Bend for Me Page 7

  When the doors parted, Avery’s jaw dropped. Despite its outward appearance, the game hall was quite impressive. There were multiple bars lining the walls, vintage arcade games, casino slots, bowling alley, trampolines, air hockey and pool tables, a rock-climbing wall, and even a giant chess board with three-feet-tall pieces.

  Avery gave an impressed whistle. Amongst the zing and buzz of multi-colored lights, Kadence stood in her black and white outfit, contrasting against the bright colors. Avery had never seen anything like it.

  “So, where should we start?”

  Before she could answer, Avery and Kadence’s wrists were being tugged by a zealous Emma.

  “Well, rock climbing it is, I guess.” Kadence laughed and Avery found herself laughing, too.

  They donned harnesses and started climbing. After half an hour, Avery was winded and excused herself to the bar. She downed her drink, enjoying the cold liquid making its way down her throat.

  “She’s a firecracker, isn’t she?” An airy voice said at her side. Kadence stood to her left, rolling her wrist, wincing as she massaged the joint.

  “Emma? Yeah. But I love her anyway.” She smiled as they watched Emma ring a bell hanging from the ceiling, giving a hoot of accomplishment. “Don’t tell her I said that though.”

  Kadence winked. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

  They were standing unnecessarily close. Kadence’s eyes flew to Avery’s lips, brow raised in challenge. It was a silent game of chicken Avery refused to lose until she noticed Kadence was still cradling her wrist.

  “You all right?” Avery nodded at the wrist.

  Kadence gave a muted smile. “Of course.”

  Avery didn’t quite believe it.

  “Just haven’t had to use my wrist like that in a while. I guess I’m out of practice.” Kadence stuck her tongue between her teeth, snickering as if she’d made a sexual reference.

  “Anyway…” Avery looked around for a distraction. “Wanna play chess?”

  Chess? What am I doing? She hadn’t played chess in years. Before he died, she and her father used to play a game every evening before dinner. Why would she want to bring up something that would remind her of her father? Maybe being with Kadence made it more bearable. Or maybe it was the small bit of alcohol and the lack of sleep clouding her judgment.

  Kadence looked astonished at the suggestion. Sure, Avery Bennett could be a real idiot sometimes, but she was not a dumb blonde. And she was going to prove to Kadence she was more than what she seemed.

  After ordering a light ale for Kadence, the two set up the pieces on the giant chess mat. With their size, it reminded Avery of a miniature version of Harry Potter’s wizard’s chess.

  “You’re a wizard, Harry,” Avery said in her most posh British accent before she could stop herself. The hell, Bennett? That was so lame.

  Kadence raised a brow and Avery blushed.

  “I mean, wanna see me work some magic?” Avery added with a wiggle of her brow.

  Kadence chuckled, shaking her head as her lips tilted to the side.

  Nice save, Avery.

  “So, white or black?” Kadence waved her hand at the prepared board.

  Avery looked at the other girl’s outfit. She looks good in monochrome.

  “Avery?”

  “Oh, right.” She shook her head. “You pick. Ladies first.” She gave her opponent an exaggerated up and down. “And you are most definitely a lady.”

  Kadence rolled her eyes with a light-hearted smile, walking across the room to take her place across the board from Avery. She gestured at Avery and her rows of pieces. “White goes first.”

  Avery lost the first two rounds. To be fair though, she was rusty. And the loss during the second round was caused by Kadence and her stupidly perfect face. The way her eyes would narrow, lip stuck between her teeth as she thought through each move was infuriatingly distracting. Snap out of it, Bennett.

  Somehow through the night, Avery’s goal of winning was trumped by a new objective—to try to make Kadence smile as many times as possible. She didn’t know how it happened, but the way that those green eyes illuminated, though most of the time suppressing her amusement, did funny things to Avery. Funny, dangerous, and fucking wonderful things.

  “Where did you find this place, anyway?” Avery asked after their third game. Emma still hadn’t returned, and Avery wondered if she had purposely left them alone or if she was that excited about the trampolines. Honestly, with Emma, it was a pretty even split.

