Bend for Me Read online

  Time for a cleanse. For the rest of the day, Avery occupied herself with cleaning the mess she had created during the past year. She emptied her desk of scraps of papers with phone numbers of hookups she had encountered. Most of which she didn’t even remember the names of. Her blunt nails scratched the dried paint from the surface of the desk, trying not to damage the finish of the wood. After removing the acrylic blemishes, she sorted through the empty paint tubes, crusty flecks breaking off as she tossed them over her shoulder and into the trash.

  She tackled the clothing in her drawers, flinging strangers’ sweatpants and T-shirts into a pile by the door. She collected the unwanted articles in a black trash bag, lugging it to the front door. She cleared out the fridge, ridding it of the mountains of leftovers, pizza crusts, expiring salsa, and other preserved foods that were bound to increase Avery’s risk of cancer, should her eating habits continue. Finally spent, she collapsed on the couch, amber eyes eventually drooping closed.

  ***

  Avery woke to the sound of jingling keys and the click of a latch at the front door. She rolled with a groan.

  “Hey.” Emma wedged herself between Avery’s legs and the armrest. “What’ve you been doing all day?”

  Avery yawned. “Cleaning.”

  Emma’s eyes were the size of a golf ball. “Really? Are you feeling okay?” A palm immediately went to Avery’s forehead.

  “I’m fine.” Avery chuckled. “Em, can I be honest for a second?”

  Her roommate narrowed her brows. “Uh oh. What’s up?”

  Avery sat up, rubbing at the back of her neck. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. And to thank you for always being there for me, even when I don’t deserve it. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  There was a pause between them.

  “You know I love you. You’re my best friend. And I hate watching you destroy yourself.” Emma’s sad, vulnerable eyes hit Avery with a huge wave of guilt. Her hurting wasn’t just affecting her, but everyone she loved and cared about.

  “I…I’m sorry.”

  “I know.” Emma shrugged. “But you shouldn’t be telling me that. Kadence’s the one…”

  “I know. And we’re working on it. Well…I’m working on it. I’ll explain that later. But I need you to know just how sorry I am for everything I put you through, too. Ever since everything happened with Logan, I’ve been a real ass, and you’ve been nothing but patient with me. And I’ve been a shitty friend in return.”

  “Not really shitty. Just, uhh, kinda shitty.”

  Avery garnered a small smile.

  “Look, I know it’s been hard for you,” Emma said with a sigh. “Especially recently.”

  “But it’s not an excuse. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “You know you’re already forgiven.”

  “I know but I still want to make it up to you. Can I make you dinner? We could do one of those huge meals with everyone. We haven’t done that in a long time.”

  “Since Logan…” Emma trailed off as Avery nodded.

  “I want to bring back the old Avery and our old traditions. Would you wanna come? I mean, would you do me the honors?”

  “So formal.” Emma scrunched up her nose. “It’s weird.”

  “I’m trying to be more of a gentlewoman and less of an ass. You know, classy?”

  Emma chuckled. “This is a little too classy. Find a happy medium.”

  “Working on it.”

  “And Kadence?”

  Avery chewed her lip. “I…I really like her. And it scares me, Em. I don’t know what to do. I…Kadence is just…I don’t want to be scared. But I am. I messed up. We’re taking it slow, starting again. But I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to get to being friends. I want to. But I don’t know…maybe that’s a good thing if we don’t. Because…” Avery swallowed the lump in her throat. “She could break me.”

  Emma placed a hand on her knee. “Kadence isn’t Logan.”

  “What if I can’t fix things with her?”

  Emma looked her square in the eye. “Do you remember when you were seven and some kid decided it would be a good idea to push you off the swing set at recess?”

  Avery raised a brow. “Where are you going with this?”

  Emma’s smile only widened as she squirmed. “You pushed her off the swings the very next day and got beat up by her brother for it. You ended up wiping your bloody nose on your hand, and then smeared it on their shirts. But you still fixed things in the end. And look at us now. Best friends; you, me, and Jayce.”

