Page 100 of The Cupcake Standard

Eye roll emoji. It’s covered, Rhonda insisted.

You guys are the best.

I stared at my phone, wondering again why Gina hadn’t called. Or been the one to get my things. The doorbell rang, and I hurried to open the door for Greg.

He had a box in his arms, with a backpack thrown over his shoulder. His concerned gaze looked me over before coming in. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

Once he saw I was in one piece, he shifted under the weight, glancing around the spacious entryway. “Um, where should I…?”

“Oh.” I still hadn’t explored the house. “By the couch? On the floor is fine. I haven’t really settled yet.”

He set the things down, taking off his hat and running his fingers through his sandy hair.

A burning question bubbled up before I could stop it. “How…how’s Derek?”

Greg wouldn’t meet my eyes and his jaw clenched. “I’m going to be honest with you, Avery. I don’t know what happened, but I’ve never seen him more messed up. And I saw him after Piper.” He sighed. “I know you well enough that I’m sure you wouldn’t just run out on him, but, well, I hope you know what you’re doing.” He adjusted the brim of his hat, looking like he wanted to say more, then thought better of it. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

And he left me standing in the middle of the living room gaping after him.

I wallowed after that, like a pig in a mud hole. My phone didn’t ring once, and I didn’t call anyone else. I didn’t bother turning on the lights when the sun disappeared behind the clouds, didn’t bother moving from the couch to one of the many more than comfortable bedrooms. I just replayed Greg’s words and reread the mail in my mind.

When I’d downed more than my share of whiskey, I pulled out my phone, clicking on my voicemail icon. On my side, assuming my curled-up position, I pushed the speaker button and listened to all of Derek’s messages. They started off curious, thinking maybe I was playing a joke on him. Then he got worried, wondering if something was wrong. He was nearly frantic by the end.

But it was the last one that had tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Avery? Look, I talked to Liam. He told me about the mail, and I read it myself. Cupcake, I didn’t know, I didn’t realize you didn’t know about the master’s and graduation and the paper. I guess why would you, right? But the other one…the apartment. I get it. I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid something like this would happen.”

The silence stretched on so long I had to look to make sure the message hadn’t ended. “I did what I had to do, Avery. Those apartments weren’t safe.” Another pause. “Liam told me not to ask where you are, that you asked him not to tell me. So I won’t. I won’t call again. You deserve your space, and if this is what you need…I can respect that. Just take care of yourself, okay? I’ll be here if you need me. Anything at all.”

And that was it, his last message.

I put down the phone and the whiskey and cried myself to sleep. Tuesday passed much the same. I wasn’t sure I left the couch to do more than pee.

Wednesday, I thought I was dreaming when I heard Gina’s voice. “How much do you like this couch, Liam?”

“Do it.”

Then cold water poured down over me. I bolted upright, sputtering and coughing while waving my arms. “What the hell?” When I’d cleared enough water from my eyes that I could see, my vision focused on Gina standing above me, arms crossed, a no-nonsense expression on her face.

“You about done?”

I sagged against the soggy couch. “Gina,” I began, only to be doused with another bottle of cold water. “Stop!”

“I said, are you about done?”

“Done what?” I shook my arms, wiping off my face again.

“Having this ridiculous pity party for yourself.” She shook her head.

My mouth opened to protest again, but I stopped when I caught her look.

“I have another bottle, so choose your words carefully. If they have anything to do with what you think Derek did, I’d shut that mouth until you hear the whole story.” Her chin lifted in a clear threat, waiting until I did exactly as she suggested. “Good, now despite the two bottles of water I just dumped on you, you stink. Go rinse off. Find some clean clothes and meet us back here in twenty. We have some talking to do.”

Us? I looked around the room, realizing it wasn’t just her and Liam. Rhonda was there too, and Greg. Sheepishly, I took in the state of the couch, the several empty whiskey bottles. I winced as I tried to push my greasy hair back, but it was plastered to my forehead. Point taken. I nodded, grabbing the bag of clothes off the floor where Greg had left it the other day.

More clear-headed after showering and in different clothes, I also gave my teeth a decent scrubbing. When I came out, the living room was empty, freshly cleaned and smelling a whole lot better than I had left it. Crap. I owe Liam an apology. The sound of voices and the smell of food led me to the kitchen. I arrived to find everyone standing around the island, which was piled high with brunch food.

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