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.

1/7

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

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

not sure what it means

to talk to me?”

other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama,

talked with you since everything happened. I figured you would be worried.”

to know how you’re doing. If you’re

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

in the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder what he

miss you, Ava.”

is so startling that I almost drop

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

supposed to answer? I don’t miss

much?

I’m starting to feel awful

not a lot…

Clayton.

you?” The hope in his voice breaks my

a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He

stranger.

also kept me locked away for my own safety, but

to other things, like the sound of his voice in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor changes

shake my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

odd question.

15:10

Us It seems like the Aund of

now, though

are like a caress, and

that’s soothed him in some way. T’ll never hold

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling inside

what it is.

just calling to check on Ivy. I guess I’ll let

out. “Give me your number, so I can call

number?” Lisa’s nodding enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at me. “It’s the same one I’m

I call

but how can