Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Monday, December 23, 2024
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Falling in Love...Again chapter 10
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 10
It had been a week since Avery's cryptic confession, and I hadn't been able to stop thinking about what she might be keeping from me. When she invited me over for dinner, I jumped at the chance, hoping for some answers.
I knocked on her door and waited, but instead of hearing her call out, the door creaked open a few seconds later. As the gap widened, my breath caught in my chest.
There she was, standing tall and radiant in the doorway, balanced on a pair of sleek black forearm crutches. But it wasn't just the crutches that stopped me in my tracks. Both of her legs were in brand new white long leg casts, stretching from her thighs all the way down to her feet. Each cast ended in a small rubber heel at the sole, just enough to give her a way to stand upright without putting any weight on her toes and move around on crutches.
Avery smiled warmly, her red lips curving into a mischievous grin. "Surprised?" she asked, her deep green eyes sparkling behind her glasses.
"Uh... yeah," I managed, my voice catching. I couldn't look away. The black cocktail dress that I learned later was a St Laurent sleeveless mini dress she wore hugged her figure perfectly, its hem brushing the tops of her white casts and revealing just enough to make my pulse quicken. The contrast of her soft, sexy and elegant dress against the stiff white casts was mesmerizing.
"I thought you might be," she said, turning carefully. She moved with deliberate grace, the rubber heels of her casts tapping in unison softly against the floor as she shifted her weight between the crutches. She couldn't bend her knees, so her movements were slow and calculated, her straightened legs swinging slightly with each step.
Watching her navigate the room was like watching a performance. She made what should have been awkward seem elegant, the crutches becoming an extension of her, the long white casts adding a unique kind of charm to her appearance.
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me as I tried to find the words to speak. "Avery... I... I don't even know what to say."
She laughed softly, her cheeks flushing just enough to let me know she was enjoying my reaction. "That's a first," she teased, moving toward the living room.
The rhythmic click of her crutches and the soft tap of the cast heels echoed as she made her way across the hardwood floor. She turned her head to glance over her shoulder, her ponytail swinging as she gave me a coy look.
"Are you just going to stand there with your mouth open, or are you going to help me in my chair?"
I snapped out of my trance and moved to her side, ready to help. Avery glanced at me with a soft smile, silently allowing me to take over. With practised ease, Avery sat into a wheelchair waiting near the living room.
I reached down, gently sliding my hands under her left leg, feeling the cool, smooth surface of the cast as I lifted it. It wasn't heavy, but the stiffness of her leg made it feel deliberate, like a weight meant to be handled carefully.
I guided her leg onto the padded leg rest of the wheelchair, adjusting it so she'd be comfortable. Then, I moved to her right leg, repeating the process with equal care. The cast stretched stiff and straight from her thigh to her foot, the rubber heel adding an almost delicate touch to its otherwise imposing look.
Once both legs were elevated and resting securely on the supports, I stepped back, letting the sight sink in. Avery sat back in her wheelchair, her smile warm and knowing, as though she could read every thought running through my head.
"Thank you," she said softly, adjusting her glasses.
I swallowed, still trying to find my words. "Avery, you have to tell me... why both legs?"
Her expression softened as she rested her hands on the armrests of the chair. "Because this is something I've always dreamed of," she confessed. "The idea of being fully supported, fully embraced by this experience... it's a part of me I've wanted to explore for so long."
I looked at her, mesmerized by her honesty and the way she carried herself with such grace, her black cocktail dress accentuating her elegance even as her immobilized legs rested in stark contrast. It was impossible not to admire her, every aspect of her.
Her confession left me speechless for a moment. "But how do you manage like this?" I asked, glancing down at her immobilized legs.
She shrugged, her fingers lightly brushing the edge of one cast. "It's not as hard as you'd think. Sure, I have to move slower, plan things out, but it's worth it. There's something incredibly freeing about giving myself permission to embrace this side of me."
I couldn't help but smile. Her happiness was contagious, and the way she carried herself, so confident, so unapologetic made it impossible not to accept her fetishes.
A week later, Avery invited me over again. This time, her voice on the phone carried an edge of excitement and mischief. "I have someone I want you to meet," she'd said.
When I arrived, the door was already open. I stepped inside and found Avery in her wheelchair, as stunning as ever, her long leg casts resting comfortably on the elevated leg rests. She wore a soft ivory blouse tucked into a dark green pencil skirt that ended just above the tops of her casts. Her smile lit up the room as she greeted me.
