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.

but my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn,

15:19

Calling Clayton

haste. I’m not sure what it means or why my body’s acting

to me?”

as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a

since everything happened. I figured you

I’m still worried. I want to know how you’re doing. If

healing.”

really well.” I sound lame. “My best friend is here, so I’m not alone. I’m sure you know everything that happened by now,

is unnerving. The cacophony in the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder what he was doing before

miss you, Ava.”

is so startling that I almost

15:19

Ava: Calling

miss you, too.” How else am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him? I

much?

feel awful about

much. Well, not a lot… but a lot more than

Clayton.

hope in his voice breaks my heart.

nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care

stranger.

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

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

as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other end, so she has no

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

frown at his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

the Aund of thing I should apologize for. He knows

now, though

is words are like a caress, and I

It sounds like I’ve said something that’s soothed him in some way. T’ll never hold that against

know” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

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

what it is.

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

blurts out. “Give me your number, so

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

call you

talking to him again today, but how can I say no