“She seems to think he’ll end up getting bored and leaving. I’m pretty sure she’d never agree to any of his demands, at least not working in his restaurant. She has better opportunities in New York than that if she wants to go back.” I frowned as I wondered again about the new job.
“You think she’ll be safe?” Charlie asked as I shrugged.
“He’s not a threatening guy. Just some rich asshole.”
“You’re the biggest of all of us. Of course, you’d think that.” Charlie smirked before his face fell again. “I’ll keep an eye on her and let Jack know what’s going on. Did you tell Jefferson?”
“Not yet.” I replied, glancing around. “She doesn’t want the drama unless there’s a reason and he’s a guest.”
“I’ll make sure she stays safe. Enjoy your holiday with the family,” Charlie told me, and I nodded as I left.
I walked to my car and got in, looking around again. The lodge was packed with people, and she’d only be working another couple of days before staying home for Christmas. Avery knew better than to take any chances with her safety and now that Charlie knew what was going on, I felt a bit better.
I drove to the house and opened my suitcase to pack, throwing in clothes for the few days I’d be in Syracuse. I thought about the time I’d spent with Avery over the last few weeks and how attached I’d gotten to her.
Simon’s request for her to come back reminded me of the job interview that she did have. I never heard anything else about that and it made me wonder if she chose to stay in Lake Placid. Avery had a lot to stay for and I only hoped I might be one of the reasons she considered it.
I finished packing and locked up the house, loading my duffel bag into the back seat. Leaving Lake Placid this year felt different than any other in my past and I knew it was because of my feelings for Avery.
I knew things were different now.
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
AVERY
I looked at the open box with the gingerbread house in slabs in a pile, not feeling any urge to make it.
It was our Christmas Eve tradition along with dinner, but I’d just been feeling off lately. It was like I still had my headache from the bonfire and my stomach just felt queasy.
I chalked it up to stress about Simon and the job offer that still hung over my head. I didn’t see him at all over the last couple days and he’d be leaving the day after tomorrow, so hopefully that went smoothly.
I knew what direction I leaned in as far as the job offer. I loved my life here in Lake Placid and the men that were in it. I had my family and good friends and reminded myself that Jefferson and Polly would be here soon for dinner.
I should focus on that and think about everything else later.
I thought that maybe something would help the way I felt and ran upstairs to my bathroom for some medicine to soothe my stomach. When I grabbed the box, I glanced at my birth control pills and saw that I was on the placebo week.
Shouldn’t I be on my period by now?
Fear gripped me as I stared at the pills and then my watch. If I went to the drug store now, they would still be open. I knew I couldn’t wait two days to test and grabbed my purse from my room. “Mom. I’m going to run to the store for some candy canes and eggnog. I’m craving both and they’ll close soon.” I told her when I stopped in the kitchen with a smile.
“You’ve always loved your eggnog,” Mom told me with a smile, though right now the idea of the thick creamy treat made my stomach twist. “Drive safe, Avery. Jefferson and Polly will be here soon.”
I walked to my car, cursing my fate. When would I even have time to take a test much less allow myself time for a reaction?
It had to be negative. I’d been on the pill for the entire time I was sleeping with Charlie, Jack, and Ben and while we weren’t always careful in other ways, that was supposed to be close to perfect. I thought about the days I took a little later in the morning than others but at least it wasn’t from night to morning. I wasn’t that reckless.
I started the engine and drove to the corner store, heading right to the aisle with pregnancy tests. I had no idea what the best kind was and glanced around to make sure I was alone before I stared at the various boxes.
I saw a pack that offered two and what looked like the clearest answer. That would be good so I could get this out of the way. Dropping it into my basket, I remembered my cover up story and went to look for candy canes and eggnog.
My hands were shaking as I approached the cashier and looked ahead to make sure I didn’t recognize the young girl. I let out a sigh of relief when she was a stranger and unloaded my items on the belt.
I felt her eyes on me when she scanned the tests and pretended to read something in the magazines beside her. This was no big deal. People bought pregnancy tests every day and there was a fifty percent chance it would be negative in the first place. I didn’t let myself think about all the sex I had with three different men as I ran my card through the machine, taking the bag from her.
“Have a Merry Christmas,” the young blonde told me with a smile as I looked back at her.
“You, too. Thanks,” I replied as I glanced around for the bathroom. This would be a hell of a lot easier if I just did this here. I saw it near the door and headed that way, thankful I needed to pee right now.