Straight 'A' Student

Chapter 50

Avery checked her phone as she sat in her car. Summer texted to say they would be at Josie's around 245. Today was Josie and Shawn's engagement party.
Avery got out and went to knock on Wayne's door.

"Hey, come in" he said stepping aside to give her room to do so.

"Hi, sorry to drop in so early. We have Jo's party today".

"Oh right. Yea no problem, glad I could see you".

"Mhm. Can we talk?"

"Sure. Want a drink or anything?"

"No thank you" she said before he sat on the couch with her "the last few months have been rough for me and just mentally exhausting. I thought it was just because of my marriage and our messy divorce".

"But it's because of me?"

"Not exactly. It's me. I just haven't been myself, I'm impulsive and inconsiderate and immature and so many more things that I thought I grew out of in undergrad. I have just been unhappy and I thought that finding any way to change that was okay, but it's temporary. We've had fun but you and I both know this isn't a relationship and it won't ever be".

"I do like you Avery" he reached across the gap between them to grab her hand but she gently pulled it away.

"You like the idea of me. The idea of this scandalous, no strings attached affair to satisfy whatever urges or loneliness we're both feeling" she continued her rant "outside of our sex life, we don't know each other. We don't know anything about each other's families, favorite foods or movies, hobbies, nothing. And that's okay, I'm not saying that's why I'm ending this. I'm saying that this idea that you like me isn't true because you don't know me. I would never be able to introduce you to my family or bring you around my friends. I don't want to waste either of our time just having fun".

"So now what we just go back to working together like nothing happened?"

"For now, yes, and I know it's a lot to ask but I do hope it really does go back to the way it used to be. I'm sorry if I'm hurting you, but I can't grow and change if I stay here".

"I understand, Avery".

"Um, I'll see you Monday then?"

"Sure. Have a good weekend".

"You too" she smiled softly before getting up to leave. She went to her car and drove down the road before pulling over to cry. Not sadness, just letting go. At some point she had to forgive herself and she wouldn't be able to do it if she didn't end things with Wayne.

///

"Hi, congratulations" Summer said excitedly as she hugged Josie and Shawn. They stood with Kamryn, Ben, and Josie's sister.

"Thank you. You look so good".

"Stop it, says you. Where should we put this?" She asked about the gift Connor was holding.

"Oh, I'll take it. Thanks for coming. I was gonna get a drink if you guys wanted to come" Shawn said to Connor and Ben. Kamryn could read the hesitance from Ben very easily and just hoped no one else noticed. Connor said sure, answering for the both of them, then the three of them walked off.

"So how's it been?" Summer asked.

"Good. I would say our families are getting along, right?"

"I would say" Shannon agreed "aside from one or two comments from dad".

"Yea, less than I expected, so I call that a win" Josie laughed "come, you can grab some food and say hi".

They greeted Josie's parents and grandparents and introduced themselves to Shawn's side of the family.
"How are you, girls? You're all so beautiful and grown up" Louise giggled.