Chapter 24

RILEY STREAKED UP the side of the field and Hailey passed him the ball, then sprinted behind the guy covering her to get herself open for Riley to cross it back. Riley was stuck in the corner and managed to get around the girl covering him to hit Hailey with the ball just as she was approaching the net. At the same time, Avery’s defender left him and made his way across the middle to get in front of what would have been an open shot.

As the ball reached her, she heard Avery shout “Let!” to tell her he was open behind her in the same direction the ball was already traveling. He’d have an easy shot. As the ball reached her, she put the ball of her foot on it and then dragged it behind her to keep it rolling toward Avery. She didn’t even turn around to see him, but the ball sailing past the goalie’s hands told her he got the open shot.

When you play with the same people for years, you get this sixth sense about where they’re going to be on the field, what they’re going to do with the ball and how best to help them. Since they’ve played off and on together since high school, it was like second nature to know each other’s moves.

Hailey ran over to Avery to high-five him for his goal and he gave her the look that meant he was going for a double. She slapped his right hand above their heads and then kept the force of it moving around in a circle, their hands meeting again down low.

As Abby ran by, she lowered her voice and said, “Get a room,” with a devilish grin on her face. Hailey turned toward Avery but he had already ran back to his spot at left forward and didn’t hear. At least Hailey could blame her red face on running around.

The game was a blowout and Hailey’s team left the field with a 10-2 win and big smiles on their faces. It was an early game so the night was still young. It was just a matter of time before Cole—

“Victory drinks at the pub!”

And there it was. He couldn’t help but want to celebrate every win. The team would get drinks after some losses, but it really depended on Cole’s mood after a game. They all looked to him as their leader so they usually went with it.

They got to their go-to pub and took over two small tables, pushing them together and making that grating sound against the floor that had Hailey shivering.

It was only seven of them so she grabbed a seat next to Avery with Cole on her other side.

Hailey wasn’t sure she was ready for alcohol after what happened last week, so she stuck with soda.

It drew a raised eyebrow from Cole and he leaned in to ask if she was okay. Hailey nodded and just muttered that she wasn’t up for it. He seemed to accept that answer and they both went back to the conversation at the table.

Why was it weird when someone didn’t order alcohol?

They all spent some time rehashing the game and going over their schedule for the rest of the season. They had a few tough games coming up and Hailey was looking forward to the challenge after tonight’s game. Blowouts were never fun for her. She always felt like it was rubbing it in the other team’s faces. She’d be extra nice and let the other team know how good that shot was for them, or say how fast they were. It made her feel a little better when it got a smile from them.

Sipping her soda, she started thinking about that feeling, the one where you were helpless to fix a situation and you were on the losing side of a blowout. It sucked, and she never wished it on anyone, despite being uber competitive. Marley would say that she was trying to make other people happy because Hailey couldn’t make herself happy and she didn’t want anyone else to feel that way. She didn”t want people to feel the way she did all the time.

It made sense, but doing it still made her feel some kind of joy, feeling useful.

“Ahem, earth to Hailey,” Abby said from across the table. “You okay? You’re zoning out a bit.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry,” she said, suddenly flustered that everyone was staring at her. Who knows what conversation was happening while she was off in space.

“Let me guess, trouble with the boyfriend again?” Cole rolled his eyes. “When are you going to take care of that?”

Hailey stole a quick glance at Avery and he gave her a reassuring nod.

“Um, well, actually…” She took a deep breath and looked around the table at the worried looks she was getting. This team really liked to be in each other’s business. “Actually, I ended it with him. It’s over.”

A lot of things happened at once. Riley and Josh pumped their fists in the air and shouted “Yes” repeatedly, Cole started banging his fists on the table, yelling, “Oh thank the lord, the day has come!” Then he gave Hailey a giant bear hug that actually pulled her a little out of her chair. Abby sat there squealing and clapping her hands like she just won the lottery and Elena seemed to be thanking someone above with her hands folded in front of her.

