Page 39 of Insta-Love

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Bowen

I suggested we pick up a treat on the way home for Lily since she’s been such a damn trooper this past day. The kid stuffs what’s left of her fries in her mouth, happy meal box balanced on her lap, as I carry her into the house. It seemed more practical than making the girl hop, especially when I know how much the jolting can make a fresh break ache.

“You’re back!” Gina cuts us off in the entranceway to place a kiss to Lily’s cheek. “Oh, my brave girl.”

“It’s not that bad, Nana. Promise.”

“Shut up and let me fuss over you,” she says with a smirk, bopping Lily on the nose.

I sidle around the woman and take Lily through to the living room. “Don’t suppose you could flick the recliner out, Ava?”

She says nothing—same as she hasn’t the entire ride home—and circumvents us to pop the handle. The seat extends, giving Lily the perfect set up. I place her carefully on the upholstery, snatching a cushion from the nearby two-seater and situating it carefully under her cast.

“You have to keep it elevated, okay? Even when you sleep.”

“Okay.” She settles the meal box beside her, pinching out another mouthful of fries.

Ava places her drink within reach, and then disappears for a moment to come back with a blanket that she sets beside her daughter. “In case you need it.”

“Thanks, Mum. And thanks, Bowen.”

“Any time.”

I take a step back as Gina wedges herself into the mix, making sure Lily has the television remote within reach. The unit holds a box for the cable TV, but nothing more. Not even a sign of a DVD anywhere.

“Do you have Netflix or anything like that?”

Ava’s gaze flicks to mine, her eyes hard before she exhales heavily out her nose. “No. We don’t.” She jerks her head toward the kitchen, leading me away. “She’ll get bored, but she has her books and I’ll pick up a word find or two the next time I’m at the shops.”

“I’ll bring my PlayStation over.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

She sighs, resting one hand on the counter to take her weight. “I don’t want to feel obligated to you, Bowen.”

“You’re not.”

She made out that nothing would change if she stepped away from me and had time to think, but just like everyone else, Ava’s a liar. It’s there in her wary gaze: she regrets crossing that line.

She wishes she’d never kissed me.

It fucking hurts.

“Can we step outside?”

She frowns, turning her head to glance at Lily.

“She’s fine.”

“Five minutes, okay?”

I move out of her way to let Ava take the lead, following behind as she directs us out to the back patio.

“We’ll be outside for a moment, okay Mum?”

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