Page 49 of Ties That Bind Us

“We do,” he agreed, turning to me.

I took a deep breath, debating where to start. The ring was as good a place as any. “I did something really stupid last night.”

“One thing?” Nick smirked, loosening the both of us up.

“I guess that’s a valid point, but I think this one is probably the worst.”

“Go on,” he said.

“I left your engagement ring.” Tears bubbled in my eyes again as I blurted it out.

Nick studied my face for a second, and scratched his chin before responding. He reached into his pocket to fish something out.

“You mean this?” He held the oval-shaped sparkler in front of me and my heart nearly stopped.

“How did you . . . where . . .” Words wouldn’t come to me.

He clenched his jaw, turning the ring over and over in his hand. “I know the bartender. He’s the one who called me when you showed up. And he kept hold of this after you used it to pay for another guy’s drinks,” he explained, his voice still calm.

“God, Nick, I’m so sorry.” I burst into tears.

“The thing is, Ava, I couldn’t care less about this thing.” He held the ring up to me. “I care about you. And your safety. That’s what I’m pissed off about. What you did last night—you could have gotten yourself killed. And I get you were upset, you have every right to be, but you should have come to me and talked about it. Not gone to fucking Jimmy and his cocaine.”

His voice broke, and I could tell how painful this was for him. It was a whole new experience having someone concerned for my safety. With my parents, it always seemed to be more about how my behavior reflected on them. I chewed on my lip, not sure what I could say at this point. I felt sick.

“I owe you an explanation. I’m going to tell you everything that happened with Andrew, and I’m going to set this here.” He put the ring on the countertop. “And after we talk about all of this, you can decide whether or not you’re going to put it back on.”

I nodded.

“But if you do, some things are going to have to change.”

I nodded again, afraid of what would come out of my mouth if I spoke. It was extremely unnerving to know I was about to find out the truth of what happened to Andrew after all these years.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this from the beginning, I assumed your dad had. I didn’t find out that you didn’t know the truth until a few weeks ago, and I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to bring it up ever since,” he started.

“I’d known Andrew for a long time. I should have recognized you the moment I saw you that night because your faces are so similar. I don’t know why I didn’t.” Nick hesitated. “He was one of my best friends.”

“Mine too,” I choked out.

Nick squeezed his eyes shut as if gearing himself up for what he was about to say.

Nick (Four Years Ago)

“What the hell . . .” I was woken up abruptly by the sound of someone banging on the front door. Usually, it was Leo having forgotten his keys. I threw some shorts on and stomped out of my room and down the hall.

“Bro, seriously, you’ve got to start . . .” I opened the door, annoyed as hell.

It wasn’t Leo who was staring back at me; it was Andrew. He paced back and forth on the porch, frantic and looking like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Andrew? What’s going on?” I asked, confused to see him standing at my door at three o’clock in the morning.

“I need help.” His voice was hoarse.

“Come inside.” I ushered him in, looking around to make sure that no one was watching us. “What the fuck is going on?”

“I screwed up, Nick. I took the deal from the MS-13 dude.” He ran his fingers through his hair, continuing to pace back and forth in my living room.

“Are you out of your damn mind?” I shrieked. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?”

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