Chapter 41: 38 | super bowl sunday

Caia tucks her dark blonde hair behind her ears as she sidles up next to Avery by the kitchen island, her fingers tapping against the condensed glass of homemade peach iced tea in her hand. The ice cubes inside clink softly against one another, a slice of lemon perched on the rim of it.

Resting her hip against the marble counter, she turns sideways as her lips slip into a charming smile, the kind of apologetically friendly she sported back when they were kids and she accidentally ripped the leg of Avery's Ken-doll off.

"So, I haven't actually brought this up because I figured you do you, you know. But this boyfriend of yours–," Caia's mouth falls into a thoughtful pout, ocean blue eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Isn't he the one who sort of sent Luke to the hospital last year?"

Mouth in an upward tilt, Avery steals an appetizer off one of the plates crowding the countertop – yet having made it out to the guests beginning to crowd the house. "He had nothing to do with that."

"Are you sure? Because I need to know which level of an icy stare I'm settling on once he gets here."

"I'm very sure."

"Okay," Caia's tapping slows, one finger at a time. "If you say so. I trust you."

She's about to step away as Avery reaches out, hand cupping lightly around her elbow. "Caia?"

"Yeah?"

"Maybe aim for sunlight instead of ice?"

"I'll try," Caia's smile softens into one of sincerity. "For you."

"Don't worry," Townes appears behind them, having come down the staircase leading straight into the kitchen. She places her palm on the small of her girlfriend's back. "I'll make sure she behaves."

"Thank you," Avery says as she watches the two leave for the living room. "Both of you."

Running a smoothing hand over the hem of her high waisted black skirt, Avery forces a circle of breath through her nose in an attempt to fight off her nerves. The tradition of Tammy and Harold's Super Bowl Sunday is a pretty low-key event. A day of food, football, friends and fun. And that's exactly what it's going to be she tells herself – fun.

She twists her hands together, palms clammy against one another as she attempts to let yet another circle of unstrained air make it to and from her lungs, exhaling through her mouth this time.

"You okay?"

Glancing up at the sound of Nic's voice as he walks into the kitchen, she catches sight of his parents over his shoulder where they're already busy in conversation with another pair of guests in the dining room.

The chatter drifting their way hints of how the house has begun to properly fill up – laughter slipping through the murmur of voices.

Most of the guests know better than to step into the kitchen. It's a room reserved for Tammy, Harold and their unspoken communication. Right now though, neither half of the pair is anywhere to be seen – leaving Avery and Nic alone among the many platters of food.

Though her friends have adjusted surprisingly well to the idea of Ethan and her, Avery can't help the way her breath doesn't quite reach the deep of her lungs; neither how she continues to tap her hands restlessly against the countertop as a way of distracting herself.

School events are one thing. Events nurtured by the town's atmosphere of baseless, reckless rivalry – not to speak of loyalty, is far from what she's in for today. This is her inviting Ethan to join them for something completely unrelated to the upheld rivalry. This is her merging two parts of her life together, hoping maybe one day her wishful thinking will become true. Hoping one day they can truly come together as one.

She nods as a way of answering Nic's question, rounding the kitchen island as she walks over to the double-doored fridge to bring out a pitcher of the iced tea. Pouring it into a glass, she raises a brow at Nic who nods, so she pours one for him as well.

Leaning back against the counter, her lips hover over the rim of the glass. "How many of your teammates are going to be here?"

"Not too many," He says, lips pulling into a reassuring smile. "You know – Luke would't have said he's okay with it if he wasn't."

"Are you?"

Nic pushes his free hand through his dark hair, taking a sip of his iced tea. "Am I what?"

"Okay with it?" She runs a smoothing hand over the sleeve of her sweater. "Me forcing you all to be in the same house?"

"You're fighting for your fairytale Ave. Can't hold that against you."

"I'm sorry you didn't get yours," Tapping her fingers against the glass in her hand, Avery's eyes cast to her nails. She holds back a sigh upon realizing she's manages to chip her nail polish, this time without even having scraped it off herself. "I know you've always wanted it. I'm sorry it didn't work out with–," She pauses, racking her brain for the name of Nic's summer crush. "... Mateo."

Nic shrugs half-heartedly. "Life's not over yet."

The heels of Avery's booties sound against the stone floor as she makes her way back to the kitchen island, stealing yet another appetizer off the plate. "That's true."

Running steps sound against the wooden stairs, and soon Callie appears on the mid-landing – brushing off some imaginary dust from the front of her green cashmere V-neck.

