“Check the underwear drawer. Take the red one; it’s my favorite,” I tell her as I pick up my phone. “And Chlo?”
“What?”
“I love you, and I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Aw, I love you too. You know you’re my favorite person in the whole world.” She blows me a kiss and saunters to the bathroom, probably to get my toiletries.
I know I have to mentally prepare myself to speak to Logan or else I will have my third heart attack of the year, so I take a deep breath in and let it out through my nose, hoping it will be enough. With trembling fingers, I dial Emily’s number since I don’t even have Logan’s. My stomach bottoms out when Logan picks up instead.
“Ava, baby, thank fuck. Where are you? We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“I, um…” Turns out the breathing wasn’t enough. Clearing my throat, I try again. “I’m home…I managed to find my way home.”
“Listen to me, baby, please. I fucked up bad. I should have told you everything, but I got caught up in what was happeningbetween us. I know I don’t have any excuse, but I want to explain everything to you. It’s not what you think.”
And I hate my simpering whimpering little heart, but hope filters strongly through my veins at hearing his words. “It’s not?” I breathe.
“I’ll tell you everything. I need to see you. I’ve been going crazy since you ran off.”
“That’s why I called, so we can talk. Can we meet somewhere?”
“I’ll come to your place. This is not a discussion we can have in a public place where anyone can overhear.”
“’Kay.”
“I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“See you then,” I say and hang up as Chloe comes back from the bathroom and dumps all my toiletries in my overnight bag.
“What did he say?” she asks as she strides to the couch and plops down beside me.
“He’s coming here to talk.”
“Oh, then I’ll probably need to make myself scarce. I kind of want to meet him, though, and dick-punch him for making you cry. I can stay and glower at him while you guys talk. You know, like one of those dads with the shotguns in the movies. Make him uncomfortable as fuck.”
I laugh out loud at the mental image of Chloe trying to intimidate someone Logan’s size and built like a tank. “I’ll be fine, Chlo. I’m a big girl. I can handle him.”
“Fine. I need to get something to wear for the concert anyway. Knox gave me his credit card and said to get whatever I want as long as he can rip it off my body after the concert. He’s always horny as fuck after he plays. But I can just go to the café where I picked out my coffee earlier and wait until you guys finish your talk if you want to go shopping with me afterward.”
“It’s okay. I’m not in the mood to go shopping, so you can do your thing, and then we can meet back here or tell me the hotel’sname, and we can meet there instead.”
“I’ll come get you. I even have a driver and bodyguard now,” she says, hugging me and standing. “Please change your clothes and go wash your face. You know I love you, but you look like you crawled out of a Goodwill box, and you can’t let the dickbag see you like this.”
“Yes, Mom, I’ll change.”
“That’s my girl.” She pats my head and winks. “Now, can you please tell me where I can find clothes that are rock star girlfriend-worthy? I need something sexy and edgy.”
“You can try that fancy neighborhood in the southern part of Ashville. I’ve never been there, but I heard the stores are super high-end, and you can only find designer stuff. If Knox is treating you, then you should take full advantage.”
“Oh, I definitely will. ‘Kay, I’ll see you later. Text me when you guys are done.” She takes her jacket from the hanger near the door and blows me a kiss before leaving.
Heaving out a deep sigh, I make a beeline for the bathroom, deciding to take another shower. If I can still smell the stench of dead animal on my skin, Logan will, too.
28
Ava
As I put my jeans on, a weird feeling seizes my chest. I’m nervous as fuck about seeing Logan, but it’s not that. It’s something different, as if the mating bond is alerting me of Logan’s presence. It vibrates and makes my skin tingle as goosebumps spread all over my body. Then a loud knock comes from the front door, and I stride toward it, my stomach fisting into a ball of restless energy. My palm is so sweaty that my hand slips when I grab the handle.
