Page 84 of My Never
I kiss her wrist again as she nods in agreement that I’m moving in. It’s not how I wanted to bring it up, but life never takes into consideration what you want.
“I need a second to calm down,” I say, bending to kiss her lips softly. I don’t want her to ever be scared of me, but Eric? Eric should definitely be scared of me. “I’ll be outside for a few minutes looking around to make sure I didn’t miss anything.” She nods again as I walk out the back door.
I pick up my phone and dial Colin.
“Hey, what’s up? Ready for the bonfire tomorrow night?”
“Fuckface let himself into Ava’s place at some point last night and again today while she was in the bathtub. He was also waiting for her after work. He left bruises on her wrist, Colin.”
“He what?!” I hear the same righteous anger color his words. I hear Sydney in the background asking what happened.
“Tell her to call Ava. I needed to step outside for a minute to calm down. She’s seen enough anger today already.”
“Fuck that, we’re coming over to figure some shit out.”
“See you in a few.” I end the call, looking around at her garden. He picked some of her petunias earlier. From where? Did he leave anything else for her to find? I walk around the pond and the house, looking for anything he may have done or left behind. I find the spot where he got his handful. He picked off every single flower from a pot next to the front porch window and left them in a pile. Like he wanted her to know he’s been watching her. I check the angle, and he could have easily seen us screwing in the kitchen or on the couch that one night. An angry shiver skitters along my spine at the thought of him watching us. It’s sick.
Colin’s truck slips into the drive, and Sydney hops out, scurrying for the front door. She sees the pile of flowers I’m looking at, stops short, but shakes her head before pushing through the front door. Colin looks to be finishing a phone call in the truck. Trystan’s truck pulls in right behind Colin’s just a few minutes later as Colin is shutting his truck door.
If Trystan’s here, then the whole gang is on its way. Sure enough, I see Garrett’s truck coming from the other way. I sigh, thankful for the found family we have but hating that this is why they’re here.
“Is Ava ok?” Trystan asks as he jogs up to the house.
“She’s okay. Sydney’s inside with her,” I answer as they all reach the porch. Jane and Holly don’t bother saying hi as they rush inside like Sydney had.
“He’s been watching her through the front window,” I answer as they look down to the pile of petunias at my feet. “I removed the spare key from out back. We have to change the locks tomorrow. I’m moving in.”
They all nod in agreement. There’s no way any of us would let her stay alone.
“We’ll all help install the locks so it gets done quickly. We’re not going to let that asshole ruin the weekend,” Garrett mutters.
“Thanks, guys.”
“Cameras?” Trystan asks.
“Getting a couple of them too.”
“What does she have around here for protection?” Garrett asks.
“I’ll need to make a run back to my place.”
“Fuck. Who would’ve thought after all these years?” Garrett wonders aloud.
“I saw the way he looked at her in the grocery store. It was nasty. This isn’t so much about wanting her back as it is keeping anyone else from having her. He wants her to be as miserable as he is. He didn’t like when I told him he’d never have her again. I challenged him.”
“Man, you couldn’t have known it’d turn into this,” Colin says, trying to ease my worries. Fact is, I still started it.
???
Ava
I’m sitting at the kitchen island with Sydney when Holly and Jane haul ass through the front door.
“That motherfucker laid his hands on you?” Jane practically screeches as she stops in front of my barstool, holding her arms out for a hug. I sink into them while she rubs my back and squeezes me tightly. “Did he leave marks? Garrett mentioned that Colin said there are marks. Show me.” Her mom tone leaves zero room for argument. I hold up my wrist for her to see, and she snarls like a mama bear. I’d hate to be the one to piss off any of her future children.
“He better pray none of those men out there, ormefor that matter, run into him.” Fire laces her tone, matching the flames dancing in her eyes. I’m suddenly glad to have her in my corner.
Holly’s in the fridge, searching for wine. She pulls out a block of extra sharp cheddar cheese as well. We all let out a litany of ‘gimme some of that’, ‘fuck yeah, bring on the cheese’, and ‘mmm, cheese’. You can guess which answer was Jane’s. We all chuckle as Sydney goes to grab glasses and plates to put the cheese on. I have the best friends any girl could dream of having. They feed my soul. I’d be lost without them.
