The Impact of You

Jase

It’s been several days, but I haven’t asked Avery if she’s emailed the adoption agency or faxed in the information release. I am serious about helping her. Why wouldn’t I be? Even if my own parents are messed up most of the time, I love them and everyone deserves to know who brought them into this world. Even if it does make me nervous to think about what kind of mother gave a sweet little thing like Avery away. Still, I don’t want to hassle her. I just want her to be happy. Little by little, I’m watching her blossom and it’s beautiful. She doesn’t seem to be hiding quite as much, her eyes are bright and determined, and she’s even excited about going out this weekend. It’s no longer like pulling teeth to get her to come out. Though I know if I push too hard, too fast, I could lose her.

This weekend one of my frat brothers is playing at a local club and everyone is going to watch him perform. I wouldn’t mind having Avery alone at my house, but she seems excited about going.

I tell her I will pick her up, amazed that she’s set on doing this even without the safety net of her friends. Apparently, they have some theater party tonight. But I like that she trusts me. I stop in front of Avery’s dorm, where she’s waiting on the sidewalk. Her face lights up when she sees me. It’s strange to me that she wouldn’t kiss me, yet she clearly feels something when I’m around. This girl keeps me guessing, that’s for sure.

Before I can even exit the car to go around and open her door, Avery’s sliding in next to me.

“Hi, beautiful.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth curls upward. I don’t know who scared her away from male attention, but it’s clear she’s hungry for it now. “Hi,” she returns.

“Ready to listen to some bad folk music?”

“Sure. I love bad folk music.”

“Then you’re in for a treat.”

with the rest of us. Sloan slouches on a stool and

set, Avery taps my knee. “I’m

take you.” I rise

gives me a confused look,

innocent and since I brought her here, she’s my responsibility to look after. But I know it’s more than that. I want every other guy in this place to know she’s with me. I rest my hand on her lower back

of the club and wait in the hallway while she’s inside the ladies room. When she emerges, I can’t resist lacing her fingers between mine and guiding her back to our table, before pulling out her chair and settling down next to her.

my self-control. I place one hand on her hip and she smiles politely at me. She wouldn’t be smiling if she knew the wicked

a roomful of eyes look between Stacia and me, complete with Avery balanced on my lap. Shit fuck. This isn’t good. I feel Avery stiffen, and my hand involuntarily grips her hip, telling her to stay put. Stacia and I aren’t dating anymore. She’s just going to have to deal with it. Besides, it’s not like I invited her here tonight. I swear, I think she drives by and whenever there are lights on or cars in the driveway, she

for the kitchen. “Trey, make me a drink, hun,” she says, luring him

beck and call. Shit, they usually are, but that doesn’t make it okay. And Trey’s an easy target. He’s just horny enough

wants a pussy-whipped fool at her beck and call to spoil her rotten. Maybe I’ll feel that way about a girl someday, but not Stacia. She’s already

back to our easy banter. “I think it’s time for your next challenge,” I whisper

arms and turns slowly to glance at me, a slow smile forming on her lips. “What’d you have in

want you to go talk to that guy over there.” I look pointedly at one of my frat brothers,

and

is gone, I’m regretting sending her away. But watching her confidence grow is a thing of beauty. I’m riveted watching Avery spark up a conversation with Jared. Maybe this was a bad fucking idea. He continues strumming the guitar, glancing up