Page 80 of Ours to Keep

Desperate to speak to Avery, and seeing as Elliot assured me it was safe to use the iPad, I give into my need.

Plumping my pillows, I lean back against my headboard and use a cushion to balance the iPad. I bring up the FaceTime app and pull up Avery’s number, tapping to call.

I chew on my lip as I sit here, waiting for it to connect.

“Lils,” she says as soon as her face appears on the screen. “Are you okay? Is Mia okay?”

I texted her earlier in the day to tell her the guys think they found Mia and that’s where they were going, but no more details than that.

“I’m still waiting on news,” I reply. I hate feeling so helpless. I get why they didn’t want me going, but I couldhave done something, anything,ifit meant they were closer to getting Mia back.

“She’ll be fine, Lils, you’ll see.”

I nod. “Yeah, I know, I trust the guys. If anyone can get her home and safe, it’s them.”

She tilts her head slightly, and I notice her hair is curled and her makeup is freshly done.

“Shit, sorry, were you about to go out?” I ask, instantly feeling guilty.

“No, I’ve still got time. What else is wrong, issomething else bothering you?”

Strangely, I forget how intuitive she can be. I’ve spent so many years keeping parts of myself hidden that I forgot what it felt like to let my guard down.

“Am I that easy to read?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

“I know you’re worried about Mia, but there’s something else. Is it to do with Tommy?”

I grab my wine and take a large sip before glancing back at the screen. She’s watching me with her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

“Yes and no,” I reply honestly, my eyes flicking to the door I left ajar. I’m still not comfortable being in a room with the door closed. I’ve tried a few times, but it brings on this overwhelming feeling of being trapped. I’d like to think Tommy wouldn’t eavesdrop, but I lower my voice anyway.

“I like him—I like all of them,” I say, my cheeks heating with my admission.

Her rouge matt lips part into a toothy smile. I remember when she had braces. She would never show her teeth when she smiled until one day, she said fuck it. Her confidence and loyalty to her friends and family are some of the things I admire about her.

“Well, it’s impossible not to, and that much is obvious. I’d let them butter my crumpet,” she says with a wink.

Her words have me blushing, and she sits forward, her entire face filling the screen. “Lilith Montgomery, what are you not telling me? I was positive there was something between you and Tommy, and then I saw how the guys were acting after you were in the hospital, I thought there was more to it. Please tell me one of them did indeed butter your crumpet.”

I can’t help but laugh. “More than one,” I reply, my lower stomach pulsing at the memory. “Except Tommy, I’ve been with them all.”

I believe I’ve managed to render her utterly speechless as she chokes back her surprise and reaches for a glass of water on her dressing table.

She raises her hand, picks up her phone, walks over to her bedroom door, and closes it softly.

“Hold up, are you telling me you’ve slept with them? As in plural?”

I nod.

“But not Tommy?” she frowns, almost confused. “I thought he’d be a sure thing.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “It’s complicated.”

She snorts at that. “When isn’t it?”

I chew on my lip, but I’m unsure how much to divulge.

“Nope, you are not dropping that on me and leaving out the most important details. Spill.” Avery stares at me expectantly, and I know there’s no way I’m getting out of this, but it doesn’t stop me from trying.

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