AVERY
His fingers on my thigh was distracting. It took me everything to choke on my food or gasp.
"What about the bet you made?" I finally managed to whisper. He chuckled.
"Well... I am ready to forfeit for you. I'm ready to do anything and everything for you, Avery." He looked like he meant it too.
When I was done eating, I pushed my plate away and stood, the air in the dining room suddenly too thick, too charged with everything unsaid. Shade followed me out, his footsteps quiet but deliberate behind mine. I didn’t stop until we reached the hallway, far enough from the others, tucked between shadows and silence.
“I promise,” he said softly, “she means nothing to me. Not anymore.”
I didn’t answer right away. My fingers grazed the wall beside me, grounding myself. I could feel his pre
