Dirty little secrets

18

Ava

These days the days seemed to have 18 hours and not 24 urghhh, the sun already blasting through the windows way too bright for how wrecked I felt inside, but we were all up and moving because Chloe had this big idea to make breakfast outside on the patio, like some happy family bullshit, eggs and bacon and whatever, and Riley was game, dragging me along with her usual smirk, "Come on, Ava, let's pretend we're normal for five minutes." I rolled my eyes but followed, pulling on shorts and a tank top, hair still a mess from last night, because who cared, right? Jax was probably hiding in his room anyway, nursing that blue balls situation I'd left him with.

We got the grill going for bacon Chloe's insistence, she loved that smoky smell and Riley was flipping eggs on a pan we'd dragged out, me chopping fruit because I needed something to do with my hands to stop them from shaking, that mix of satisfaction and guilt churning in my gut from how I'd broken Jax last night, his tears still fresh in my head, but also Riley's warmth beside me, and yeah, the professor lingering like a ghost. Chloe was chattering away, all bubbly as usual, setting plates on the table, "This is gonna be so fun, guys, like a little brunch party, Ava, you okay? You look kinda spaced." I forced a smile, trying to warm up to her because damn, she didn't deserve the cold shoulder just for being with Jax, even if it twisted my insides, "Yeah, just tired, late night studying or whatever," and Riley snorted beside me, bumping my hip, "Studying, sure, that's what we're calling it now."

Chloe laughed, that light, clueless sound, grabbing a pitcher of orange juice from the kitchen door, "Studying? On a weekend? You're such a good girl, Ava, I wish I had your discipline, I'm over here binge-watching trash TV with Jax half the time." Ouch, that stung, picturing them cuddled up, but I swallowed it, chopping strawberries harder, "Hey, trash TV's my jam too, what're you watching? Maybe I can join next time," trying to sound genuine, because why not, right? Make nice, keep the peace, don't let her see the cracks. Riley shot me a look, one eyebrow up like 'what the f**k are you doing?', but she played along, "Yeah, Chloe, spill, is it that reality show with the screaming housewives? Ava loves that shit." Chloe beamed, setting down the juice, "Oh my good ness, yes! The one where they throw wine at each other? Jax hates it, but I make him watch, he's such a grump about it."

I chuckled, real this time, because

imagining Jax suffering through that was kinda hilarious, "He is a grump, isn't he? Bet he sits there pouting the whole time." Chloe nodded, giggling, "Totally, arms crossed, muttering about how fake it is, but secretly he's hooked, don't tell him I said that." We all laughed then, me and Riley exchanging glances, the tension easing a bit, and I thought maybe this could work, maybe I could fake being friends with her, chat about dumb stuff, ignore the fact that her boyfriend my stepbrother was begging me on his knees last night. "Pass the bacon, Riley," Chloe said, reaching over, and Riley handed it off, "Here, don't burn your pretty little fingers," all sarcastic sweet, and Chloe rolled her eyes, "Oh shut up, you're always so mean to me, what did I ever do to you?"

Riley grinned, sharp, "Mean? Nah, that's just my love language, Chloe, toughen up." I jumped in, trying to smooth it, "She's kidding, Chloe, Riley's all bark, no bite well, mostly no bite," and winked, making Chloe laugh again, "You two are hilarious together, like a comedy duo, Ava, how do you put up with her?" "Barely," I said, popping a strawberry in my mouth, "but she's got her perks." We settled around the table, plates piled high, digging in, conversation flowing easy for once, Chloe asking about school, "So Ava, any cute guys in your classes? Or are you too busy being a study queen?" I nearly choked on my egg, Riley kicking me under the table, her eyes dancing with mischief, "Oh, there's this one professor, right Ava? Total hottie, she's got a crush." "Riley!" I hissed, face heating up, but Chloe leaned in, excited, "Ooh, spill! Is he old? Like silver fox old or young prof vibe?"

I shrugged, playing it cool, "He's... intense, yeah, but nothing's happening, just a good teacher." Riley snorted, "Good teacher my ass, you were drooling over his lecture last week." "Shut up," I muttered, but laughed, because damn, she wasn't wrong, and Chloe was giggling, "Ava, you should go for it, professors are hot, forbidden fruit and all that." Forbidden, yeah, that word hit too close, but I forced a grin, if only she knew it was her father , "Maybe, if I feel like getting expelled." We kept going like that, back and forth, sarcasm flying Riley mocking Chloe's perfect bacon flip, "Look at you, master chef over here, Gordon Ramsay who?" and Chloe firing back, "Better than your burnt eggs, Riley, these taste like charcoal." "Hey, that's flavor, b***h," Riley snapped, but playful, and I was in the middle, laughing so hard my sides hurt, for a second forgetting the mess.

Then my phone dinged on the table, loud and obnoxious, right where I'd left it face up, unlocked because I was an i***t, too busy chopping and chatting to think about it..

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