"Come on in, Miles," she said, motioning me closer.
Before I could ask who I was meeting, footsteps approached from the hallway. A young woman entered, and for a moment, I felt like I was looking at a younger version of Avery on stage. She had the same hair, green eyes, and striking smile. Her presence was both radiant and commanding, though her nurse's scrubs gave her a practical air.
"This is Brigitte," Avery said, her tone warm. "My daughter."
I blinked, stunned. Daughter? I glanced between the two of them, noting the uncanny resemblance. Avery's expression didn't falter, but her eyes held a flicker of something deeper.
"It's so nice to meet you," Brigitte said, extending a hand. Her voice was soft yet confident, and I shook her hand numbly, trying to process what I was seeing.
"She's been helping me with this," Avery said, gesturing toward her casts. "You didn't think I managed this all on my own, did you?"
Brigitte gave a light laugh and stepped closer, standing beside Avery. "Mom asked me to apply the casts on her legs. It's been... different, but I'm happy to help her live her sexual fantasy." She smiled at her mother with genuine affection.
I swallowed hard, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn't quite sort out. The two of them together painted a picture that was impossible to ignore. Brigitte looked so much like Avery , my Avery from so many years and, I realized with a jolt, like me.
Avery must have noticed my expression because she tilted her head, her smile taking on a knowing edge. "You're doing the math, aren't you?"
Falling in Love...Again
Conclusion to come
K
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Friday, December 20, 2024
Falling in Love...Again chapter 9
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 9
2024
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She looked up at me, her eyes steady. She took a deep breath, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess you could say... I'm a 'caster.'" She let the word hang there, watching my reaction. When I didn't say anything, she continued.
"A what?"
"It means I find a certain comfort, joy, in wearing a cast. It's not just about the way it looks or feels, though that's part of it. It's the whole experience. The way it changes how I move, how I interact with the world. It slows things down, makes me focus on every little moment. It's hard to explain, but... it makes me happy."
Her voice was steady, but I could tell she was bracing herself for my response.
She added, her tone softening. "There's a kind of beauty in it. The cast is rigid, unyielding, but it feels like a part of me that's both vulnerable and strong at the same time. I don't expect everyone to understand, but... it's something I've always felt drawn to since a very young age."
I nodded slowly, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. I didn't fully understand yet, but I could see how much this meant to her. "Avery," I said carefully, "thank you for telling me. I'm not sure I get it all, but I see how much it means to you. And I see how happy it makes you physically, emotionally and sexually."
Her smile widened, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Yes it does and that's all I want, Miles. Just to be understood and accepted the way I am with my fetishes."
Reaching out, I rested my hand lightly on her cast. The surface was cool and smooth under my palm, a stark contrast to the warmth of her other leg. "But I'm going to need you to walk me through this. I want to understand more, because I care about you."
Her laugh was soft, the kind that made me feel like I'd done something right. "Deal," she said, her voice light.
As I leaned back, watching her relax into the moment, I noticed again how natural she seemed in this situation, like it wasn't just a phase or a whim. This was a part of who Avery was, and I realized I wanted to know more, not just about her cast, but about every layer she was willing to share with me of this sexual fetish of wanting to be on crutches in a leg cast.
I reached out and gently touched the cast again, feeling the surface. "Is there a particular reason you chose this leg?"
Avery's smile deepened. "Actually, it reminds me of us when we first met all those years ago"
She shifted a little on the couch, her skirt riding up slightly to reveal more of her leg and thigh. "It can be quite sensual, actually. The way the cast feels against my leg, the way it changes my movements..."
She reached out and touched my cheek, her fingers soft against my skin. I captured her hand, bringing it to my lips and kissing her fingers gently. Avery leaned in, her lips meeting mine in a soft, slow kiss. I felt her tongue tentatively touch mine, and I deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with my own and I couldn't get enough.
I moved my hand to her waist, pulling her closer. She responded by pressing against me, her breath coming in soft gasps. I slid my hand up her back, feeling the soft material of her blouse beneath my fingers.
"You do look so sexy in that cast," I murmured against her lips.
I slid my hand down her side, feeling the curve of her hip. She arched into my touch, her breath hitching. I let my hand move to her thigh, my fingers brushing against the cast. She shivered at the contact.
