Page 46 of Memories By the Shore
“I made you one too.” She then turns to Avery.
“You don’t seem surprised to see Jasper walk out of my bedroom ?” Avery says, climbing onto the high chair at the counter.
“I might not have had my own kids, but I do know what it’s like to be eighteen and nineteen years old,” she retorts sarcastically.
I chuckle.
“Good morning, Son.” My dad’s voice booms from behind me. He brings a hand to my shoulder.
“Dad?”
“Have a nice night, you two?” he jokes.
Avery buries her face in her hands. “This is awkward on so many levels.”
My dad pours himself a cup of coffee and then slides his arm around Helen’s waist. “Shall we have this talk now?”
Leaning against the counter, I fold my arms across my chest. “What are you talking about?”
Helen speaks first. “You’re both technically adults.” She looks at Avery. “Avery, very soon, and we want you to know we’re both comfortable with what’s going on. You don’t have to feel like you need to sneak in or out.”
“Either house,” my dad chimes in.
Helen nods and continues, “Yes. But the only thing we want to make sure of is that you’re being careful.”Little do they both know, Avery and I haven’t had sex yet.
I catch Avery sucking in a breath. “Of course.”
“Obviously,” I agree. “Well, this was a great conversation to have first thing in the morning.”
My dad and Helen share a laugh, but Avery still looks uncomfortable.
“I’m going to run home and take a shower. I have an early lesson.” I kiss Avery on the top of her head. “See you at the shop later, Dad. Bye, Helen.”
I sprinted out of the house as quickly as I could. I felt a little guilty about leaving Avery alone with my dad and Helen, but the whole thing was a little weird.
Chapter Fourteen
Then
Avery
“Are you seeing Jasper today?” Helen asks, handing me a green smoothie.
My cheeks burn through a smile, and my aunt arches an eye in my direction. Sheseeswhat I’m feeling.
“I am.” I throw my bag over my shoulder while taking a small sip of my smoothie. I glance at my phone, but he hasn’t texted me yet today. “We’re supposed to meet down by the pier. He’s been giving me surfing lessons.”
She dries a cup with a towel and then places it into the top cupboard. “Lucky you. He’s one of the best in town.”
“I know.” My heart flutters, and my lips tingle, thinking about how lucky we are to get along so well.
I turn to start walking toward the door, but a question crosses my mind. I’m curious to know more about the relationship Helen has with Jasper’s dad. Obviously, they have sex, they hang out together, and he spends nights here often. But what do relationships like that mean? They’re dating,but not?
“What’s up with you and Japer’s dad?”
“I figured this question would come up at some point.” She closes the dishwasher and walks to the counter, resting her elbows on the granite. “What do you want to know?”
“Are you guys fuck buddies or what?” I bluntly ask. Not knowing how else to phrase my question, I get hit with slight regret when I hear my own words.
