Page 38 of Sure, Pal

“Hey, Rob!” I smiled at him and gave him a quick hug, too. I hadn’t seen Rob for at least a year. He went to the same college as Ava and I, but we didn’t spend much time around Rob after the infamous breakup.

“Where’s Tensely tonight?” Evan asked. Tensely was Rob’s girlfriend.

Rob shrugged. “Ava informed me that it was ‘the old gang only’ tonight. She said her connections would give us exactly four seats.”

Ava hurried back over to us with a grin and her arms open wide. “Let’s go! I got us the best seats in the restaurant!”

I snorted. “Why? Did you sleep with Jaelyn, too?”

Ava shot me a dirty look. “Do you have a problem with the way I live my life, Si?”

I grinned at her and said, “Maybe a little bit.”

Ava rolled her beautiful eyes and poked me in the ribs. “Okay, people, let’s go! You’re gonna love this place!”

We followed our server through the loud, crowded restaurant until we reached a table on a private balcony. The server, a girl that looked close to our age, nervously asked Ava for a selfie. Ava gushed, “Oh my god! Of course! You are so sweet!” She snapped a picture with the girl, giving her best #AvaMillsOfficial smile.

“Ah! Thank you!” The server’s hands shook. “Um, my manager wanted me to tell you that everything you order tonight is on him, and he hopes you’ll enjoy yourself enough to let people know where you ate tonight!”

“Aw! How kind! Tell him thank you!”

Fucking Ava and her charmed life.

“Wow.” Rob gaped at her. “You’re actually famous then, huh? I guess I didn’t realize it had gotten to be such a big deal.”

Ava laughed. “Yeah! Crazy, right?” She looked over at Evan with a hunger in her eyes that begged him to be impressed by her.

Evan didn’t return Ava’s stare but gazed out at the restaurant with vacant eyes.

My heart rate picked up as I looked back and forth between Ava and Evan. Ava had her game turned on, but Evan wasn’t into her anymore. He wouldn’t fall for her show again, would he?

Evan glanced up and caught my eye with a smile.

No. Evan wouldn’t go for Ava again. I was stupid to be worrying about that.

“So, what do you guys think?” Ava smiled and held out her hands.

“This place is fucking awesome. Tensely would love it!” Rob looked around at the shiny white cubes covering the walls, all lit by different colored lights.

Evan nodded. “Cool.”

“Yeah, it’s amazing, Aves,” I added.

Rob then turned to Evan. “Oh, dude, how did your dad’s scans go?”

Everyone at the table froze, and Evan choked on his water.

“Scans?” Ava said, her eyes filling with worry. “What scans? Is your dad okay, Evan?”

Evan glared at Rob and then glanced over at Ava. “My dad…” he shook his head, “is sick.”

Ava gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. “What? What’s wrong with him, babe?”

Evan swallowed and stared down at his plate. Finally, he said, “Brain cancer.”

I stared at my neon purple napkin against the bright white table and tried to make sense of the words that had just left Evan’s mouth. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears.

That was why Evan was home. His badass, incredible dad, was sick. Holy shit. I slowly lifted my head and met Evan’s gaze across the table.

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