web analytics

October 2008

“I’m guessing you didn’t get around to telling Avery yet that I was the person staying here,” Paisley spoke up after several minutes of Avery, Juniper, and Paisley all just standing there in an uncomfortable silence.

A very uncomfortable silence but what else could there be but silence. How did Avery even respond to seeing the girl who just months ago she had loved so fiercely. Who she had saw forever with just to have those dreams dashed when Paisley had cheated on her.

The only reminders she had even kept from those months being the tattoo on her wrist, the necklace around her neck and a shoe box with letters and pictures and a CD she hadn’t listened too since Paisley had left her life.

“I was just getting to it,” Juniper admitted sounding so small. “I didn’t know how really,” she sighed with a shake of her head as she looked at Avery.

Avery only stared back at her, a glare settling on her face as everything sank in. Paisley really was the guest staying tonight and leaving tomorrow to go to settle in New York with whatever woman she was dating now…maybe Ellery maybe not.

It wasn’t like Avery cared or even had a right too. She wasn’t dating Paisley anymore. Was free from that relationship now.

“You should have found a way to tell me,” Avery snapped her tone making Juniper shrink away from her. “So I could have found somewhere else to stay.”

Paisley laughed out loud at that, “Clearly someone’s still bitter.”

“Clearly someone’s still a…” Avery started only to be shushed when Juniper put her hand forcefully on Avery’s mouth.

Avery almost tempted to bite it out of spite though she chose not too.

“No, you two aren’t doing this right now. Cal is down the hall sleeping because she has a busy day in school tomorrow and you two aren’t going to argue and wake her up. In fact you both kind of need to sit down like civilized adults and have a conversation about a lot of things,” Juniper huffed out in one breath.

Her face turning to look at Paisley at the end which piqued Avery’s interest especially when Paisley looked away a guilty look written on her face.

But no, Avery wasn’t going to fall for her crap again. Had been drug in once and learned the hard way.

“No,” Avery spoke finally as she moved away from Juniper. “Screw it I’m just going to take a shower and go to bed. I don’t even want to see Paisley’s face right now,” she muttered under her breath as she turned on her heel to head to her room.

Wanting to just get her pajamas and shower then sleep. Hopefully waking up after Paisley was long gone.

“You sound just like your mom now,” Paisley stated loud enough for Avery to hear. “Using the whole not even wanting to see my face. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree huh?”

Rolling her eyes it took all Avery had to stay silent but she did. Feeling proud of herself as she made it to the guest room where her bag was.

Which why shouldn’t she feel proud of herself? It had taken a lot to not go off at being compared to her mom. A comparison she didn’t like even if maybe it had been the truth because Avery had learned her words well.

Learned them from the best when she wanted to really wound someone.


Coming out of the bathroom after she was fully dressed and her hair was put up into a wet bun, Avery headed into the living room. Having every intention to walk out of there fast to avoid Paisley and avoid any idle chat with her.

But the moment she made it there she slowed some. Finding Paisley sitting on the couch with her earbuds in and her Ipod resting on her lap.

A sight that made Avery heave a sigh as she headed closer to the couch. Sitting down beside Paisley which made Paisley turn to look at her curiously, taking one earbud out.

“Just wondering what song you were listening too?” Avery asked knowing it was a lie. She had a lot more questions than that but that was all she felt brave enough to ask right now.

Paisley only gave her a sad smile as she lifted the earbud she had taken out to Avery.

Taking the earbud from her, Avery slipped it in soon hearing the song that Paisley had been listening too. A song that she hadn’t heard since a night in Paris which seemed almost like a long time ago now.

Just like Avery felt like a completely different person now too.


“Dance with me,” Paisley whispered softly as she came up behind Avery who had been in the middle of taking off the dress she had put on for an evening out with Paisley.

The last evening they would have in Paris as they were flying back to Tulsa tomorrow. Avery almost dreading it already because she knew tomorrow her family would find out Paisley had been the friend with her. Her mom surely would freak.

Though maybe her dad had worked his magic and she would be more lenient about Paisley. Only freaking the moment she saw Avery’s tattoo.

“But there’s no…” Avery started to protest by saying there was no music playing but was surprised when she heard music coming faintly from the second bed in the room where they had plugged in Avery’s laptop days ago.

A perfect place for it since neither of them used the other bed. Had been sharing just one bed this whole trip even when there was no sex involved thanks to mother nature. Because just sleeping together was nice too.

Turning around to face Paisley, Avery pasted on a smile as felt Paisley slip her arm around Avery’s waist. Paisley beginning to lead them in some slow dance around their hotel room.

