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But so am I. I’ve also eluded plenty of the man’s own attempts myself.
I certainly think it would be fair to say we gleefully would slit each other’s throats if given half the chance.
Whatever he’s written to me, it’s probably not good. Letters have been the only way he and I have ever communicated, and we don’t send many. This will be something serious, I’m sure.
I fold the letter without reading it and tuck it securely away in my suit pocket. I will deal with Handsome Jack and his little theatrics later, but for now, I’m heading back to Crystal River. I want to be home.
I want to be near Ava Matson when she changes her mind.
Because Iknowshe’s going to change her mind. It is just a matter of time.
“Come on,” I say to my bodyguard as I step outside. “We’re getting the fuck out of this city.”
Enrouteto the airport in my limousine, bound for my private plane, my phone rings - it’s Spencer calling.
One of my five brothers.
Spencer and I are close, but we’re not ones to call each other out of the blue. I wonder what the motive is for him reaching out like this.
“Spencer.”
“Damon.”
“What’s the call for, brother?” I ask.
Spencer is one of the leading English Literature professors in the country. He can boast an impressive educational background, having studied at esteemed universities both here and in the UK. Despite numerous offers from prestigious institutions, he bucked all common sense – according to our father and most of academia – and chose to return to Crystal River, opting to impart his knowledge at the local university in the small town where he grew up.
But me? I find that deeply honorable. We Penmaynes respect our roots.
And, like us Penmaynes, he is incredibly good looking. That doesn’t harm things.
“Where are you now, Damon?” he asks me. “Off shaking down some low-life thugs?”
“Nothing of the sort, brother. I’m in New York heading back to Crystal River now on my plane. Take-off is in ten minutes.”
“Perfect timing,” he replies. “I’m inviting you for drinks tonight at my place. I’m assuming you’ll be free to come, no? It has been too long since I’ve seen you.”
Ah.That’sthe motive for the unexpected call.
I would normally reject such an offer, but I do know that Spencer has actually met Ava in the flesh a few times. Maybe I will be able to glean some information about the girl that even Jim hasn’t been able to sniff out. Olivia, thegirl that Spencer is seeing at the moment, is –was– Ava’s roommate at Crystal River University before all these events with her father started. She and Spencer are certainly well-placed to give me a behind-the-scenes look at the girl who occupies my sleeping and waking mind.
And seeing my brother will be nice, I have to admit.
“Consider me coming, Spencer,” I reply. “I’ll cancel my plans to shake down some low-life thugs.”
“Lovely.”
Hearing about Ava from a man as trustworthy as my smart professor brother? This will be perfect.
11
AVA
My former boyfriendstrolls into The Oak, trailed by his father, while I remain seated in complete and total shock. Frozen stiff like a block of ice.
Sure, Crystal River is a small town, and therefore the chances of running into someone you know are incredibly high, but I really did not expect to run into Luke Abbott when I woke up this morning, and I wouldn’t particularly want to. I would’ve even put it down on my list ofthings I would least like to happen today.
Him walking in like this means that I’m coming face-to-face with my ex for the first time since he dumped me over the entire ordeal with my dad’s debts and all that crap. He seemed to think that, with everyone knowing about our family’s dirty laundry around town, being seen with me would mess up his perfectly cultivated pristine boy-next-door image.