She jumped at the outbursts, and when Cole released her she bumped shoulders with Avery. She looked his way when he leaned in and said so close to her ear that she could feel his breath, “I think they’re excited.”

Hailey tensed realizing her body just responded to his whispers, a shiver running up her spine, her hands suddenly clammy and her hand shaking when she reached for her drink.

The cacophony continued around the table until Cole got everyone’s attention again. “Wait, wait, wait. Was this because of the intervention? Did we help?”

She felt Avery’s eyes still on her while she looked straight ahead at Abby, trying to keep her eyes off him so it didn’t look like it was because of him. Instead, she rolled her eyes.

“Well, it didn’t hurt I guess.”

“Yes! I’m so happy for you!” Yeah, she picked up on that already. “Let’s raise our glasses to new beginnings for Hailey!”

Everyone humored Cole and clinked their glasses together. She stole another look at Avery who reached over to her and gave her shoulder a squeeze. It was one thing to tell Avery what happened when no one else was listening, but she wasn’t up for telling a table full of people what led to Hailey finally pulling the plug on that disaster.

The conversation moved back to soccer for a while. Apparently, Manchester United was doing well and Riley was obsessed with them.

Hailey jumped in every once in a while but she was mostly keeping a low profile, just enjoying watching her friends enjoy themselves. She did feel bad for the nearby tables though. There was no way all of them together didn’t smell from the game.

Glancing around, there was a couple at the next table that was too busy eye-fucking each other and another table filled with people all on their phones. A whole table of five people and none of them talking to each other. Hailey was suddenly really thankful for her friends that knew what a conversation was.

“Big news you guys!” Abby brought everyone’s attention to her. “I found a tour in Italy and I’m going in five months!”

Everyone at the table asked a bunch of questions at once but Abby raised her hand to silence them. Hailey wasn’t sure how she did that. She had that quiet confidence that just made people listen to her.

“I’m going to see the villages of Cinque Terre, Rome and visit Florence in Tuscany! Plus some towns I’ve never even heard of, wine tastings, so much food. I’m so excited!”

Hailey melted. This trip sounded like a dream and she could definitely use a vacation. Five months was plenty of time to save up.

She couldn’t help blurting, “Take me with you!”

“Don’t tease me! I thought you couldn’t come!”

Hailey blushed a bit. She originally told Abby she couldn’t travel with her when she first brought it up because Gage shot it down immediately. He couldn’t get the time off work and he strongly implied that she couldn’t go without him because she didn’t have the money and needed him. Her fists clenched just thinking about it. Geez, she was an idiot. Emphasis on was.

“Well, five months is plenty of time to save,” not to mention her future no longer included narcissists. “Send me the info!”

Abby pumped her fists. “Yes! Please come so I have a friend. It would be so much better! Then, you can help me document my adventures.”

Hailey raised her hand to her chest as if she was making a vow. “I’d be honored to be your assistant and aid you in your quest for inspiration.”

Abby chuckled before raising a hand to high-five Hailey, which she promptly slapped while letting out a loud whoop.

“When are you going again?” piped up Elena.

“The very end of June for ten days,” answered Abby.

The wheels seemed to be turning in Elena’s head for a moment before she responded.

“Okay, I’m in, too. School is out by then.”

“Really?” Hailey and Abby exclaimed at practically the same time.

“Yeah, why not? I could use some inspiration, too.”

Hailey and Abby freaked out for a few minutes then promised to discuss details in a new group chat soon. Elena wasn’t much of a joiner, so her coming was a surprise. Hailey just couldn’t wait to get away and experience a different part of the world.

“Man, so jealous. Hey, did you hear Diane from school got married?” Riley asked across the table.

“Diane Walker? Was it to that musician guy?” Hailey asked.

“Yes! The guitarist for that local band. Geez, their photos are all over social media.”

At that, Cole turned to Hailey and, like typical Cole, had no tact when he asked, “Oh shit, Hailey what are you going to do about a date next month for Bridget’s wedding?”

Hailey’s jaw dropped and then she quickly closed her mouth. All she could do was blink for what felt like ten minutes, but was probably five seconds.