Avery feeling almost content in Paisley’s embrace especially when Paisley started to hum the song they were dancing too.

“What is this song?” Avery asked softly not sure she had ever heard the song before. Only knowing that the singer was Garth Brooks because there was no mistaking that fellow Oklahoman voice.

Though that shocked her because she didn’t take Paisley as a country music fan.

“To Make You Feel My Love,” Paisley answered before leaning in to leave a feather light kiss on Avery’s cheek as her lips went to Avery’s ear as they continued to move with the music. “It’s originally written by Bob Dylan and was first done by Billy Joel but I kind of prefer the Garth version. Probably the only country song I like and maybe I consider it our song.”

Avery gave Paisley an amused look at that, “Wasn’t My Winding Wheel our song?” she asked curiously as she shivered when Paisley playfully nipped at her earlobe.

“I mean it could be but I prefer this song. This one is the one that I want playing if we ever get married. You know just so you can add it into all your weird imaginations about our maybe future together,” Paisley laughed as she did the ear nip thing again and again Avery shivered.

“You’re never going to let me live down telling you how I picture our future together are you?” Avery asked with a blush on her cheeks.

“Never in your wildest dreams Hanson.”


“Why’d you cheat on me?” Avery finally asked as she slipped the earbud out after the song had ended. Her hand going up to wipe at tears she hadn’t even realized had started to make their way out. “Wasn’t I good enough?” she questioned as she turned her head to look at Paisley.

Seeing a pained look on the face of the girl who she had thought had been it for her. Sometimes secretly still wished was it for her.

Paisley let out a long sigh at that, running a hand through her hair which Avery realized finally that she had dyed back to her original dark brunette almost black color.

“I didn’t cheat on you,” Paisley whispered as she finally locked eyes with Avery.

The words she had just spoken making Avery’s face contort in confusion. “Of course you did. You admitted it after I caught you with Ellery in your apartment half dressed.”

“I admitted because I wanted you to believe it,” Paisley told her as she slipped her earbud out too. “Needed a way to break up with you and the opportunity fell into my lap when you happened to show up and just assume what you had walked in on was me cheating.”

Avery let out a choked laugh as more tears came out. “You’re lying,” she told Paisley feeling insistent on that. “I don’t know why you’re lying now but you’re lying and I shouldn’t have even stopped in here,” she told her as she stood from the couch and started to head for the bedroom.

“Why do you still wear the necklace?” Paisley asked and her question made Avery stop in her tracks, her hand going to reach for the necklace which had been a gift from Paisley.

“Because it still means something to me,” Avery answered not even facing Paisley.

“And you still mean something to me Avie so I’m done lying and I’m telling you the truth right now. I never cheated with Ellery. I needed a way to break up with you and if you want to know why ask your mom because I’m sure she’ll tell you proudly,” Paisley spat out sounding bitter.

Her words once again making Avery’s face contort in confusion though she didn’t question Paisley on what she said.

Instead she only shook her head and finished the walk back to her bedroom. Shutting the door before going to the bed where she collapsed.

Feeling confused about everything Paisley had said. Not sure if she could believe her because she could be lying especially if she had cheated.

But why was she even questioning that she had? She had owned up to it at first and was now backtracking for whatever reasons. Why should Avery doubt her first confession now and why should she even bother asking her mom something based on what was probably a silly lie.

Because Paisley wanted to lie for whatever reason. Maybe try luring Avery back even though she supposedly had someone new.

It was all too much for Avery and it was giving her a headache and all she wanted was sleep. Her eyes soon falling shut at that thought.

Hoping sleep would come easy to her after what had transpired and made her feel confused.


Being woken a while later Avery opened her eyes as she felt someone staring down at her. Not being in the least bit surprised to find Paisley as the one in front of her.

“Pai?” she asked softly as she sat up slightly, watching as Paisley sat on the edge of the bed. Avery automatically moving closer to her like a magnet or a moth to a flame.

Paisley only remained silent at her words and instead of answering she just leaned in and kissed Avery on the lips.

Avery not even being taken by surprise with the kiss and against her own better judgement and despite her own confusion over everything from earlier Avery kissed Paisley back.

Things just seeming to fall into place from there. Paisley pushing her back on the bed as she laid over her. Neither of them speaking a word as they fell into an old routine they knew well.

Avery knowing she should probably stop this for numerous reasons even knowing she should probably feel guilty because Paisley was dating someone else now and was going to New York to be with them tomorrow but she didn’t feel guilty nor did she stop it.

Instead maybe she held Paisley just a bit tighter. Knowing this was the last time she’d have her like this.

Previous | Next