"Oh there you guys are," She says, her manicured nails coming up to adjust one of the pins holding her hair up in an effortlessly sleek ponytail. Moving in closer, she cranes her head and flickers her gaze across the room before letting her voice drop into a hush. "Am I going crazy or are Luke and Lea like actually a thing?"

Choking on her food, Avery coughs twice. Quick to clear her throat with a sip of her drink, she glances over at her friend. "What?"

"I mean, I didn't think much of it after what she told us during the Winter Formal but now–"

"What did she tell you?"

Avery shoots Nic a look with a small shake of her head. "Not important."

Slowly, deliberately, he sets his glass down on the counter. "You know something."

"Of course she does. If Luke's involved she always knows."

Avery sips at her drink as her two friends close in on her from each side, feigning innocence as she shrugs.

"No more secrets Ave, come on. Tell us what you know."

Just then something flickers in the corner of her eye, having her lips slip into a small smile as she turns her head to find Ethan stood in the doorway leading to the living room. Dressed in a dark cable knit sweater, he tilts his head against the frame.

"Hi."

"Hi you," Her heart beats a little harder as she takes a step back, raising her glass in a toast to her two friends. "If you excuse me, my boyfriend and his date just arrived."

Speaking of said date, Jake shows up in the doorway next – not wasting any time to pull Avery into a one-armed hug.

"Team-wrecker!" A chortled breath escapes her, smile widening as she notices the quirk of amusement to Ethan's lips. "Did you miss me?"

"Saved by the bell," Callie mutters before letting her lips slip easily into that well-rehearsed politician smile of hers. Rounding the kitchen island, she yanks open both doors to the fridge. "Let's get you guys something to drink, shall we?"

Following some acknowledgements rather than greetings between the other four, Avery rolls her eyes as Nic turns to her once more.

"So, Ave. About Lu–"

"Here's an idea," She says, breath fogging her glass. "Ask them instead of me,"

Another beat of somewhat awkward silence passes and she doesn't realize she's begun picking at her nail polish until Ethan's hand finds hers, putting a stop to her fidgeting as he hooks two of his fingers in hers behind his back. Desperate to do something – anything – other than to be stood shifting on their feet, she speaks again.

"Should we do a house tour?"

Nic raises a brow but then he shrugs, downing the last of his iced tea. "Yeah, why not?"

They've only reached the mid-landing of the staircase as Luke and Lea come the other way, seeming to have appeared out of thin air. Their laughter slowly dies down as they stumble open the quintette – awkward silence lingering for yet another beat.

Thankfully – ever the social butterfly – Lea's lips are quick to morph back into a beaming smile, albeit slightly forced.

"Hi!" She looks as she's about to reach her hand out in greeting but retreats it, pushing it into her back pocket instead. Avery's mouth tilts up in faint amusement before shooting her a grateful smile. At least Lea's trying. "It's so great you're both here!"

Luke doesn't look as convinced. "What are you guys up to?"

"Oh, we're doing a quick house-tour."

Gaze flickering to Callie, Luke's eyes narrow. He lets them briefly pass Nic before they set on Avery. She knows she should probably speak – say something – considering she's the one who brought them all together but she comes up blank. And so, Luke lets his gaze drift back to Callie.

"Is that really necessary?"

"Well, if you two didn't sneak off every damn second, maybe you could have gotten a say." Callie says. Her words slip off her tongue in an easy voice, as if she's done nothing but announce her favorite color. Flashing them a sweet smile, Callie puts her hand to the railing and continues to climb the stairs.

Nic holds back a snort, slanting his head to the side in a nod for Luke to simply go along with the plan.

Fingers still hooked in Ethan's, Avery raises her brows slightly at Luke – trying to remind him he's supposed to be a host, not hostile. He meets her gaze, then flickers his eyes to Lea for a brief tenth of a second. Turning on his heel to walk back up the stairs, she can practically hear the sigh lodged in his throat.

"I guess we're doing the tour."

♡♡♡

"What are you doing out here Team-wrecker? It's raining."

Arms folded across her chest, Avery angles her face toward the sky as she peers up at the gray thick clouds hovering heavy above. A hint of a smile tugs at her lips. "Exactly,"

Turning her head over her shoulder to glance at Jake, her brows knit together as she realizes their one thing in common isn't by his side. "Where's Ethan?"

"Talking to Luke's sister," Jake pushes his hands into the pockets of his jeans, surveying the bad weather with a skeptical gaze. A short deep laugh escapes him as he notices her tense with a slight frown. "Don't worry. It's amiable."

"Okay. Good – She can be a bit... protective."

"Of Luke? Or you?"

A chortled breath leaves her in a cloud as she pauses for a beat of thought. "Both. Actually."

"Is that a trampoline?"