“I forgot about that. I guess I’ll have to go alone. That head table thing with all the bridal party and their dates will be uneven, but I think Bridget is pretty happy I’m not bringing Gage so I guess it’s not a big deal.”

Hailey sat back in her chair and sipped her soda and noticed that everyone’s eyes were darting between her and Avery.

What the hell?

She turned to Avery and noticed he was blushing and quickly looked away, suddenly distracted with the ice cubes in his drink. Ah, this restaurant has crushed ice instead of uncrushed. Fascinating.

When she looked back up, Abby was smiling at her. “Have you thought about just bringing a friend instead?”

“You guys literally just reminded me about it. I haven’t thought about it at all.”

“You should just bring a friend. It will be way more fun. Let’s see, who could you ask?”

Abby tapped her fingers against her chin while looking at the ceiling.

“What about our friend Zach? He’s totally single.”

Was it just her imagination or did Avery just stiffen next to her?

“Or Brian! He would totally go with you. Want me to text him for you?”

Abby’s eyes moved over to Avery and her smile grew. There was absolutely no way Hailey was going to look in that direction this second. She’d love to ask Avery, but she wasn’t sure if he would be up for it after everything she’d been through. Yet, Hailey couldn’t ignore the fact that her heart started racing thinking about asking him.

“I dunno. I guess I’ll think about it?” Hailey had no idea how to play this. She certainly didn’t want to go with the guys Abby was suggesting and she knew that Hailey didn’t really like Brian because he always made really gross comments to anything that walked by with boobs. So, why would she suggest him?

“Brian is a total sleaze, Hailey could do better than that,” Avery added with a surprising growl in his voice.

“Oh yeah? Like who?” Abby said, her eyes filled with mischief. Was she trying to make Avery jealous? Or goad him into going with her? If there was one thing she didn’t want, it was for Avery to feel pressured to go with her.

“I don’t think I’m ready to think about that at the moment so why don’t we just drop it? Cole, are you still going to that concert this weekend?”

Nailed it. When Cole got excited about something he absolutely took over the conversation so Hailey knew they were done with that chat. She took a second to glare at Abby, but Abby just grinned back.

After taking a deep breath, she took a glance at Avery, who was already looking at her. She offered him a small smile. He smiled back and nudged her arm with his elbow playfully. Hailey’s smile grew before she turned back to the conversation.

Before too long, everyone was ready to head home. She got a ride here with Abby from the game so Hailey expected her to take her home. She sidled up next to her to walk out when Abby looked at her phone and gasped.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe it. My sister just texted me that she has to run one of her kids to urgent care because he’s running a fever. I gotta get over there to watch the other kid.”

Hailey peeked. There was nothing on Abby’s phone. Not to mention, Abby’s sister only had one kid.

“Hey Avery, Hailey’s on your way, could you take her home?”

Hailey gave Abby a death glare that Avery couldn’t see. Geez, she was really manipulating this. Freaking puppet master.

“Yeah, of course I can. It’s no problem.”

Hailey turned back around to Avery. “Are you sure? I could just call an uber.”

She didn’t mention that one of the other five people here could also take her home.

“Nah, don’t waste your money. I’ve got you,” Avery said with a little bit of a blush rising in his cheeks.

Avery saying “I’ve got you” did very strange things to Hailey’s body. Suddenly, everything was warm and it felt like her stomach dropped a little.

She walked to Avery’s car reluctantly, a simple blue Honda sedan. Avery was practical and she liked that.

As she settled into his car, she wondered why it felt like there was less air for her to breathe.

This is no big deal. We’re just friends. He wasn’t jealous earlier.

Hailey wondered if she should just ask him. She took a calming breath.

“I was—”

“Did you—”

They said at the same time. Turning toward each other, they started laughing and that helped Hailey feel a little bit more at ease. Avery relaxed a bit too, and he started the car and drove off toward her apartment.

“You go ahead,” Hailey offered. She certainly wasn’t going to turn down a delay for her question.

