Grey shrugged and turned. Oh yes, she did enjoy having a legitimate reason to stare at his tight little butt. Naturally, he decided to make a joke of her concerns and began swaying his hips like a woman as he strolled away from the table. On the third step, he grabbed his bad knee and leaned against the nearby bike rack. “Ooh.”
Avery jumped up, dashed to his side, and grabbed his waist. “What happened? Did your knee give out?”
He spun on his good leg, laughing. “Gotcha!”
“You think you’re a wise guy.” She slapped his shoulder, although truthfully she didn’t mind the excuse to be so close. Stolen moments like this were all she could enjoy.
“Just admit it.” He caught her arm before she eased away. “You were enjoying the show.”
His silver eyes glittered. Had his breathing turned a little ragged? She felt hers fall shallow. He held fast to her arm, almost tugging her closer. His focused attention made her girly parts tingle and tighten. Her mouth went dry.
“You’re blushing,” he said, still clutching her forearm.
“Let go.” She tried wrenching herself from his grasp before she did something stupid like throw herself at him. And then, as if coming out of a dream, she remembered why she was there in the first place, which made her wonder about his plans. “What are you doing here, anyway? Meeting the athletic director to discuss teen climbing programs?”
He released her and shoved his hands deep into his jacket pockets.
“No.” All traces of humor had fled his voice and eyes. “I came to hear what your brother has to say for himself.”
His uncharacteristically somber tone and demeanor set off alarms. She tried to control her response, but felt her eyes grow wide with panic. “Are you planning to use his words against him in your case, or with the DA?”
“You’re determined to suspect the worst, aren’t you? Maybe I’m just curious to learn something about the man who messed with my life. Wouldn’t you be?”
“I suppose.” Avery pressed her lips together. “Why here and now? Andy’s already nervous. Seeing you in the audience will only make it worse.”
“Then I’ll stay in the back, okay?”
Avery shrugged. “Guess I can’t stop you.”
“Would’ve been nice if you invited me to sit with you, Bambi. I thought maybe we’d started to become friends.” When he turned toward the door, he glanced over his shoulder. “You know, you can’t go staring at my backside again after refusing to keep me company.” He winked and sauntered into the school.
Avery slouched onto the bench, holding her stomach. What if Andy said something to hurt his case? Grey had as much at stake as the rest of them, so she couldn’t fault him for sharing whatever he might learn with his lawyer.
She dropped her head into her hands, but then Emma walked up and cleared her throat.
“You looked piqued.” Emma tipped her head sideways. “What’s going on between you and Grey?”
“What?”
“I couldn’t help but notice the tension—the heat—between you and Grey.” Emma straightened up and crossed her arms. “Are you two involved?”
“No.” Avery sighed. “He’s a flirt, but he’s harmless.”
“He likes you, not Kelsey?” Emma touched her fingers to her mouth.
“He most definitely is not interested in Kelsey.” Avery huffed at Emma’s surprised expression. “Oh, come on. You aren’t really surprised, are you? They met in a bar months ago and shared one drunken kiss. He’s never called or given any hint of interest since then. She’s hanging on to some fantasy. Why is this one lasting so long?”
“Well, he is pretty gorgeous. She thinks he’s nice, too.”
“He is nice.” And talented, gentle, sweet, sexy.
“Look at your dreamy face.” Emma’s eyes widened. “You really like him!”
Avery gave up the pretense, nodded, and then buried her face in her hands a second time. “What should I do? He’s off-limits! He’s my patient. He’s probably going to end up taking Andy to the cleaners. My entire family mistrusts him, not to mention all my own hang-ups about men. This stinks.”
Emma sighed. “Don’t forget Kelsey.”
“Seriously?” Surely Avery misheard that last part. “If Kelsey and Grey had even gone on a single date, maybe I could see your point. But, assuming Grey and I wanted to date after he’s done with therapy, why should I say no if he’s never going to like Kelsey anyway?”
“Because a lifelong friend is more special than some new guy, especially one who belongs to a clique of men you mistrust.”
Avery couldn’t argue with Emma’s logic. Maybe she and Grey would date a month or a year, but maybe not. And maybe wasn’t a good enough reason to hurt a friend. “You’re right. But I wish Kelsey would meet someone new.”
“Well, yes, then she wouldn’t be an obstacle.”
“Too bad she didn’t fall for Grey’s friend Trip.”
Emma’s freckled cheeks pinked. “Is he a really tall, dark-haired guy?”
“You left out startlingly handsome.” Avery tilted her head. “When did you meet him?”
“I saw him sneaking out of my inn early one morning last month while I was baking muffins. Later, I overheard two women talking over breakfast about their night. One was gushing about a ski guide named Trip who’d given her a night to remember, but took off without leaving his number.”
“Yes, that sounds like him. Womanizing smooth-talker. Honestly, if I were ever interested in a one-night stand, he’d be perfect. He’s so good-looking, even I might’ve fallen victim to his charm had I not met him through Grey.” Avery scrunched her nose. “If only Kelsey had kissed Trip that night in the bar.”
“Oh, brother, Avery. Keep him away from Kelsey.” Emma chuckled. “She’d never be able to sort the silver-tongued lies from the truth.”
“Good point.” Avery’s phone alarm beeped. “Oh, let’s get inside. Andy’s starting now.”
On their way in, she’d noticed Grey seated on the aisle in the last row. Every nerve in her body burned with worry about how he’d interpret and use whatever Andy might do or say on that stage.
She and Emma managed to find two seats near the front left side of the old theater, which still had creaky seats and the dusty smell she remembered.
Her brother fidgeted in his chair while being introduced by Principal Winters. That old man probably wasn’t overly surprised to see Andy—who’d been a bit of a class clown—end up in this position, she realized with sorrow.
When Andy stood in front of the microphone, he didn’t say a word for at least ten seconds. She watched her brother scan the crowd and could almost see his mind decide to toss his originally planned speech.
“My name is Andy Randall, and I used to be like you: sitting in this auditorium, being forced to listen to speakers talk about stuff that didn’t matter to me. I came here every day, played sports, chased girls, partied in the woods, and was satisfied enough with my B-minus grades. That was twelve years ago.
“Unlike my sister, I didn’t go to college. I got certified as a ski instructor, worked odd jobs off-season, including painting houses, and pretty much continued living the life I’d gotten used to in these hallways. That’s to say, I had fun, did the minimum that was expected or that I was capable of, and thought I was invincible.”
Andy paused, glancing at the front row until he spotted Avery and Emma. Then he looked back across the wider audience. “A couple months ago I was drinking with some buddies after work, and then I got behind the wheel and tried to drive home. Didn’t make it.
“It took hitting someone on a bike and plowing into a lamppost for me to learn I’m not invincible. I’m here today to try to prevent you from living with the guilt of hurting another person and messing with their life. From suffering the pain of lung surgery. And from facing felony charges, which, if I’m convicted, will limit my future job opportunities, my ability to travel to other countries, my ability to borrow money, among other things. And let’s not ignore the shame I’ve brought on my family.”