Following his gaze across the garden, Avery's lips tug up at the sudden eagerness in Jake's tone.

She glances back through the patio doors once more, quick to find Ethan in the sea of people. No longer stood with Caia, but in conversation with Tammy and Sarah instead. Right now, he doesn't look like he needs saving.

Cocking her head to the side, she steps off the patio into the dewy grass and begins to gross the lawn. "Come on."

She kicks her booties off, the soles of her black stockings becoming soaked through in an instant as she climbs onto the trampoline and almost slips on the rain prickled mat before nodding for Jake to climb up as well.

Her smile widens into a grin as the rain turns from a drizzle into a pour, throwing her arms out wide to feel it against the skin of her palms, stumbling back as Jake tries the bounce of the mat once.

Taking her eyes off the sky, she pulls her hands through her hair – sure it's already been tousled up by the rain – and meets his gaze. Droplets of rain linger in his slightly furrowed brows, the corners of his mouth in an upward tilt but not quite in the cross of a grin and a smirk that is usually etched into his features.

"Well," She says, relishing in the sound of the rain against the mat. The smell of rain – wet grass and soil melting together with the salt Acebridge air – surrounds them and she inhales deep in an attempt to let it linger longer. "Are we jumping or not?"

On the count of three, they bounce off the mat.

A squealing laugh leaves Avery's lips as she shoots into the air, seeing far past the protective net. Jake laughs too, though he tries to contain it as she comes back down to earth. Or well, back down to the mat.

"Okay, be careful," He says, enunciating the words as he cups his hands around her shoulders to steady her. "We cannot afford even a scratch on you or my best friend might never talk to me ever again."

"He would if I told him to."

"Yeah, probably," Jake grins only to duck a second later, a deafening crack of thunder sounding across the sky. "Shit."

Avery can't even help the laugh spilling out of her. "You're afraid of some thunder?"

"Thunder means lightening. Lightening strikes. Who sounds the most sane to you?"

Her lips twitch in amusement. Water trails along her face – lingering in her brows, on the slope of her nose and in the small indents of her skin. "You know, I might have to reconsider being friends with you once we get to UNC."

"You were going to hang out with me next year? Aw, I'm flattered."

"Don't be too flattered. I just desperately need a friend once all of mine abandon me for greater adventures," Avery lets her eyes gaze up and down Jake once. "Thought you'd do. You can be my fellow Ethan groupie."

"Oh my God, you know what we should do?" The trademark grin she's so used to see him sport begins to sprawl into his features, growing with whatever genius idea he has in mind. "We should make T-shirts! For Ethan's games."

Her mouth falls open with a chortle. "We should totally make T-shirts!"

"Can't tell him about it though."

"Oh, definitely not."

Lips twitching again, she's about to tell him to do another countdown just as the patio doors slide open again, revealing a blurry vision of Callie in the distance. Her voice carries through the air as she cups her hands around her mouth, calling out to them to come back inside for the game.

♡♡♡

Stepping back over the threshold, Luke only shoots Avery a tired look – his eyes taking in her soaked through state, shaking his head as she grins in response.

"I'm not even going to ask."

Jake ducks out of view, most probably headed for the generous assortment of food displayed on the dining table but Avery continues into the adjoined sitting room where she finds Ethan. He's perched upon the armrest of one of the couches mid conversation with Nic of all people.

The latter of the two boys spots her first, brows etching together ever so slightly as his gaze lingers on her. Ethan glances over his shoulder then, eyes flickering out the window before they find their way back to her. There's a glint of amused realization to his eye as he smiles.

Walking over to them, she drapes her arms over Ethan's shoulders from behind and leans her chin atop his head.

Barely paying attention to the boys' continued conversation, she lets her gaze travel over the room. Spotting Harold, stood in the doorway to the kitchen, as he beckons for Tammy with one single glance. The woman gets up from the couch from across the three of them, brushes a hand over the front of her sweater and places a gentle palm on Avery's arm in passing.

Nic takes that as his opportunity to step away to his parents, leaving Avery alone with Ethan.

"So," She says once her friend is out of earshot. "You've got Nic and Tammy's approval. And Caia's – rumors say."

Ethan intertwines his fingers with hers, her skin still cold from the chill of the outside against his. With a small tug, he has her stepping around the couch to come stand before him instead. He reaches out, smoothing his thumb over her cheekbone, leaving a few speckles of mascara on his skin.

"Good."

Raising her brows, a dangerously wide smile plays on her lips. "Good?"

"Well," He presses his thumb gently to her palm. "They're your family."

