“I’m sorry.” He set his glass down and turned to Andy. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
The minute Matt strolled out the door, Avery whirled around and asked her mom, “Where’s Dad?”
“Upstairs, packing.” Her mother was tugging at the cuff of her shirt, glancing between her two children.
“Packing?” Avery crossed her arms. “He’s buttoned up the finances, so now you’re leaving before Andy’s hearing?”
“Avery, don’t talk about your father that way. He’s a good man. He’s worked hard his whole life to take care of all of us. I know you’ve got issues with him, and with me, but enough is enough. I didn’t raise you to be so disrespectful to your parents.” She squared her shoulders in a brief show of strength, but her eyes darted to Andy. “As for Andy, there isn’t going to be a hearing. His lawyers finally negotiated a last-minute plea agreement with the prosecutor.”
“Really?” Avery’s head hurt from trying to keep up with the events of the day. “How did that happen?”
Andy stepped forward. “Apparently Grey spoke on my behalf. Told the prosecutor about how I’d been going to AA, talking to teens about drinking and driving, even mentioned the icy roads and stuff. His statement, combined with the pressure the DA has in terms of its schedule, and the fact that it’s my first offense, convinced the prosecutor to structure a felony plea that will be reduced to a misdemeanor after one year of parole, assuming I don’t screw up during that year. The judge will have to approve the recommended sentence and add fines and community service, but since they usually go with the prosecutor’s recommendation, I probably won’t go to jail.”
“Grey helped you even after I hurt him?” Her thin voice hung in the air.
“He did.” Andy grabbed her hand. “I called to thank him, but he didn’t answer, so I left a message. I guess you haven’t spoken with him?”
Avery shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. “He won’t take my calls.” Her throat ached.
Andy hugged her tight. “I’m sorry, sis. Really, I am. I’ve done nothing but bring trouble your way for the past few months while worrying about myself.”
Her mother’s sniffle caught her attention. “Don’t cry, Mom.” Avery drew a deep breath. Who the hell had she been to judge her parents’ marriage, or her mom’s choices and happiness? Thirty-three years of marriage was a better record than Avery had when it came to love. “Listen, I’m sorry I snapped at you. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. And I’m glad for Andy’s news. I know eventually things will look brighter for me, too, but right now I’m wiped out. My head is pounding. I just need to be alone for a while.”
Her mother hugged her. “Go rest. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”
Avery kissed her mom and then went directly to her room. The sun had lowered, casting amber light around the space. She lay across the bed, remembering being there with Grey only days ago. Wrapping her body around a pillow, she let the warm tears spill down her cheeks.
An hour later, she’d made a decision—one that required her brother’s consent.
She sat up, brushed the hair off her face, and steeled herself for another family meeting. This time she would do the right thing no matter what they had to say.
Four days later, Avery left Kelsey’s office. Tonight she had one last chance to make up with Grey.
When she parked her car, she could hear a somber classical piano tune drifting through his open window into the evening air. Clutching her bag and folder of papers, she kept her face lifted toward the window as she walked around the side of the building.
She nearly ran into Trip when he came through the side door with Shaman. He leveled her with a malevolent glare. “Haven’t you done enough damage yet?”
His anger pulled her up short, but she tipped up her chin. “I’m here to see Grey, not trade barbs with you.”
Shaman sniffed her legs and whimpered. She was grateful for the distraction, because she was too wiped out to argue with anyone. After scratching Shaman behind the ears, she stood and tried to sidestep Trip.
“I think you need an attitude adjustment.” Trip moved sideways to block her attempt to scoot by him. “Grey is a good guy with a big heart—one you tore to pieces. If you think I’m going to stand by and let you take a second stab at him, you’ve badly misjudged me.”
Avery’s shoulders slumped. “I’m here to fix things, Trip. I promise, I’m not going to hurt him again.”
“Fix things?” Trip’s voice kicked up a few decibels. “You think you can fix things now? It’s too late. Turn around and go home, back to your family and your white knight, Matt What’s-His-Face.”
“You can’t keep me from talking to Grey.” Avery placed her hands on her hips, now ticked off. “This is a silly standoff, especially out here on the sidewalk. It’s not up to you to decide whether or not Grey talks to me.”
Grey popped his head out the window. Apparently their argument had made its way inside. “Trip, I don’t need a mother hen.” He glanced at Avery, and her heart sank at the hollow look in his eyes. “Let her in.”
Her. No Bambi. No Avery. No smile. Let her in, spoken in an abject tone. Avery drew a deep breath and met Trip’s stony gaze. “Excuse me.”
Trip shook his head and muttered, “You’d better be worth it.” Then he whistled at Shaman and walked toward the park.
Avery started up the steps when Grey opened the door at the top. He stared at her but said nothing. The muscles in his jaw and chin were drawn and clenched. The ice in his eyes practically froze her in place. Everything about him stood at odds with the casual stance he’d adopted by leaning against the open door.
When she got to the top of the stairwell, he stepped aside and waved her inside. After closing the door, he leaned his back against it and folded his arms, waiting.
“Can we sit?” She fumbled to push the words through her closed throat.
He gestured toward a chair, but didn’t follow her. She would’ve been completely without hope had she not noticed the slight glistening in his eyes. He remained glued to the door, gnawing at the inside of his cheek.
She cleared her throat. “First, I came to thank you for what you did to help my brother. It was unexpected, under the circumstances.”
“Unexpected?” he barked. “Even though I told you on several occasions that I wasn’t out to hurt anyone.”
“You did.” Avery glanced at her hands, which were tightly clasped in her lap. “But after what happened, I assumed you’d change your mind.”
Grey raised a hand in the air and let it slap against his thigh. “Proving how little you’ve ever understood about me. I don’t go for revenge. I just let go.”
Her hand clutched the spot on her stomach where his cutting remark had landed a solid punch. “I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m sorry about all of it, Grey. Truly, I never wanted to hurt you.”
“Betray me, you mean?” His narrowed gaze, so unlike most of the looks he’d ever cast her way, appeared to be closing the door on any hope of reconciliation.
“That’s fair, I guess. I had to sign those papers because I owe my parents the money, but I should’ve called you first. My dad bullied me, and I was torn between loyalty to him and you. Either choice would hurt someone, so I chose my dad. But not because I didn’t care about you, Grey.” She looked at him, pleadingly. He, however, remained rigid and removed.
“That’s why I’m here—so you know how much I care. To prove it, I’ve made a decision.” Avery pulled the papers from her purse and set them on the table, her voice quaking slightly. “Andy and I are going to sell the house. Kelsey thinks we can list it at close to six hundred thousand, although it won’t sell at that price. Still, even once we pay back my parents, there should be roughly two hundred thousand dollars left. I don’t know if that will end up covering all your losses, but it’s the best I can offer.”