  “Melody and I used to come here a lot with my…friend.” Her voice had a robotic tone and sounded rehearsed.

  Avery tried to picture Melody in such an upbeat place but instead, the only image she could imagine was the woman scowling at the bright colors and grumbling at the blinking slot machine lights. Kadence’s comments were difficult to believe. Though, to be fair, Avery didn’t know much about Melody. Or either of the Cooper sisters.

  “So, what’s your story, Kadence Cooper?”

  “I’m just me. What about you?” Kadence deflected before Avery could ask any further questions. “What’s Avery Bennett’s story?”

  She had almost forgotten. She had been so distracted by Kadence she forgot what week it was, both scarring events pushed to the back of her mind. And she was smiling, she realized. A lot.

  “My story is a bit of a long one. It might need some editing as well.” Avery wasn’t ready to share everything with Kadence, regardless of how welcoming and attentive she seemed.

  “I like long stories. Let me get the next round of drinks.” Kadence nodded at Emma who was in her own world doing flips on the trampolines. “I think we pretty much have all night. Just start with chapter one.”

  Chapter Eight

  “YOU’VE GOT TO STOP working these late hours.” Iris stalked toward her, a scowl across her face and a stern look.

  Kadence blinked, realizing she had dozed off waiting for her report to run and was still at the office. She tapped her phone. Eleven forty-eight at night. She had multiple missed calls and texts from her girlfriend. She had skipped dinner and Iris had likely come looking for her after her lack of response.

  “I’m sorry.

  “Kae, a normal workday is nine to five. Eight to six if you have to. But this is just ridiculous.” Iris’s voice was filled more with concern than anger.

  “I’m sorry, Iris. I just lost track of time.”

  Iris stood across from her desk with her arms crossed. Even though Kadence was the one sitting in the office chair, it felt more like Iris was in charge at the moment.

  “I just have so much to do.” Kadence’s gaze fell to piles of paperwork on the glossy surface of her desk. It seemed as though her To Do pile never stopped growing but her Done pile never changed.

  “I know you do.” Iris’s eyes softened as she let her arms fall to her sides with a sigh. “And I appreciate how hard you work, everybody does, but this isn’t healthy. Come on, we can’t have you falling asleep at your desk anymore.” She tugged Kadence to her feet before pressing the button to turn off her monitor. “Let me drive you home.”

  “But my car…” Kadence realized when they stepped outside, that a small dusting of white had coated the metal of her vehicle.

  “I’ll drive you back in the morning.”

  Kadence knew how much Iris hated driving in the snow. “I can drive myself if—”

  Iris shook her head. “No. You’re too tired. And I just want to get home. All these late nights and early mornings have been cutting into our cuddle time.” Her smile was playful, but there was a hint of sadness in her words.

  “I’m sorry, love.” Kadence apologized, taking her girlfriend’s hand in hers as she kissed the back of her knuckles. “I will be better.”

  “It’s okay,” Iris assured her, as they pulled out of the parking lot. “You can make it up to me later.” She massaged her thumb against Kadence’s, allowing Kadence’s guilt to subside. Her eyes drifted closed again as she dozed off.
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br />   She awoke when her body was thrust forward, brakes squealing as the metal caved in around her. Her arm shot out instinctively as she tried to safeguard her girlfriend from flying forward. The airbag collided against her face and chest, knocking the wind out of her as the other vehicle slammed into them. Her wrist throbbed, falling into Iris’s lap.

  “Iris?” She asked, shaking her girlfriend’s limp body. Kadence’s heart, her head, her wrist... everything ached.

  ***

  Kadence rolled out of bed the following morning with sleep in her eyes and a dull throbbing in her wrist. She rubbed at both, brushing the fragments away with a yawn before rotating the irritated joint. It cracked with a small pop. Usually that was enough to alleviate the soreness, but after straining it on the rock wall, it was still causing her minor discomfort. With a sigh, she retrieved an ice pack from the freezer and, wrapping it in a plush cloth, placed it against the tender spot.

