Page 185 of Heartache Duet

NINETEEN

connor

I wake up no longer a virgin. Yes, that’s my first thought. My second thought is why I’m waking up at all. “Stay,” Ava whispers, planting a gentle kiss on my lips. I struggle to force my eyes open, but I’m glad I do because Ava’s barely an inch in front of me, her fingers stroking my hair. Her lips curve at the corners when she asks, “What time do you need to get to school?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble, pulling her closer to me. Mmm. Warm, naked Ava is The Best. “I have an alarm set.”

“Okay, go back to sleep. Come out when you’re ready. I’ll make you breakfast.”

I can’t help but smile. “Yeah?”

She nods.

Nuzzling her neck, I mumble, “I sure could get used to this.”

With a giggle, she pushes away from me, untangling herself from my limbs. “I have to go.”

My eyes drift shut again, and the next time I wake it’s because the covers are being pulled off me completely. Trevor yells, “Ava! There’s a naked Connor in your bed!”

“Fuck!” I gasp, grabbing what I can of the blanket, and cover my junk.

“Shut up! Leave him alone!” Ava calls back. A moment later, she’s at the doorway.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Trevor sings, lifting the blinds. I cower against the bright sunlight filtering through the window. “We need to talk,” he adds, sitting down on Ava’s desk chair.

Ava sighs as she walks into the room, picking up my discarded shorts from the end of the bed and handing them to me. I’m still half asleep, and so I fumble with putting my shorts on without revealing myself entirely to my girlfriend’s brother. Ava sits down next to me. “What?” she growls at Trevor.

Trevor looks between us, then settles his gaze on me, his eyes playful. “Well, well, Mister Duke. What do we have here?”

He wants to play games, and I’m here for it. I don’t skip a beat. “Your sister took my innocence.”

“Jesus, Connor!” Ava laughs out.

I add, unable to hide my smile, “It was pretty neat… the whole sex thing…”

“Quit it!” Ava cackles.

I keep going while Trevor shakes his head, tries to contain his chuckle. “Between you and me, Trevor, I’m pretty sure I gave her the best twelve seconds of her life.”

After getting dressed, I meet everyone in the kitchen. Trevor’s downing some bacon and eggs while Ava stands over the stove and Jo wipes down the countertop. “Good morning, Miss D,” I greet, hesitant as I stand beside her.

She nods. “Good morning, Connor, six-five, but is hoping for a growth spurt.” A second later, she adds, “Weak jump shot.”

The fact that she remembers me settles the ache I’d had in my chest through most of yesterday. I lean against the counter, facing her. “I’ll have you know, that weak jump shot got me All-American and a full ride to Duke. Also… I got that growth spurt I’d been hoping for. I’m officially six-six now, so you’re going to have to remember that when you greet me next.”

Her gaze flicks to mine. “Connor, six-six.” She shrugs. “Weak jump shot.”

Trevor chuckles under his breath.

“Eat,” Ava orders, dropping a plate of food on the table. I sit opposite Trevor and dig in.

“How come you cut his toast in little triangles?” he asks Ava.

She rolls her eyes. “You want some pepper with your saltiness, you little bitch?”

“Ava,” Jo admonishes. “Be nice to your brother.”

Trevor sticks his tongue out at his sister.

---