  Avery broke into a smile.

  “You can repair bridges. You’re good at it. And Avery Bennett has always been a fighter. That will never change. Even when you’re beaten down.”

  “That was elementary school. Things aren’t that simple. We’re different now.”

  “Sometimes people change. And sometimes it’s for the better.”

  “I…” Avery’s eyes welled up as the words sunk in. Damn. I have been doing a lot of crying lately.

  “You should invite Kae to our dinner.”

  “What?” Her jaw dropped. “I can’t do that. That is so not platonic.”

  Emma dispelled her apprehension with a wave of her hand. “I’ll invite Mel. It’ll be a group thing.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “You can fix this, Avery. You’re a good person. You can’t let a few mistakes make you believe otherwise about yourself.”

  Avery’s tears finally erupted, racing down her cheeks.

  “Eww. Stop it!” Emma wrapped her in a hug despite Avery’s sniffling. “Come on, where’s your phone? Let’s send some texts, shall we?”

  ***

  On the evening of Avery’s dinner party, the hostess fell into a fit of anxiety.

  “Have you seen my snapback?” She barreled through the apartment, practically colliding into Emma.

  “Which one.”

  “The one my dad gave me?”

  “Not since you had it this morning.”

  “Fuck! This is a bad sign. What if she changed her mind?”

  “Calm down, Bennett. Kae was fine at yoga when you came up in conversation. Everything’s gonna be fine.” Emma attempted to assure her. It had the opposite effect.

  Avery barely avoided slicing her finger open while attempting to divide the cured meats into bite-sized pieces on the cutting board. “You talked about me?”

  “Just about tonight.” Emma took the knife from her hands, urging her in the direction of the cheese platter. “Geez, Avery. Breathe will ya? You’re gonna give yourself an aneurysm.”

  Avery fidgeted with the hem of her collar before setting onto the next task. “I just don’t want to screw this up again.”

  “You probably still will.”

  Avery shot her roommate a defensive glower.

  “But in an endearing way,” Emma said, recovering with a laugh.

  “Wow. Thanks for your support,” Avery replied flatly, busying her nervous hands with arranging the cheese cubes and Swiss slices.

  “No problem.” Emma winked, swiping a slice and ruining Avery’s hard work before popping it into her mouth.

  “Emma, come on!”

  ***

  Lola and Jayce arrived together, as expected, with Danny in tow. He made his way to Emma, greeting her with a kiss. The group opened a bottle of wine, settling onto the couch. A moment later, the doorbell rang.

  “What if it’s her?” Avery hissed under her breath.

  Emma released a belly-rolling laugh. “Considering everyone else is already here, I’d say there’s a pretty good chance it is.”

  Shit. I’m not ready.

  “Welcome!” Danny opened the door to a breathtaking figure. Kadence stepped inside with an aura that drew Avery’s amber eyes to her. The rest of the room fell away.

  Bennett, you are so fucked. Avery attempted a wave, cheeks burning as Kadence gave her a polite smile before turning to Danny and Emma. Avery watched with rapt attention as Kadenc
e spoke with her hands, elegant knuckles flexing as her wrists rolled with her words. Her green eyes glowed.

  A clearing of a throat and a jab to her ribs drew Avery out of her trance, hitting her at the perfect angle to cause her to yelp. Kadence’s head turned in her direction and Melody scowled. Shit!

  “What?” Avery drew her gaze away, glaring at Jayce.

  He responded with a boyish grin and a wink. “You wanna offer your new guests a drink?”

  Oh! “Yeah. Good idea.” She fumbled to the kitchen, pouring with shaking hands. A glass of white wine for Kadence, Avery recalled her preference from the art show, and a glass of red for Melody. She felt her knees knocking together as she approached the group.

  “Hi, Avery,” Kadence’s smile was radiant.

  “Avery.” Melody tilted her chin up with a grunt. Avery gazed between the two siblings as Kadence pinched her older sister’s forearm. Melody tried again, this time with a peppier tone. “I mean, hey, how are you?”