  Last night was interesting to say the least. She had expected to spend the majority of her time feeling like a third wheel between the two roommates, but instead, found herself spending almost the entire night with Avery, while Emma ran off. She was grateful to find that Avery was quite good company when she wasn’t relying on obvious pick-up lines or ridiculous tactics. She liked when Avery acted as herself, not the cool, aloof image she tried so hard to portray.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when the door jiggled open and Melody barreled through the front door.

  “Melody?” She sat up. “What are you doing here?”

  “I texted that I was coming.” Her sister waved a hand.

  “Oh.”

  “You always were shit at texting.”

  “Regardless, I’m glad to see you.” Kadence smiled at her sister. “How’ve you been?”

  “Good,” Melody replied with a smile before noticing that Kadence was icing her wrist. Kadence tried to hide it, ineffectively stuffing her injured limb under a couch pillow. Melody continued to eye the cushion until Kadence sighed, forcing her wrist out into the open again.

  “What happened?”

  “I…uhh…I went to The Arkade.”

  Melody’s eyes were like saucers. “What? With who?”

  “Emma and Avery.”

  “Wow.” Melody sunk into the couch and Kadence watched as the memories flashed behind her brown eyes. Iris was the one who had introduced the sisters to the establishment in the first place. Her free spirit had taken them on a detoured adventure after a night out at dinner.

  “Go left here,” Iris instructed from the passenger seat.

  “Do you even know where we’re going?” Kadence asked, one eye watching her sister in the backseat. Melody was sitting with her arms crossed, glaring out the window at the unfamiliar surroundings.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.”

  Melody made a gagging sound from behind them.

  “Maybe take a right,” her girlfriend deliberated. “Let’s say two more lights?”

  “Maybe?” Melody commented on the vague detail. “What do you mean by ‘maybe?’ Where are we going?”

  “I don’t know.” Iris offered Melody a sheepish grin through the rearview mirror. “But it’s kind of fun, right?”

  “Iris!” Kadence jerked on the brake. She had to side with her sister on this one. This was crazy.

  “Oh,” Iris squeezed Kadence’s knee. “Stop! Pull in there.” She pointed her free hand down the block at a rundown-looking warehouse. The words ‘The Arkade’ flashed on a dizzying sign.

  “Iris…” Kadence hesitated, tugging Iris by the wrist as she tried to climb out of the car.

  “Trust me, Kae.”

  “Okay.”

  “We would have invited you, too, but…”

  “It’s okay. I’ve been a little MIA.”

  “You don’t have to apologize. It’s not like I haven’t done the same thing to you.”

  “True,” Melody agreed with reluctance in her tone.

  “So, you’re okay now?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And Jordan?”

  “Still my boyfriend. My fiancé, actually.” Melody’s face split into the widest of grins.

  “I’m so happy for you!” Kadence propelled herself at her sister for a huge hug, irritated wrist forgotten. Melody laughed, wrapping her arms around her in return as Kadence squeezed tighter.

  “Okay. okay.” Her sister grumbled after having had enough physical contact. “Get off.”

  After being pried off, the realization finally set in. “Oh, my god. You’re getting married. My sister is getting married!”

  “I know. It’s why I came here. It’s gonna be crazy and a major fucking time crunch, but…Kae, will you be my maid of honor?”

  “Yes! Of course.” Kadence was elated. She almost went in for another hug, but Melody clenched her jaw. Instead, Kadence cuddled a couch pillow to her chest, squeezing to expend the joy bubbling in her chest. “This calls for a celebration. Let me take you to lunch.”

  “You sure your wrist is okay?”

  “Forget my wrist. I’m running on adrenaline right now. Let me just change and grab my phone.”

  She raced to the bedroom, tossing on a pair of shorts and pulling on an oversized tee. When she went to find her phone, she realized she had two text messages. One from Melody, as expected, but she was surprised to also find one from Avery.

  Avery Bennett: Em told me it was your idea to invite me to your girl’s night. You didn’t have to do that.

  She tapped back a reply.

