce. She’ll be coming home soon, thank goodness. By Halloween at the latest, she reassured me via text a few days ago. Specifically on Saturday night when I was having a minor freak out after my run-in with Eli and I needed her advice.
More than anything, I needed her to tell me everything was going to be all right. And she did exactly that, calming me down.
“Oh, for a second there I thought you were going to say you miss Eli,” Mom says, wincing.
“Ah, no.” I shake my head extra hard, as if I need to convince myself. Which, I sort of do, because let’s be real.
I totally miss Eli.