  “Uhh. I’m good.” She gulped under Melody’s guarded eyes. “Uhh, thank you for coming.”

  The conversation stalled in the doorway.

  “Thank you for inviting us.” Kadence came to her rescue. “Whatcha got there?”

  “Oh,” Avery held out the glasses in her hand. “These are for you. I know you like whites,” she said as she passed the chardonnay to Kadence. “And I took a guess with you, Melody.” She held the merlot to Melody.

  “Thank you, Avery.” Kadence smiled.

  Avery nodded, shuffling her weight as Melody eyed her glass. “Uhh, I guess I’m gonna go check on the food now. Make yourselves comfortable,” she said before scurrying off toward the kitchen.

  You’re sinking worse than the Titanic, Bennett. You’re a fucking Bitanic.

  Chapter Fourteen

  KADENCE WATCHED AVERY’S RETREATING figure with curiosity. She had witnessed Avery nervous and bashful before, but this was just plain awkward. Before she had more time to ponder it, Melody took her by the wrist to the couch. Just as she was about to take the first sip of her drink, Melody snatched her glass from her grasp. She took a tentative sip of Kadence’s drink, smacking her lips before pursing them. Kadence resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

  “Okay.” Melody nodded after a moment. “You can have it now.”

  “Was that necessary?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being a bit much?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  Kadence sighed in frustration. “I thought you were going to behave.”

  “I will, but how do I know if she will?” Melody leaned toward Kadence, narrowing her eyes in a dark, dangerous glare.

  “Quit threatening.” Kadence gave her sister a nudge with her knee. “Look at her. She already looks like she’s going to pee herself.”

  “Good.”

  “Nothing’s going to happen. Knock it off.”

  “I know how you get with pretty girls. I’m not stupid. I have eyes. Avery’s an ass, but she’s still hot. And you love blondes. How do I know she won’t try to pull a fast one on you again? Try to seduce you into her room.” Melody’s black fingernail pointed around the corner.

  “That’s Emma’s room.”

  Melody gave a pointed look.

  “You have absolutely no faith in me.” The words held a double meaning and Melody’s shoulders fell at the accusation.

  “Kae, I didn’t…”

  “I appreciate that you’re trying to look out for me.” Kadence watched the wine in her glass as she swirled it. “But you have to let me live a little. Be my own person. You won’t be here forever, and I’ve got to learn to stand on my own two feet once you’re gone.”

  Melody remained silent, entwining their fingers with a squeeze of hesitant agreement.

  ***

  Their meal consisted of a slow-roasted lamb shoulder with a blueberry wine reduction, potato gratin, and a side of steamed vegetables. Kadence was impressed to say the least. She was even more impressed to learn Avery had been the master chef behind it. She eyed the canned spaghetti loving woman with interest, but Avery barely looked up from pushing her vegetables across her plate. Despite the playful bickering between Emma and Danny or the riveting conversation between Melody, Jayce, and Lola, Avery remained quiet. Kadence managed to catch her glancing in her direction once, but Avery quickly averted her gaze.

  By the end of dinner, Melody seemed to have tamed herself, sipping casually on her wine as she leaned back in her chair. Avery, in contrast, looked desperate to escape.

  “I’m gonna get started on the dishes.” Avery stood abruptly, pushing her chair from the table in haste.

  Kadence took her chance. “I’ll help.”

  She rushed after Avery only to find the woman cowering in the kitchen by the sink. Avery’s eyes were glued to the dish in her hand, wide and frightened. She repeated wringing the sponge in her hand as the faucet continued to run water.

  “Hey.” Kadence inched forward.

  Avery’s spine stiffened. “H…hey, Kadence.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.” Avery’s reply was two octaves above normal. “Dandy. Just dandy.”

  “Dandy?” Kadence quirked a brow. “Avery, are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yup.” Avery squeaked the response, chewing the inside of her lip.

  Kadence crossed her arms. She could be patient. Yoga had taught her that.

  After a moment, Avery sighed. “Melody hates me.”