"Does it turn you on when I touch it?" I asked, my voice low.
"Yes," she whispered. "It feels so good that you accept me."
I traced the edge of the cast with my fingertips, feeling her exposed little toes. Avery's breath hitched again, and I could see the goosebumps rising on her skin. I raised the cast higher. She spread her legs slightly but instead I leaned in, kissing her toes, feeling them beneath my lips. She moaned softly, her head falling back while her finger slid inside her. I nipped at her toes, feeling her shiver against me.
"Would a real broken bone make you feel even better?" I whispered against her skin. "I want to know all about your fetish."
I could see her heart racing. I moved my other hand up her skirt, feeling the wet fabric against my fingers. I could feel the heat of her against my hand.
"You're so wet," I murmured, sliding my fingers against her. She moaned softly, her hips moving against my hand. I slipped a finger inside her, feeling her clench around me.
"Answer me...was your badly broken leg in a long and hard cast better than a recreational cast?"
"Oh, God," she breathed. "Both are good...in their own ways, but I prefer..."
I began to move my finger inside her, my thumb circling her clit. She moaned again, her hips moving in time with my hand. I could feel her getting wetter, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Or would you be even more turned on sexually if you were immobile in a 2 long leg casts?" I whispered, my voice hoarse with desire.
Avery's eyes darkened with desire. "Yes," she breathed. "Please."
"Please what?"
I slid down her body, my hands on her right leg as I moved between her legs. I could see the wetness on her thighs, the desire in her eyes. I leaned in, my tongue flicking against her clit. She moaned loudly, her hips bucking against my mouth.
But I backed away from her...
"Please what Avery? A broken arm and broken leg? 2 broken legs? Confined to a wheelchair for months?"
I licked and sucked at her, feeling her respond to my touch. I could taste her sweetness, feel her desire. I slipped a finger back inside her, my thumb continuing to circle her clit. She was close, I could feel it.
"Oh, God," she breathed. "I'm going to come."
I picked her up and lifted her on her right leg...her cast on my shoulder. Balancing on one leg my finger moved inside her. She cried out, her body tensing as she came, her orgasm washing over her.
She reached for my belt, her fingers deftly unbuckling it. I lifted my hips, allowing her to pull my pants down. She wrapped her hand around my penis, her fingers stroking roughly. I moaned softly, my hips moving against her touch.
I was deep inside her as we both came. We lay there for a moment, our bodies entwined, our breaths slowly returning to normal. I looked down at her, my eyes meeting hers.
"I want to explore more of this with you," I said. "I want to know more about what makes you happy."
Avery's smile deepened. "I'd like that," she said. "I'd like that very much."
Her smile widened, nervous "Something I've been meaning to tell you," she said, her eyes never leaving mine. "But it's not the kind of thing I can just blurt out. I need you to be ready to hear it."
"You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"
"And I will. Soon. But not today."
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 10
K
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Falling in Love...Again chapter 8
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 8
2000 and then 2024
I removed her brace and leaned in, my mouth against the broken leg. I could feel the heat of her skin, the way her breath hitched as I kissed her. I traced the long scars with my tongue, my hand cupping her other thigh, pulling her closer to me.
"I want more," she said, her voice urgent.
Our kisses were desperate, hungry, our bodies pressing against each other. I slipped my hand into her underwear, my fingers finding her wetness. She let out a low moan, her hips bucking against my hand. I slipped a finger inside her, feeling her tightness, her heat. She gasped, her fingers digging into my back. I added another finger, my thumb circling her clit, feeling her response.
"That feels so good."
I kissed her, my tongue exploring her mouth as my fingers explored her. I could feel her getting closer, her body tensing, her breath coming in short gasps.
I kissed and licked her broken leg. I could feel her scars against my lips, it contrasted with the softness of her body. I wanted more. I slipped off her underwear, my mouth finding her wetness. She let out a low moan, her fingers tangling in my hair as I tasted her. I could feel her responding to my touch, her body arching against mine.
"I want you inside me II want to feel you."
I could see the desire in her eyes, the way her body responded to mine. I positioned myself between her legs, my penis brushing against her wetness. She let out a low moan, her hips bucking against me. I slipped inside her, feeling her tightness, her heat.
