22. Creed

CHAPTER 22

CREED

Avery's sleek car came to a smooth stop in front of me, its engine purring quietly. The door opened, and there he was, stepping out into the cold with an effortless grace. He was dressed in a dark wool coat, the collar turned up against the cold. His hair was styled just right, not a strand out of place, and even in the frigid air, he looked like he belonged in a magazine spread.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the car's side mirror—unruly hair beneath my burgundy beanie, and a faded jacket that had seen better days. The old sense of not being enough twisted in my gut. But then Avery looked up at me with that tentative, genuine smile, and for a moment, the edges of my insecurity softened.

He moved toward me, his arms opening slightly. "Hey, you," he murmured, his voice carrying through the frosty air. He wrapped me in a hug that was warm and firm, the scent of his cologne—clean, with a hint of spice—wrapping around me like a comfort I didn't want to admit I craved. I stiffened at first, awkward in his embrace, but then I let myself lean in. His touch made the cold seem a little less sharp, the world a little less harsh.

I pulled back, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck, trying to shake off the embarrassment that crept up my spine. I caught a look from Avery—his gaze tracing over my worn-out clothes, but if there was judgment there, he hid it well. I tried to focus on the warmth of seeing him again instead of the knot twisting in my chest.

"You look... good," I managed, my voice rough, the words coming out like they had to fight through gravel. It was the truth—Avery always looked put together, like he had his life lined up perfectly.

He glanced at me, a flicker of something crossing his face, maybe concern. "Thanks," he said, tucking his hands into his coat pockets, rocking slightly on his heels. "Ready to get out of here?"

I nodded, throwing my duffel into the back seat before sliding into the passenger side. The car's interior was warm. Avery settled into the driver's seat, and we rolled out onto the snow-covered streets, leaving behind the dingy little apartment building.

We drove in silence for a while, the heater blowing warm air that gradually thawed my fingers. I kept sneaking glances at Avery, catching his sharp jawline and the focused set of his mouth.

Breaking the silence, he asked, "So, what were you like in high school? I can't picture you as a kid."

I snorted softly. "I only ever wanted to be a Marine."

"How come? To see the world?"

"More like it was my dad's dream," I replied, shrugging. "Didn't work out, though."

Avery's expression shifted, a mixture of understanding and empathy crossing his face. "Well, you definitely got the adventure part. I guess we all think it's going to be one way, but then life hits us with reality."

"Yeah, reality and all its glorious challenges," I said, shaking my head with a chuckle. "I thought it would feel like freedom, you know?"

He nodded, one hand on the wheel. "I get that. He glanced at me with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "You know, I've been thinking about those ridiculous what-if scenarios."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, what if we were superheroes? What would your power be?" he challenged, a grin creeping across his face.

I pretended to ponder. "Easy. Super strength, of course. I'd be like The Hulk, but way cooler. You?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "I'd want to control time. Just imagine—I could just pause everything and jump straight to the good parts."

"Nice! You could also use that to help me with my superhero training." I chuckled. "Maybe you could pause time when I'm about to trip over my own feet."

"Hey, that's a vital skill!" he shot back, raising an eyebrow. "So, if I could control time, do you think that means I could go back and get my childhood crush's autograph?"

"Childhood crush? Now we're talking!" I leaned back, intrigued. "Who was it? Don't hold back."

Avery feigned embarrassment, but the flush on his cheeks told me everything. "Okay, fine. It was Chris Evans. I thought he was the coolest guy ever. I even practiced how I'd approach him if I ever got the chance."

I laughed, picturing a young Avery, starry-eyed and ready to tackle the world. "You? Approaching Captain America? I can't imagine that."

"Hey! I had a whole plan! I'd be smooth, you know? Walk up, say something clever like, ‘So, do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?'" He mimicked his younger self with a mock-serious expression, and I nearly doubled over in laughter.

"Wow, that's a real power move!" I teased. "I bet it worked every time for your younger self."

Avery rolled his eyes dramatically. "Not even once. I was always too busy swooning to actually say anything."

"Well, I had my fair share of embarrassing crushes too." I smirked, shaking my head. "Yeah, I thought I was supposed to have a crush on someone like Hilary Duff back then—because, you know, that's what all the other boys did. But looking back, I think I might've really had a thing for Zac Efron. Turns out, I was more into his smile and confidence than I wanted to admit."

I turned my gaze back out the window, watching the open stretches of snow-covered land. For a moment, I let myself believe in this illusion—that we could bridge the gap between us, that maybe this holiday wouldn't be so bad.

"Thanks for this." My voice was barely louder than the hum of the car engine, but I meant it. Even if it was just a temporary thing, it was more than I'd had in a long time.

Avery glanced over, catching my eye for a second before turning his attention back to the road. "You don't have to thank me, Creed. I'm glad you're spending the holiday with me."