Six years earlier…
“HE’S A FUCKING TOOL,” I hiss, sitting on the deck swing and staring out onto the lake.
“You don’t know him,” Averie returns, her hands to her hips and her foot kicked out to her side. “You’re not so much as trying to get to know him,” she accuses.
She’s right. I am fucking not.
Averie had texted me late last week, explaining her excitement in that she’d finally found a guy she deemed “worthy.”
Yes, those were her words sent directly to my phone via text.
Read exactly as: Found a guy worthy of me and all my goodness.
At the time, I’d been at the frat house, wrapped up in a competitive poker game with the brothers. I also had a blonde woman sitting on my lap. Her face was in my neck. Her hands were on my chest.
Rather than responding, explaining to the madcap that her finding a guy other than me to put up with her crazy ass was impossible, I laughed off her ridiculousness. I put the phone down and completely forgot about her big assumption.
Until the next morning.
I woke to social media, finding she posted a picture of the two of them together. I didn’t recognize where the photo was taken, only that the man-boy in question had his arm wrapped tightly around her neck. His face was aimed at her cheek, where his tongue threatened to touch it. Averie was smiling like a goddamn loon into the camera’s lens.
At this, a green film of jealousy reared an ugly head. Not because Averie’s mine in any way, because she’s not. She’s all of sixteen and completely off-limits. Her age for one. But also because she’s family.
Yet, I knew by looking over the guy, he wasn’t good enough for her. He was wearing a Yankees ball cap for fuck’s sake.
With all this, I went about planning a surprise visit to Silvervale. I figured I had time off between exams, and needed a break before my summer internship started.
“What do you care who I date, anyway?” Averie prods. “You’re so busy being you, I’m surprised you bothered to come for a visit.”
“Busy being me?”
“Jaxson Cole, successful media marketing major. Jaxson Cole, already set on starting his own company.”
My mother is ecstatic at my collegiate success. She brags. Obviously, Mason extends to the rest of the family what she so proudly shares.
Even with Averie and I talking as much as we do: phone, video, and text, I haven’t shared my plans for after graduation. I haven’t told her my friends and I have scouted the financing we need to open our own firm.
I like what Averie and I are to each other. With her, I’m not lost in the competitive world in San Diego that I can’t control. I’m not overwhelmed by important decisions and my attention isn’t constantly in demand.
With Averie, I’m just me.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I scold, angry she knows so much.
“No?” she questions. In a calming tone, as if only starting the conversation, she queries, “Jaxson, how’s Surrie?”
Shit. My fucking mother.
Surrie Hills is the heiress to a millionaire entrepreneur. The same woman who’s also helping my soon-to-be partners and I put together a formal business plan in order to present to her father.
Surrie wants more than I’m willing to give her, in that she wants a relationship. A permanent one. She’s good-looking, no doubt. She’s also incredibly intelligent. But she lacks what I’ve always enjoyed. Surrie doesn’t need chasing. If I wanted her, I could have her.
Pushing the thoughts of her away, I refuse to discuss with, “We’re not talking about me.”
“I think we are,” Averie challenges. “So, enlighten me. What am I supposed to do?”
“Do about what?”
“I’m not a kid anymore,” she explains.
“Boys aren’t still stupid?” I jab, wishing to fuck she still felt this way.
Her eyes shine with recognition before she gasps and claims, “Oh my God. You’re jealous.”
“What?”
“You are!” she cries. “You’re pissed I’m talking to another guy.”
“I’m not jealous of that tool.”
“No. You’re not,” she agrees. “You’re jealous of that tool’s position in my life.”
“What the fuck?”
“You’re scared he’s going to replace you.”
Considering I won’t allow that to ever happen, I don’t pause before countering, “No one will replace me.”
“No, they won’t. Which is why I don’t understand why you treated him the way you did.”
Over dinner, I may have stepped too far. That’s what landed my ass outside on the deck in the first place.
Katherine had made mention of how good Averie has been doing in school.
Which is something new.
She said Averie had asked to go on a trip with friends this summer. I had no issues with this. Katherine went on to say the group of them were talking about a visit to the Grand Canyon, as Averie’s never been. But then, as if playing off my concern, Mason alluded to none other than fuck boy, Jarrad, going along as acting tour guide.