Her throat constricts at those simple words. It's not out of sadness exactly, but still she feels her heart drop heavier in her chest. Rolling her lips together, she lets them slip into a small smile before letting her other hand fall into his as well, their palms melting together as she nods.

♡♡♡

"I think we should watch sports more often – you and I."

Avery cheeks tighten with a smile as Ethan's knee falls against hers where they're sat on the couch, his fingers absentmindedly tapping a slow rhythm against her leg. Turning her head slightly towards him, her smile widens as his breath tickles her skin.

"Yeah?"

His teeth grazes against his lip, not quite biting down on it. "Yeah."

"Noted."

She inches back as a Cheeto lands between them. Popping it into her mouth before carefully brushing the orange crumbs from her skirt, her eyes snap to the two possible culprits sat across from them.

Callie holds back a laugh as Jake simply retches.

Voices carry in from the next room, and even from here Avery can hear Luke practically buzzing – going on and on about how they just witnessed history being made. Which he's probably not entirely wrong about, but she wonders how many more times he can say the words "greatest Super Bowl of all time" before Caia will clock him.

Avery suppresses a small yawn, resting her head on Ethan's shoulder as her smile softens.

In here, contrary to the rest of the house, the silence has settled – the hours of the afternoon and evening sinking in.

The initial awkwardness have worn off. Other than a playful gibe here and there, as expected in true Acebridge spirit, there's no tension here.

Mid-game, upon returning from the bathroom with Lea and Callie she'd even overheard – or maybe more like eavesdropped on – a conversation between the boys and another few players from West as they spoke of the game, as if mere professional sport commentators, the way guys tend to do.

Though she's tried to keep by Ethan's side throughout the day, it's been harder than she expected.

Avery has found herself loosing hold of his arm more times than she can count on both hands, having had to smile politely at every person who stole him away. Even here, in a room lacking the presence of Ace Easters, the crowd marvels over him. Admiration in their eyes as they speak to him, prod him – wanting to hear all about his thoughts on the past season, on his National Letter of Intent, on the future.

She's been watching them. But mostly she's been watching him, and the way they all look at him. Somehow he seems to bring out some sort of strength in them – they all stand a little taller, smile a little brighter, their eyes filled with a little bit more awe. She wonders if she looks at him that way too, she hopes she does.

Everyone wants a piece of the golden boy Lea had said all those months ago while they were sat on the trampoline the night before the first East-West game of the season; she'd been right. Easter or Wester, Montague or Capulet; once he grows into the star-player she knows he'll be, no one will care about anything other than the fact that he's an Acebridge boy, through and through.

And with that knowledge in mind, it makes the rivalry seem juvenile – maybe even picayune – in comparison.

Brought out of her thoughts, her gaze flickers sideways as Lea emerges from the dining room.

"Come on, we're playing."

Out of the corner of her eye Avery notices Caia, Townes and Gabriel slip by outside the window – headed for the backyard.

Callie pops a Cheeto into her mouth, the bowl resting in the dip of her cross legged seat. "Playing what?"

"What do you think?" Lea's lips quirk up as she twists her hair into a ponytail, glancing over her shoulder just as Luke appears in the room as well, a football under his arm.

"Now?" Jake asks dubiously, looking as he'd rather just sit where he's sat eating Cheetos. "It's pitch-black outside."

"So?" Makes it more fun. Come on."

With a small puff of air escaping her lips – not quite a yawn, not quite a thorough exhale – Avery lets her palms come down to the cushion and pushes herself up to her feet. Turning her head over her shoulder, she extends her hand to Ethan. "Looks like we're playing."

♡♡♡

Soon the teenagers have all gathered outside, far too lightly dressed for an early February night. The rain has come to a stop for now but its presence can still be felt in the atmosphere, hovering over them in clouds dotting the blue darkness and concealing the light of stars on the sky above.

Avery's beginning to think Luke's high on sugar with the way he bounds around the backyard to mark out the field for their very much simplified game of football, only beginning to come back down to earth as Lea calls for him. Per her request, he makes his way over to the rest of them to pick his teammates.

She's not sure who or why anyone thought it'd be a good idea to pit them against each other before they've even begun – but Ethan and Luke have been chosen to lead a team each, not swaying away from their usual duties. Avery thinks it would've been more interesting if they made Lea and Callie – or maybe Caia – the ones in charge, but that's just her.

Luke nods to Ethan. "You get first pick."

"Jake."

"Well then I want Nic."

From years of experience, Avery knows she's in for a long wait and simply rolls her eyes.

"I'll just go sit over here," She says, vaguely gesturing toward the patio. "Let me know when you've decided who gets stuck with me."

