Page 68 of Exes That Puck
Ava won’t shut up, and people are starting to stare, so I pick her up and carry her outside to cool down. Once she realizes everyone’s watching, she clams up and calms down slightly.
“What did he do?” I ask, setting her down.
Ava crosses her arms, staring at me. Tears stream down her face as she shakes her head.
“Tell me what he fucking did or I’m going to call him,” I warn. “You’re taking it out on me and now on Kara. Stop shitting on her. She doesn’t deserve it.”
“No, you don’t deserve her!”
I step closer. “Tell me why you broke up with him.”
She’s crying harder now, and I don’t know if she’ll tell me, but then she breaks down completely.
“He cheated on me,” she sobs. “Multiple times. With girls from his study group, girls from parties, girls from his internship. I found out three weeks ago and I’ve been pretending everything was fine because I didn’t want to be that girl who gets cheated on.” Her voice cracks. “I loved him so much, Zeke. I gave him everything. And he threw it away like it meant nothing.”
My heart sinks. This explains everything—her anger, her bitterness toward relationships, her determination to see me and Kara fail.
“Ava,” I say softly, reaching for her.
“Don’t,” she says, stepping back. “I know what you’re going to say. That you’re different, that you’d never do that. But you hurt her in other ways, Zeke. I saw how you were with her. So possessive. You were controlling, you made her feel small, you made her cry. Maybe you didn’t cheat, but you still broke her heart.”
The words hit hard because they’re true. I did break her, over and over again.
“I’m trying to change,” I say quietly.
“Really?” She starts to laugh. “Or are you just saying what she wants to hear so she’ll come back?” Ava wipes her nose withher sleeve. “Because I can’t watch another person I love get destroyed by someone who’s supposed to care about them.”
I look through the window at Kara, who’s watching us with worried eyes. “I love her, Ava. More than I’ve ever loved anything. And yeah, I fucked up. I fucked up so bad that I lost her. But I’m in therapy now, I’m working on myself, and I’m not going to make the same mistakes.”
Ava studies my face. “Therapy?”
I nod. “Started this week. And Kara isn’t getting back together with me. We just miss each other and not jumping into anything. We’re taking it slow, figuring out if we can be good for each other.”
For the first time since she got here, my sister looks uncertain instead of furious.
“If you hurt her again,” she says finally, “I will kick your ass. I don’t care if you’re my little brother.”
“I know,” I say. “I won’t.”
She stares at me for a long moment, then nods. “Okay. But I’m watching you.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
We head back inside, and I catch Kara’s eye across the room. She looks relieved that we’re both still alive. I give her a small smile and mouth “later” before helping my sister get some water.
Ava drains the water bottle I bring her, then looks around the crowded party with tired eyes.
“Can I go home with you tonight? Kara’s bed in the dorm was way too small and crowded. I barely slept.”
“Of course,” I say immediately. “You want to leave now?”
She nods, looking drained from our conversation and the alcohol. “Yeah, I’m done here.”
I scan the room for Kara, finding her back with her friends on the dance floor. Girl really can dance the night away. She’s definitely drunk but still having fun. When I approach, Lola notices me first and nudges Kara.
“Hey,” I say, leaning close to her ear so she can hear me over the music. “Ava wants to crash at my place tonight. I’m going to take her home.”
Kara looks past me to where Ava stands waiting, looking smaller than usual. “Is she okay?”
