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

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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?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for

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Life in Westwood

Lisa stands, wincing as she stretches out her legs. “But let’s

don’t have to check. Of course it’s Kellan.

exasperation. “Don’t you have anything

impassive. “There’s nothing in my life

a blush creeps up her cheeks. Well, well. What do we have here? But before

day of his disapproval and disdain. I’m really starting to like him, but also

predicted, he’s waiting for us, his

scowl. “You’re

aring at

Lile in Westwood (IV)

you can eat, if we can just take

“You want to play games? Fine. Run

unrepentant, and takes off at a jog. I follow,

mornings, aching muscles, and a trainer who seems to hate us. But

need this. Need to be stronger, faster, better.

For whatever comes next.

pain. One foot in front of the other.

-my legs burn. Lactic acid (something I’ve learned about in recent days) scorches my muscles, a deep,

Ava Life in Westwood (IV)

flushed crimson from

through the haze

argument.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website

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

scarred face twisting into a sneer. “Well, aren’t you two being real fucking cute

exchange a glance, a silent acknowledgment that we’ve pushed our luck too far. Jericho’s

options,” he growls, his eyes narrowing to icy slits. “Practice or spar. You’ve got two seconds

choose.”

Neither option appeals, not with my body screaming for

the alternative–incurring Jericho’s

Life in Westwood

far worse. He likes coming up

my mouth dry as I force the words past my

grim. “Practice,” she echoes, her voice a hoarse whisper.

a razor’s edge,