AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But first she’d have to make up with Damon. Or pretend to for the sake of getting ready for the vigil.
She went downstairs. Didn’t see him in the living room or kitchen. Not in his office or in the recording studio.
Then she heard the familiar pounding in the workout room. He’d picked up the habit of taking out his frustrations on the punching bag from her dad. They were two peas in a pod, those two. After Cal had been arrested, Ari’s dad had become Damon’s fatherly influence.
Her heart ached at the thought of her parents. Usually, it didn’t bother her living so far away. They were close enough that they could make a trip to see them. What she wouldn’t give at the moment to sit at the kitchen table she’d grown up at — though it was in a different house now — and talk about Damon over coffee with them. Mom would give her stories of arguments she and Dad had made it through, and Dad would give her what he thought was Damon’s point of view.
Sure, she could call and get the same stories, but it wouldn’t be the same. Even with a video call. Some things were better done in person.
And she didn’t have time, anyway. Rita needed her.
Which meant she had to talk to Damon and work this out on her own. She’d have to channel her parents’ advice and go from there.
She took a deep breath and imagined Mom telling her about one of her arguments with Dad. And they’d had some doozies over the years. There had been times when Ari never imagined they’d get back together, but they had. And if Dad was with her, he’d probably say that Damon was likely only trying to help, that he’d never have confronted Boone if he’d realized how upset it would make her.
Ari’s heart softened. Damon didn’t have a cruel bone in his body. Especially not toward her. Even though what he’d done had hurt her, that wasn’t why he’d done it.
And it wasn’t like Ariana herself hadn’t done things he didn’t like. He hadn’t been particularly thrilled about her following Boone, but he hadn’t held it against her either. She needed to speak with him. Make up. Forgive him.
She knocked on the door before entering their workout room.
Damon turned to her after hitting the punching bag. Sweat dripped down his face and white powder covered his hands and arms. He wiped his forehead and took a deep breath. “Everything okay?”
“I’m ready to talk.”
“Talk.” He grabbed a water bottle and downed the entire thing.
“I appreciate that you wanted to talk with Boone on my behalf, but next time can you include me in the decision?”
He tossed the empty bottle into the recycle bin. “You were sleeping. I only had a minute before he went into his house and locked the door. I had to act then or not do anything at all, because he’d never open the door for me once inside.” He paused. “But if I knew how upset you’d be, I wouldn’t have done it. The last thing I wanted was for you to feel like I was going behind your back. I just needed to say my piece.”
“Kind of like how I leaped at the chance to follow him.”
“While I was sleeping.” He lifted a brow. “I think we’re more alike than either of us wants to admit.”
“True.” She stepped closer to him. “I’m sorry I got so upset, especially considering I did the same thing.”
He took her hands in his. “We’re both worried about Rita, and we know firsthand what she’s going through. But I need you to trust my intentions. I would never do anything to hurt you — not purposefully. And nothing I do is ever because I don’t think you’re capable.”
Ariana swallowed. “I know. Like you said, we’re stressed. My emotions are all over the place. I keep thinking back to when I was held against my will.”
Damon kissed her cheek. “Same here. It’s impossible not to think about it.”
“You don’t think we need more therapy, do we?”
“I hope not. At least as long as these memories return to where they were buried after we find Rita safe and sound.”
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s what will happen.”
Both of their phones made sounds alerting them of texts.
She lifted a brow. “We both have a message at the same time?”
“Must be important.” He raced over to a shelf where his phone sat.
Ariana pulled hers out of her pocket.
It was from Lia.
