*~~Chapter Three~~*

{~~Avery Sterling~~}

The next morning I woke up feeling like my body was tired, and just in need of more sleep. I’m still Avery Sterling. Logan wanted to keep his last name for himself. This is truly the most humiliating thing I’ve done. I got out of bed, unable to sit with the shame but still hopeful that I could turn this thing around.

I did my regular morning stretch, checked the time, and noted that I had two hours until I started my first shift as a medic alpha’s nurse. One who is also my roommate. I wanted to smile, but the shame was still there.

I did this. No one forced me. I could have left. I could have left and told them all to fuck themselves. Kept some semblance of self-worth. I sighed and finished the last of my stretches.

I went into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face. The girl in the mirror is beautiful. The girl in the mirror is worth it. I am worth a lot more than what I was given. It is not my fault they didn’t pay attention to me.

I had to go to therapy after leaving this pack. I feel like I’m undoing my progress for him. But people don’t understand. The Logan I watched from afar was a charming stud who cared so much about helping him. I would listen to him talk over and over while Ava pretended to listen.

I was paying attention to how he smiled when he helped someone, or when he saw her. The him that nearly got heart eyes whenever he was around her. He loved to discuss the process of healing someone who’s been hurt. Someone who thought they didn’t stand a chance at life. He was.... admirable. Gorgeous. Incredible to be around.

And the downside might be that he didn’t take any interest in me.

I exited the bathroom, I needed coffee. I always drink it before I take a bath. I located the big kitchen on the down floor. The smell of coffee brewing hit my nose. I leaned over to see Logan. Shirtless from the waist up. He wore low-hanging black sweatpants, and I tried not to gawk at him.

Instead, I entered the kitchen. He turned his head slightly, giving me a once-over. Then he snickered.

“I never noticed the obvious differences between you and Ava.”

I started to feel self-conscious about my choice of sleepwear. When I went to bed I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I did know you were Ava’s twin but I didn’t notice anything else. Not even the way you speak, or the way you dress.” he walked closer, bringing a hand up to touch my hair. Ava had the curly blonde hair, while mine was the straight one that couldn’t keep a curl for more than an hour,

“Your hair color is also wrong. Like a dirty blonde. Your eyes aren’t as blue. You’re not as curvy as she is. You’re also a bit slimmer, and that’s not a good thing. She was plumpy in the right areas, you... eh. All these differences, I hadn’t noticed. The only thing you have going for you is your brain. I contacted the university you graduated from in other to get a reference for your job, and they spoke highly of you. Apparently, several medic alphas want you as their nurse. But then again, that’s not really special. What is brains with no beauty to back it up?” he sighed, sounding disappointed. “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. I didn’t marry you out of love, so I don’t need to like you. I just need you to be a vice, my rebound. Ava and I were going to spend the rest of our lives together. I think she’ll still come back. And you need to know, that’s when I’ll consider it a true marriage.”

My mind circled. Trying to process his criticism, his insults, and then his last words.

“You plan on taking her back?”

His hand moves to my cheek, my skin lights up from the warmth of his touch.

“I think she and I can work this out. You’re my key to getting her back.”

I parted my mouth to ask what he meant, but Logan tipped my chin. Locking his eyes with mine, and my ears nearly exploded from the sound of my heart beating fast. His thumb drew circles around my cheek.

“Ava rarely spoke about you. The only time she did was when you got accepted into Cayman University. You left before her. She didn’t like the idea of you doing something before her. If she gets news that you and I are together, she’ll come back to me. She’ll realize she was wrong about her so-called perfect alpha.”

He sounds.... heartbroken, and making rash decisions. For fuck sake, he sounds like me. And hearing words like that as they came off the mouth of someone I was hard-core crushing on left me feeling like I’d been shot in the foot.

I was still dealing with the fact that I was a rebound, and bait to make my sister jealous when his lips touched mine. I froze.

He’s kissing me.

Logan Grey is kissing me. My lashes fluttered until I shut my eyes. I returned the kiss, matching his pace. Letting the feelings coursing through me. The desire was incredible. The feel of his lips, the brush of his tongue over my lips. My heart was in an uneven pattern. The nights I spent dreaming about-

logan pulled back abruptly. “You’ll get better at it. Ava was good at everything. And you’re still a loner. That was a first kiss for you, wasn’t it? It shows. It’s not very good. Like kissing a washing machine.”

