Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
All while my phone is going off like a fucking winning slot machine.
Shelli: Y’all, this is so awkward. Ava is big mad, like in full pissed-off peacock mode.
Posey: While our girl Emery is just being Emery. All smiles and happiness. Acting like Ava isn’t even here. It’s insane.
Shelli: It is, and poor Quinn looks like he wants to die.
Owen: Fucking hell, I bet it’s awesome. Has Emery tried to kiss him in front of Ava yet? And if a catfight breaks out, you better record it.
Evan: It better not break out before I get there. Callie is taking forever!
Shelli: I can’t promise anything. Ava looks like she’s about to blow. The tension is so thick!
Posey: I’m just waiting for this to explode. Even Mom and Fallon are being weird, trying to talk to Ava, but Emery keeps bringing the attention back to herself. It’s awesome.
Evan: #TeamEmery
Owen: #TeamFuckAva #TeamEmery
At that, both my sisters snicker, and I glare at them.
P
osey: Now Quinn is getting mad. Sorry, bro. And also #TeamJustWantYouHappy
Shelli: I think he might hate us a bit. #TeamEmery
They’re right. It’s fucking mayhem in here, and I can’t deal with everyone.
Me: All of you do remember she hurt me, left me, right?
I sigh heavily as I look up to meet Posey’s gaze. She gives me an apologetic smile, and I just shrug. I expect nothing less. Everyone loves to laugh at my expense. It’s because they’re jealous I’m a genius and Mom’s favorite. Everyone wants to be Mom’s favorite.
But that title belongs to me. #HaHaMomLovesMeMore
Then my phone is sounding once again.
Owen: Yeah, my bad. #TeamQuinn
Posey: #TeamWhateverMakesYouHappy
Evan: #TeamQuinn
Shelli: I’ll always be #TeamAdler, but I choose Emery over Ava every second of the day. She hurt you, but I think she came back with the intention of fixing things and showing you that she knows she fucked up. No one can miss the way y’all look at each other. It’s real.
As my siblings all like Shelli’s text, I roll my eyes and tuck my phone into my back pocket. I don’t have a medal in the mental gymnastics it would take to dissect that text. I think it’s because I know Shelli’s right. I shake my head, ignoring that like I have been ignoring everything in my life.
It doesn’t work, but I like to fool myself into thinking it is.
As they all claimed, the room is tense, and everything feels off. It’s awkward as fuck. Emery was here before I arrived with Ava. My soon-to-be bride didn’t say shit to me the whole way here, just typed on her phone. Even now, she stands beside me with her phone out, typing away. She gets away with it since everyone knows she’s on call for the ER today. I’m the only one who knows she’s texting Yvette, and I don’t give two shits.
Because I’m doing everything I can not to look at Emery.
“What are we waiting for?” Ava asks, and I almost jump like I was caught watching Emery color with Zac. If Ava knows, she doesn’t let on. I’m leaning against the counter in the kitchen, where everyone is gathered. My sisters, Emery, and the kids sit at the table while Mom and Fallon move around the kitchen, getting dinner prepared. Dad, Lucas, Aiden, and Boon are probably off hiding somewhere. If I weren’t worried that Emery would say something to Ava, I’d be with them. My dad didn’t even ask me to go with him. I think he knew. I just hope my being here is enough.
It’s a stupid thought, but I’m holding on strong.
I glance over at Ava. She’s wearing a dark blue Dior sundress that goes to her knees and leaves her strong arms on display. Her hair is down, with pieces pulled back from her face to show off her dark-rimmed glasses. Her eyes are sharp, her face full of annoyance as she looks on expectantly. “My brother and Callie. They’re running late.”
“Do we have an ETA?”
At her question, I don’t miss the way everyone glances over at her. I meet my mom’s eyes, and she doesn’t look very pleased. I very quickly answer, “They should be on their way.”
“Good. I’d like to eat before I get called in. I’m sure they’ll be reaching out soon.”
“Oh, your salad is ready, Ava. I can add some steak on top,” Mom says, but Ava waves her off. She smiles at my mom, and it throws me. Wow, she’s trying today. That’s weird.
“No, I’ll wait. I’m just hungry.”
“Eat more than a salad, and you wouldn’t be,” Shelli says with a sweet smile. “I mean, you’ve got a banging body, but I’d rather have a tummy than live off lettuce.”
Ava smiles tightly at her. “I have to be in good shape to make it around the ER.”
“Of course, she’s only teasing,” Posey says, cutting Shelli with a look that has our older sister pressing her lips together. I’m not sure whether it’s to hold in her next retort or her laugh.