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.

my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn, not

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

means or why my

to talk to me?” he says,

to my other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a

you since everything happened. I figured

want to know how you’re doing. If you’re okay,

healing.”

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

the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I

miss you,

so startling that I almost drop the

15:19

Calling Clayton

I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him?

much?

to feel

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

Clayton.

you?” The hope in his voice breaks my

nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He

stranger.

me locked away for my own

like the sound of his voice in my ear,

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

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

frown at his odd

15:10

seems like the Aund of thing I should

now, though

Ava is words are like a caress, and I

we’re on slightly different 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 of novels early and

can almost hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling

what it is.

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

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

YES, YES, YES! at

I call you

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