  Kadence Cooper: No prob. Thanks for coming with.

  Avery Bennett: I should be thanking YOU. I think I finally got the perfect idea for the gallery. You’ll have to come by and see it.

  Avery Bennett: Be my date to the show?

  Kadence froze, retreating to the kitchen to find Melody sitting in a daze. A dopey smile adorned her face as she eyed the ring on her hand with affection. Kadence took her phone out, snapping a picture of the rare sight before recalling the text message.

  “What’s with that face?” Melody asked, pointing at Kadence’s conflicted expression.

  Kadence hesitated before reading the series of texts out loud. Melody’s expression was unreadable.

  “Say yes,” Melody finally said.

  “Wait. Really?”

  “Why not?” Apparently, Jordan’s influence on the usual cynical Melody was more powerful than Kadence thought.

  “Okay.” She smiled down at her phone. “I will.”

  Chapter Nine

  HAVING THE ABILITY TO manage her own schedule did have its perks. After getting past her roadblock and completing her paintings, Avery found herself having more free time—free time she was now spending with Kadence.

  After the first few times they hung out, Avery realized she had been trying too hard. But she was getting better at it, if Kadence’s laughter was any indication. As a result, Avery had let herself go a bit more, too.

  The two were lounging in Avery’s bedroom chatting. Avery was still getting around to cleaning the place up, but it was definitely a step up from the last time Kadence had witnessed the room when it had looked like a tornado blew through it.

  “I originally wanted to go into international business marketing.” Kadence had slowly begun to reveal little bits and pieces of herself and Avery, like a sponge, soaked up every word.

  “Then what?” Avery prompted as she took a bite of her cold canned spaghetti. Kadence grimaced at her strange eating habits. Avery egged her on, grinning as she offered an outstretched spoonful.

  “I think I’m going to pass.” Kadence laughed.

  Avery was getting addicted to the sound of Kadence’s laughter. She knew what was going on with those feelings. And she kept trying to stop them. But with every smile, every teasing grin, every bat of those long lashes, it was harder to escape from the dangerous rabbit hole. You’re so fucked, Bennett. “Good. More for me.”

  Kadence rolled her eyes before clearing her
throat. “Let’s get out of here. I’m starting to get stir crazy. Wanna go for a ride?” Kadence smiled devilishly and when Avery finally registered the innuendo, she flushed a flaming red. Kadence threw her head back, bursting into laughter.

  Avery groaned. That was another thing she found herself doing a lot. Kadence Cooper had game, Avery could admit that much. What she didn’t want to admit was Kadence was also good at embarrassing the shit out of her.

  “I’ve got a place we could go. Lemme change first.”

  Kadence simply sat in place, waiting with a grin. Avery failed at trying to hide her embarrassment. Kadence continued giggling at her.

  “Get outta here.” Avery tossed her hat at Kadence who skittered out of the room, laughter trailing down the hallway.

  ***

  “I’m surprised you wanted to walk.” Kadence’s comment was one of surprise.

  “Hey, I’m not that lazy.”

  Kadence’s lips just tilted to the side. She didn’t need to voice her opinion. The twinkle in her eye gave it away.

  Avery gasped in fake offense.

  They arrived at the community park. Avery led them through the trees that lined the area. As the view cleared, a secluded playground, old and forgotten, appeared. It had become abandoned after the township decided to expand the property and the new equipment took precedent. But Avery appreciated it. It had its own unique character.

  “I find it’s usually pretty quiet here,” Avery divulged as she took a seat on the swing, spinning in place until the tension of the chains by her hands was nice and taut. “It’s a good place to clear your head.”

  She released her grip, allowing the coils to unwind as the world whirled around her. When she finally came to a halt, Avery leaned forward. In the midst of her descent, her shoe got caught on a rock, sending her to the ground.

  “Oops. I fell for you.” Avery grinned slyly, lying on her back. Her hair tangled with the tan bark groundcover as she stared up at the sky.

  With a chuckle, Kadence joined her on the ground, head resting on the palm of her hands.