Ethan latches onto her wrist, amusement laced in his tone. "Would you stop being so dramatic?" He tugs her back to him. "We're picking you."

Avery shoots Nic a glare as he chokes back a laugh but he only grins in return. Luke overrides Nic's ideas for their next pick and blindly chooses Lea, just as Avery had predicted he would.

Mouth in an upward tilt, she nudges Ethan in the side and lowers her voice. "Gabriel's starting Varsity this fall."

And so, they pick Gabriel next – much to Callie's dismay. The rest unfolds quickly and soon they're ready to play.

Just as Avery's about to step away Ethan pulls her closer, his words for her and only her. "Nice to be on the same team for once."

"I'm always on your team," She tilts her head back against his chest as she reaches up to push one of his short curls away from his forehead. Smiling softly, a small laugh escapes her lips. "You're so going to regret this."

"Oh my God," Caia drawls and marches over, jamming her arm between the two. "If we could begin today that would be great. Thanks."

♡♡♡

"Yeah okay, let's all laugh at Avery,"

Ethan traces a gentle line on Avery's palm in response to her muttered words, a strangled noise at the back of his throat as if he's trying to keep his laughter back. A soft exhale leaves her nose as she shoots him a sideways glance, not able to help the way her cheeks tighten with warmth.

Reaching her leg out, she nudges Callie where she lies on her back. "Thanks for that one."

"What?" Callie asks, voice airy with a hint of innocence as she stares up at the darkness above. "It's not my fault you poured your drink all over her. Felt like too good a story to pass up."

"A classic," Jake laughs in agreement, wiping mirth from his eyes. "Truly."

Their game long over, the seven of them are the only ones left outside, sprawled out over the mat of the trampoline. A calm has fallen over them, bringing along a serene easiness to Avery's mood where she's sat next to Ethan leant against the protective net. Or rather leant into his side.

They drift in and out of silence –recounting old stories (hence her fine moment of a not-so-accidental stumble), talking of the Super Bowl game and its halftime show, and even the future. The future always seems an inevitable topic these days; graduation lingering in the horizon which seems to creep closer with every ticking second and so, of course they've breezed past that too.

In this moment, with the night sky enfolding them and the only source of light being the one cast from the windows of the house, it almost feels like they're all friends. Out here, at least, Avery can pretend they are. In this moment, she can pretend her two lives have effortlessly merged together into one. It's a nice thought and though it might be wishful thinking, one day she hopes it'll be real.

Leaning her head on Ethan's shoulder, her voice drops low. "You're staying at mine tonight, right?"

"I'm pretty sure it's tonight already," He says, absentmindedly playing with her fingers. "But yes."

Suppressing a small yawn just as Nic stretches his arms over his head with a yawn of his own, she lets her hand close around Ethan's and casts her gaze across the mat. Meeting Luke's gaze, her lips lift into a grateful smile – only widening as he smiles too.

Another beat of silence passes between them before Lea speaks from where she's leant against Luke's chest. "I'm cold."

With her words, a chill gust of wind sweeps through the fabric of Avery's sweater – a trail of goosebumps erupting over her skin.

They snap into motion a second later, ready to make it back inside to left-overs of dessert and the warmth of the house.

Nic makes his way off the trampoline first. Lea rubs at her arms, weighing back and forth on her feet as she waits for Luke to jump to the ground next. He holds his arms out for her, and with her perched on his back the two of them are off toward the house without a glance over their shoulders.

Avery exchanges an amused look with Nic before she lets Ethan pull her to her feet. In turn, she holds her hands out for Callie who looks like she's about to fall asleep any second now.

"Come on Calliope," She says softly, helping her to her feet. "Let's head inside."

The two girls are the last off the trampoline, slipping into their shoes. Avery wraps her arm around Callie as they follow the boys toward the house.

Smiling, Callie wraps her arm around Avery in return. "Today was a good day."

Not being able to help the beam tugging at her lips, Avery's cheeks warm in the cold night. "It was, wasn't it?"

"It was great. And fun," A soft, audible yawn escapes Callie with the words. "Really fun. I'm so happy for you Ave."

. . .

hi, it's your friend linn again.

with the risk of sounding like a broken record, I just wanted to say I appreciate you all and your support so much. especially lately. knowing this sweet story is going to wrap up in five-ish chapters has had me a little bit more on edge, worrying a little more, deleting and rewriting a little more, pushing away doubts of the plot and how it might fall flat, but i think feeling that way at this point is normal, just wanting to finish up nicely you know?? so, as I said, those kind words have always been appreciated, but lately I've been able to go back to them to shake myself out of moments of doubt. so thank you, truly.

much love to you always!

yours, linn