Catching Avery

Chapter 17

 Wrath: Because you're an asshole, that's why.

Avery~

"I still can't believe he called you, Iz," I muttered.

"I'm actually wondering if it has to do with you or Julian." Isabella was sprawled out on my couch, one leg thrown over the back and the other one hanging off the cushions. Her arms were under her head, propping it up.

"What makes you wonder that?" Quinn was already on her next beer, claiming that she was still so pissed that she couldn't catch a buzz.

"Julian never responded to my text about calling that whore," she answered.

I could sense the uneasiness in her tone, and it had me feeling guilty. All we'd wanted to do was pick up some random dick to roleplay with, nothing more and nothing less. So, how in the hell did we find ourselves in this mess?

"Maybe he's just trying to give you time to calm down." I laughed as I thought more about that. "Or give us time to calm down."

"I'm never calming down," Quinn declared. "As a matter of fact-" Quinn stopped, interrupted by the doorbell. "Oh, hey...were you expecting any more visitors?"

I was already up off the floor, heading towards the door. "No," I answered. "But I've been getting these random texts from Eric lately. Ever since we had lunch, he's been acting weirdo friendly."

Quinn snorted. "Acting? That man is a weirdo, Ace."

My laugh came to an immediate halt when I swung my front door open and saw Nicholas standing out in the hallway. He also looked like he was ready to do battle, and the tequila in me didn't know how we felt about that.

"Can I come in?"

Quinn had been lying on the floor next to me when the doorbell had chimed, but like the ninja that she was, she'd already been at my back by the time Nicholas had finished uttering his request. Quinn always did seem ready for a good fight.

"Fuck no, you can't come in," she snapped. "Shouldn't you be busy sharing your whore's fuckholes with Julian and Chase?"

I looked back at Quinn all wide-eyed.

Jesus.

Instead of answering her, Nicholas barged in past me and Quinn. "Hate to break up this little Julian, Chase, and Nicholas hate-fest, but I need to speak with Avery."

Iz pulled herself up off the couch, then grabbed her purse. "Come on, Q," she muttered. "Ace doesn't need our help to tell him to go eat a dick. Let's go."

Nicholas extended an arm, stopping Iz in her tracks. "Not so fast, Isabella."

"Oh, hell no," Q shrieked as she grabbed her things. "Who in the fuck do you think you are?"

I loved this girl.

Nicholas pointed a finger at her. "I'll let Chase deal with you later."

I thought Quinn was going to have an aneurysm, she was sputtering so hard.

Turning back towards Iz, he said, "Call Julian and call him the fuck now. He had nothing to do with what went down in my office today, no matter how pissed off you are at me. I don't know what is going on between you two, but he does not deserve your bullshit when he hasn't done anything wrong."

Iz put her hands on her hips. "Who is she, Nick? And how does she know Julian?"

"Ask Julian," was all he said.

I could see Isabella struggling, and that had me feeling guilty again. "It's okay, Iz. Nicholas is right. This is between him and me." I gave her a hug, then whispered in her ear, "Call Julian." She hugged me back, then gave me a grateful smile.