I reached down, my hand cupping her breast, my thumb brushing against her nipple. She let out a low moan, her body arching against mine. I could feel her getting closer, her body tensing, her breath coming in short gasps.
I felt her muscles tightening, her body shuddering as she came, her nails digging into my back. I could feel her heat, her wetness, the way her body responded to mine. I let out a low groan, my body tensing as I came, my penis pulsing inside her. I collapsed on top of her, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths coming in short gasps.
We lay there for a moment, our bodies entwined, our hearts racing.
As we left, I walked beside her, more certain than ever that I didn't just admire Avery. I was in love with her. And as move gracefully on her crutches, I was ready to face them with her, step by step.
The days that followed were filled with more moments like that, simple, sweet, and full of sexual desires. I hadn't realized I'd been missing. Avery had a way of turning the ordinary into something extraordinary, and I found myself falling for her more with every passing day.
The end started with a phone call. I was at her apartment, looking at some of her recent paintings, while she answered the phone in the kitchen. Her voice, always animated, took on an even more vibrant tone as the conversation progressed.
When she hung up, her eyes were glowing with excitement. "Miles," she began, her words tumbling out in a rush, "you won't believe this. LinkFire, you know, the band I'm always talking about, they want me to audition to replace their lead singer during her maternity leave!"
I blinked, trying to process. LinkFire was a rising name in the punk scene, a band with serious potential. This was huge for her, but the implications hit me like a weight.
"That's amazing," I managed, forcing a smile. "When's the audition?"
"Next week," she said, practically bouncing off her crutches onto her bad leg.
She was so radiant, so alive with possibility, that I couldn't let my doubts show. But as the days passed, those doubts grew harder to ignore. Avery's focus shifted to preparing for her audition, and I started to see less of her.
She was still partially reliant on her leg brace. Watching her recovery process had been humbling, but now her determination to walk and heal faster was fuelled by something more, a dream that could take her far away.
I saw her one last time before she left. She was walking with more confidence now, with a determination that made her seem unstoppable. She didn't see me as I watched from a distance, her head held high as she disappeared into a taxi. I should have been there...
As much as it broke me, I knew she'd be amazing. She always was. But the price of her dreams was our love, and it was a cost neither of us could escape but still I should have been there...
2024
I stood in the doorway, watching Avery as she made her way across the room on her crutches. Each step was deliberate, her left lower leg and foot held stiff with her knee bent keeping the cast off the floor at all times with her toes fully exposed. The light from the window caught the surface of the cast, giving it a sleek sheen that contrasted with the soft denim of her skirt and the pale pink of the ballet flat on her "uninjured" foot.
Her movements were smooth, practised and graceful. She wasn't burdened by the crutches or the cast, instead, she carried herself with confidence, her ponytail swaying with each step and a faint smile playing on her lips. I couldn't help but notice the way her glasses caught the light when she glanced over at me briefly, as though checking to see if I was watching clearly enjoying herself.
She reached the couch and eased herself down, propping her cast on a cushion with the kind of care that suggested it wasn't just about comfort, it was about savouring the moment. She set the crutches beside her, leaning them against the armrest, and settled back with a sigh. Her fingers brushed idly against the edge of the cast, and there was a look of contentment on her face, like she was exactly where she wanted to be.
She glanced up and caught me watching, her smile widening slightly. "Something on your mind?" she teased, her voice light.
I shook my head, stepping into the room and leaning against the wall. "Just wondering how you make that look so easy," I said honestly.
Her laughter was soft, almost musical. "It's not as hard as it looks," she said, adjusting the cushion under her leg. "You get used to it."
She was wearing a simple yet flattering outfit: a faded denim skirt that ended mid-thigh, snug enough to show off her figure without being tight, paired with a soft white blouse that looked like it might have been made for lounging but still felt put-together. Her right foot, crossed casually beneath the cast, was bare except for a sleek, ballet flat.
Her glasses perched delicately on her nose, and her hair was swept into a loose ponytail that gave her a carefree look. But it wasn't just her outfit that caught my attention, it was her expression. She looked... happy. Peaceful, even. And it was impossible to ignore the faint smile on her lips, like she was holding onto a secret.
"Avery," I said, keeping my tone calm, though my mind was racing, "can we talk about this?" I gestured toward the cast, raising an eyebrow.
She set the magazine down, smoothing her skirt as she did, and tilted her head slightly, studying me. "Sure," she said, but her voice held a cautious edge.