  “Give her time.”

  “I’m really am sorry.”

  “I know.” Kadence nodded. “She does, too. It’ll just take a little longer with her. She likes to hold grudges. It’s not healthy.”

  “You don’t hold onto anything?”

  Kadence hesitated.

  “Sorry. That isn’t my business. You can tell me when…” Avery shook her head. “If you ever trust me again.”

  Kadence appreciated Avery handling the situation with such maturity. But her amber eyes still kept darting to Kadence, then to the dishes in her hand. She looked like she was going to burst.

  “Avery, you look like you’re going to explode,” Kadence said gently. “Just say it.”

  “S…say what?”

  “Whatever it is that you’ve been holding in all night.”

  Avery swallowed so hard Kadence heard it.

  “You, umm, you…I just…you look beautiful tonight.” Avery tensed, squeezing her eyes shut. Her hands flew to shield her face.

  Kadence blinked for a moment, processing the compliment before breaking into a smile. That smile turned into a quiet giggle. And that giggle bubbled into laughter. “That’s it?”

  Avery turned crimson.

  “No!” Kadence reached out to place her hand on Avery’s forearm. “I’m not laughing at you. It’s just…well, that’s what you’ve been holding in all night?”

  “You mean, you’re not mad?”

  “No, that was…” She paused to find the right words to voice her endearment. “That was sweet.”

  “I didn’t want to overstep.”

  Kadence tilted her head as she observed Avery’s fidgeting. This insecure version of her was new. Kadence wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

  “I just didn’t want you to think that I was trying to just get in your pants or something. I want us to be friends, but I don’t know where to draw the line. Or where you’ve drawn the line, I guess. But I —”

  “Avery.” Kadence cut her off. “Stop overthinking everything. You’re doing just fine. I’m not saying that I trust you, but I know you’re trying. It’s going to take some time. I don’t think you’re a bad person, Avery. I just think you made a bad decision.”

  “Okay. That’s fair.”

  “We’re okay, Avery. I already know you’re sorry.”

  Avery nodded.

  Kadence turned her attention to the sponge still clasped in Avery’s hand. “So, do you wanna wash or dry?”

  “I’
ll wash.”

  They settled into an easy rhythm. The sound of running water splashed around them while the murmur of conversation in the dining area buzzed through the doorway.

  “Do you remember when I said I wasn’t scared of anything?” Avery shut off the sink. Kadence nodded. “I was lying. Everyone’s scared of something.”

  “So, what are you scared of?”

  Amber eyes searched hers before answering in a whisper. “You.”

  “Me?”

  “You scare me, Kadence. I don’t want to hurt you and I’m so scared of messing up again and ruining our friendship.”

  Avery was standing in front of her with her heart on her sleeve. The same Avery Bennett that was multi-faceted and complexly layered. The same Avery Bennett that Kadence found annoyingly cocky at times, secretly clumsy, stupidly endearing, and so fascinatingly vulnerable.

  “You scare me, too.”

  Their eyes met and something quiet fell.

  “I do?” Avery’s timid query floated between them.

  You could matter.

  Before she got to answer, Lola walked in with the remaining dishes piled in her arms, Jayce following on her heels.

  “Leftovers!” Lola announced before glancing between the two with an apologetic smile. “Uhh, did I interrupt something?”

  Kadence shook her head as the two additions busied themselves with putting containers into the fridge.

  “Uhh, hey, Avery.” Jayce’s low voice was heard from behind the refrigerator door. “Is there a reason John’s hat is in here?” He pulled out the familiar snapback Kadence had stolen quite a few times.

  Avery’s face turned beat red as she made a dash for the snapback.

  “Do you always leave your hat in the fridge?” Kadence chuckled.

  Avery scrunched up her nose as she stuck out her tongue. The air felt lighter. Kadence sprinted to her side, snatching the cap before dashing out of the kitchen with Avery hot on her heels. But in a small apartment, she quickly caught her just as she rounded the hall toward Avery’s room.