Tangled

99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

A plastic thud startles me awake. I crack open an eye to see Lisa’s alarm clock skitter across the floor, her arm still extended from the throw. O

“I can’t do this anymore,” she moans into her pillow. “Everything hurts. I think my eyelashes are sore.”

I laugh, but it turns into a groan as I slide out of bed, my muscles screaming in protest. Four days of Jericho’s training from hell, and my body still hasn’t adjusted. I’m not sure it ever will.

“Do you think the bodyguards would murder Jericho if we asked nicely?” Lisa’s voice is muffled, her face still buried in her pillow.

“Stop dreaming.” I limp to the bathroom, each step an agony. “And get ready. You know he’ll just make it worse if we’re late.”

Lisa’s groan follows me as I shut the door, a smile tugging at my lips despite the pain. As much as I hate the early mornings and the constant ache in my muscles, there’s a part of me that relishes the challenge. Each day I push myself further, each day I

1332

112

99 Ava: Life in Westwood (IV)

grow stronger.

Selene would be proud.

The thought sobers me as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Four days, and still no sign of her. I’m starting to wonder if she’ll ever come back. If I’ll ever be whole again.

I splash water on my face, the cold shock chasing away the melancholy thoughts. I can’t afford to dwell on what I’ve lost. Not when I have so much to gain.

By the time I emerge from the bathroom, Lisa is up and dressed, her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. She shoots me a baleful look as she tugs on her

sneakers.

“I hate you for being a morning person.”

“I’m not a morning person,” I protest, grabbing my water bottle. “I’m just better at pretending than you

are.”

Lisa snorts, but there’s a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “Fake it till you make it, right?”

that.” I take a deep breath, steeling myself for

13:37

217

in Westwood (IV)

stretches out her legs. “But let’s

We don’t have to check. Of course it’s Kellan. Here to pick us up, just

yanks open the door, eyeing Kellan with exasperation. “Don’t you

remains impassive. “There’s nothing in my life more important than you.”

have here? But before I can needle

day of his disapproval and disdain. I’m

us, his scarred face set

“You’re late.”

aring at him “We’ll make it un

in

you. How about we bring donuts tomorrow? All you can eat, if we can just take

games? Fine. Run

a groan, shooting Lisa a glare. She shrugs, unrepentant, and takes off at

and a trainer who seems to hate us.

complain, I know I need this.

Selene. For myself. For whatever comes next.

through the pain. One foot

snails, Jericho points out, like he does every damn day -my legs burn. Lactic acid (something I’ve learned about in recent days) scorches my muscles, a deep,

Ava Life in Westwood

crimson

Now.” Jericho’s command cuts through the haze of exhaustion, his tone brooking no

argument.

thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

my head, wincing as the movement sends a fresh wave of agony through my body. “Sorry, Jericho. My legs have officially died. I’m going

into a sneer. “Well, aren’t you two being real fucking cute today?”

a silent acknowledgment that we’ve pushed our luck too far. Jericho’s patience, it seems, has reached

eyes narrowing to icy

choose.”

a leaden weight in my chest. Neither option appeals, not with

the alternative–incurring Jericho’s

in Westwood (IV)

likes coming

hard, my mouth dry as I force the

“Practice,” she echoes, her voice a hoarse

is a razor’s edge, sharp and unforgiving.