[AVA] “You’re dating Sean Edwards?” Mom asked as she followed me into the kitchen while I poured myself a glass of water. “It’s not a big deal, mom. Relax.” I said, maybe for the fifth time since I woke up and found her standing at the foot of my bed, probably contemplating waking me up by bringin
I wasn't as foresighted as they were. I still wasn't. I couldn't read between the lines. I couldn't see the signs. It wasn't until my then-boyfriend Xavier Montero pressured me to sleep with not one but three of his best friends that I saw him for who he truly was. An A-grade motherfucking asshole
[AVA] After relieving dad from watching over Max the entire previous night, I made sure to walk him to the elevator before turning around, heading back into Max’s care unit and punching my brother straight across his face. Max groaned, startled and infuriated by my attempt to bruise him, given his
I knew he would say the same thing, yet something in my chest fluttered anyway. How could anybody imagine this man could hurt me? Why were Brian and Mom so determined to split us up? I knew our relationship was a sham and only existed to save him from confronting his parents, but we were still frie
[BRIAN] “Dad, I’m so sorry!” Kian winced, and probably said for the fifteenth time, not that I had been keeping a count. My headspace had been a jumble of its own kind, not a single straight thought that I could recognize as my own. That is what happens when you trust your kid with your phone. The
Back in the present, I breathed into my chest and turned to face Kian. He looked upset. But to be honest, I might have been overreacting. Ava wouldn’t think much of it if we told her what exactly happened. I just hope she hadn’t already cooked up some bizarre opinion about me. Like some creepy old g
I thought that was an answer good enough. He wasn’t ready to be open about it just yet. I wondered if that should concern me or should I just leave him be. After all, pushing him to talk about it may disrupt whatever dynamic we'd managed to establish between us. When the elevator doors opened and
[MAX] When I walk into the Hollyday bar, it’s like moving back to the 70s when the music was groovier and girls wore halter tops and jumpsuits. Sure, the men here wore more leather jackets and knuckle rings than polyester leisure suits, but it was exactly what made this whole thing so dangerous. I
[BRIAN]When I pull up at Ava’s old address, I have only one goal in mind.To find Max and get the hell out.Why? Because this place always gave me the creeps. Not only is it the most notorious part of the city, but it’s also slightly dangerous.When Dean and his family went bankrupt years ago, I di
He walks back to the couch, and for the first time, I notice a camera that’s already been set up.My stomach tightens.He grabs the camera stand with one hand and drags it closer to where I am. Adjusting the angle, he makes sure it focuses directly on me. Then he straightens, his gaze locking onto m
[AVA]I might have lost consciousness because the next time I open my eyes, the bright lights make me wince and squeeze them shut again.“Ah…” I whimper, only then realizing my ankle is badly bruised.“You’re awake.”A deep male voice rings in my ears, and I look up—only to find the same staff guy w
[AVA]Once Brian leaves, I sink back onto the couch, my fingers dialing Max’s number again.Maybe if he picks up, I can convince him to drop by on his own, and Brian wouldn’t have to go.But every call goes unanswered. And the more I try to convince myself it’s no big deal—that Max is just being him
I run my fingers through his wet hair. “Because I can’t stop thinking about what happens next. About who’s behind this. About how this doesn’t just affect me but everyone around me.”“You don’t have to figure everything out right this second, Ava.”“I know,” I whisper, but knowing and believing are
[AVA]I finally feel a little better—enough to let Brian freshen up after his long flight.He kisses me on the forehead and promises to join me soon.Maybe he knows that if I’m left alone, my mind will start spiraling again, drowning me in guilt. And once that happens, I won’t be able to focus on an
I unlock the door and pull the door open, only to find his familiar handsome face looking back at me.He’s dressed in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, and I don’t think he could look any better.I know, I know. I probably sound like some horny bitch, but I don’t care. It’s Brian. And being horny
[AVA]After dropping me off at Brian’s penthouse, Aaron insists on staying until Brian returns.But I can clearly see the disinterest on his face—he can’t stand another bored minute with me. So, I do what I know is right.I ask him to leave.Maybe out of formality, he insists once more that he doesn
[AVA]“I’m sure she didn’t mean it, Ava,” Miranda tries to say, but she might as well accept that her daughter will never see me as someone to be trusted.Whatever I’ve done to piss this woman off, one thing is certain—I don’t care anymore. I neither have the time to bother myself with her nonsense