The night ended when a tired Polly and Jefferson left with plans to visit her family tomorrow as well as pop in here to see other family members. I finished cleaning up the kitchen after they left, knowing I need to have the nervous breakdown that had been hovering over me all day.
“You look tired. Are you okay, Avery?” Mom asked as she loaded the last dish into the dishwasher.
“I’ve just been working a lot, Mom. You know me,” I added lightly as she chuckled.
“Have you heard anything more about the job interview?” She asked as ice washed over my skin. I hadn’t thought about that since taking this test but there was no possible way I could take the job now, was there? There were three men here that could be the father of my baby and they would want to be a part of my life.
“No, I haven’t but it is the holidays. They weren’t looking to fill the position before the new year as far as I know.” I kept my voice even as I spoke, pretending to clean one last section of the counter with extreme focus so she wouldn’t see my face.
I didn’t tell anyone about the offer. I knew my family would tell me to go and the guys would tell me to stay. This news about the baby changed everything for me and I was lost as to how to tell anyone about it, family and men included.
I went upstairs with the story of being tired, crying quietly into my pillow. It was that moment that I gave into the hopelessness, hoping that everything worked out in the end.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
JACK
I did the usual yoga class in the morning and hit the slopes all day on the day after Christmas. With my training, I couldn’t make it home to see my parents and they understood how important this was for me.
I went back to the lodge in the afternoon and glanced into the restaurant to see Avery working the kitchen as she passes back and forth across the counter. Something seemed off about her today and I wondered if the holiday was a lot for her. I knew they had family over all day and dinner on Christmas Eve.
The Merchant family was big on the holidays, and I knew that Avery had been working a lot on top of that. She also played hard dating three men and I thought about the last time we were together with a smile.
When I saw her come out to the dining room and drop into a back booth, I glanced around before heading over to sit with her. “Avery?” I asked as she jumped.
“You scared me.” She told me with a wan smile as I slipped into the booth across from her. She looked exhausted and in addition to that, stressed out.
“Are you okay?” I asked as she stared down at the table. “Let me buy you some lunch. You have time, right?”
“Yeah. I came in early, so I have a few hours until I need to be back.” Avery replied as I frowned at her. I waved over Jodie, and we placed our orders for food and when I asked for an iced tea, Avery told Jodie that water would be perfect.
“Don’t you live on coffee?” I asked as an odd expression crossed her face.
“I had some this morning,” Avery replied as I searched her face, thinking she looked too tired to be telling the truth. “I’ve been running around so I need to hydrate.”
“How was your Christmas?” I asked her, trying to bring up something that might cheer her up. “Did the Merchants do the usual celebration?”
“Yep. Christmas Eve dinner with Jefferson and Polly and then the family came over on Christmas to visit and for Mom’s turkey dinner. It was as crazy as always.” Avery thanked Jodie for the water, taking a long sip when we were left alone again. “You didn’t get to see your family, did you?”
“No. I trained all day Christmas Eve and yesterday. That has to come first right now but they understand.” I replied, thinking about the news I had to tell Avery next. “I booked myself at a couple of hardcore training camps out of the state to get in some extra work. That starts next month.”
I wondered for a moment if the sadness in her face meant that she’d just tell me goodbye before I left for camp. Was that what was bothering Avery? My heart dropped at the idea of losing her.
She just smiled and nodded. “I know you need to focus on Big Air and the upcoming Olympics, Jack. I will always support your dream just like you have mine.”
“I know, Avery. That’s one of the reasons I love you so much.” I’d never told her this, but I knew she needed to know the truth. I wanted her to remember it when I was gone working towards my goals.
“I love you for that and so many other reasons,” Avery assured me as our eyes locked for a moment. No matter what might happen in the future, I knew I needed to be good to Avery now. That had been my vow since this thing began between us, not matter how many men were involved. I always believed in making every second of life count.
Our food arrived and I watched as Avery picked at her salad, often looking like she didn’t want to eat at all. That wasn’t like her and one of the things I appreciated most about her is that Avery loved good food as much as I did.
“Is something bothering you?” I asked her after swallowing a bite of my veggie burger, searching her face with a frown.
“I guess you didn’t talk to Ben. My ex showed up here at the lodge a few days ago and I’ve been trying to avoid seeing him.” Avery explained as my blood boiled.
“The ex from New York?” I asked as she nodded. “What the hell does he want with you, Avery?”
“Two things that he seems to think the trip was worth, especially over Christmas. He wants me back and offered me a job in his new restaurant opening in the spring.” She must have seen my face because she smiled and held up her hand. “Neither will ever happen but he’s checking out today and I hope to never see him again.”