* TW: a***e *
AVERY was still in a peaceful, content state when Lucas dropped her back from the library. She thanked the boys and got out of the car, walking up to the doorstep. They were still waiting, watching, when the door opened.
It was Jamie. His eyes flittered from her to the group of boys and back.
“Hey,” Avery whispered, her eyes narrowing at the tightness in his face. Something was wrong.
Jamie forced a smile. “Hey.” He clearly wasn’t going to say anything else, not when the others could still hear them.
So Avery turned to see that the boys had all been glaring at Jamie, and they schooled their faces into smiles when she saw them. She sighed and waved, calling out a quick, “Bye!” before walking inside.
As soon as Jamie shut the door, his face dropped, and he sagged against
