Where We Belong (A Touch of Fate #1)(54)

"Alright." Quinn cracks her knuckles. "No hitting above the neck—I just had a facial. And no hair pulling, because that shit's just not cool," she says, pointing her manicured finger at Avery.

Reaching out, I grip Quinn's arm, spinning her around. "Quinn, you don't have to fight Avery. It's okay." The amused smile falls from my face as the words leave my mouth. A warm feeling crawls up my spine and tears clog my throat when I realize that it's true. This is okay…I will be okay. All I've ever wanted is for Tyson to be happy, and if Avery makes him happy, then that's what I want.

Fingers snap in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts. "Remember our freshman year when I found Ben kissing Allison in the parking lot?"

"Yeah," I reply. Where is she going with this?

"You hit him for me. You stood up for me, and now I'm repaying the favor," she says, looking at me like I should know why she's acting like a madwoman.

I shake my head slowly. "I didn't hit Ben."

"Yes, you did!" she snaps. "I got mad and pushed Allison, called Ben a few choice names, and then stomped off. When I turned back around, Ben was holding his cheek and you were standing in front of him." I continue to shake my head slowly, discrediting what she's saying. Her face falls and I almost feel bad for telling her the truth. "Yes, I specifically remember I cocked my eyebrow at Mason and he pointed his finger at you, indicating that you did it."

"I'm not the one that hit Ben. I'm sorry, Quinn. I hate that you thought I stood up for you like that and I didn't. I mean, I totally would. You know I'd smack the shit out of any man that hurt you, but I didn't smack the shit out of that man."

"Who did?"

"Mason."

"Mason?" Her jaw drops and she stares at me, but I can tell she isn't looking at me. She's looking through me, trying to remember the events of that day.

"I'm sorry." Avery approaches the two of us cautiously. "I really don't mean to interrupt your trip down memory lane, but does this mean that you aren't going to throat punch me now?"

Quinn is still staring at me, dumbfounded. "No,” I answer for her. “There will be no women's bathroom MMA fight tonight."

Quinn seems to snap out her funk and she whips her head around. "Damnit, Harley. She stole your man! You have to fight for him!" Avery opens her mouth to talk, but Quinn and I both raise our hands at her and she snaps her mouth shut.

"No, Quinn. She didn't steal my man. Tyson is not mine. He never was." The last part is whispered because it physically hurts to say.

"Ummm…" Avery raises a hand and tries to interject, but Quinn and I keep bickering.

"You're wrong. He is your man. He was yours five years ago when he walked away and he is yours now." I appreciate that she’s fighting for us, but there's really no point. I'm done fighting. Done dreaming. I'm just done. I've spent the last five years being regretful, mad, sad, angry, and hopeful…I want to be happy. I want to be normal. I want to fall in love. I want to find a nice man, one who will love Max and me the way we deserve to be loved. And that man might not be Tyson—like I'd hoped—but that man is out there...somewhere. I just have to find him.

"Quinn," I whisper, touching her arm gently. "You are the best best friend a girl could ever ask for." The emotions, mixed with the amount of alcohol in my system, prove to be too much and tears start dripping from my eyes. I bat them way. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. You've been with me through everything. You've held me, cried with me, and laughed with me. And the fact that you are willing to fight for me tonight…" I gesture toward Avery, who appears to be fighting to hold back her own set of tears. "Well, it just reiterates what I already know. You are amazing and wonderfully loyal and I will love you forever. But this thing with Tyson…I need you to let it go. Please," I beg when she opens her mouth. "Please, for me. I can't do this anymore." My voice thickens and then cracks, and my hand fists my blouse over my heart. "I. Cant. Do. This." Quinn steps forward and engulfs me in her arms, holding me like she's done so many times before.

"Can I just say someth—” Avery starts to speak when the door handle turns and Levi walks in, key in hand, followed by Tyson. "Goddamnit. Why do I keep getting interrupted? I need to fix this," Avery says as Levi and Tyson walk further into the room, trying to gauge what the hell they just walked in on.

Tyson is watching me. I can tell he wants to say something, but I'm on a roll. May as well get this over with.

I pull back from Quinn. My face is throbbing, but I'm not sure if it's from the alcohol or the crying. I tend to be one of those ugly criers. You know the kind…red face, snotty nose, puffy eyes. Yup, that's me. I'm sure I look extremely unattractive right now. Regardless, I wipe my face and turn toward Tyson, who is now standing where he should be—next to Avery.

"There is nothing to fix," I say to Avery and then turn toward Tyson. Quinn stands next to Levi, and for some reason I feel like I'm on a stage and they are all my audience.

"Harley?" Tyson whispers, taking a hesitant step forward. "Are you okay? What's going on in here?" he asks, looking at both Quinn and Avery before turning back to me.