Page 77 of Camera Shy

“You think that loving a woman means letting her get away with whatever she wants. You’re not a dick if you set some boundaries and stand up for what you need from a relationship.”

I shut off the truck and pick up my phone, bringing my conversation with Lennox with me. “Except Avery and I aren’t in a relationship. She’s preparing herself for when she wants to get back into the dating game again. I’m basically her practice field.” I insert my debit card and want to gag at the cost of diesel fuel per gallon. When the fuck did this jump a whole dollar? Gas prices keep creeping up and it’s half the reason I only see my mom about once every two months now. I used to make the drive every weekend just to check on her. I normally spend the night, but this time it felt like three is a crowd. Mom’s happy and her new man seems obsessed with keeping her that way. There was no need to linger.

“Well, if Avery is practicing how to date again, maybe you should too. Ask her how she feels about her ex, and you. Ask her what she wants. Tell her what you want.”

I ignore the sign that clearly says don’t leave the pump unattended. Heading into the gas station, I respond, “I’ve known her for a couple of weeks. It’s a little early to talk about feelings, Lennox.”

“How long did it take before you knew you loved Nora?”

Less than a week. “Doesn’t that mean I should do things differently moving forward?”

“Yes. So, tell her what you want.”

Maybe it’s sound advice, but that would require me to know what the hell I want. Finding out about Morgan and Nora stung. I won’t admit it to a soul in the world, but it drives me crazy that she ran back to him after she spent years telling me I showed her what real love felt like. There was no way she could go back to a man who didn’t make her feel the way I did. It was all lip service. It’s not that I’m jealous. It’s just tough to face all the bullshit. The reality is Nora didn’t just treat me like garbage… I let her.

Avery’s been nothing but honest and vulnerable with me. Maybe we should talk. Maybe this could be more than casual. I enjoy spending time with her. She’s so easy to talk to. This game of good sex doesn’t really feel like a game. If it is, I think I’m winning every time.

Apparently, if you want to find a nice girl to connect with, just swear off dating, then she’ll come barreling into your life…naked in a hot tub. Shit… Okay, so I like her. But are we both ready for me to do something about it?

“Fine. I’ll talk to her,” I mumble, holding the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I fill my arms with gas station snacks.

“Good,” Lennox says as I head to the cash register, “then my work here is done. All right, get home safe. By the way, I used the last clean towel when I showered, so I threw a load in the washer, but I didn’t run it yet. Oh, and you’re out of beer, cheddar cheese, and Chex Mix. I put them on the grocery list, but could you buy the Bold Mix flavor next time? The blue bag is so bland. I mean, I ate it…but it was bland.”

The gas station attendant widens his eyes and looks startled at the very unamused expression I’m wearing. I point to my phone and whisper to him, “Not you.”

He nods and begins ringing up my snacks, one by one.

“Lennox, I’m changing my locks.”

“Bye, Finny.”

* * *

Finn

I’m in the hot tub. I have junk food.

Avery

You are NOT in the hot tub. I know this because I, in fact, am.

I smile as I read Avery’s response and head through my backyard to the adjoining back gate to Dex’s home. It’s quiet. She must not have the jets on. I figured by the time she saw my message, I’d be relaxed and soaking.

“I hope you’re not decent. Are you topless or bottomless? Or my favorite—completely naked,” I say over the fence. Pausing, I wait for a flirty response.

“I’m wearing a swimsuit, Finn. I can’t just give the goods away. My new teacher keeps telling me I have to make a man earn it.”

I tuck the snacks and energy drink under one arm as I unlatch the lock and use my shoulder to push the tension-ridden gate open. Avery’s in the tub, in a black, one-piece swimsuit. “Ah, damn. Your new teacher is an idiot.”

She snorts. “I wouldn’t say that. He’s all kinds of sweet, and”—she points to my hands—“he brought blueberry-flavored Red Bull?”

I set the blue can next to her arm resting on the deck, along with the bag of snacks, and proceed to pull off my shirt. There’s no need for space tonight. I dip into the tub and find my place right next to Avery, even going as far as wrapping my arm around her shoulders.

She holds up the can. “How did you know I have a weakness for these? They are always sold out when I go to the store.” She snuggles into me and I feel a sense of relief. She feels it too. No way I’m alone in thinking this is more than just gratuitous sex.

“I didn’t. I happen to like them too. But I don’t drink them during long drives. They do nothing to keep you awake because the sugar crash cancels out the caffeine.”

“Exactly,” she says, “but they taste like candy.” She peeks into the white plastic bag I brought and then hands the can to me.

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