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.

but my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn, not disappearing

15:19

Ava: Calling

it means or

wanted to talk to me?” he

the phone to my other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and

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

I’m still worried. I want to know how you’re doing. If you’re okay, if you’re healthy, if you’re

healing.”

so I’m not alone. I’m sure you know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash

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

miss you,

startling that I almost drop

15:19

Ava: Calling

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

much?

feel awful about myself.

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

Clayton.

his voice breaks

nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care

stranger.

my own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has done much better.

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

her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

the Aund of thing I should apologize for. He knows

now, though

words are like

wavelengths. It sounds like I’ve said something that’s soothed him in some

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

almost hear his happiness at my 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

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

YES, YES, YES! at me. “It’s the same one I’m

call

to him again today, but how