Derek’s phone dinged. “Good. Greg’s waiting for us downstairs.”
That’ll speed things up rather than me waiting for an Uber or a taxi. But ugh, doesn’t Greg have anything better to do than be on call for Derek all day?
“Well, that’s what I pay him for.”
Shit, did I say that out loud? I gritted my teeth together, making sure no more words escaped. The elevator was empty, so I tucked myself into the back corner. Derek followed, finger hovering above the button, looking to me for permission before he pushed it. Why is he so perfect? The thought deflated my remaining anger at Derek like a knife to a balloon, and I realized I was actually mad at myself for letting him in at all. My head fell back against the elevator wall with a dull thud. What a mess.
He leaned against the wall next to me. Those blue eyes watched me from beneath the brim of his cap as he sighed, then he stuck his hands in his jeans’ pockets. “What am I doing wrong, Avery?”
I nearly laughed out loud, catching myself at the last second. Here I was thinking he was perfect, and he asked what he was doing wrong. Luckily, the doors opened just then. We hurried outside. Greg had brought the Town Car this time, thank heavens. I gave him the address, and Derek shot me a funny look. He opened his mouth to ask, but I silenced him with a glare, digging in my bag for my notecards.
“It’s a ten-minute ride, and I planned on studying during it. I have a test after lunch that I have to ace. And I’m late because of that dumb book.”
There was silence for a minute. “I could quiz you.”
I’d be stupid to pass up the offer, no matter how much I wanted to ride in silence on separate sides of the car. “Actually, that’d be amazing. Thank you.” I reluctantly handed over the cards, and he spent the ride asking me about various market models, supply and demand trends, scenarios and hypotheticals that would be similar to what was on our test.
As we pulled into my parents’ driveway, he checked my last answer. “Not one wrong, great job.”
Our fingers brushed as he handed the cards back, electricity jolting through me, right to my very needy core. I pressed my thighs together as I bit out a strained, “Thanks.” Why did he have to come along? I felt so vulnerable. My walls weren’t nearly thick enough for this. Not yet.
“Why are we at your mother’s house?”
But I was already out of the door, leaning over to talk to Greg. “I only have forty-five minutes. Can you drop me at campus after? I’m not sure where he’s going.”
Greg nodded, his eyes flicking over to Derek then back to me. “Of course. Hey, is everything okay with you two?”
I pasted on a bright, forced smile. “Us? Yeah, we’re fine. Everything’s fine. See you soon.” Derek kept up with me as I raced up the steps.
Patty met me at the door, giving me an exuberant hug. “You’re running late, child. Kyle was about to have a conniption, and that man never has a feather out of place. Get going.” She patted Derek’s cheek. “Hello again. Still taking care of our girl?”
He muttered something that sounded a little too much like “when she’ll let me” for my taste, but I was already rushing down the hallway. Maybe I misheard.
“Kyle, I’m here. I’m so sorry. My boyfriend had a change of plans and came along.”
“It’s all right, Miss Avery. See you in forty-five.” He started out of the door.
Patty came in with a wheeled cart right then. “Kyle, sugar, you take your full hour. I’ll sit with him the extra fifteen.”
“You sure, Miss Patty?” He grinned his thanks when Patty nodded.
Derek stood off to one side of the room, looking out of place. I ignored him and Patty as she got out a card table from the closet.
I stood next to Daddy, keeping my voice quiet so I didn’t startle him. “Hey, Steve.”
His eyes fluttered open, and he took me in, scrunching his eyebrows together.
“It’s me, Avery.” I tried, like I always did.
“Hello there.” His voice was the same, but those familiar eyes looked at me the same way one would a stranger. “My daughter’s name is Avery.”
My throat grew tight, as it did every week. “Can I have lunch with you? I heard we’re having meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans.”
A wobbly smile stretched over his face. “That’s my favorite dinner. But only if there’s gravy, too.”
“Can’t have mashed potatoes without gravy.” I remembered how he always used to say the words with me, our voices blending together.
“That’s right.” He gave an assertive nod.