Tangled

101 Ava: Calling Clayton

A plate of mixed greens, topped with an obscene amount of sliced chicken and shredded cheese, is slid

in front of me as I wait for Clayton to answer the phone,

There’s a lot of sound in the background, and I can hear Vester shouting that I’m on the line.

Stabbing a bite of salad, I crunch at it, the sound grating against my eardrums as I wait.

“Ava?” Clayton’s voice, usually so strong and assured, wavers with a vulnerability that catches me off guard. The sound tugs at my heart, a pang of guilt piercing through the layers of confusion that has settled

between us.

I should have asked Lucas to let me talk to him a long time ago. He’s probably been worried. He’s too responsible and caring to have just let things go without wondering how I’m doing.

I’m a terrible person.

I never really thought about him in this time.

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101 Ava Calling Clayton

“Hey,” I manage, my throat tightening around the word. “How… how have you been?”

Lisa’s eyebrows shoot up at the sound of my words, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that suggests she’s hanging on every word. I ignore her, focusing instead on the static–laden silence stretching across the connection.

“How are you feeling?” Clayton asks, dodging my question with one of his own. “Are you healing alright?”

There’s a lump in my throat at the sound of his

concern. Damn. I swallow hard. “I’m fine,” I assure him, though the words feel hollow even to my own ears. “I actually called because… well, I was worried about Ivy. I wanted to know how she’s doing. And I wanted to talk to you.”

He’s silent for a long time. “Ivy’s doing well. She’s healing, but slowly. She doesn’t heal much faster than

humans.”

I know that pain.

have healed, but my daily soreness from

15:19

Calling Clayton

not sure what it means or why my body’s

to me?” he says, hesitant.

as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current love life is her biggest

with you since everything happened. I figured

how you’re doing.

healing.”

best friend is here, so I’m not alone. I’m sure you know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash it. I’m glad I’m not with my parents anymore.”

background has disappeared since he answered

miss you, Ava.”

is so startling that I almost drop the

15:19

Calling

How else am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him? I don’t think of him

much?

I’m starting to feel

very much. Well, not a lot… but a lot more than I ever think about

Clayton.

you?” The hope in his voice breaks my heart.

miss him. He’s a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even

stranger.

kept me locked away for my own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has done much

things, like the sound of his voice in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor changes when my heat has him

floods my cheeks, and I shake my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other end, so

haven’t chosen

his odd

15:10

about him. Us It seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize

now, though

care. Ava is words are like a caress, and

like I’ve said something that’s soothed him in some way.

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

and that niggling feeling inside of me grows. I’m not

what it is.

I was just calling to check on Ivy. I guess I’ll let you go. I’m

out. “Give me your number, so

Lisa’s nodding enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at me. “It’s

call you

again today, but how can I say no when he asks me