September 2010
Sitting beside Paisley at the place where they had met for lunch, Avery rested her head against Paisley’s shoulder. Closing her eyes when Paisley reached for her hand, threading their fingers together.
“You better not get too comfortable there Hanson,” Paisley told her as she kissed her forehead softly. “You have to head back to college soon,” she reminded her.
Avery wanting to groan internally but she knew it was something she couldn’t ignore. They had finished lunch and her afternoon classes started soon but she liked this brief time with Paisley. Was reminded that the only time she’d ever get to spend with her right now was time they’d have to steal thanks to Paisley being engaged.
“Don’t remind me,” Avery told her playfully as she kept her head where it was, squeezing Paisley’s hand. “You’re just a really comfortable pillow and I want to get a quick nap in.”
Hearing Paisley giggle at that Avery couldn’t help it as she smiled. It was nice to hear Paisley giggle and just sound happy. Avery knowing there had been a time when she wasn’t sure she’d ever get to hear Paisley that happy again or even just be with her like this.
Yet fate had brought them together, even if it had been after Paisley had agreed to marry someone else.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea, you might get a cramp in your neck,” Paisley retorted and at that Avery raised her head with a pout.
Before she could say anything though Paisley leaned in to kiss her and Avery returned it like a fool. But stolen kisses never tasted so good. The kiss ending sooner than Avery would have liked.
“You just look cute when you pout,” Paisley smirked her words making Avery roll her eyes though it was playful in nature.
“If you say so Pai,” Avery said not sure she believed her in ways. “You know next week I’m going to be busy and it’ll be hard to find time together,” she sighed knowing it was better now to tell Paisley about the concerts and how she’d be gone for days thanks to agreeing to help with merch at all the shows.
Paisley raised an eyebrow at that, “You got another chick you’ll be seeing then?” she questioned so casually though Avery thought she heard a hint of jealousy.
That or she was just lying to herself because she wanted to hear jealousy.
“No,” Avery shook her head as she once again rolled her eyes playfully. “But speaking of other chicks would you be okay if I slept with them?” she asked curious just where the boundaries where with this.
Boundaries for Avery at least since Paisley was obviously fucking another woman. The woman she was in a committed relationship with.
Paisley let go of Avery’s hand at that, looking away from her as she ran a hand through her hair. Avery feeling her heartbeat pick up some because maybe she shouldn’t have asked. Maybe she had ruined this thing…this affair before it could truly pick up and become long term.
Hell that would have been good since affairs were wrong and she was essentially ruining a relationship if Sloan found out.
But even if it would have been good Avery didn’t want this to end, so she really hoped she hadn’t messed stuff up.
“It wouldn’t be fair of me to tell you not too,” Paisley finally answered as she looked back at Avery, confliction very much present on Paisley’s face.
“But you want to tell me not too,” Avery said knowing that much she could see written on Paisley’s face.
Paisley knew it wasn’t fair but she wanted to tell Avery not to fuck other women. She wanted Avery all to herself and Avery knew it shouldn’t but somehow it turned her on to know that. Made her a bit wet at the thought that Paisley wanted to be possessive of her when she had no right to be.
“I do,” Paisley confirmed with what looked like a forced smile. “I shouldn’t but I want to so in the end I’ll let you do what you want and if that’s other women then it is.”
Avery nodded her head with a sigh, because the answer didn’t really help her any.
“The reason I’ll be busy is because I’m going to all my brother’s shows in California. It was just supposed to be Anaheim and Los Angeles but their merch person bailed and they called on me to save them,” Avery finally told Paisley deciding to change the subject.
Paisley only made a face at that, “Funny I’ll be at some of them too,” she admitted softly her cheeks turning red. Red enough that Avery swore her cheeks matched the shirt she had on.
“I didn’t think you were a fan of my brother’s music,” Avery retorted with a playfully glare. “You always told me you weren’t.”
“I’m not,” Paisley defended as she shook her head. “Just Sloan wants to go to the show here in LA because apparently she was a fan and Taylor is the reason she realized she was gay,” she shrugged and Avery couldn’t help but laugh at that.
She had heard that statement before from other lesbians or gay men that she knew but she hadn’t really ever believed it.
“Then the two San Fran shows I have some friends from work who want to go so we all decided to take the days off and go,” Paisley finished with a shrug of her shoulder.
Avery feeling surprised that Paisley had another job besides being a photographer but then again she was young and LA was expensive and photography was always a when you were needed type job.
So the more Avery thought about it she guessed another job made sense to her.
“Maybe I’ll see you then,” Avery smiled softly a part of her hoping she did see Paisley at the San Francisco shows but she’d much rather not at the Los Angeles ones.
She wasn’t sure how she’d take seeing Paisley with Sloan. She was half sure she felt as possessive over Paisley as Paisley did over her and it wasn’t right.
Paisley wasn’t hers to keep now. She wasn’t hers to even hold. She was Sloan’s.
“I really should get going now though,” Avery added as she sighed leaning in to steal one last peck from Paisley’s lips. “Are you sure you don’t mind paying?” she asked as she stood from the table. “I know you said you would but I can give you half.”
Shaking her head Paisley stood up as well, “I don’t mind paying Hanson,” she muttered out sounding annoyed but Avery knew from the look on her face that she was only teasing.
Smiling a bit bigger this time Avery offered a goodbye to Paisley before turning to leave. Almost wishing she had drove here because now she’d have to power walk back to the campus and she wasn’t sure if her legs could take that.
It had been ages since she last went to the gym, a habit she’d have to get back into especially now that she was probably going to get laid on the regular again.
A part of her wanting to look good for Paisley which was something she had never wanted or truly cared about with Cordelia. Especially at the end.
Stifling a yawn Avery who had stayed after work to close up, walked inside of the apartment she shared with Ethan. Not surprised to find it dark, he had told her this morning that he’d be at the studio later.
He was putting the finishing touches on an album that he hoped to get out by March of next year and so that meant late nights at the studio.
Toeing her shoes off Avery headed down the hall towards her bedroom where she quickly changed into her pajamas. Slipping into bed once she was changed.
Before she could get comfortable or even think about going to sleep though her cell phone which she laid on the nightstand as she changed, rang and she reached for it. Knowing just from the ringtone it was Paisley.
“Hello?” Avery asked into the receiver.
“I’m just calling to tell you goodnight Avie,” Paisley spoke after Avery had and Avery smiled at her words.
“Goodnight to you as well Pai,” Avery told her softly. “I love you,” she added on because again she was a fool when it came to Paisley.
When the line went silent after that Avery almost feared Paisley had hung up on her but then she spoke again.
“I know you do babe,” she said and once again she still hadn’t said the words back. “I’ll see you this weekend,” she said right before the line really did go dead that time and Avery sighed.
Moving the phone away she cut it off and got comfortable in her bed finally. Not sure if she’d be able to sleep now. Not when once again she was faced with the reality that she was going to get burned in this situation.
Someone was bound too in the end because affairs that went on for a time always hurt people.