Page 69 of Exes That Puck
“She will be. We talked.”
Kara nods, understanding there’s more to the story but not pushing for details. She weaves through her friends toward my sister.
“Ava,” she says softly.
My sister looks up, and for a moment I think she might start crying again. Instead, she pulls Kara into a hug.
“I’m sorry for being such a bitch to you,” Ava says, holding her tight. “You didn’t deserve that.”
Kara hugs her back just as tightly. “It’s okay. I get it.”
“I hope you and my brother work it out,” Ava whispers, loud enough for me to hear. “He’s an asshole sometimes, but he loves you. Really loves you.”
I watch them hold each other, two people who’ve both been hurt trying to find their way through it. When they finally pull apart, Ava wipes her eyes.
“Text me,” she tells Kara. “I mean it. We can hang out more now that I’m single.”
“I will,” Kara promises.
Ava turns to me. “Ready?”
I nod, then look back at Kara. “Text me when you get home safe?”
“I will.”
The drive back to my house is quiet. Ava stares out the window while I navigate the late-night traffic. Neither of us mentions what happened outside the party, but something has shifted between us. The anger that’s been radiating off her since she arrived has dulled to sadness.
“Thank you,” she says as I pull into my parking spot. “For listening. For not making excuses.”
“Thank you for telling me the truth about Willy. I’m sorry he did that to you.”
She shrugs like it doesn’t matter, but I can see how much it does. “I just don’t want you to break her the way he broke me.”
“I know,” I say.
Inside the house, I grab her some of my clothes to sleep in and show her where the extra blankets are. She settles onto the couch with a grateful sigh.
“Zeke?” she calls as I head toward my room.
“Yeah?”
“I’m proud of you for going to therapy. That takes guts.”
I stop in my doorway. “Thanks, Ava.”
“Don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t.”
In my room, I check my phone. No text from Kara yet, but it’s still early. I change into sweats and brush my teeth, thinking about everything that happened tonight. The conversation with Kara about dating. The fight with Ava. The truth about Willy.
My phone buzzes as I’m settling into bed.
Kara:Home safe. Thank you for taking care of your sister.
Zeke:Thank you for being understanding.
Kara:See you tomorrow for our first date?