“Okay. So, um.” Was he nervous? He seemed nervous. “I’m sorry about everyone ganging up on you earlier about the wedding.”

Well, that was certainly a segue.

“Oh, yeah, they’re overly interested in my romantic life. They’re just happy I finally got away from Gage.”

“Definitely. I mean, we all are.”

Hailey looked over at Avery. He rarely said anything negative about Gage or got involved with the conversations about her romantic life like the others. The one person she actually really wanted interested in her romantic life. All she could do was nod and hum an affirmation.

“I was … um … I was wondering, ya know if you really needed it and you really wanted to…” Oh my goodness he was adorable. Hailey couldn’t help but smile at him. He seemed to shake off his nerves because the rest of his sentence came out quickly. “Icouldbeyourdateifyouwanted.”

“Uh, what was that?” Hailey thought she understood, but didn’t believe her ears.

Avery took a deep breath before slowing down when he said, “I could be your date if you wanted.” Hailey was speechless. Was he really asking her what she— “You know, as friends of course.”

Oh.

“Sure!” Hailey responded in a higher pitch than she was used to speaking. “I mean, you really want to come?”

“Yeah, if you’ll have me.”

“What about the girl you were talking to?”

“I don’t think she’ll mind. She’s really cool and she knows we’re friends.”

Right. Friends. Well, this was definitely better than nothing, but she wasn’t sure about the logistics and if he’d still want to go since it was just as friends.

“It’s just…” Avery turned to her expectantly. It was too dark to see if he was blushing. “Um, it’s just that the wedding is an hour away. And I know that’s far. And I was going to stay the night. I already got a … hotel room.”

Avery opened his mouth to say something, but seemed to change his mind. Hailey was hoping he wasn’t getting the wrong idea.

“But, I got a room with two beds if … ya know … you needed to crash.”

Son of a bitch this was torture. How do people date? Hailey was pretty sure she was about to die.

He took another glance at Hailey, who was trying to keep a straight face, before turning back to the road. Hailey was sure that was going to change his mind. He was definitely not going to—

“Yeah, I’ll still go. Staying over is probably a good idea if we’re … drinking.” He still seemed nervous as he took a deep breath. “Are you sure you’re okay with that? If I crashed in the same room?”

She didn’t want to seem too eager so she played it super cool like she did with everything else, obviously.

“Yeah! I mean, sure! I mean, why not? It’s not like we would have to share a bed if we didn’t want to.”

She covered her face with her hands before running them through her hair. Not super cool at all. Oh dear God, why did she say that? No. She was not cool. Nothing she was saying was super cool.

“Not that we’d want to since we’re going as friends. Just friends. You and I are friends.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and groaned inwardly before she looked back over at Avery to see how badly she just fucked up. She was surprised to find he was staring at her with his lips sucked between his teeth like he was holding back a laugh. And they were parked in her apartment’s lot. When did they get here?

Avery seemed to compose himself before saying, “If we don’t want to. Sounds like a plan.”

Hailey released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and chuckled at how ridiculous this conversation was, still holding eye contact with Avery.

“Great. Good. I’m gonna go die now. Thanks for the ride.” She reached for the door handle while Avery also started laughing.

“No problem. Just send me the details for the wedding and I promise not to tease you about anything else you said tonight.”

She was cracking up now and knew she had to leave before she made things more awkward.

“Good, and I won’t be a tease either.” She slapped a hand across her head. “I mean I won’t tease you! Dammit, goodnight Avery.”

She climbed out of the car with them both laughing and took one last look at Avery. There was a look on his face she wasn’t used to seeing. Determination? Maybe. Relief? Possibly. Embarrassment for Hailey? Extremely likely.

Hailey shook her head at herself once she was out of the car and tried desperately to not look back. Once she climbed the stairs and unlocked her door, she couldn’t help herself. She turned to find Avery still waiting there, smiling, making sure she got inside. With a final wave she closed the door and then sank back against it, sliding to the floor.

For the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to a date. And there was a zero percent chance she could be cool about it.