Fearless Attraction (Cassie Series) (16 page)

             
"Fine," I give in. "I may have broken my phone today and was wondering if I could use your update credit to get me a new phone?" I flutter my lashes at her and give her a pleading face.

             
Laughing she shakes her head at me. "Oh, what am I going to do with you. Alright, fine, fine, I suppose that would be okay."

             
I stand and walk over to her, giving her a hug. "Thanks mom. I owe you big time." I look over to Jerry and give him a genuine smile. "Nice meeting you. I'm happy for you both."

             
My mom ends up standing and walks me to the door after Jerry says goodbye in return. She gives me a kiss on the cheek before I walk out the door. "You okay sweetie? You look a little sad. How was Aubrey's shower?"

             
"I'm fine mom," I tell her, giving her a small smile. "It was great, she got just about everything she needs and a lot she doesn't. She is working on the nursery right now." I take a step back, stepping onto the stoop outside.

             
"Oh, why aren't you there?" she asks. I had a feeling she would, which is why I started backing away.

             
I take another step down, trying not to trip as I go backwards. "Had errands to run," I tell her. It's only a partial lie. "Gotta go, thanks again mom, and awesome news you're dating now. Love you."
              I turn to walk towards the car as she tell me she loves me too.

             
It takes over an hour to get a new phone and get all my contacts loaded from my account. I grab something from the grocery store, then I head home for another lonely Saturday night. I have been spending quite a bit more time with Pierce, but we're not dating or anything like that. I haven't been able to have that final talk with Avery yet, even though I know we're not going to be more than friends ever again, I'd at least like to know if we can ever be just friends. One day.

             
Until I have that closure, I can't even consider anything with anyone. Not that I'd just up and date Pierce two weeks after Avery and I split. I think I've hurt everyone enough. Plus, things are too confusing as is, that'd just complicate them more. Most days I'm not even sure if I want that with Pierce. I like what we have, it's simple and fun. I enjoy this in-between. We have a lot of chemistry between each other, but to be more than lovers, I just don't see it working.

             
I was going to ask him to come over tonight, but I feel bad using up all his free time on the weekends. He needs a chance to hang out with his other friends, or to go on dates, or to figure out things for himself.

             
I wonder if Avery will be at Aubrey and Mason's all night. I wonder what Aubrey will be doing later. I need more friends, that much is for sure.

             
I pull my phone out and text Amy from class. When my phone chirps, she responds saying that
she
is now dating Kevin. Wow, that is pretty funny. Good for her. Good for them, actually. They're both attractive, kind people, who I thoroughly enjoy being around.

             
With a sigh in defeat, I put a frozen pizza in the oven and pour myself a glass of diet soda. While my pizza is cooking, I log online and look to see what different people are up to tonight.
"UG 2nite!!!! Go Kill Switch!!!!"
My stomach drops when I read Judith's, a girl from Geometry, newest update in my newsfeed. It's no doubt that UG stands for the underground fights.

             
I walk over, turn off my oven, leaving the pizza inside, grab my keys and leave. Avery will talk to me. I will make him!

             
I arrive at the fight as people are filing out. I guess I got here just in time. I don't get to see the fight, but I see that midnight blue motorcycle that I've fallen madly in love with, and I know the owner is inside, hopefully getting paid for winning. I don't hear what people are saying about who won, only because I want to hurry and get in there before he gets out.

             
When I get downstairs, I see Mason talking to someone. I don't see Aubrey anywhere around, so she must've stayed home to work on the nursery or to get some much needed rest. I wait off to the side, not wanting him to tell me to leave or something. He is very polite to me, even after I cheated on Avery, but he doesn't like the idea of me attempting to talk to Avery. I don't blame him, had it been switched and he cheated on Aubrey, I'd hate him.

             
It's obvious he is the bigger person.

             
Avery comes out of the room with Mouse and two other guys. They all shake hands, then the two body guard looking guys walk in one direction, while Mouse walks back into the room, closing the door behind him. I watch Mason and Avery talk for a few moments before I make my way towards them.

             
He must sense me because he stops mid laugh and gets a very serious expression on his face. I can tell by his body stance that he is feeling tense. His head turns towards me and I can see him swallow nervously. Mason turns towards me too and he starts immediately shaking his head, looking very unimpressed.

             
By the wad of cash I watched Avery put in his pocket, I assume he was claimed winner, so I attempt to congratulate him, hoping I don't sound like an idiot. "Congratulations on your fight."

             
His eyes just look me up and down, giving me a very cold feeling. He doesn't say anything. Bravely I make a step forward. "You did win, right?" Now I'm not so sure. He either is ignoring me because I'm an idiot, or because he truly does hate me that much.

