Recognition crosses his features, but before he can answer, Radar comes strolling into the kitchen. He and Jase share a bro hug – the kind that comes with a hand shake and then a couple of loud pats across the back. Then Radar turns to me.
“Welcome to Radar’s love palace.” His hands sweep out in front of him, indicating a tiny messy kitchen, and dim, sparsely furnished apartment beyond. If he believes this is a love palace, I’m certain Radar hasn’t seen any action in quite some time.
“Dumbass.” Jase playfully shoves his friend on the shoulder. “Keep an eye on Avery for a minute. I’m going to talk to Lauren.”
Radar nods. “Sure thing, boss.”
I don’t know what might come of it, but I am proud of Jase for at least trying to make amends with the girl.
Radar grabs a fresh beer from the fridge before surveying me up and down with a smile. “Jase must be pretty serious about you. He’s never brought a girl home for the weekend before.”
I flush pink. “Oh no, we’re just friends.”
Radar laughs, a dimple appearing next to his mouth as his smile widens. “Trust me. He wants to be more.”
I want to dispute it, but I wonder if Radar could be right. I’m not sure what’s going on between me and Jase, only that I like where it’s headed.
Jase
Avery is quiet on the ride back to my mom’s. She spends the drive flipping through the radio stations. I can tell there’s something going on inside her head, but I don’t pressure her. I know she isn’t quite there yet with me, I know she’s getting closer to letting me in. Especially after I’d manned up tonight and apologized to Lauren.
Avery and I didn’t stay long at Radar’s after my conversation with Lauren. It started off awkward, but as soon as I’d uttered the words I’m sorry, her shoulders dropped and she’d instantly relaxed around me. After that, the words just came to me. I told her how I’d used girls as a distraction to escape my home life, and she admitted she learned girls can’t trap guys into a relationship simply by getting physical. We talked for about fifteen minutes, each of us more comfortable and relieved by the end of the conversation. I knew things wouldn’t be awkward if I ran into her again. The whole experience was a revelation.
Afterwards, I found Avery and Radar where I’d left them in the kitchen, laughing over a story he was telling her. We stayed a little longer, visiting with the guys before calling it a night. The mood changed after my conversation with Lauren, and plus I didn’t mind leaving early because the thought of being alone with Avery appealed to me more.
The house is dark and quiet, but I can navigate my way in the dark, so I place a hand on Avery’s lower back and guide her to the stairs. Once we’re on the landing, I walk her to the door to the guest room and stop, rather than bringing her to my room like I really want to do.
She isn’t mine, and last night I probably pushed things too far. And sensing Avery’s quiet, contemplative mood on the drive home, I stand silently with her at the door to the guest bedroom.
“I’m proud of you for apologizing to Lauren,” she says finally.
I’m quiet while I watch her. I’m not sure what she wants from me, what she needs. If I did, I’d give it to her, without question. But those sad eyes of hers are hard to read. I lean down and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Night, Whistle.”
She nods once, blinking those wide green eyes at me, then disappears into the guest room.
Avery
When Jase practically shoves me into the guest room, I’m confused. And hurt. I thought we were really getting somewhere, and after last night’s make out session, I’d been looking forward to a repeat of that. Apparently Jase isn’t. Which sucks. But I scrub my face, brush my teeth, and try not to pout as I crawl into bed.
In the morning, things are quiet over breakfast again, and Jase doesn’t dally – we’re soon saying goodbye to his mom and in the car for the journey back.
The closer we get toward campus, the more my panic sets in. Madison had been beyond pissed that I was going home with Jase, not believing for a second that his motives were virtuous with me, and now Jase, the guy I’m risking everything for, is barely speaking to me.
When he parks in front of my dorm, we exit the car and I wait while Jase retrieves my bag.
“I don’t know what I did wrong…but I don’t want things to be weird between us now,” I say.
His eyebrows draw together. “You did nothing wrong. I thought maybe I’d rushed you the other night, so I wanted to make sure you knew that wasn’t all I wanted.”
Oh. I shake my head. “Well, you got quiet on me… so I figured you were mad about something.”
His finger presses over my lips. “Stop thinking so much. I’m not mad. I’m giving you time to sort out whatever you need to sort out. Just don’t shut me out, okay?”
I nod. “Thanks for this weekend.”
“Thanks for being so sweet to my mom,” he says. He leans down to plant a tender kiss against my forehead, then turns back for his car.
I was right about Madison’s mood. She sends me suspicious looks and cryptic comments all afternoon while I try to study. I’m relieved when Noah shows up for our regular Sunday night dinner in the cafeteria.
I load my plate with mystery casserole, not able to focus on anything but Madison’s suspicions. Am I being stupid to think there’s something between me and Jase? When I slide into my seat, Noah has clearly been briefed on my weekend getaway, because he too is scowling at me.