I shrug, not knowing what to say. I agreed to come with her to the roof because I needed a distraction, and being near her always managed to do just that. I feel like I can forget about all my worries when she’s around. She’s just that amazing.“Brian?”I sigh. “I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know how to
[MAX]“Alright. See you tomorrow, Max!” Miles calls out to me, heading towards his car parked at the end of the street. I nod and wave, watching his car disappear into the darkness, then let out a sigh.My feet feel like they’re about to give way, the exhaustion from today’s shift starting to wear m
We make our way inside the building, the dog following me obediently. I unlock the door to my apartment and let the dog in, then place the bag of groceries on the kitchen counter.I grab a bowl from the cupboard and fill it with water, then place it on the floor. The dog immediately goes for it, lap
[AVA]It takes me a while to realize that the annoying sound that refuses to cease is not coming from my cellphone but from the main door. Someone is ringing the doorbell, and the way they have been going at it for the past five minutes, I can tell it’s either someone drunk or someone high. I really
“Your parents?” His eyes widen, and I can tell he’s just as surprised as I was. He checks the time, his brows furrowing. “Weren’t they supposed to—”“Return at noon, yes. But apparently, things changed, and they’re here now.”Brian gets up and starts buttoning up his shirt. I try my hardest not to s
[AVA]I find Mom and Dad in the kitchen, making coffee. Mom is busy grumbling under her breath while Dad is busy staring at the empty cupboard, looking annoyed.“Where the hell are mugs?” Dad asks when he turns around to find me standing in the doorway.I point towards the dishwasher, which I comple
He looks at me, then at Mom, then at Dad, and then at me again before he grows redder than a fucking tomato.I cover my face with my hands, unable to believe that this is happening right now. Why? Why? Why? Why did he have to come out at this exact moment? Why?Mom clears her throat. “Kian?”Kian lo
[AVA]I hold back the urge to bury my face in my palms and pray for someone to take me out of there. The tension is thick in the air, and it’s suffocating me.Mom, however, chooses to ignore it and walks towards Brian with a bright smile. “Good morning, Brian. You’re just in time for breakfast.”“Mo
“Someone has been threatening Ava?” He stands up so fast it almost makes me dizzy. “Who the fuck would do that? And why? What did she do?”“Your guess is as good as mine,” I say, shaking my head and running a hand through my hair, already tired of this whole messed-up situation. “I don’t know why sh
[BRIAN]Brooke leads me to her apartment next door—apparently, that’s her name, as she told me before she allowed me to follow her.She opens the door and steps inside. But just as I take a step in, a big, fluffy thing barks and growls at me from inside.Alright. One thing about me: I’m not very con
[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