I then realized Mason’s play. Without saying a word, he assumed my reaction. I didn’t disappoint.
I may have mentioned that Jarrad is only seventeen. That he’s not old enough to rent a car. Not of age to secure a hotel room. And that he’s sure as shit not qualified to take Averie anywhere out of this town.
Mason smiled at my denial of their plans, nodding his approval of points proven. Katherine sat next to my uncle, mouth open and unable to speak. Amelia looked away.
Jarrad sat back in his chair as if I’d struck him. Which, for all intents and purposes, I fucking well did.
Averie glared, pointed to the door and clipped a quick, “Jax? A minute?”
When I stood, she did as well. Throwing her napkin on her plate, she turned toward the door and followed me out.
“Come here, Averie.” I stop rocking, resting my arm over the back of the swing, gesturing to the space at my side.
Giving into my annoyance, Averie makes her way over. She slams her ass on the swing and immediately starts rocking us back and forth slowly.
Taking a deep breath, she says, “You’re so unreasonable.”
“You’re my friend,” I remind. “I have a right to be unreasonable.”
“It’s more than that,” she charges.
“It’s not,” I lie.
Fuck, but it is. Seeing her plastered over social media with another guy pissed me off. Seeing her in person with someone else magnified my jealousy tenfold.
What’s this little shit doing to me?
Leaning her head on my shoulder and keeping up with rocking, Averie assures, “I still think boys are stupid.”
“Good,” I tell the lake and yard below, resting my cheek to the top of her head.
“But I kind of like Jarrad.”
She likes the tool.
“But you like me, too,” I remind. “So, I’ll take you to the Canyon.”
Sighing, she sits up. “Don’t you get it?” she questions.
“Get what?”
“Jax, you’re busy. You’re never around anymore. At least not the way you used to be.”
I’ve been busy, sure. My focus has been shifted, my professional life demanding more of my time, taking any extra time I had away from her.
Hating another guy threatens to replace me, and soon, I oath, “I’ll do better.”
“Thank you,” she returns, relief marking her sincerity.
Averie turns her head, I in turn do the same. My finger runs along the shell of her ear. Her eyes close but quickly open.
Fuck, she’s pretty. In her own chaotic, foolish kind of way, she’s striking. Averie has a way of pulling me to her, endearing herself to me above all others.
She swallows, lost in our silence. Maybe she feels this too.
Leaning in, Averie licks her lips and I falter, forgetting her age. Forgetting she’s not a choice I can make. She’s young, untouchable.
But so fucking tempting.
“Averie,” I whisper between us.
She leans in further. All I’d have to do is tilt my head to take her mouth. Rather than do that, I run my fingers through her hair, soft to the touch, and the strands surrounding us with the smell of flowers.
“Why don’t you like him?” she whispers, her eyes focusing on my mouth.
As quietly as she asked, I return, “Because he’s an idiot.”
The glass door slides open and Averie pulls her head back. I release her head and sit back.
“Um,” Katherine falters, her eyes wide.
Proving guilt, Averie immediately scoots away, creating space between us. Instantly, I loathe the loss of having her close.
“Honey, Jarrad’s still inside,” Katherine notes. “He’s ready to go.”
“One minute, Mom,” Averie poises. “I’ll be right there.”
Averie’s mother’s dark eyes zone in on mine and she shakes her head.
Yes, Katherine. You don’t have to say a word. I already know.
Once her mom steps back into the house and closes the door, Averie stands. She straightens her shirt and shorts and makes way to leave. I hear every footstep carrying her from me.
Before she’s able to get away completely, I call, “Averie?”
When she stops, I catch her standing in the corner of my eye.
“Yeah?”
I don’t turn to face her as I admit, “I get you aren’t a kid anymore.”
“Jax,” she calls. “I don’t—“
Powering through to make my point, I order, “Just don’t give Jarrad, or any of them, all of you.”
Without hesitating, she replies a quiet, “I never do.”
Then she’s gone.
Fuck, what’s she doing to me?