Page 26 (1/2)

Jase kissed the tip of led as he pulled back The skin around his eyes crinkled as he smiled down ata deep breath "We need to tell your brother"

And that would be terrifying For Jase But I smiled "Maybe I’ll just updateyou?"

Jase snickered and then dropped another kiss on o over well"

Sadness filled Avery’s gaze as she handed lass of sweet tea After one sip, I knew Caiveaway I took another drink as I peeked over at Jase He sat beside me on Avery’s couch, with a respectable three or so inches between us

When we’d left the farm, I’d texted Cam and asked him where he was Surprise Surprise He was over at Avery’s My stomach had been in knots as I hobbled up the stairs to her apart here had taken the backseat the moment Cam saith the crutches

Ca room, beside a moon chair His arms were crossed on his chest, expression clouded "Why didn’t you call and let me know that you were hurt?"

I opened my mouth, but he wasn’t done

"I would’ve cootten you, Teresa You didn’t need to call Jase"

I snapped an," he continued, and I held back a sigh "You know that, right? Have you even called Mo his arm over the back of the couch Mom had cried It had been a terrible, hard call "And I texted her yesterday because she wasn’t in class She didn’t call me"

"So you lied and told me you were sick when you weren’t?" Cam demanded

"I think you know the answer to that," I said

The look on his face would’ve sentand he turned it on Jase "And you didn’t call me? Man, that’s fked up"

"It’s not fked up," I juht "He’s not required to tell you I a you I just didn’t want you to worry needlessly You’ve got a lot on your plate right noanted to be sure of rong withat Jase "You should’ve told aze with his own steady one "I could have, but she wanted to go to the doc first before she got anyone upset I respected that decision"

"I can understand that," Avery said diploood friend"

"I was being a great friend," replied Jase, and I alle in my hair Fro

Cam only looked placated when Avery wrapped her arm around his knee "How did it happen anyway?"

I sat the tea on the coffee table "It was just an accident I was standing up Got hit in the hip with a bag and I tried to step out of the way and I ca it like that sounded innocent enough Even I could believe it when it was thrown out like that

Ca the bill down "Shit, Teresa"

As I sat back, Jase’s fingers slipped under my hair and spread out My eyes widened as he started to move his hand up and down

"The doctor really thinks you won’t be able to dance any, her eyes ith syot stuck in an had explained By the time I was done with the sad story, Avery was close to tears and Caaze fixed to the carpet "So that’sthat’s it," I said, wincing when I heardthe words cut with a swipe of a hot knife

"I really a the coffee table was high enough to shoveunder it "Thanks"

Twenty kinds of aard silence descended in the room This was probably the worst part of it all No one knehat to say because there wasn’t anything to say

Jase slid his hand offand I’d do sos for sohed "Do we even want to know?"

He opened his ht "You do not want to knohat Jase has already probably done for cheese fries"

"All I have to say is desperate hookers ain’t got nothing on me," Jase said, and he winked when Avery flushed the color of the throw pilloas leaning against

I laughed "Wow That’swell, that’s disgusting"

His grin turned lanced over at Avery "What about you?" he asked, and I whispered a little prayer of thanks that the conversation had switched gears "Want to go grab soed her coppery hair around her shoulder "I’d love so

"Then let’s go" Cam took Avery’s hands and hauled her up "Outback trip for the win"

Jase was up and had my crutches by the time I stood Our eyes met as he handed them over, and I feltus closely I forced a casual s

I grabbed Jase’s ar hiing her car around to the front I kept my voice low "Maybe we should wait until he’s in a better mood"

Jase nodded absently "Was it an accident?"

"Huh?"