Bad Bitches Anonymous (BBA)

The Line You Can't Uncross

The Grinder Coffee Shop, High Desert

February 20th, 2023 — 2:45 PM

I nervously stirred my latte, glancing around the quaint little café, the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans mingling with desert air. The Grinder was nestled far from the prying eyes of Los Angeles, safely hidden in the high desert halfway to Vegas.

The bell on the door jingled softly, and I looked up. Austin walked in, looking as effortlessly handsome as always, jeans fitted to perfection, leather jacket casually slung over his shoulders. My heart instantly quickened, betraying every bit of rationality I'd tried desperately to hold onto.

“Ava Bolden,” Austin said warmly, approaching the table with a knowing smile. “Fancy meeting you way out here.”

I stood up, suddenly awkward, but his embrace felt natural, familiar, safe. “Thanks for coming, Austin. I know it’s a bit far.”

“A bit far?” he laughed, sitting down across from me. “We drove halfway to Vegas for coffee, Ava. Why all the secrecy?”

I blushed deeply, looking down. “If I’m honest? Things at home are complicated. Jordan’s still not over…the kiss. Seeing you again might push him completely over the edge.”

Austin leaned back slightly, eyes sparkling mischievously. “Are you serious? The perfect Mr. Harrington still threatened by little ol' me?”

“It’s not funny,” I replied. “My marriage is hanging on by a thread.”

He studied me thoughtfully, his expression soft. “Then why invite me here at all, Ava?”

“Because I owe you a proper apology, Austin. Last time at the dealership I panicked. Leaving you like that…was wrong.”

He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. “I appreciate that. But, honestly, Ava, I’ve forgiven you already.”

We sat quietly, the silence comfortable but charged. Finally, he smiled gently. “Let’s change the subject. How’ve you been besides the drama?”

“I’ve missed you,” I blurted out impulsively, quickly regretting the confession. “I mean, missed our talks, our friendship.”

He chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow. “Just friendship?”

My cheeks burned hot, nerves quickly replaced by a deep, familiar ache. “Austin…”

He leaned closer, voice lowering intimately. “Because, Ava, I’ve missed you too. Probably more than I should admit.”

My pulse raced wildly, my chest rising and falling heavily. Before logic could take hold, desire spilled recklessly from my lips. “Austin, let’s get a room.”

His eyes widened slightly in surprise, but a slow grin spread across his handsome face. “Are you serious right now?”

“Yes,” I whispered urgently, pulse pounding in my ears. “I need you, Austin. I need…us.”

Without hesitation, he rose, extending his hand. “Then let's go.”

Hot Bar Hotel, High Desert

February 20th, 2023 — 4:10 PM

The hotel room door closed softly behind us, and suddenly we were tangled together, years of longing bursting forth unchecked. Our clothes hit the floor recklessly, lips crushing, hands roaming. Austin took control immediately, his mouth dominating mine, his touch familiar yet thrillingly new.

We fell onto the bed, bodies molded together, years of tension releasing in explosive, unrestrained passion. Austin was relentless, powerful, and achingly attentive, claiming every inch of me with that animalistic intensity. For that brief, perfect moment, nothing else mattered, not Jordan, not his silence, not my mistakes. Just Austin, and the fire he reignited inside me.

Afterward, tangled together, breathing heavily, Austin gently pulled away, his expression shifting into painful seriousness.

“Ava, we need to talk,” he began softly, his voice strained.

Dread knotted instantly in my stomach. “Austin…what is it?”

He sat up slowly, running his fingers anxiously through his hair. “Look, as amazing as this was…this can’t happen again.”

My heart dropped sharply, disbelief filling my voice. “Wait, what do you mean? Why?”

He swallowed hard, eyes filled with genuine sadness. “Because I'm engaged, Ava.”

The words sliced through me, deep and sharp. I stared at him, speechless, my chest aching painfully. “Engaged?”

He nodded slowly, clearly conflicted. “Her name’s Karoline. We’ve been together a while now. She’s…she’s pregnant, Ava. We’re having a baby.”

I recoiled as though physically struck, horror and devastation crashing into me simultaneously. “Pregnant?” My voice cracked, tears flooding my eyes. “Oh my god, Austin, why didn’t you tell me?”

He exhaled shakily, guilt evident. “Because part of me selfishly hoped today would never end. I knew the moment you called, I wouldn’t be able to resist you. But it wasn’t fair to Karoline, and it sure as hell isn’t fair to you.”

Tears spilled freely down my cheeks. “Austin, i’m so stupid. I shouldn’t have asked you here.”

He reached for me, gently touching my cheek. “You’re not stupid, Ava. You're human. We both are. But this, us, it can’t happen again. I have responsibilities now. And you…you have Jordan.”

The mention of Jordan brought even deeper shame, sinking my heart further. “God, what am I doing?”

Austin’s expression softened further, eyes filled with understanding. “You’re caught between two worlds, Ava. And as much as it hurts, I can’t be the one to pull you away from your marriage. And now I have a family to think of too.”

I nodded slowly, pain squeezing tightly around my heart, breath shuddering as tears kept coming. “You're right. Of course, you’re right.”

We sat quietly, painfully aware of the line we’d just crossed, a line we could never uncross. My heart now felt torn beyond repair—split between the husband who deserved so much better, and the man I’d never truly stopped loving.

The Lake View Hotel Los Angeles, Penthouse Suite 161

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 — 3:51 AM



The ladies stared silently, shock etched clearly on their faces. Finally, Toni broke the silence.

“b***h…Ava, what the actual f**k?” Toni demanded, shaking her head. “You drove halfway to Vegas for coffee, f****d Austin knowing full well you had a whole husband at home and found out your side-piece had a pregnant fiancée?”

“Girl, that karma came swinging like a heavyweight champion,” Keisha added. “You crossed the line and got hit immediately. I mean, I love you but damn.”

Camille sighed, looking at me with gentle but firm eyes. “You knew exactly what you were doing, Ava. And you also knew what was at stake.”

“I know,” I whispered miserably, rubbing my temples. “I made the worst possible choice.”

Latrixa leaned forward intently, eyes sharp. “But let’s not play, Austin knew exactly what he was doing too. Both of y’all selfish.”

Nia tilted her head. “But Ava, why couldn’t you stop yourself? Even after therapy, after Jordan forgave you, you still went to Austin?”

I hesitated, swallowing my shameful truth. “Because I never stopped loving him. Deep down, I wanted both Austin and Jordan, no matter how impossible it was.”

Keisha raised her glass. “Girl, emotional cheating, physical cheating, you just said f**k it and went for broke. Now you’re stuck between heartbreak and your own damn mess.”

Toni nodded, voice softer now. “Ava, you’re playing with fire and gasoline. And baby, you’re about to burn everything down.”

I nodded slowly, the weight of my actions sinking heavily into my heart. Because they were right, I’d finally crossed a line I could never uncross. And now, all I could do was brace for the devastation yet to come.