“I like it,” she said. “Well, I mean I’ll like it more when I like Mark again.”
Avery bit her lip. “I don’t talk to him behind your back,” she whispered. “Not like you think. I just give him updates about where you are. I know you’re one cruel bitch right now, but I suspect a tiny part of you wants him to know that you’re okay.”
Cadence nodded automatically.
“I’m so sorry, Avery. The things I screamed at you. That embarrassing student union scene. God . . .”
“Hey, it’s all right. And anyway, we gave them one hell of a show. Those people told all their friends, and that’s kinda cool.”
Cadence smirked.
“You’re my best friend, Cay. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t a part of my life.”
It was the first time Avery called Cadence “Cay.” She called her Cay-Cay on a few occasions to be obnoxious, but never just plain old Cay. That was Cadence’s name reserved for only the most intimate relationships—like her friendship with Avery. She liked hearing Avery say her nickname.
“I thought you’d given up on me,” Cadence said.
“Never. I mean, I couldn’t be around you this last week because you were just too much, but I never thought for a second that I’d let go of you completely.”
Cadence frowned. “I laughed more last year. When we were sneaking around and getting into trouble. I remember laughing a lot more.”
Avery considered this. “Well, that’s because the shit hadn’t hit the fan yet. You know? You hadn’t been found out. Gracie hadn’t ratted on you. Your dad hadn’t assaulted you and then disowned you.”
“My life is ridiculous,” Cadence muttered.
“No, Cay. Your life is fantastic. Why do you think I tried my hardest to copy it?”
The girls looked at each other and giggled.
“You’re cute.”
“I try. I really do,” Avery replied. “Now when are you gonna forgive Mark? Because our plan to be the most annoying club on the planet won’t work if you’re angry with him.”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, I’ll keep texting him updates on you until you figure it out.”
“I’m cool with that,” Cadence said.
“Yeah, I know you are because down deep you don’t wanna be upset with him anymore,” Avery said. “Just forgive him already! You need to grow the fuck up.”
“I’m trying,” Cadence snapped. “I really am.”
Avery could see it on Cadence’s face—desire to make things right battling deeply rooted resentment. She’d have to work hard to dig it out, but Avery also knew that Cadence had the strength to do it.
“I ran away,” Avery said softly.
Cadence shot her an exasperated look.
“Don’t you dare say it!” Avery squealed, and then the girls burst out laughing.
“God, why do you wanna be me so badly?!” Cadence asked between giggles.
“I know, right?” Avery replied. “I even asked Dad to punch me in the eye before I left. I said, ‘If I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do this right.’ I didn’t have a brother to help me sneak out of the house, though.”
Cadence cracked up, and Avery took full advantage of it. Too much time had passed where there was no laughter, no joking between them, and she craved it.
“I just love you, Cadence, and I wanna be exactly like you, and do all the things you do, and go all the places you go.”
Cadence fell over onto the couch laughing.
“I was thinking of owning my own flower shop after college,” Avery said.
“Stop!” Cadence cried. She couldn’t breathe for laughing so hard.
“Well, I was,” Avery insisted. She leaned over and kissed her friend on the cheek.
Cadence grinned and wiped the tears from her eyes. She sat up and looked at Avery.
“Even my brother’s getting his act together,” she said.
“You should follow suit.”
“He found out about Charlie a few days ago,” Cadence said.
“Oh no.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t good. He went ballistic. Girls are always wanting guys to be more emotional. Why? I witnessed emotional with Oliver, and it scared the shit out of me.”
“I know what you mean. A guy crying makes me nervous and uncomfortable.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the balance is off,” Avery explained. “If both women and men are emotional messes, where’s the balance?”
“True.”
“Have you ever seen Mark cry?”
Cadence tensed. “Yes.”
“And how did it make you feel?”
“The first time? Completely freaked out. I ripped my clothes off and yelled at him to do me.”
“Totally normal reaction.”
“The second time? I felt nothing because I’m numb right now.”
“Does he make it a habit of crying a lot?” Avery asked.
“No.”
“Okay good. Although I oughta give the poor guy a break. After all, his wife died.”
“Yes, Avery. You like to remind me of that every chance you get.”
“Glad you’re catching on.”
Cadence rolled her eyes.
“Do you forgive me?” she asked.
“Of course I do. I don’t hold grudges.”
“Another subtle hint?”
“No. I’m just throwing them all out there on the table. Mark’s wife died. You hold grudges. Stop being a cunt. Mark’s wife died. You’re selfish and heartless. Mark’s wife died . . .”