I moved into the room, taking a seat on the edge of the armchair across from her. I didn't want to make her feel cornered, but I couldn't keep holding back my curiosity. "You seem more than happy. You seem comfortable with this, too comfortable for it to be just an inconvenience."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glanced down, her fingers trailing along the smooth black surface of the cast like it was something precious to her.
"And if I am?" she asked, her voice quiet but tinged with defiance.
I leaned back, giving her space. "I'm not judging you, Avery. I just want to understand."
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She looked up at me, her eyes steady. She took a deep breath, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I guess you could say... I'm a 'caster.'" She let the word hang there, watching my reaction. When I didn't say anything, she continued.
"What?"
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 9 to come
K
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Falling in Love...Again chapter 7
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 7
2024 and 2000
"Didn't think you'd actually touch it," she murmured, her voice almost moaning.
"I couldn't resist. There's something... mesmerizing about it, about you." My fingers continued their lazy exploration, loving the contrast between the firm, protective cast and the softness of her skin. Her toes curled slightly at my touch, drawing my attention to the subtle way they flexed, and I felt a strange sense of fascination, almost reverence.
"I always had a weakness for toes. It's... different."
Avery tilted her head, her smile now more thoughtful than teasing. "You're full of surprises, Miles. Sexually attracted to my poor broken limb" Her cast shifted slightly in my hand, as if testing my reaction.
"You are full of mysteries. I can't wait to unravel my dear Avery."
Her laugh was soft, almost shy, as if I'd caught her off guard. "Careful, you might just end up tangled in various sexual fetishes."
"Maybe that's exactly where I want to be," I said, my smile growing wider. "Right by your side, helping you through every step of the rehab of your broken leg."
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her gaze steady and unflinching. "Okay, here's the thing. This cast isn't exactly... necessary. Not in the way you think."
Her words hung in the air, and I blinked, unsure if I'd heard her correctly or if I understood. "Wait...what?"
She leaned back again, licking her lips, her expression playful but tinged with something more serious. "I mean, my leg is fine. I don't need the cast. Not medically, anyway."
I stared at her, trying to process what she'd just said. "Then... why would you wear one?"
She looked away briefly, as if choosing her next words carefully. "It's hard to explain. Let's just say it's something I've always been drawn to. Casts, crutches, they're not just tools to me. They're... comforting, in a weird way. They make me feel... like myself. It's one of my many sexual fetishes."
Her words were measured, but her voice carried a hint of vulnerability I hadn't heard before. I leaned back in my chair, trying to reconcile this new information with the Avery I thought I knew.
"Wow. I mean... I didn't see that coming and yet maybe I did."
"Yeah," she said with a short laugh. "It's not exactly dinner conversation material."
"So, the cast... it's just for you?"
"Pretty much," she said with a shrug. "I like how it feels, how it looks. I like the attention it brings sometimes, but mostly, it's just... me. I know it sounds strange."
"It doesn't...well maybe a bit" I said quickly.
She smiled, the kind of smile that made me feel like I was seeing a part of her no one else ever had. "Thanks for not making it weird."
"Why would I?" I said, returning her smile.
"It's part of you, right? And I kind of like all the parts of you. Also it's not like you would intentionally break your own leg"
January 2000
The first days of the new millennium felt like stepping into uncharted territory, full of promise and endless possibility. Y2K fears had come and gone, and life continued, carrying with it the unmistakable glow of new beginnings. For Avery and me, that glow was something more, it was the spark of a connection we'd been circling for years, finally ignited.
The morning sun was warm as we pulled into the physical therapy center, its rays cutting through the glass of my car. Avery sat in the passenger seat, her crutches neatly beside her. Her leg brace was a stark reminder of the months she'd spent recovering, a journey I'd been fortunate enough to witness up close. She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
"What? You like my long leg brace now?" she asked, brushing a stray strand of red-dyed hair from her face.
"Just admiring how determined and beautiful you are," I said, flashing her a grin.
"Always," she replied with a nod, a flicker of nervous energy beneath her confidence.
Avery moved gracefully on her crutches in the centre, I followed her to the therapy area, trying not to focus on the effortless swing of her hips or the way her brace peeked out from beneath her athletic shorts.
