180 Degrees- Completed

Chapter Thirty

"Its 2 nights Vee. I'm sure they're not half as bad as you're saying." I pulled up outside my parents house, turning to Caz. 

"I'll make you eat those words in like 30 minutes." 

We were up here for the a few days. We had a game tomorrow afternoon against the university an hour away and my parent had insisted me and a friend stayed here. I tried everything and couldn't get out of it and as a team we said Caz would be the best bet because she was less likely to slip up. 

"Just to go over it one last time Caz. I don't drink. I don't date. There is no James, no Oscar, there was no Jasper. You don't see me that often and when you do I'm studying or at practice or we are doing a movie night with face masks and painting nails." 

"Yes Avery. You're an absolute angel and not a single soul has touched you." 

"I'm serious Caz. They'll stop paying my tuition if they think I should be there and I'll have to come home. And that means I'll be on another schools team. Do you really want me up against you?" 

"No." I snickered and sighed. 

"Come on then. Let's get this over with." I stepped out of the car. 

"What are you doing about you know who?" 

"He's just having to deal with texts and I have saved his name under Jocelyn and I've turned off message previews. I'll call him if I get a chance but I doubt I will so I'll just see him Sunday." I shrugged. "Just let me know how their game goes. I feel bad I'm missing it." 

"Oh don't. The soccer team are up here anyway if you wanted a taste of home that bad." I stared at her and slammed the back door closed which just made her laugh. "He lives close by right?" 

"Yes. Hopefully he'll have the common sense to stay away because if my parents are around when he comes close, he's your cousin." I smirked at her and pulled her up towards the house. I pushed the door open, being hit by the all too familiar smell of mom's cookies. "Shoulders back." I whispered and Caz stood up straight. "I'm home? Anyone here?" She raised an eyebrow at me as I put on my sweet and innocent voice. I could see her holding back a laugh as she closed the door and took her shoes off out of politeness. 

"In here Avery." I rolled my eyes, leaving our bags at the bottom of the stairs and slowly walking into the living room. I stood in the doorway, staring at the 3 of them and the toddler asleep in the pushchair in the corner of the room. 

"Ash?" I smiled and she shook her head. Ohh kay. I nodded and turned to my parents. "I'll take Cassidy upstairs to her room, get her settled and I'll come back down." They nodded and I turned, pulling Caz quickly and silently up the stairs. I closed her bedroom door and she looked at me bewildered. "Shit's about to hit the fan. I'm so sorry." She giggled. "Bathrooms in there, towels are under the sink. My room is down the hall, big A on the door, can't miss it. Don't go in any other rooms. They'll know. I'll be back soon. Hopefully." 

"Go!" She spun me around and pushed me out. "I'm fine. I'm going to shower and watch a film. Just text me when you're free and we can go get food or something." I nodded and walked back downstairs silently. 

"I can't believe you Ashley. This is disgraceful." My father's voice was quiet but you could taste the disappointment riddling him. What has she done now? Nothing again I presume. 

"What was I supposed to do Dad? Say no? He's Cayden's father." Okay. Got it. I'm caught up I think. I slowly walked into the room awkwardly. I gave her a wink as I stood behind my parents. I had always been her buffer. That's probably why she came today. They weren't as horrible to her if I was here. 

"Hi." My parents moved up and patted the space in between them but I sat down beside Ash, giving her a hug and whispering in her air. "I need to talk to you." She nodded, moving my hair onto my back before turning back around. "He's getting so big. What are you feeding him? Compost?" I giggled and he stirred in his sleep. "Sorry." She chuckled and I could see her settle slightly as I eased the tension. "What are we talking about then?" 

"I- Um." Ashley smiled. "I'm getting married." I wrapped her in a hug. 

"Oh Ash. That's amazing. Congratulations. His dad?" She nodded. "I knew you guys would sort it." Our parents cleared their throats and we sat back up straight. Okay we can do this. I can get them on side here. I knew how to play them. "Why don't you guys look happy?"

"We are happy for you Ashley. Its about time his father stepped up and did the right thing." 

"I wasn't going to marry him just because I had his kid dad. Cay may have been an accident but I wasn't going to be trapped in a loveless marriage because of him. It would only do more damage to him as he got older and that's not fair. I've spent 4 years with Max now. And it's right. I only came to tell you guys so you can expect the invites. I don't want money or anything. It's not an issue. We have enough savings."

"Ashley." 

"No mom. You don't get a say in any of it. You're only getting invited because Cayden deserves his grandparents there and I'm not putting Avery in the middle of it all. You weren't going to get an invite at all but Max told me I had to so you need to count yourself lucky." She stood up as Cayden woke up, unbuckling him from the pram. I held my hands out and he ran over. 

"Hey buddy." 

"Auntie Vee." He nuzzled into me and I smiled at Ash as I pulled my legs onto the couch snuggling him in closer. My parents stared at me and him. We were very close. I loved Cayden as much as I loved Ash. "Mommy is getting married." 

"I know she just told me. Are you going to wear a suit with a little tie?" He nodded, smiling softly before sucking his thumb. 

"Anyway! How is college Vee?" Ash looked at me and I smirked before turning it into a soft smile. 

"Good yeah. I made the volleyball team and I'm either studying or at practice or working out. Not much to tell. Same old stuff I did here." I shrugged and my parents relaxed. Easy peasy. "Are you guys coming to the game tomorrow?" 

"Of course we are." Ash smiled looking down at us both before grabbing Cay a snack from his bag. She handed it to me and I opened it, holding it whilst he munched. "Do you want to go get a coffee with your friend? I want to know what I'm missing on the volleyball circuit. I heard through the grape vine there's some drama over at Stanford?" I chuckled slightly. 

"Oh just Penny being Penny. Her and Edwards broke up." She raised her eyebrows at me. "Cay go to Mommy. I'll go get Caz and we can go out." My parents were about to stop me but I just walked out before they could. I wasn't being denied a harmless coffee with my sister and nephew.