I recoiled and cupped a hand over my mouth. Logan was already walking back to the coffee maker. He poured himself a cup, before speaking once more. I was embarrassed, feeling humiliated.

That was not my first kiss. But the first guy to kiss me wanted me to think he liked me so he could ask my sister out. And now someone else is doing the same thing.

This feels like high school all over again.

“As my nurse, you’re going to be up to date with all my work. My theories of healing. The different ways to heal and treat injuries and diseases. You’re going to be at my side for each-”

“I know all this.”

He cocks a smile. “Like I said, you got your brain going for you. I’m going to need to see that in the hospital. Today is a Monday, which means we’re working extra hard. Do you have any questions before we have to get ready?”

I scanned his face, remembering how he’d kissed and insulted me. I can see the dimple revealed in his smile and the emptiness in his eyes. This man doesn’t see me as anything but a vice to help him get back his true love. He doesn’t want me here but I am determined to change his view.

I swallowed back the pain that was gripping my spine, that was choking me. My anxiety was crazy, forcing my hands to shake. I forced a smile.

“Um, why aren’t you wearing a ring?”

“Why would I?”

Another blow to me. I nod and decide to forget about having coffee. “I’m going to go take a shower. I’ll see you at the office.”

He nods but says nothing more. I ran off, not letting myself break down until I was in my room. I dropped to my knees by the bed. I found that I could cry, but my body was shaking. I can do this. Look, it might seem crazy but this is my one shot to have a chance with Logan. He might think there can be nothing between us right now but that can change quite fast.

Ava wasn’t into him that much until he spent a year pining after her. I know I can do this. I can make him fall for me. I am not just smart. My college experience was entertaining. It was amazing. I was complimented, and hit on, I excelled in my classes. My part-time job gave me more than enough money so I didn’t have to rely on my family.

I can do this. I strengthened my resolve and got to my feet. I showered and got ready. Putting on a black jumpsuit and a pair of matching block heels. I put my hair up in a ponytail, took my bag with all my essentials, and went back down. I left the house without waiting for him.

On the drive to Heart Inc. Where he works, I received a call from Aisha.

“Hey, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you.”

“I know. Look, I’m sorry. What I said was uncalled for, I was just so disappointed. You married the guy. And not the dream princess wedding you wanted, just some bland wedding that makes me feel sorry for you. What are you doing, Avery? Do you think this will change his mind?”

I thought about telling her that he kissed me, and the things he said, but opted out of it. She already hates him, I don’t need to add to that.

“It’s complicated. Look, even if I’d gotten over him, the house my parents were in was in a piss-poor stage. They were going to be on the streets, and I’m not cruel enough to let it happen.”

“But that’s not your real reason.” Aisha countered. She knows me all too well.

“I know. I’m a disaster around him. But Aisha, he’s hurting badly. He actually thinks marrying me will get Ava back to him. She’s off with some millionaire alpha who runs his own pack. She won’t be coming back.”

“Is she though? Where would she have met this millionaire alpha? And last I checked, the Grey family are billionaires. They don’t need to work to get what they want. But they do.”

I remember sparing them a glance at the court. They looked just as bored as their son. I must have been presented as a fool during it.

I cringed at the thought but let it wash away with the hope that I could make it work with Logan. He says one thing now but I know I can change his mind. I just know it.

But I have to try first.

“yeah, they’re wealthy. But Ava wanted something more-”

“Your sister is a bitch. I love you, you know that. We’ve been best friends since we were toddlers. I know how you feel about him. Promise me, promise me that if Ava comes back you won’t be stupid enough to challenge her for him. You won’t let him decide between the two of you. Because you know how this story ends. He’ll pick her. And you’ll be left shattered more than anything.”

I could barely even breathe as she finished speaking. It could be different.

“Promise me.”

“I promise. If she comes back, and she wants him, I won’t stay for them to hurt me more.”

“Good, that’s all I ask. Let your last decision be yours. You’ll know you tried, but when it inevitably fails-” I choked on my saliva as I swallowed. “You have to be the one to let go.”

God, I hope she doesn’t come back.