Page 87 of She Used to Be Nice
“It’s done,” Charlie said. “He’s out.”
Avery’s heart thudded. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s no longer the best man,” Morgan added. “And he’s no longer invited to the wedding at all.”
Avery stared at Morgan. She’d specifically told Morgannotto do this. She was fucking fine! She wasn’t curled up in a ball in her apartment afraid of being touched or something, like a typical rape victim. And she’d gone this long gritting her teeth in Noah’s presence. She’d planned to power through the rest of it until August, knowing in just a few months he would become only a memory once again.
“But I told you I didn’t want that!” she pleaded. “Why did you do that?”
Morgan sighed and crossed her arms. “Avery, it’s our wedding. If we don’t want him there, he’s not going to be there.”
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Avery hadn’t even intended to say anything about what Noah did to her. She was just going deal with him this weekend, like she’d been doing this whole time. This was hell. If everyone didn’t hate her already, they wouldreallyhate her now.
“You didn’t need to do this,” Avery said with a groan. She rubbed her hands up and down her face in distress. But a flicker of joy, too, ignited inside of her. She would never haveaskedMorgan and Charlie to kick Noah out of the wedding. But obviously, in her ideal world, the sooner she could never see him again, the better.
“Yes we did. We needed to do it because we believe you,” Charlie said. “I don’t doubt your story for a second. I even—agh, fuck.” Charlie ran his hands through his hair.
“Just tell her,” Morgan urged. “Tell her what you told me.”
“Tell me what?” Avery asked.
“Goddammit,” Charlie mumbled. He squared his shoulders to face Avery. Then he sucked in a breath. “I can’t stop thinking about what I saw after that party senior year.” He ran through that sentence so quickly that Avery had to replay what he’d said inside her mind to fully comprehend it. Charliesawsomething?
“You were so drunk that night,” he went on. “I figured maybe you were stressed with schoolwork, blowing off steam. But we were all drunk, so, whatever. Then the next morning, on my way home from the gym, I saw you run out of the apartment crying.”
Charlie slid down the railing to sit on the patio floor and rubbed his temples with his thumbs. Morgan sat beside him. Avery remained quiet and standing, waiting for more.
“I knew you weren’t with Ryan, because I ran into him in the dining hall when I stopped for breakfast,” he continued. “And I had no idea what you’d be doing sleeping over Viraj’s place. So Iasked Parker what he thought. I was like, do you think something bad happened? Like clearly alluding to the possibility of sexual assault. Because you looked really upset when you ran off. Your makeup was running, your hair was all messed up. And Parker told me I was contributing to thepussification of Americaby suggesting that.” Charlie pulled the skin on the sides of his head taut. “But I saw you crying. I saw you with my own two eyes. And then I let it go, like a useless piece of shit, when Viraj and Blair and everyone else started saying you cheated. I figured you were just upset after you realized you slept with Ronald.”
Avery kneeled down so that she was eye level with him. “Charlie, please. This is not your fault.”
“I don’t know. I feel like I should’ve questioned everyone more.”
Morgan smoothed down a loose curl at Charlie’s temple. “I doubt you’re the only person who saw Avery crying. I wishIsaw. I have no clue where I was that morning.”
“I bolted into our shower,” Avery said. “All the tears washed away. Nobody saw. Except Charlie, I guess.”
Charlie frowned. “I should’ve asked you if you were okay, instead of just going along with what everyone else said. I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot, babe,” Morgan said.
“She’s right,” Avery agreed. “You’re not. And if you asked me if I was okay, I would’ve lied. I had planned on continuing to lie tonight, for what it’s worth. I was gonna lie forever.”
Charlie stared out at the lake, his eyes glassy. An owl made a loud hooting sound that echoed in the direction of the mountains. “I can’t believe Noah was involved. I didnotsee him that night. That I know for sure.”
Avery had always considered Charlie a good friend, but they’d never shared a moment like this, something that unlocked a new level of their friendship. It was a surprising but welcome side effect of all of this that she could feel closer to her best friends than she did before.
“Nobody else saw him either,” she murmured. “Well, except Viraj. But he didn’t know it was Noah, so I guess I don’t count it.”
“Viraj’s a dick. I never liked that guy much anyway.” Charlie sighed. “And I can’t even look at Noah anymore.” He searched Avery’s face, his gaze soft. “I’m so sorry, Avery. For everything.”
Avery gave Charlie a small forgiving smile. Then she shook her head, mostly to herself. “I can’t believe you guys are kicking him out of the wedding. Are you sure?”
“Avery.” Morgan leaned in close. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”
“What about the venue? Are things weird with his connections now?”
“We already paid using the discount. He can’t exactly take that back now.”
