Page 28 of Without Judgment

I made a motion of crossing my heart, making her laugh.

“In a way, I’m grateful we’re not together. Not that I wished for it to end the way it did, but I was having doubts.”

“What about your supposed bestie?”

“That was tough. Girl code and all. But I’m finding out most of my friends weren’t truly friends. Some suggested I should forgive him because if I didn’t, then people would be forced to take sides. It’d be awkward for them. Or they thought I should be celebrating the fact I have a sex video as it ups my value. I’m finding out most of my friends are quite shallow. That said, maybe it’s because I am.”

“If you were, I’d be making excuses to avoid sitting next to you instead of talking to you right now. And your brother wouldn’t adore you the way he does.”

I could tell my words meant a lot to her. “It’s not a bad thing to find out who your true friends are.”

Hell, I’d only ever had two people I’d called friend. Trevor and Mick. Only Mick hadn’t made it home after our last tour in Iraq.

“No, and it does make you reevaluate who you spend time with. Thank you. For this. For listening. And for sitting through The Princess Bride when I could tell you’d rather poke both your eyes out.”

A chuckle escaped my lips. “I rather like my vision.” Changing the subject, I asked, “What do you plan to do tomorrow?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s funny how most days go by quickly, but not this one. Every year, the day drags.”

I wished I had something I could do to make the day better. As I was about to press play on the movie, Avery glanced down at her buzzing phone. I was surprised when I read the name coming up on caller ID.

“I’m assuming ‘Do not answer for this asshole’ is your ex?”

She didn’t bother to hide her grin. “Yes. I don’t need the reminder any longer, but it did give me some satisfaction to change his name in my phone.”

“You’re not going to answer, right?”

She looked torn. “Right.”

“But you want to?” I would’ve assumed he’d be the last person she’d wish to talk to.

“Only because I need answers. But I don’t think that’s why he’s calling.”

The phone went silent but then began ringing again. I put out my hand for the device. “May I?”

“You want to talk to him?”

“I do.” Because she wasn’t the only one wondering what Edward’s motivation was for dragging her into this.

I wouldn’t mind some answers, too.

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