“That is so unfair,” she said quietly.
“Avery, stop,” said Bonnie.
Avery turned to her.
“And you’re no better! You just ran away to L.A. and buried your head in the sand. Did it ever occur to either of you to check in on how I’m doing? Heaven forbid you should worry about anyone but yourselves.”
“You’re right,” began Bonnie, but Lucky interrupted.
“Oh, you’re such a martyr,” she said. “It must be so hard being you, in your perfect house with your perfect job and your perfect wife. I’m so sorry we aren’t all more concerned about you.”
Avery scoffed.
“Do you think you are the only one who wanted to throw your life away this year? To run away from all your problems? Do you think you’re the only one grieving?”
She realized, as she said it, that it was exactly what Chiti had asked her.
“That’s not what Lucky’s doing,” interrupted Bonnie. “She’s actually been—”
“Shut up!” interrupted Lucky. “I don’t want to talk to her about it!”
“Hey,” said Bonnie, involuntarily taking a step back. “I’m trying to help.”
“Talk to me about what?” asked Avery.
“None of your goddamn business!” said Lucky.
“What is going on with you two?” asked Avery. “Bonnie, why aren’t you training? Lucky, why aren’t you working?”
“I’m taking a break,” declared Lucky, jumping off the bed. “I’m allowed to take a break!”
“Your whole life is a break!” shouted Avery, stepping forward and knocking the stupid feather-trimmed cowboy hat off her head.
“Don’t touch me!” yelled Lucky, pushing her away.
“Don’t touch me,” said Avery, shoving her back.
The two began jostling and shunting each other until Bonnie got between them, swiftly separating them with professional efficiency.
“Enough!” Bonnie barked once she was sure she’d gotten them apart. “We’re too old for this shit.”
“She is,” Lucky sulked.
“I said stop, Lucky,” said Bonnie. “She’s obviously having a hard time being back here. We all are.”
“I’m not having a hard time,” said Avery petulantly. “You’re having a hard time.”
Bonnie caught Avery’s eye and gave her a gentle look.
“Come on, Aves,” she murmured. “This isn’t like you.”
Avery let out a long exhale. Of course, Bonnie was right; being back here was hard. She hadn’t anticipated quite how hard it would be.
“You’re right.” She softened. “Sorry, Bon Bon.”
Lucky stepped back and looked at them both.
“I knew this would happen.” She wiped her nose roughly on the back of her arm and pointed at Bonnie. “I knew you would take her side. Like always.”
“That’s not what’s happening,” said Bonnie.
Lucky shook her head.
“You are such a coward,” she muttered. “You’ve always done whatever Avery says.”
“Lucky, apologize to your sister,” said Avery.
She knew it was the wrong move as soon as she said it. Knee-jerk mothering, an impulse guaranteed to infuriate Lucky.
“You think you know everything, don’t you?” crowed Lucky. “You don’t know Bonnie.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Avery.
“Stop it,” growled Bonnie.
“You want to know why she’s not training? Because she’s in love with Pavel and she’s too chickenshit to tell him, that’s why!”
“What?”