             
"Yeah," he finally says in a clipped tone. Ouch, that hurts, but I deserve it.

             
"I was wondering if we could please talk."

             
Mason is actually the one to speak up at that point. "Cassie, I don't think that is such a good idea."

             
Both Avery and I turn our attention towards Mason. "Stay out of it," Avery says, surprising us both.

             
I take a step back, realizing that I'm way too late. I don't like this side of Avery at all, either, it's a little intimidating. "Never mind," I mumble. I turn around and start walking when I hear his voice call after me. I pause mid step and close my eyes.

             
I can sense when he is close to me and I exhale the breath I didn't realize I was holding. My eyes meet with his and he looks confused by something. "What do you want to talk about Cassie?"

             
I look around first, to make sure people aren't watching us. It's completely empty in here besides us and Mason, and of course Mouse behind the closed door. When I face Avery again, he looks impatient. "I'm being selfish here, and I know that, but I want to discuss us."

             
"There is no us," he says matter-of-factly.

             
"I know that." My voice is just as bitter as his. "And I'm sorry Avery."

             
"Okay, so case closed and that's all?"

             
"No, it's not all. Can't we at least be friends or something? Can't we talk and get along and all that?"

             
He laughs dryly. "Yeah, I about imagine. I tried but you got yourself a new boy toy." He starts to step around me when he pauses, then he looks me in the eye. His mood seems to almost instantly lighten up. "Are you two a couple now?"

             
"No," I blurt out fast.

             
"That sucks." He continues to walk and I stand here dumbfounded.

             
"Excuse me?" I yell and turn around, walking quickly behind him.

             
When he turns his head to face me, he has a broad smile over his face. "It'd be fun to fuck what's his, you know, pay back. But since you two aren't together, I see no reason to touch you."

             
I'm not sure what to do right now. I feel like I'm going to throw up. Without a second thought I walk up and smack him right across the face. I'm honestly unsure who is more shocked by what just happened, him or I, but I gasp and he growls.

             
His hand is on my arm and he is pulling me a different empty room. This place is seriously scary without anyone else here. Mason tries to stop him. "Avery, don't do this, you're going to regret whatever it is you're doing. Leave it alone."

             
"Fuck off," he yells, still pulling me along.

             
When we walk through a room, he turns on a light and gives me small shove. I almost fall down and I can tell he feels bad but isn't going to admit it out loud.

             
"What was that?" I yell.

             
He takes a few steps towards me and my heart rate accelerates. I'm frozen into place as he is just mere inches from my face. "Don't ever put your hands on me like that again." He clenches his jaw and teeth are grinding together slightly. His breath is ragged and I'm very terrified. I never thought I'd be this scared of Avery.

             
My eyes can't seem to leave his, as much as I want to run out of here and never turn back around. "I didn't mean to make such a mess of things."

             
He shakes his head at me, clearly not caring I feel bad about the situation. "Why didn't you show up to my last fight against Spike?"

             
Swallowing first, I answer him honestly. It's all I can give him- honesty. "I was with Pierce."

             
He nods his head like he already knew the answer. "Fucking him?"

             
"I don't think that is any of your concern." His head continues to nod up and down.

             
"That is where I think you're wrong."

             
"Why would it concern you? We split up!"

             
Air leaves his nose as he gets more frustrated with the situation. Well, guess what, you're not the only one, I want to say out loud but I don't. "Yeah, because you cheated, because I needed time, I needed to see that it was a one-time thing between the two of you. It wasn't though, you can't keep your fucking legs closed long enough to work things out in this pretty little head of yours."

             
"You're always calling me a slut!"

             
"Because you act like one!" He gets close to my face and smiles at me, but it's the fakest, most smug smile I've ever seen. "Did I not please you well enough? Is that it? Because dammit, I'm starting to think I'm inadequate in the fucking sack."

             
My chest heaves as everything between us accelerates. I'm frustrated, scared, sad, and oddly enough, turned on. It clicks. This is what I love about Pierce so much, this intensity between us. I don't normally have it with Avery, and when I do, one of us normally runs off. Not right now though.

             
"You're amazing in bed Avery, but this right here," I point between us using my hand, "is what I need. More passion, more desire, more..." I search for the word.

             
Before it leaves my mouth, he grabs my shirt and pulls me towards him, putting his lips on mine. I wasn't expecting that and it takes me a second to react. When I do, oh God, it's intense.

             
It ends way too soon and he pulls back, looking me up and down but putting distance between us. "That is what you want? You want me to be a total fucking jackass to you, then you want me to kiss you? That is just weird."

             
Tears threaten to spill out my eyes when he says that. "Weird or not, that was just the best kiss I've ever experienced."

             
I push past him and leave the room, leaving him behind me once and for all.