Page 34 of On the Breakaway

Avery’s mouth actually drops open, and she slides an arm onto the railing, fingers tapping against the metal. “Oh.”

“Sorry, I’m not a scumbag like you hoped.” I pull the door open. “I’m just looking out for her.”

“I didn’t realize.” She starts to backtrack.

“You didn’t want to realize.” I snap. I’ve done nothing to deserve the way she automatically assumes the worst from me.

Before she can answer, I let the door slam behind me. She wanted her privacy. Now, she can have it.

8

Avery

I’m going to commit a felony.” I shrug out of my coat, sliding onto the barstool next to Wesley.

“Before or after your second margarita?” She doesn’t even look up from the menu.

“Depends. How fast can I get the second margarita?”

She snorts softly into her drink before finally glancing up, dark hair pulled into a messy bun.

“That bad?”

“It’s always that bad with her.” I sip the margarita that she had waiting for me.

I’m coming from dinner with my mom, and it went as well as I expected.

Horribly.

Not that she had noticed. She’s always been the star of the show, and I’m supposed to enjoy the storm as she breezes through.

“At least she came to visit you.” Wesley’s voice is tight, as if she’s trying and failing to point out a silver lining.

“She came because she had a gallery show out here. I just happen to also live here.”

I wish that were me being dramatic, but unfortunately, it’s true. It stings, knowing I’m a pit stop in her life, but it’s familiar at this point.

“I’m sure she wanted to see you, too.”

“She wanted to see metal sculptures that look like human-sized sporks. She had to see me to make sure that Dad wouldn’t hold it against her.”

“Do they talk?” Wesley asks, brow furrowing.

“Only when they want to argue, which is all of the time.” My lips twitch up, and I wiggle my brows.

She winces. “Oh no.”

“Oh yes.” I grab the drink menu even though I already know I’m sticking to tequila tonight. “You’d think after being divorced for as long as they have, they’d be over it, but now they just go out of their way to fight. She literally called and told him she was in town just to make the dig that at least one of my parents visits me.”

“No, she didn’t.”

“Oh yes, she did. Then she acted confused when I was annoyed.”

“Did she at least apologize?”

I snort. “Not once. And now, I’m waiting for him to call and plan a visit to ensure that she doesn’t outdo him. I’m the pawn in their toxic little game. Always have been.”

Wesley groans, dropping her head back against the booth. “Tell her to shove it.”