The therapist greeted her warmly and guided her to a wheelchair near the parallel bars. Avery lowered herself into it, her movements confident. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she set her crutches aside. The therapist adjusted the bars, and Avery looked at me briefly, her expression vulnerable.
"Here goes nothing," she said with a soft laugh, gripping the bars. She shifted her weight forward, slowly lifting herself to stand. The brace on her leg supported her as she steadied herself between the bars. My chest tightened as I watched her take her first step for months.
Her left leg, once in a cast that I'd grown used to seeing, moved cautiously forward. She placed her foot down tentatively, testing her strength. Her knee wobbled slightly, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she focused on maintaining her balance.
"You're doing great, Avery," the therapist encouraged.
I couldn't help but feel a wave of admiration, mingled with something deeper, a sexual attraction I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. Her resilience was magnetic, but there was something seeing her partly crippled paired with her strength that made me so turned on sexually.
She took another step, shifting her weight carefully onto her braced leg. Her toes barely touched the floor at first, as if she was testing her limits. Slowly, she allowed more weight to transfer onto her leg, her expression shifting from hesitation to determination. Her fingers tightened around the bars, and she exhaled sharply.
"One more step," the therapist urged.
Her right leg moved again, this time with more confidence. Her face softened into a smile, and she glanced at me, her eyes sparkling with triumph. When the session ended, Avery sat back in the wheelchair, her cheeks flushed and her breathing slightly heavier. I retrieved her crutches, kneeling beside her to hand them over.
"You were amazing there," I said, unable to hide the awe in my voice.
She looked at me, her expression softer now. "I couldn't have done it without you," she admitted, her fingers brushing against mine as she took the crutches. The way she handled her recovery was incredibly sexy.
"You have no idea how much I want you right now," I said, my voice low.
She looked at me, her eyes darkening. "I think I do," she whispered.
Back at her place, we didn't waste time with small talk. As soon as the door closed behind us, Avery leaned against it, dropped her crutches, her breath coming in short gasps. My hands roamed over her body, tracing the curve of her waist, the swell of her hips.
She broke away, her chest heaving. "I want you to touch me, I want you to touch my broken leg, remove my brace. Make me feel it all."
I knelt down in front of her, my hands running up her thigh, stopping at the edge of her shorts. I could see the outline of her leg brace, the way it hugged her leg. I looked up at her, my eyes meeting hers.
"Is this okay? Are you sure?" I asked, my voice soft.
She nodded, licking her lips, her breath coming in short gasps. "Yes, please."
I removed her brace and leaned in, my mouth against the broken leg. I could feel the heat of her skin, the way her breath hitched as I kissed her. I traced the long scars with my tongue, my hand cupping her other thigh, pulling her closer to me.
"I want more," she said, her voice urgent.
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 8 to come
K
Friday, November 29, 2024
Falling in Love...Again chapter 6
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 6
2024
The next morning, I couldn't shake the memory of Avery, her laugh and her touch. Seeing her again after all these years had reopened a door I thought was sealed shut, and I couldn't stop myself from walking through it. A few days later, I found myself standing outside her house, coffee in hand and nerves buzzing with my heart pounding like a teenager on a first date.
When she opened the door, she was wearing a loose sweater and black leggings with a running shoe on her one foot. Her cast was just as striking as before, sleek and black, with a cosy grey wool sock pulled over the lower portion.
"You're spoiling me already," she teased, nodding at the coffee in my hand. "Come on in before the neighbours start wondering what you're doing on my porch."
Her home was warm and inviting, filled with little touches of her personality. A guitar leaned in the corner, and framed photos lined the shelves, some of her punk band days, others more recent, including some of her with a younger woman both smiling.
"I see you've still got your rebellious streak," I said, gesturing to the photos.
She laughed, a sound that instantly put me at ease. "Some things never change."
We settled into her small living room, sipping coffee and talking about everything and nothing. It felt easy, natural, like no time had passed at all. But as the conversation deepened, the weight of our shared history began to creep in.
"Do you remember that Millennium Night?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned back, cradling her mug. "How could I forget? You were the one who kept me upright most of the night. My broken leg wasn't as easy to deal with as I made it look, you know."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You made it look effortless. Like you could take on the world, even with a broken leg."
Her smile softened, and for a moment, the air between us felt heavy with unspoken words. "I had a lot of good memories back then," she said quietly. "And you... you were a big part of them and some changed my life."
