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.

daily soreness from exercise remains

15:19

Ava: Calling

what it means or why my

to

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

you since everything happened. I figured

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

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, so I won’t rehash it. I’m glad I’m not with my

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

miss you,

that I almost drop the

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

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

much?

feel awful

haven’t even thought about Lucas very much. Well, not a lot… but a lot more than

Clayton.

you?” The hope in his voice breaks my

Steadfast. He took care of

stranger.

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

in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor changes when my heat has him consumed.

Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other end, so she has

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

at his odd question. “About

15:10

the Aund of

now, though

is words are like a caress, and

said something that’s soothed

website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

response, and that niggling feeling inside of

what it is.

on Ivy. I guess I’ll let you go.

number Clayton blurts out. “Give me your number, so I

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

call you tonight?”

but how can I say no when he