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“Ste… Joan is a saint too.”
“Yes, she is.”
Bash half-laughed. “The vision just ran through my mind of herhandlingAvery. I’d sit ringside with a bucket of popcorn while enjoying watching Avery getting her sorry ass handed to her.”
“Joan could do it.”
“She’s really tough, Zac, but do you think she’s tough enough to continue handling all of this with you?”
I studied Bash’s eyes, seeing his concern in them. “I do. It’s not to say there won’t be days when we both get tired of these shit circumstances and falter, because there will be days like that. I expect them and I know Joan does too.”
“So she’s really on board with riding this out with you until who knows when?”
“Until we can be together in the open like a normal couple? Yes, she is on board. I know it’s so much to ask of her.”
“It is a lot, but I get it. I get why you had to ask that of her and I get why she’s willing to go along with it. You two are so in love with each other. I saw right through your friendship façade at the bar on Friday night. I know the others didn’t but I know you and I know Ste…Joan. She feels like a little sister to me.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. She thinks the world of you.”
“As I do her. I’d do anything for her and you.”
“I appreciate it.”
Bash finished his drink and set it down on the coffee table. “About your face,” he said, pointing at the left side of it. “The cuts show but not too badly. Your beard helps camouflage it.”
“Joan said the same thing.”
“Did Malcolm ask you what happened?”
“Of course he did.”
“And you told him?”
“I fell off my ladder while cleaning out the gutters back there,” I said, pointing out the window into my backyard.
“Hopefully, you’ll never have to lie to him again about his mother.”
“I really don’t think I will. If you’d seen Avery’s face after I threw her down onto this couch, you’d understand why I feel like she won’t put her hands on me again or throw anything at me.”
“I’m so happy that you finally came back at her.”
“When that glass hit my face and I started bleeding, that was it. I guess the look on my face told Avery that it was because she took off running to get away from me and she’s never done that. I know she thought I was gonna do more than drag her into here. It still got her attention, though.”
“I hope it keeps it. Time will tell how seriously Avery really took you.”
“I’m not worried about it. I’m just glad she’s gone again.”
“Yeah, well, maybe something will happen that’ll keep her out west and you won’t ever have to be concerned about her darkening the doorway of this house again.”
“Like what?”
Bash shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just wishing out loud. Hey, um, I’m thinking about having a party at my house in a couple of weeks and if I do, I want you and Joan to come.”
“What kind of party?”
“A private, invitation-only kind.”
“So Brooke, Ian, and the others won’t be attending.”