The warmth in her voice stirred something in me. "You know, I never forgot about you," I admitted.
She met my gaze, her expression unreadable. "I never forgot you, either, trust me."
The moment hung in the air, charged with possibility. Just then, her phone buzzed on the table, breaking the spell. She glanced at it and sighed.
"Work," she said before realizing that it was a very bad lie since it was Saturday, setting the mug down and reaching for her crutches. "But... How about dinner tomorrow? My treat this time."
I stood, taking a step closer to her. "I'd like that."
Driving away, I couldn't stop smiling. Avery had a way of pulling me back into her orbit, and this time, I wasn't about to let her slip away and yet I wondered who was calling her?
The next evening, I arrived at the restaurant a little early, nerves twisting in my stomach. I couldn't help but replay our conversation from the day before, the warmth in her voice when she said she hadn't forgotten me.
Avery entered the room like she owned it, balancing effortlessly on her crutches. Tonight, she wore a lovely dress. The hem stopped just below her knee, revealing the black cast with her toes fully exposed and her strong right leg. She paired it with a single stiletto heel pump on her good foot, a bold choice that somehow seemed normal for Avery.
"You look amazing," I said, standing to pull out her chair.
"Flattery will get you everywhere," she teased, flashing a grin as she kissed my lips, sat down and propped her crutches against the table.
"So, you mentioned yesterday that you're teaching now?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yeah, high school English and theatre. It's a good gig. I get to introduce kids to all the classics, Shakespeare, Austen, even some modern stuff. Sometimes I'll sneak in a little poetry to throw them off."
"I can see it," I said, smiling. "You always had a way with words. Do your students know about your punk band days?"
She laughed, a soft blush creeping into her cheeks. "A few of them found some old videos online. They think it's hilarious that their teacher used to scream into a microphone and jump off amps. I tell them it was all part of my research."
"You mean you're not still doing it?" I joked.
"Not exactly, teaching takes a lot out of me, but it's rewarding. And, well..." She gestured toward her cast. "Life has its curve balls. This isn't my first rodeo with crutches and cast."
I wanted to press her, to ask what she meant by that, but the look in her eyes stopped me. There was a vulnerability there, something she wasn't ready to share yet.
"You make it look easy,"
"Thanks, but it's not. You just learn to adapt. That's life, isn't it?"
There it was again, that hint of something deeper beneath her words. But before I could gather the courage to ask, the waiter returned with our check, breaking the moment.
As we stood to leave, she leaned on her crutches and gave me a playful look. "You're quiet tonight, Miles. Got something on your mind?"
"Just trying to keep up with you."
She laughed, her cast inches off the floor as she moved toward the door. "Good luck with that."
As she glanced back over her shoulder and caught my eye, her smile told me she wasn't in a hurry either. This connection we'd found again was fragile, delicate, and I wasn't about to risk shattering it.
The night was winding down, and we found ourselves sitting on the patio of a small, cozy café. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain, and the soft glow of string lights overhead made the moment feel almost surreal. Avery was relaxed, leaning back in her chair, her crutches propped beside her. Her broken leg rested comfortably on an empty chair, her exposed toes painted red catching the light.
"Thanks for tonight," She smiled, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her coffee cup.
"Can I ask you something?" I ventured, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Sure," she said, tilting her head in curiosity.
"It's about your cast," I said, careful to keep my tone light. "You've mentioned that crutches and casts aren't new for you, but you've never said how it happened. I remember in 1999 but what's the story and is it only your second time on crutches?"
Avery's lips curved into a knowing smile, one that sent a flicker of intrigue through me.
"You've been wondering about that all night, haven't you?" Avery asked, her voice low and teasing, her lips curving into a sly smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
I laughed, a little sheepishly, caught off guard by her perceptiveness. "Guilty"
She raised an eyebrow, looking at her cast with her toes bare and vulnerable to the cool air. Her gaze flicked back to me, daring me to make a move.
Without overthinking, I leaned down, letting my hand hover for a moment before it gently cradled the edge of her cast. My fingers traced exposed toes. Slowly, I caressed the cast on her foot, my thumb brushing over her toes in an unhurried, deliberate motion.
Her breath accelerated slightly, her playful demeanour softening as her eyes followed my movements.
"Didn't think you'd actually..." she murmured, her voice almost moaning.
Falling in Love...Again
Chapter 7 to come
K