Page 14 of Wicked Games

“Yep. Probably spending it five bucks at a time at McDonald’s.”

“I’m sorry.”

I don’t have anything to add, and it’s just as well Marie interrupts us.

“Are you two lovebirds ready to order?”

I glance at Avery who looks like she wants to smile but doesn’t dare. I get it. It’s not betraying her sister or Theo, but happiness, no matter how little, doesn’t seem like it fits into our lives right now.

“Yeah. Ladies first,” I say, nodding at Avery.

We order and eat, falling into a silence that seems normal and expected, almost anticipated. I like talking to her because she listens, but there’s something peaceful, almost comforting, about being with someone who doesn’t want constant conversation. I’m going to enjoy it for as long as I can. She ordered the same thing as I did, and we concentrate on our food.

Marie asks if we saved room for dessert (the apple pie is on special), but we pass and I pay our bill.

The sun’s setting when we step out of the diner, and I’m glad I have my pullover. I hold her purse while she puts her hoodie on, and we start the walk back, our arms brushing.

“I really appreciate this,” I say, resisting the urge to hold her hand.

“I don’t mind. If you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.” She pauses. “Did you know Brooke didn’t like your business partner?”

I frown. “No. Do you mean Violet? Where did you get an idea like that?”

“Oh, ah, just an interview I found. She didn’t come right out and say it, of course. I just sensed some jealousy while I was reading it, that’s all.”

“Brooke didn’t like that I worked so much, and to be fair, there’s no reason to anymore. Violet and I have made our fortunes, as the saying goes. But I enjoy my work, enjoy spending time with her—” I clear my throat. I do enjoy spending time with Violet. She’s my best friend. It’d be difficult having her as a best friend if I didn’t like being around her. “Are you suggesting Brooke cheated on me because of my friendship with Violet?”

“No, of course not. I was just— Never mind.”

We’re coming up to our houses and I’m glad I don’t have to talk about this anymore. I’m angry. Avery has no fucking clue what went on in my marriage. Reading an interview Brooke probably shouldn’t have given doesn’t make her an expert on why we got divorced any more than knowing she married her college professor gives me the right to comment on hers, but I can guess why her ex gave her walking papers and I’m pissed enough to say it.

“Maybe you should mind your own business. No doubt your husband was tired of supporting you and dumped you when he couldn’t take it anymore.” The second the words leave my mouth I want to take them back. I know how shaky her mental health is right now because I’m feeling the exact same things she is.

Blood drains from her face but she lifts her chin. “I know, Seth, but thanks for pointing it out. I’m a leech, not worth anything. Just a stupid woman who thought her little hobby might have value. Have a good summer.” She pauses, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry about Theo. I hope you can get over what happened to him. It wasn’t your fault.”

She has so much kindness and grace to even be able to say that after what I just said to her. I deserve nothing less than for her to spit in my face and tell me to fuck off.

With her shoulders hunched, she walks down the driveway to her house, and I resist following her, begging her to forgive me. There’s a reason why I was nasty and I might as well just come out and admit it. The way I was starting to feel about her scared me, and I didn’t know what to do. It’s better this way. I need to do what I came here to do and leave. Get on with my life the best way I can. That doesn’t mean falling in love when I couldn’t keep the woman I had.

I wait until I can’t see her anymore then walk to my own house. I stand in the living room at the French doors hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but she doesn’t turn a light on and the only movement anywhere is a brown rabbit nibbling on some grass in her yard.

I take my pullover off and toss it on the couch. The burger I ate at the diner churns in my stomach, and in the kitchen, I guzzle a beer hoping it will help. It eases the dryness in my throat, but nothing short of apologizing and Avery saying she forgave me would get rid of the nausea and loosen the stiffness in my muscles.

My phone’s still in the pocket of my pullover, and I backtrack to the living room and grab it. Surprisingly, I haven’t thought to look at it all night. No, not surprisingly. Avery captured all of my attention. The way she licked ketchup off her fingers and I wanted it to be my skin, or the way she’d put a French fry between her lips and I wished that it was my cock. I want to slowly slide my dick into her mouth and encourage her to suck me dry.

But that’s not all.

I want to bury my face between her legs and listen to her moan my name. I want to slide so deeply inside her neither of us can speak. We’d be good together in bed. I know it. Passion and pain twisting us together. Yeah, we’d be good in bed. Then when we were done, I could tell her she was putting my pieces back together, and she would say I’m doing the same for her, except, all I did was smash the pieces her life is in to even smaller pieces and there’s not enough glue in the world for that.

When you can’t fix something, you throw it away.

I hope after what I said she doesn’t hurt herself.

Fuck.

I’m such an asshole.

Detective LaSalle called and left a voicemail. I want to call him back and find out if there’s any news about my son’s case, but I call Violet first.