Page 126 of Reaching Avery
“Hey. You okay?” Maverick asked, stopping in the middle of the hall.
“Yeah,” I answered, scanning the people moving past us before looking at him. “Just expecting to see David running up at me with a knife or something.”
David had been suspended for three days after attacking me. After his suspension, he’d come back for a few more days before leaving for good. With his parents’ separation, they had moved to another town, and he’d had to change schools.
“He won’t ever be around you again,” Mav said, touching my cheek. “I heard he’s in some kind of alternative school for his bad behavior.”
“Dudes!” Ricky ran up and squeezed his way between us. Always having to be the center—literally—of attention. “Y’all goin’ out tonight?”
“Maybe,” Mav answered, stepping forward, grabbing Ricky, and switching spots with him in a fluid movement. “There’s a new slasher movie we want to see.”
The musical had ended, so he didn’t have shows on weekends anymore.
“The movies?” Ricky asked, scrunching up his face. “On a Friday night? No, let’s go to the pool hall again.”
“I’d be fine with that,” I said, returning my arm around Mav’s waist. I loved that when we were this close, my head only reached his neck, so I was able to cuddle against him and not block his sight. Benefits of having a tall boyfriend. “We can see our movie tomorrow instead at the matinee.”
Maverick peered down at me. “Okay. If that’s what you want.” He kissed my nose before looking back at Ricky. “Why aren’t you up Trav’s ass? Is he busy tonight?”
“First of all, I wouldneverbe anywhere near his ass,” Ricky specified with a matter-of-fact tone. “And second, yeah, home boy is goin’ out with your home girl. Again. For the millionth time.”
“Well theyaredating,” I said, grinning when Ricky shot me a glare. “I mean, that’s what couples do.”
“I liked you better when you were quiet,” Ricky said, but by the smile that followed, I knew he was joking.
Before we got outside, we passed Ben, and I asked him if he wanted to play pool with us that night. I’d gone over to his house a lot lately—when I wasn’t hanging out with Mav and sometimes the three of us hung out together—and as if it were possible, we’d grown even closer as friends.
I had a hunch it’d be a friendship that would last way past high school.
“Dang it!” Ben said. “I can’t tonight. I promised Dad I’d go to some freaking cooking class with him. He wants to be the next Gordon Ramsey. Before I know it, he’s gonna be running around the kitchen, insulting everyone and calling them idiot sandwiches.”
I laughed, remembering the episodes ofHell’s Kitchenthat Ben’s dad had been watching some of the times I’d gone over there.
“We need another person,” Ricky pointed out as we exited the building and were walking through the courtyard. “It won’t be fair to have two against one.”
Maverick got out his phone and texted someone. I tried not to bethatboyfriend, so I didn’t look at his screen. I trusted him.
When we got to his car, his phone dinged, and he read a text before opening my door for me. He replied to it with a smile on his face before walking around to his side and sliding into the car.
“I texted Garrett to see if he was working tonight,” Mav said, dropping his phone in the cup holder. “He’s not, so I asked if he wanted to come with us to the pool hall. Now Ricky can’t complain because we’ll have an even number.”
“Cool,” I said, buckling my seatbelt. “I’m excited.”
And I was. A night out with the guys would’ve been something I dreaded before getting close to Mav, but now I actually looked forward to social interaction—to an extent. I mean, I still didn’t like most people, but the people Ididlike were like my tribe, and I’d do anything for them.
Before he backed out of the parking lot, Mav reached over and gently placed his hand on my thigh. “Still doing okay?”
I knew what he was asking.
“Yeah. I haven’t since that night with Mom,” I answered, covering his hand with mine.
I’d promised both Mav and Declan that I’d tell them if I cut, and knowing how disappointed they’d be when I did it actually aided in preventing me from doing it. Mav had helped me set goals; short ones that would expand to long term. Like three days without cutting. One week without it.
They were small victories that helped my state of mind. Made me feel like I was accomplishing something.
“How does Chinese sound for dinner?” he asked, grabbing my hand as he started driving out of the lot.
“I could totally go for some sweet and sour chicken,” I answered just as my stomach growled.
