Page 94 of Hungry Hearts

I’ve always been a soft-spoken person, never one to stir the pot or to argue. If I disagree with someone, I nod my acquiescence and walk away. This bombshell, however, cannot be left alone.

“You cheated on Ryder. It destroyed him.”

“I never cheated on him or anyone in my entire life.” I shouldn’t have to defend myself to her, but I’m not about to let him spread lies about me.

“He saw you in the shower with another man...”

“What?” I close my eyes and shake my head, trying to make sense of the ridiculous accusation. “For the record, I’ve only had sex with two men in my life. My husband, and Ryder. And I’ve only had sex in the shower with one man, and it wasn’t my late husband.”

Great. The lack of a filter issue has made its way to my mouth.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Really? Because you just accused me of cheating on Ryder after knowing me for less than five minutes.”

“No, I brought up what Ryder is heartbroken over. I told him none of it made sense. Like, where was Ruby when you were having sex in the shower with fucker friend? You were supposedly bringing her home from dance and he was meeting you to make quesadillas.”

“Fucker friend? You mean Flynn? Ryder thought I was having sex with Flynn?”

Avery nods. “He saw Flynn. Heard him call out to you.”

“Me? No. Impossible.” That evening comes rushing back to me. I close my eyes and run through minute by minute. “When Ruby and I left dance class, I noticed I had a flat tire. I’d already called AAA and they were on their way when I got a hold of Ryder. Someone had slashed my tire. The neighborhood isn’t the best but it’s not rough either. When Ruby and I got home, Flynn and his date, Emmaline, were already there. He’d been wanting to make amends with Ryder and had asked me to arrange a double date. I didn’t know he was going to come by that night. It was a last-minute stop in to see if we had dinner plans.”

Avery folds her hands together in front of her face and takes a deep breath. “Emmaline.M. That has to be it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ryder heard him call out toMwhen he was...doing the nasty.”

“It wasn’t me. Flynn calls me M from time to time, but it wasn’t me. I would never do that to Ryder. I don’t feel that way toward Flynn.”

“It was Emmaline. He knew Ryder was coming by. Ten bucks says he slashed your tire to delay you and set this whole thing up.”

“That’s impossible. Flynn and I have been friends since we were kids. He’s taken care of me all these years, never crossing the line.”

“Not until he felt threatened by another man in your life.” Avery grins. “God, I’m good. I should be a detective. Sorry, that was uncalled for. I have no personal feelings toward him other than what I’ve learned from Ryder. My loyalty will always be with him until he does something to lose it. I realize the fucker is your friend—”

“Can you please call him Flynn?” I sit in the chair she’s vacated and slump over. “This is a lot to take in right now.”

Avery squats in front of me and strokes my hair. “I’m sorry, Maia. I’m sorry that your friend betrayed you, but Ryder didn’t. He’s turned into a shell of a man, spiraling into a dark hole of despair because he thinks the love of his life betrayed him the same way his mother did his father.”

Ignoring the love of his life comment, I lift my head and search her eyes for clarification. “His mother?”

“Gah. Filter. Not my story to tell. He’s got some PTSD from his past.”

“If he responded to my texts and calls two weeks ago, this would have all been cleared up. Instead, he ruined it by being with other women.”

Avery snorts. “As if. He barely showers, has become the most depressing human, and couldn’t charm the pants off a hooker.”

“That’s not what I saw.”

“Explain.” Avery stands and crosses her arms.

“Flynn showed me pictures of him with two different women on his lap last week.”

She tips her head back and laughs. “Not a chance. He must have shown you old photos.” She takes out her phone and does some quick tapping on the screen. I watch as she tilts her head, zooms in on the pic, then grins. “These the pictures he showed you?”

“Yeah. He even has lipstick on his cheek.”

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